Albanese recalls family friend’s ‘confronting’ mental health struggle as he launches $1bn funding pledge

PM promises better access to treatment and counselling, saying many Australians have issues that we need to talk about more'

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Anthony Albanese became visibly emotional while recalling the mental health struggle of a family friend who nearly died, as he launched Labor's $1bn pledge to boost access to treatment and counselling.

The prime minister recalled being shocked as a young man by the difficulties faced by his friend's niece and said many Australians have issues that we need to talk about more".

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In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org