Tasmania Politicians Break Silence on Mental Health

When Jeremy Rockliff first considered running for office over 20 years ago, the former Lifeline counsellor nearly cried talking about it. He wondered if a "sensitive soul" like him could handle political life.

Now Tasmania's Premier, Rockliff is one of three state politicians opening up about mental health in the wake of a sobering national study. The research surveyed nearly 300 politicians across Australia and found one in five had thought about harming themselves due to job pressure.

The numbers paint a troubling picture. Seventy percent of politicians say their work is affecting their mental health, while 40% feel they can't speak out about it. Nearly three-quarters say parliament is the worst workplace they've experienced.

But instead of accepting this as normal, leaders are speaking up. Rockliff says social media has intensified the attacks, with comments that go beyond his decisions to target him personally. His solution is simple: he doesn't look at it.

Labor MP Ella Haddad knows the dilemma well. Politicians are expected to show strength constantly, she says, and sharing struggles can be "weaponized and used against you." People question your fitness for office the moment you admit having mental health challenges.

Independent MLC Ruth Forrest echoes these concerns. All three agree the culture needs to change, both inside parliament and outside it.

The Ripple Effect

The conversation these politicians are starting reaches far beyond parliament walls. By acknowledging that public service takes a mental health toll, they're making it safer for others to run for office.

Rockliff pushes back against the idea that success in politics requires being aggressive. "The notion that you can only be successful if you're willing to be a head kicker is frankly complete bullshit," he said. His years of experience taught him you don't need to "bash people over the head with a sledgehammer."

The Premier also calls out his own colleagues. The media releases labeling opponents as "weak" or "liar" feed the social media pile-ons. "All the crap that people write in media releases, it's just ridiculous," he said.

While he manages the scrutiny after two decades in politics, Rockliff worries the vitriol will drive good people away. The personal attacks diminish real debate and hurt democracy.

The study, conducted by the Better Politics Foundation and psychiatrist Patrick McGorry, aims to understand the problem and find solutions. All three Tasmanian MPs agree on the goal: making sure people with mental health conditions feel safe running for office.

Their willingness to share these stories is already changing the conversation about what strength in leadership really looks like.