Mental Health Australia welcomes the government’s $424 million investment as part of the Closing the Gap implementation plan, on the fifteenth anniversary of the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples.

Next week, during 18-24 February people will be showing their support for a referendum on a First Nations Voice to Parliament. 

Leading up to and during the week, groups like From the Heart and Uluru Statement will distribute ideas and resources to help you get involved. Keep an eye out for updates on social media and websites.

For more information on why we need a Voice and what’s happened so far, visit Reconciliation Australia’s Support a Voice to Parliament webpage.

Fifteenth Anniversary of the Apology sees Government’s second Closing the Gap Implementation Plan

The new Implementation Plan aims to give purpose and direction to the transformation of Government in line with the National Agreement’s four Priority Reforms, which include formal partnerships between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations on policies and programs that have a significant impact on them. The plans detail each parties’ responsibility in the next steps towards achieving the Priority Reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The Plan was tabled jointly by Ministers Linda Burney, Jason Clare and Tanya Plibersek, Senator for the Northern Territory Malarndirri McCarthy, and Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations, Particia Turner.

AIHW: Suicide & self-harm monitoring - Suicide registers update

Caution: Some people may find parts of this content confronting or distressing. Please carefully consider your needs when reading the following information about suicide and self-harm. If this material raises concerns for you contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or see other ways you can seek help.

The New South Wales Suicide Monitoring System is a collaboration between NSW Health, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), the State Coroner and NSW Police, which was established in October 2020. NSW Health publishes monthly reports on suspected deaths by suicide occurring in New South Wales. The latest report for November 2022 found there were 917 suspected deaths by suicide in New South Wales in 2021. This is higher than the number of deaths reported for 2020 (900) but lower than for 2019 (946) (NSW Health 2023).

End Youth Suicide Week

Parliament House hosted a thought-provoking event on Tuesday for End Youth Suicide Week (13-17 February), hosted by young people who have overcome significant adversity, supported by an installation on the front lawn.

The week commenced with a vigil on the Northern Beaches of Sydney to acknowledge
the lives lost to suicide, with local MPS and community members to be invited.

Proposed ban on conversion practices in NSW

NSW Labor announced on Saturday that a Minns Labor Government will ban LGBTQ+ conversion practices. So called conversion therapy, or suppression practices, is the formal or informal practices based on the ideology that LGBTQ+ people have a disorder or require treatment.

Disability Reform Ministerial Council first meeting

Disability Ministers met in Canberra last Friday to set collective priorities for 2023. This was the first meeting of the Disability Reform Ministerial Council (DRMC) as represented in the new federation architecture, in which the DRMC reports directly to National Cabinet.

Ministers agreed to a number of priorities for the year including improving outcomes and
building evidence base; closing market gaps and ensuring access to quality and safe services; accessible communities; ensuring the NDIS and mainstream system work well together; and delivering the NDIS Review.

Veterans’ legislation reform consultation pathway takes shape

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh, says the Albanese Government has taken the next step in responding to the recommendations of the Interim Report by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by commencing public consultation on a Pathway to simplify veteran compensation and rehabilitation legislation. In September 2022 the Albanese Government accepted Recommendation 1 of the Interim Report, agreeing there was an urgent need to simplify the existing legislation. The proposed pathway to simplify the Veterans’ legislation will be available from today for public consultation. The proposed pathway seeks to reform more than a century of veterans’ entitlement legislation, providing veterans the support they not only need, but deserve.

Head to Health opens in Canberra

Free walk-in mental health care is now available to people who live in the Australian Capital Territory.

A permanent location has opened in Civic following a successful initial trial, which saw 900 clinical sessions delivered for over 150 clients since December 2021.

Interpreting services will be available through the Australian Government’s recent investment in Translating and Interpreting Services.

