Perspectives - October 2014

Welcome to the October/November edition of Perspectives, our online magazine where we present ideas, essays, and articles about what is happening in the mental health space. In this edition’s feature article, Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan presents our Seven Point Plan for Action on Mental Health, discussing the tangible steps the mental health sector and the government need to take to truly create change.

We also have articles from our members, including a discussion about the impact on the mental health sector from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse; a look at the funding infrastructure around crisis support services and helplines; an article about young men’s mental health; and a look at the impact of the ‘Movember’ campaign for men’s health.

Other articles include an academic essay on creating ongoing wellbeing following recovery from mental illness; a discussion on why Australia needs a National Strategy on Prevention of Mental Disorders; and a transcript of Vice Admiral Ray Griggs’ speech at the Grace Groom Memorial Oration. You can also read our policy submission to Senate Inquiry on the Extent of Income Inequality in Australia, outlining some of the key impacts of income inequality in Australia on the health, housing and employment outcomes of people with lived experience of mental illness and their carers.

Don’t forget, we are always looking for input from our members. If you have a perspective about mental health that you’d like to share, we want to hear from you. Contact us via communications@mhaustralia.org

We’d also like you to engage with us. Do you have a comment on any of this month’s stories? Join the conversation on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/AUMentalHealth

A ten year plan to fix mental health

Feature Story By Frank Quinlan, CEO, Mental Health Australia

As those in the sector would know, the National Mental Health Commission’s Review of Mental Health Services and Programmes is currently underway. This isn’t the first government review of mental health – far from it. There have been many reviews before, and many have failed. In reality, we still have a fundamentally flawed system where too many people are not getting the support they need. 

Seven Point Plan for Action on Mental Health

By Mental Health Australia

Mental Health Australia has outlined a seven point plan that lays the foundations for reform of the mental health system. The plan identifies the key areas where agreement and action is needed to reshape the way we address mental illness in Australia.

Grace Groom Memorial Oration 2014

Delivered by Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO CSC RAN

On the eve of World Mental Health Day 2014, Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO CSC RAN gave the keynote address at our annual Grace Groom Memorial Oration. Held at the National Press Club, the Vice Admiral outlined many of the issues facing a modern defence force that is looking to respond to the issue of mental health and wellbeing amongst service men and women.

Submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Extent of Income Inequality in Australia

By Mental Health Australia

This submission outlines what Mental Health Australia believes are some of the key impacts of income inequality in Australia on the health, housing and employment outcomes of people with a lived experience of mental illness and their carers.

From our Members

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - Impacts on the mental health sector

By the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Now in its second year, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has heard from thousands of survivors, many of whom have mental health issues, who have taken the extraordinarily brave step to recount some of their most personal and painful stories of child sexual abuse at the hands of various institutions. These stories will help inform debate, and later create policies, laws and practices that ensure - so far as possible - that the sexual abuse of children while in the care of an institution never happens again.

Crisis line funding in crisis

By Susan Murray, CEO Suicide Prevention Australia

Calls to suicide crisis lines are increasing. When will they be funded as core infrastructure for suicide prevention? 

Why Australia needs a National Strategy on Prevention of Mental Disorders

By Anthony Jorm, Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne

Despite considerable expansion in resources for treatment and services for mental health over the past two decades there is no evidence for any improvement in the mental health of Australians. Professor Anthony Jorm calls for a National Strategy for the Prevention of Mental Disorders to address this imbalance and place more emphasis on preventative approaches rather than treatment. 

Angry young men and why we need a plan for young men’s mental health

By Dr Simon Rice, Research Fellow at Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health

Young men in Australia are angry. At least many of them are. The impact is visceral, felt largely by our families and communities. Dr Simon Rice discusses the need to ensure that mental health services are responsive, acceptable and more inclusive of Australia’s young men.

From Recovery to Wellbeing - A call for consumer leadership - an academic perspective

By Lei Ning, Consumer Advisor NorthWestern Mental Health of Melbourne Health and member of the National Register of Mental Health Consumers and Carers

The creation and continuing development of the concepts of recovery and wellbeing reinforce consumers’ self-care, self-management and self-determination as the foremost conditions to establish or re-establish a meaningful life. In this article, Consumer Advisor Lei Ning discusses how resilience and mindfulness are the essential ingredients for achieving wellbeing.

How the humble Mo is changing the face of men’s mental health

By the Movember Foundation

The men around the nation are readying their upper lips for the looming moustache season. The Movember Foundation discusses its commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of Australian men and boys.

Please note: The views of the contributors are their own, rather than those of Mental Health Australia.

Rate this article: 
Newsletter, perspectives

© 2024 Mental Health Australia All rights reserved.