A budget, a forum, and a unified voice
On Tuesday night, Mental Health Australia welcomed the Albanese Government’s commitment to mental health and its focus on supporting the community to meet rising costs of living in its 2023/24 Federal Budget. While we will continue to call for longer-term investment in systemic reform, there were encouraging signs in the budget that this Government is listening.
The budget’s focus on addressing some of the urgent service gaps in our mental health system and reaching those community members who are in greatest need is welcomed. As is the investment in the mental health workforce, and the much needed $10.5M for the mental health of First Nations people in the lead up to, during, and following the referendum to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution.
We know that our financial security is intrinsically linked to our mental health, so any funding to boost income support measures, and to relieve cost of living pressures is, of course, supported. The primary care reforms, which include funding to boost access to bulk billing, will also have direct benefits for mental health.
We are delighted that the Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project, delivered by Mental Health Australia, is receiving an additional $1.2M to extend a Suicide Prevention Pilot and deliver a report on multicultural mental health in Australia.
We are still waiting for a long-term, funded roadmap for reform, but we don’t have to passively wait for this – it’s important that as a sector we’re codesigning the solution with both government and communities.
To facilitate this and in our role as the national peak and delivering member value, Mental Health Australia engages with members regularly through a range of channels. A key activity is our Member Policy Forums. Yesterday, I was thrilled to host my first Members Policy Forum – there was fantastic energy in the room with more than 60 members attending in person, and 29 joining via Zoom. Mental Health Australia’s Chair, Matt Berriman, welcomed everyone, and we are grateful to all the speakers who gave us their time and expertise:
- the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride MP
- the First Assistant Secretary, Mental Health Division, Bronwyn Field and Assistant Secretary, Mental Health Access Branch, Anthea Raven and Director, Mental Health Workforce Implementation Section, Caitlin O’Brien all from the Department of Health and Aged Care
- National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum Co-Chairs, Kerry Hawkins and Shannon Calvert
- NDIS Subject Matter Expert, Dr Gerry Naughtin OAM and Deputy Head, NDIS Review Secretariat James MacIsaac
As well as dissecting the Federal Budget, I wanted to hear from members about our key policy priorities for the sector and emerging issues. There were some great conversations and, no doubt, many more to come.
On my return from holidays in mid-June, I will be speaking with each of our members 1:1, so that I can better understand what’s on their minds, and our member expectations of Mental Health Australia.
As a sector, we have a key role to play in providing a unified voice on what policy solutions can and should look like. These solutions need to support people today, and deliver long-term change, so that we can all access effective support, when and where we need it.
You can read Mental Health Australia’s Budget Summary and media release, and watch the highlights from yesterday’s Member Policy Forum.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia
The diary next week - On Monday and Tuesday, I’m attending our Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop, hosted for the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum and National Register members, with Embrace Lived Experience Group representatives also attending.
- From Wednesday 17 May I’m taking leave for a long-awaited holiday and return on Wednesday 14 June. In my absence, our Director of Policy and Research, Harry Lovelock, will be Acting CEO.
- On Wednesday, Harry is attending the Embrace Stakeholder Meeting in Melbourne.
- On Thursday, Harry is attending a Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance meeting.
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Resources on the Voice ReferendumIn April 2023, the Mental Health Australia Board Directors agreed unanimously to Mental Health Australia’s public support for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. The Board noted the unequivocal links between identity, recognition and genuine engagement in policy development, and social and emotional wellbeing. Budget Analysis ANTAR’s Federal Budget analysis blog, “Budget ’23 asks First Nations communities to keep waiting”, explores the implications of this budget for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Recommended Viewing
The ABC has an excellent video explaining the Voice, the context around it, the key arguments for both ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigners, and what would happen if the Constitution changes.
Does your mental health organisation have resources about the Voice? Let us know. |
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My Health Record and mental health webinarsYou are invited to upcoming information webinars about My Health Record for the mental health sector, hosted by Mental Health Australia in collaboration with the Australian Digital Health Agency.