New mental health services for the northern suburbs in Victoria

The Andrews Labor Government is giving residents in Melbourne’s north better access to mental health support with a new state-of-the-art acute mental health facility at the Northern Hospital. On Tuesday Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams announced the completion of the new 30-bed acute mental health facility, one of nine being delivered across the state through the Mental Health Beds Expansion program. The new facility features treatment and multi-purpose rooms, staff and family lounge, internal courtyards and enclosed garden areas. Opening in the coming months, this facility features 240 modules and will provide almost 11,000 days of care to around 650 people each year.

Agreement reached on reform of charitable fundraising laws

Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh and Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Danny Pearson say charities have long told their governments that they are wasting time complying with inconsistent and outdated fundraising rules across the states and territories. On one estimate, compliance requirements cost Australian charities more than $1 million per month. In their most recent meeting, the Commonwealth, state and territory Treasurers agreed to a set of nationally consistent fundraising principles to streamline and harmonise state and territory requirements on charitable fundraiser conduct. The principles, developed by a Working Group comprising of all states and territories, was informed by stakeholder consultation last year. The principles will give charities and donors a clear understanding of appropriate conduct, while allowing for greater flexibility as to how charities achieve compliance.

Mental health paramedic to support SA Ambulance Service with triple zero calls

An experienced mental health paramedic will work alongside triple zero call takers as part of a new trial aimed at diverting patients away from emergency departments and to more appropriate care. Two paramedics will share the role, working within the SA Ambulance Service Emergency Operations Centre 12 hours a day, seven days a week. They will provide timely, high-quality mental health assessments over the phone and help identify what kind of care or intervention is necessary. The six-month pilot is being funded by a $125,000 Hospital Research Foundation donation. SAAS receives about 50 triple zero (000) calls a day from people experiencing a mental health-related crisis.

headspace Albany expands centre to support more young people

More young people will have access to mental-health services, thanks to the renovation and expansion of headspace Albany. headspace Albany provides the full range of headspace services including mental health, physical and sexual health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services. Young people aged 12 to 25, and their families and friends, can contact headspace Albany directly or be referred by their GP or mental health professional.

Applications open for mental health study grants

The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association is offering two grants worth $5,000 each. The grant is open for all Australian and New Zealand residents currently enrolled in a mental health course. Full details about the application process, the criteria and judging process can be found on the website.

Applications close Tuesday 28 February.

Relationships Australia workshop on managing challenging behaviours

Everyone gets frustrated or angry on occasion, particularly when they are under pressure. Most people deal with their anger and frustrations in ways that are socially acceptable and appropriate.

Discuss and practice strategies that can be used to defuse situations where clients, colleagues or community members may be exhibiting strong emotions or difficult behaviours. When using these strategies, it is important to have an understanding of your own particular triggers and how you can manage your own emotions.

The workshop will take place on 21 March.

TheMHS Forum taking place in March

TheMHS Forum program for 2023 is packed with practical content for practitioners to apply in their mental health role:

• ‘State of the Nations’ updates from the Suicide Prevention Offices
  
• Multiple examples of ‘on the ground’ programs in action
  
• Prevention, early intervention and postvention programs
  
• Evaluations and reviews of what’s working
  
• Peer and clinical approaches working together
  
• Restorative Just and Learning cultures
  
• Culturally safe and appropriate services - First Nations perspectives from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
  

Register as a group or individual. Early bird registration ends 24 February.

TheMHS Conference 2023 

The Call for Abstracts is open until 17 March for the national TheMHS conference.

This years’ theme is highly topical as governments and services embark on bold mental health reforms that strengthen peer and clinical collaboration. 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.

TheMHS Adelaide also celebrates achievements in the mental health field, through its Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand. Entries are open until 20 April. This is a great way to honour and reward the hard work of people and teams in mental health.

Hire more inclusively

The Field is a groundbreaking accessible job site, designed to connect people with disability with jobs from inclusive employers. Founded by Dylan Alcott AO and built by and for people with disability, the Field exists to change the game in employment. It connects employers with candidates with disability who have skills, capability and experience in all industries, all roles and at all levels.