Greg Inglis' Goanna Academy will see an expansion of its preventive mental health education programs for at-risk people, as well as the piloting of a new mental health training program.
On Monday, Labor announced $6.4 million over three years if they are elected to support the Indigenous-owned, headspace-endorsed mental health education provider, which aims to end the stigma surrounding - and improve everyone's ability to talk and discuss - mental health.
The Goanna Academy's programs look to build wellbeing and resilience for some of the most at-risk groups in the country, including regional men, youth, and First Nations communities, with the funding set to expand their work out of New South Wales and Queensland.
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The grant will support the development of a 'Goanna Champions' pilot, which will help train First Nations community leaders, giving them the skills to deliver mental health education and support in their communities, Labor said.
Founded in 2020, the Academy, founded by former NRL legend and Dunghutti man, Greg Inglis, is the first accredited and Indigenous-owned mental health education provider in Australia.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the government was "ensuring more Australians, particularly those in regional and remote communities, can access mental health support".
The Yanyuwa Garrawa woman and Senator argued the investment in Goanna Academy "will help deliver mental health support and education to more people and more communities".
"All Australians, including First Nations people, need to know there is always support available, and they can enjoy happy, healthy and full lives," Senator McCarthy said.
Since its founding, the Academy has worked "to improve mental health, particularly for First Nations Australians," Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, said.
"This significant funding boost will allow them to expand their program and support more people in communities across Australia."