For people with lived experience, carers and support organisations: My Health Record and mental health advance directives Webinar information session and Q&A | Wednesday 17 May, 6 – 6:30pm AEST register here Feel free to share these events across your networks. For more information, contact policy@mhaustralia.org |
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Embrace Multicultural Mental Health News
We are pleased to announce that Mental Health Australia’s Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project will be granted an additional $1.2M in funding. This funding will allow for the extension of a Suicide Prevention Pilot and the delivery of a comprehensive report on multicultural mental health in Australia. |
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Send us your news, events, and job vacancies
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Communicate your news, job vacancies, or upcoming events to more than 5,000 people in the mental health ecosystem weekly. Mental Health Australia members are invited to send us news, announcements, job vacancies, events or other notices for inclusion in the Weekly CEO Update newsletter. To do so, simply fill out this form by COB each Thursday for your notice to appear in the newsletter. Job vacancyBEING – Mental Health Consumers is looking for an experienced Peer Support Worker (Phone Support) to ensure a safe environment for the participants of its two new committees: the Suicide Advocacy Co-design Committee and the Self-Harm Advocacy Co-design Committee. It may involve supporting people who are highly distressed to connect with appropriate supports. Find the position description or find out more and apply. Alternatively, visit our website for more information about the position and the organisation. |
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ACA is Australia’s premier peak body for counsellors and psychotherapists with over 6500 members. Membership to ACA gives members access to private health fund provider numbers, EAPs, NDIS, Insurance, employment portal and much more. ACA resources are dedicated to advocacy work towards better recognition for the profession. |
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Being is the independent, state-wide peak organisation for people with a lived experience of mental illness (consumers) in NSW. They work with consumers to achieve and support systemic change. BEING acts as a bridge between mental health consumers and the government. An essential part of their role is to encourage mental health consumers to provide input into decision making at all levels concerning the way mental health services are provided. They gather information and lobby the decision makers about issues relevant to the mental health system. They seek to influence legislation and policy introduced by the government where it affects the lives of mental health consumers. BEING also keeps people informed of what is happening in the state through their Network. |
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Annual Impact Report shows Kids Helpline does not have enough resources to keep up with demandThe annual Kids Helpline Impact Report for 2022, highlights that demand continues to exceed capacity with only two in five children and young people able to get through to a counsellor in 2022. The findings outline the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression (emotional wellbeing), continues to rise among young people. The worsening of mental health can be attributed to limited access to mental health services, and the length of time it takes for a young person to get counselling support when they need it most. Kids Helpline, a service of yourtown, paints a bleak picture in the 2022 Impact Report, with lack of funding to match demand. Mental health interventions dealing with suicide attempts, suicidal ideation and child abuse have also increased compared to before the pandemic. |
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Tasmanian Government to establish Mother and Baby UnitThe Tasmanian Liberal Government will step in and establish a dedicated Mother and Baby Unit within the public health system, following Healthscope’s decision to close the St Helen’s Private Hospital in Hobart. The Mother and Baby Unit will be located at the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Ward K6 Transition to Home Unit in the West Wing of the new K block. The new service is expected to be operational by mid-June - ahead of the closure of the St Helen’s Private Hospital at the end of June - to ensure continuity of care for those utilising the service. The Unit will provide three dedicated public beds in a separate, nurturing environment, offering holistic support, education and services to help families navigate the challenges of parenthood. |
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NSW Government boosts mental health support for parents with $10,000 pledgeNSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson say the NSW Government has today pledged $10,000 to the Gidget Foundation Australia (GFA) to enable the development of an innovative training program and new tools to assist the health workforce with supporting expectant and new parents. Perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) are recognised mental health conditions affecting 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers in Australia. GFA is a respected not-for-profit organisation that exists to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents to ensure they receive timely, appropriate and specialist care. They promote awareness, drive advocacy, educate and deliver services to prevent and treat perinatal mental health issues through early detection and intervention. |
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Mental Health Opportunities and Resources
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With You - consultations about training for mental health legal assistance servicesWith You is a project developing rights-based, trauma-informed training for the legal assistance sector in working with people experiencing poor mental health or suicidality. The project is speaking to a range of professionals who have worked in or alongside the legal assistance sector, alongside people who have accessed services and their carers, family members, supporters and kin. You are invited to share your thoughts on how this training should be designed, and what it should include. Consultations are running until the beginning of June. To set up an interview or attend a 2-hour fous group, call 0457 620 129 or send an email to mhtp@maylea.com.au. You can also take an anonymous online survey (15 minutes). |
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Suicide Awareness BallThe Suicide Awareness Ball is a fundraising event aimed at raising awareness and funds to support OzHelp’s mission to prevent suicide in the workplace and beyond. The evening promises to be a wonderful celebration, with live entertainment, a three-course dinner, raffle, and live and silent auctions featuring exclusive items generously donated by local businesses. Saturday 3 June, 6:00pm – 11:30pm at the Great Hall, Parliament House. |
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Funding for Interpreting Services
The Australian Government is funding interpreting services for approved Primary Health Networks-commissioned mental health services to assist people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds when accessing mental health support. The Department of Health and Aged Care is encouraging all eligible allied health professionals and mental health agencies to access this funding. Refer to the Department of Health and Aged Care website to check eligibility and obtain instructions on registering for a funded TIS National client code. |
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Join the mental health community at TheMHS Conference ‘Making Rights Real’
TheMHS Adelaide 15-18 August, 2023 will focus on Making Rights Real: bringing humanity and human rights into mental health. Hear from inspirational global speakers, including Dainius Pūras, a world-renowned clinician and advocate of human rights in mental health. A stunning line up of Featured Symposia will share insights and innovations from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, including First Nations, lived experience and culturally diverse perspectives. Also enjoy a lively networking event and celebrate at the 2023 Mental Health Service Awards ceremony. TheMHS Adelaide will explore the principles and practicalities of making rights real in mental health, including legal frameworks, culture, stigma, discrimination and evidence-based alternatives to re-traumatising practices. Register by 2 June to catch Early Bird rates, group discounts also available. |
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