Focus on mental health and suicide prevention
Success! Your request has been sent and a representative will be in contact soon.
The AMA Queensland Foundation Board met recently and considered results of the survey Queensland Doctors Identifying Health Needs which ran from 30 May until 14 July. The survey asked Queensland doctors to identify the key health priorities and shortfalls facing patients and identify areas of need that the AMA Queensland Foundation can help support. The cause of most concern for doctors in Queensland has been identified as ‘Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.’ Considering these results, the Foundation has elected to focus on this priority area for our 2025 Social Cause, and it will be the focus of our fundraising activities for the remainder of the year.
Foundation Chair Dr Dilip Dhupelia said the finer details of the campaign and its activities are still to be decided but acknowledges it as an area of high concern for doctors and their patients.
“The issue of mental health and suicide prevention impacts everyone, and doctors can be particularly vulnerable themselves, particularly as junior doctors. We hope to focus on both aspects of this issue during our 2025 campaign,” Dr Dhupelia said.
Feedback from doctors around mental health and suicide prevention
Here's some of the anonymous feedback provided by doctors during the survey around the issue of mental health and suicide prevention.
“Mental health is a critical issue in our communities, funding in this area will help move the needle in the right direction.”
“Patients, especially in low socio-economic areas, have a higher demand for mental health services including psychiatrists. But there is no access to a psychiatrist for ongoing management, only one-off assessments when patients are in a psychotic episode. Even private psychiatrists have a wait time of 3-6months.”
“Happy people work harder and look after themselves better.”
“There is an epidemic of mental illness and very under-resourced.”
“Mental health is becoming inaccessible for the most vulnerable.”
We thank all those doctors who took the time to consider their priority areas, and we look forward to concentrating our efforts around this extremely worthy cause to make a real difference to health outcomes in this space.
What is your experience of this issue?
Whether you are a doctor or a community member, many of us have been touched by suicide, or know someone who is struggling with mental health. (That someone may even be you). What is your experience of this issue? Leave your anonymous feedback to help shape our response and messaging around this important topic.
24-hour support
If any of the topics in this article have raised issues for you, help is available. Here’s where you can find 24/7 support.
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- Lifeline 13 11 14
Background of the survey
Members of AMA Queensland started the Foundation in 2000 in response to growing patient needs, shortfalls in health research funding and to help medical students experiencing financial hardship to pursue their dreams of becoming a doctor. The Queensland Doctors Identifying Health Needs Survey was conducted in recognition of the Foundation’s 25th anniversary, once again asking doctors around the state to share their feedback on health issues, charities or community causes that needed financial help. Doctors work with patients from all walks of life and have a bedside view of the key health priorities and shortfalls facing Queensland. The short, anonymous survey sought feedback from Queensland-based medical doctors on areas of need where the AMA Queensland Foundation can help via fundraising efforts during the second half of 2025.
Show your support for this important cause.