Future Generation Global’s social impact

Over the past 20 years, Australia has nearly halved the burden of cardiovascular disease and reduced cancer rates by a quarter through investment in treatment and prevention. In stark contrast, mental ill-health has increased by 6.5% over the same period, costing the economy up to $70 billion annually.

Tragically, young people are most affected. Between 2020–2022, 38.8% of 16 to 24-year-olds experienced a mental health condition. In 2022, suicide accounted for 30.9% of deaths among 15–17-year-olds and 32.4% among 18–24-year-olds.

No other health issue inflicts such widespread and lasting harm on young people’s education, relationships, employment, and life outcomes. Yet despite being a global leader in treatment, Australia has failed to direct sufficient policy, focus and funding towards prevention. While prevention has been a stated government priority since the 1990s, it still receives only around 1% of the $10 billion spent annually on mental health.

If this doesn’t change, the human and economic costs will continue to grow. Prevention must be the next frontier. The case is clear – many mental health conditions are preventable, and investment in prevention improves productivity, reduces pressure on the health system, and spares families immense suffering.

That’s why we direct our social investment dollars towards high-potential organisations focused on prevention. By funding these programs and tracking their impact, we build the evidence needed to guide future investment.