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Mental health is an ongoing priority. At Optometry Australia, we are continuing to expand our mental health and wellbeing support in response to the real and rising needs of our members and the profession.
Burnout, stress and psychological distress are realities that many optometrists face. A recent American Academy of Optometry survey of 1,436 optometrists in the United States found that 53.6% of optometrists reported symptoms of burnout with females reporting higher burnout rates than males. Contributing risk factors included optometrists in the mid-career stage (5-29 years after graduating), high number of clinic days, high patient volume and electronic health record use.
In Australia, a 2019 national survey led by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) found similarly concerning results. Among Australian optometrists, 31% reported depression and anxiety and moderate to severe psychological distress, with 56% reporting high burnout. Further, optometrists under 30 were 3.5 times more likely to report moderate to severe psychological distress compared to their older peers.
In 2025, these pressures have only intensified, shaped by the cost-of-living crisis, economic uncertainty and, for many, reduced energy.
Mental health support, designed for optometrists
This year, Optometry Australia has partnered with MINDCHECK HP, a new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, chosen for their specialised experience in supporting health professionals.
Completely confidential and free, all OA members can access up to three coaching and counselling sessions. Whether you’re facing work-related stress, personal challenges or simply need someone to talk to, our new EAP provider ensures members receive relevant and compassionate support – whenever it’s needed.
To get more information about the Member Assistance Program, we encourage you to watch this short video or visit our member resource page here:
Advocating for you at Ahpra’s Mental Health Summit
Earlier this year, Optometry Australia took part in Ahpra’s 2025 Mental Health Summit, ‘Shaping better regulatory experiences’, joining 140 representatives from other medical and allied health associations. OA Director of Professional Services, Sophie Koh, contributed to panel discussions, and ensured optometry’s voice was heard on the need to ensure that due process and faster resolutions are being prioritised, with notifications to minimise adverse mental health outcomes for practitioners under investigation. We will continue to work with Ahpra’s Advisory group on this issue to strengthen support for members during the notifications process.
This advocacy aligns with our broader, ongoing commitment to systemic change. In September 2024, we hosted the Clear Minds, Bright Future symposium, bringing the optometry community together to address the growing challenges of burnout and mental wellbeing within the profession.
Since then, this work has progressed through Optometry Australia’s Workforce Conditions Survey, led by Flinders University and resulting in the development of Optometry Australia’s Position Statement on workplace conditions for clinical optometrists, and the inaugural Optometry Leader’s Summit in April 2025, where sector leaders came together to explore practical solutions. We will continue collaborating with stakeholders across the profession throughout the year and beyond, calling for workplace practices that protect the integrity of clinical decision-making, safeguard patient and practitioner well-being, and facilitate fulfilling professional experiences.
Join us to push up for mental health
Optometry Australia is again taking part in the Push Up Challenge to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention through Lifeline.
We encourage you join to our team, ‘Assessing Fitness to Thrive’. Whether you’re doing push ups, or another health-related activity, it’s a chance to raise awareness, support each other and keep mental health on the agenda.
This year, we’re dedicating our efforts to the memory of Mark Cushway – a much-loved colleague and mental health advocate who led OA’s participation in the challenge. This year’s goal is 3,214 push-ups – representing each life lost to suicide in Australia in 2023.
Join our team
This message is especially poignant given 2023 findings from Ahpra’s Expert Advisory Group, which reported that 16 health practitioners across the National Scheme had taken their lives between 2018 and 2021 while involved in regulatory processes, with four practitioners having attempted suicide or self-harmed.
With a 38% chance of receiving a notification over a 30-year career, registered health practitioners face a unique set of pressures. Ensuring Aphra balances patient safety with the welfare of optometrists remains a high priority for Optometry Australia.
Looking after our profession, together
Optometry Australia remains committed to the wellbeing of our members today – while working together towards a future where every optometrist can thrive.
We offer a suite of free tailored resources for members, including a series of webcasts and podcasts, as well as a curated bank of tools developed to address burnout and mental health. The resources also include a Mental Health First Aid Course, designed to help members recognise and appropriately triage patients suffering from mental health issues into appropriate care.
A reminder that our Optometry Advisor Help Desk is also available to support members with complex issues – from Ahpra investigations to Medicare audits, medico-legal issues to major sector change. We are here to provide independent and unbiased advice, with complete confidentiality and without judgement, helping members navigate the challenging aspects of the job.
Tagged as: Mental health