What we heard
Across many conversations, Tasmanians shared that mental health and wellbeing shapes whether people can take part in community life, feel respected and stay connected over time. People spoke about how mental ill-health can reduce someone’s ability to join in. It can also place pressure on the family, friends and community members supporting them.
A strong message was that connection is one of the biggest protective factors for positive mental health. When people feel supported, genuinely welcomed and can reach for help early, they’re more likely to stay engaged with their community through hard times. Suicide prevention conversations particularly reinforced the importance of reducing stigma, normalising help-seeking and making support easier to access and navigate.
People also highlighted the need for trauma-informed ways to participate – where people can opt in and out when needed, rather than being locked into commitments that don’t match how they are feeling week to week. Having more flexible options helps people stay connected without the pressure of ‘keeping up’ when life is tough.
Communities told us they do best when there are different ways to contribute, using different skills and strengths so more people can take part in ways that feel achievable, meaningful and safe.
What does this mean for services and for Tasmania’s future?
- Wellbeing is a key foundation for productivity, enabling people to participate, learn, work and contribute more sustainably.
- Good mental health and wellbeing support learning, work, relationships and quality of life, especially when people have access to safe, inclusive and timely support.
- Workplaces that support wellbeing, psychological safety and good work design are more likely to improve engagement, retention and productive contribution and may also create better conditions for innovation.
- Early intervention in mental health can reduce long-term social and system costs, strengthen community wellbeing and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable economic participation.
So what might a foundation of wellbeing look like?
- Wellbeing is supported through everyday connection.
- People have flexible ways to participate without pressure.
- Trauma-informed participation options are available.
- People can stay connected and involved in ways that work for them.
Together, these features help build connected and respectful communities.
Get involved
You can check out how to get involved with the journey towards a more connected and respectful Tasmania.
We are all in this together and we would love for you to get involved.