SSM policy submission updates

NSW & Federal pre-budget submissions for the statewide and national stigma study

NaturismRE has formally submitted the Standardised Stigma Measure, known as SSM, to the NSW Treasury as part of the 2026 to 27 pre-budget consultation. This submission presents a proposal for a statewide study on stigma, body perception and nature-based wellbeing. It marks an important step in demonstrating our commitment to evidence-based public health and our readiness to work with government on meaningful mental health reform.

This submission provides NSW with a detailed research plan exploring how stigma affects mental health, social participation and engagement with outdoor wellbeing environments. It highlights why a standardised stigma index is necessary for designing effective and inclusive policies across health, education and community wellbeing.

By sharing our submission publicly, NaturismRE demonstrates transparency, professionalism and the seriousness of our work in advancing research and improving community wellbeing.

What the submission contains

The NSW pre-budget submission outlines:

the purpose of developing a statewide stigma index
the need for consistent measurement across demographic groups
the impact of stigma on mental health, confidence and social behaviour
the benefits of collecting NSW-specific evidence
the research methodology using the SSM
expected health, social and economic outcomes for the state

The study is designed to support public health planning, youth resilience, education programs and preventive mental health strategies.

Why this matters

Stigma influences self-worth, mental health, community participation and willingness to engage in outdoor activities. Understanding stigma with precision allows government, educators and community organisations to:

identify the most affected population groups
improve preventive health programs
strengthen youth wellbeing initiatives
design inclusive environments
increase participation in outdoor wellbeing spaces
reduce long-term mental health burden

Publishing our submission ensures stakeholders can review the structure, depth and evidence behind the SSM model.

Access the official submission

You can read or download the full documents submitted to the NSW Treasury below.-

NSW 2026 to 27 pre-budget submission for the SSM study

Attachment 1. Technical overview of the Standardised Stigma Measure

Attachment 2. Evidence brief on stigma and mental health impacts

2026 to 27 Federal Pre-Budget Submission

These documents explain how the SSM works, the evidence behind the model and the benefits of conducting a statewide stigma study.

Our commitment to research and public policy

NaturismRE is committed to supporting government with evidence-based proposals that improve community wellbeing. The submission of the SSM study reflects our role as a research-focused organisation prepared to collaborate with health specialists, universities, councils and policymakers.

Additional submissions and research updates will be published on this page as consultation progresses.

Next steps

NaturismRE will:

continue engaging with the NSW Government during the consultation process
prepare the federal version of the SSM submission
expand community education on the role of stigma in mental health
develop partnerships with researchers and mental health organisations
publish further updates through the SSM Hub

Download and share

Stakeholders, researchers and community partners are encouraged to download and review the submission documents. Sharing these resources helps raise awareness of stigma's impact and strengthens support for evidence-based public health strategies across NSW.

Technical overview of the Standardised Stigma Measure (SSM)

Evidence brief on stigma, mental health impacts and community wellbeing

SSM - NSW 2026 to 27 Pre-Budget Submission

2026 to 27 Federal Pre-Budget Submission for the national stigma study

NaturismRE has also formally submitted the Standardised Stigma Measure, known as SSM, to the Australian Government Treasury as part of the 2026 to 27 Federal Pre-Budget consultation. This submission elevates the proposal from a statewide study to a national research initiative capable of producing Australia’s first consistent, population-level stigma index.

The federal submission presents SSM as a national tool for understanding how stigma affects mental health, confidence, outdoor participation and community wellbeing. It highlights the need for comparable stigma data across states and territories and outlines a practical research model designed for national application.

The proposal supports preventive health planning, youth mental health strategy, education policy and broader wellbeing frameworks by offering evidence that can guide long-term decision-making at a national level.

What the federal submission contains

The federal pre-budget submission outlines:

the national impact of stigma on mental health and social participation
the absence of any consistent national stigma measurement framework
how SSM can provide comparable data across states and territories
proposed research partnerships with universities and mental health experts
the national methodology for deploying SSM
expected national health, social and economic benefits
alignment with the National Preventive Health Strategy and mental health priorities

This submission positions SSM as a tool for long-term national monitoring and policy development.

Access the federal submission

You can download the complete federal submission document below.

2026 to 27 Federal Pre-Budget Submission for the SSM Study
(Insert your PDF link)

This document integrates the full proposal along with:

SSM Technical Overview
Evidence Brief on Stigma and Mental Health

and is presented as a single combined file, as required by Commonwealth Treasury.

Why sharing the federal submission matters

Publishing the federal submission demonstrates NaturismRE’s commitment to:

evidence-led public policy
transparent engagement with government
national-level wellbeing and mental health reform
long-term community research and inclusion

It also reinforces NaturismRE’s position as a serious, research-focused organisation contributing meaningful proposals to state and federal policy processes.

Next updates

NaturismRE will continue to:

monitor Treasury review status
prepare for stakeholder outreach
engage universities for collaborative validation
expand public education around stigma and mental health
publish further national updates through the SSM Hub

Download the full research documents

SSM Technical Overview
Evidence Brief on Stigma and Mental Health
NSW Pre-Budget Submission
Federal Pre-Budget Submission