Four years ago, I became involved in the mental health sector by joining what is now the largest private funder of mental health in Australia, Future Generation.

Created by Geoff Wilson AO, the Future Generation investment companies, Future Generation Australia (ASX: FGX) and Future Generation Global (ASX: FGG), have invested $30.6 million in high-impact Australian charities since 2014.

When we decided that we would focus FGG’s social investments solely on youth mental health, it was because we knew that it was a grossly underfunded cause and that we could make a real difference.

Private funders believe Australia is facing a mental health crisis, yet philanthropic and corporate investment in the mental health sector is incredibly low. Future Generation has sought to find out why this disconnect exists.

We commenced by inviting private funders to our first National Mental Health Funders’ Forum in October 2018. This was followed by a Roundtable for the highest-level funders in July 2019. A second Roundtable is scheduled for November 2019 followed by a third Roundtable and second Forum in March 2020.

This report is another initiative. By surveying 56 of Australia’s leading private funders we distill the key reasons why private investment in mental health is left wanting and, more importantly, what needs to change.

Louise Walsh
Chief Executive Officer
Future Generation