Get Involved - Parliament

N My Sleeve

Published on: August 2025

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-156214

N My Sleeve Movement

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (16:06:59):

I acknowledge the incredible work of Heart On My Sleeve, a grassroots mental health movement founded in Sydney by Mitch Wallis in 2017. What started with one brave story has become a global charity reaching millions through real storytelling, peer support and mental health education. Yesterday I was proud to join the shadow Minister for Mental Health, who hosted the Parliament's launch of this year's Pretending is Painful campaign. I also acknowledge the support of the member for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, and many other members across the Chamber who joined this important cause. Now in its third year, the campaign encourages people not just to ask, "Are you OK?" but also to say, "I'm not OK," when they are struggling. Throughout August, people will see powerful portraits of well-known Australians—from Layne Beachley to Barry Du Bois—proudly wearing hearts on their sleeves across television, radio, billboards and public spaces. I commend Mitch Wallis—who I have known for a number of years, as he worked with me in my local youth mental health forums—and the Heart On My Sleeve team for shifting how we speak about mental health, because pretending is painful, and no-one should have to suffer in silence.