Please note, this letter is open for all members of the public- you do not need to be a mental health practitioner to sign. This petition already has +850 signatures through another platform- help us sign to reach over 5000.

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Jason Trethowan
Chief Executive Officer at headspace 

Professor Patrick McGorry
Executive Director of Orygen, Professor of Youth Mental Health at The University of Melbourne, and a Director of the Board of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation (headspace)
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Dear Mr. Trethowan and Professor McGorry,

We write to you in our capacity as mental health professionals and human rights advocates, to express our concern regarding the connections between headspace, its research partner Orygen, and Israeli and Zionist funding bodies.

We strongly support the work of headspace in Australia, noting the significant impact it has on mental wellbeing of young Australians. We also acknowledge the admirable commitment of headspace and Orygen to supporting First Nations communities in Australia, and see in this work a reflection of our shared dedication to justice, equity and solidarity.

We’re particularly concerned that recent revelations about headspace’s expansion to Israel, where it operates three centres, and its receipt of funding from Israeli and Zionist sources seem to be out of alignment with these principles. 

Furthermore, headspace’s collaboration with Orygen, and these organisations’ receipt of substantial funding from federal and state governments, highlights a lack of transparency regarding their association with Israeli and Zionist funding. The funding from the Besen & Gandel Foundation, known Zionist families and foundations, adds another layer of concern, especially given the recent public statements made by Mr John Gandel supporting the genocide in Gaza and occupied Palestine.

It is alarming that mainstream mental health services like headspace and its partner Orygen, which are widely recognised for their trauma-informed approaches and commitment to the elimination of discrimination, should be associated with funding bodies and organisations that promulgate messages of discrimination and violence towards, and trauma for, Palestinians.

In light of these concerns, we urge headspace and Orygen to:
1. Immediately cease operations and partnerships in Israel. This involves closure of the existing centres operating in Israel.

2. Engage in landback and Palestinian sovereignty work as reparations for the harm caused to Palestinian people living in Occupied Palestine, as well as Palestinians living in the diaspora.

3. Divest from all Zionist funding, refusing any funding that perpetuates the Zionist cause. 

4. Urge the Australian Government to use all tools at its disposal to support the implementation of an immediate and permanent ceasefire and end to the occupation of Palestine, ensuring the right of return for refugees and those who have been forced to seek asylum outside of Palestine. 

5. Lobby the Australian Australian Government to provide consular support and permanent protection to those who are currently fleeing Gaza and Occupied Palestine.

6. Provide significant, meaningful and culturally safe care to survivors and victims of the genocide in Australia Australia, and fund Palestinian mental health and health organisations in Gaza and Occupied Palestine. 

We would like to underscore the urgency of the situation, given the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling, by majority vote of 15 to 2, that there was a plausible case of genocide for Israel to answer to, in regards to its actions in Gaza. This ruling included a legally binding order for Israel and other parties to the Genocide Convention to take measures to prevent this genocide. There have been over 15,000 children murdered and over 32,000 civilian deaths in total since the 7th of October, 2023.

We are concerned that headspace and Orygen’s continued association and work with Zionist funding bodies and Israeli government ministries risks contravening international law and may be in breach of the Genocide Convention. The gravity of these orders necessitates a thorough examination of any association with entities operating within Israel. 

Immediate action on the above would safeguard headspace and Orygen’s reputation and credibility in our community and would align with both organisations’ commitment to mental wellbeing and creating safe spaces for all. It also sends a clear message that the Australian community does not tolerate organisations and funders promoting messages of division, racism and discrimination. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We anticipate your prompt response and commitment to addressing these concerns immediately. 

Sincerely,

Australia Palestine Mental Health Network (APMHN) & Mental Health Workers For a Free Palestine (MHWFP)