It's a YES! – Mental health leaders applaud a momentous day in Australian history

15 November 2017

The CEOs of Australia's leading youth mental health organisations have issued the following joint statement on behalf of #mindthefacts in response to the result of the marriage equality postal survey.

We applaud the majority YES vote in the same sex marriage survey. This is a momentous day in Australian history.

61.6 per cent of Australians have voted to legislate in favour of marriage equality. This is a resounding YES.

We thank the Australian public for voting with the facts in mind. This result affirms for young LGBTIQ Australians that they have a bright and positive future in this country, and that their mental wellbeing is a priority.

Now we have this result, it is time to unite and end the negativity.

We also call on our leaders and parliament to deliver on legislating marriage equality by the end of 2017 - a great way to start fresh in the New Year for the LGBTIQ community and Australia.

We know the distress caused by the postal survey does not end with this result, and remind young Australians that mental health services and support are available.

ReachOut has today released new online resources to support the result, and its forums are a safe space to work through the result, celebrate and vent.

Young people going through a tough time can also visit any of the 100 headspace centres across Australia or visit www.headspace.org.au.

Statement on behalf of:

Professor Helen Christensen, Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute Jason Trethowan, CEO, headspace Professor Pat McGorry AO, Executive Director, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health Jono Nicholas, CEO, ReachOut Professor Ian Hickie AM, Co-Director, The University of Sydney – Brain and Mind Centre.

Read the full release: MEDIA RELEASE Mental health leaders applaud momentous day in Australian history.