This Week

NDIS Crisis in the ACT

Just as this edition of the weekly update goes to "print" we are investigating a "freeze" that the NDIA has just announced that prevents any new applicants entering the NDIS in the ACT!

It appears the scheme has reached the limit set by the original bi-lateral agreement between the ACT Government and the Commonwealth Government has so far failed to refresh that agreement - meaning the NDIA can now take no more new participants until a new agreement is struck. 

If this is all confirmed, it would represent the abject failure of those governments to prioritise the needs of some of Australia's most vulnerable citizens. We have long been concerned about the shifting of risk from governments to citizens, and governments simply closing the doors on NDIS participants as a method of managing their failed negotiations would seem to be the ultimate example of this shift in risk. 

More on this as the story unfolds... 

World Mental Health Day wrap

 

So another World Mental Health Day has come and gone, in what I am sure has been a very busy week right across the sector. 

Mental Health Australia has continued to have a strong response to the "Mental Health Begins With Me" campaign with promises made by parliamentarians, sports identities, entertainers and celebrities, and literally thousands of every day Australians who just want to make a public commitment to mental health. 

Across the country, your organisations have held events, large and small, to celebrate the day; indeed the week. 

We know better than anyone that we have much to do, but it is also important to celebrate what we have achieved. 

I’d also like to thank the staff at Neami National who assisted in moderating a record number of #MentalHealthPromises this year, as part of the Mental Health Begins with Me campaign.  Thank you Neami, and it was great to work with yet another Member to help promote www.1010.org.au . Onwards and upwards for October 10 2017.

And finally, it's not too late to make a #MentalHealthPromise at www.1010.org.au 

5^th National Mental Health Plan consultations

This week we've had a number of meetings with the Department of Health about the national consultations on the draft 5th National Mental Health Plan. 

I am very pleased to announce that the Department of Health has asked Mental Health Australia to help facilitate the national consultation process beginning with consultation workshops held around Australia in November, with dates and loctaions still to be confirmed, but we will advise as soon as dates are resolved. 

Mental Health Australia Members will have an opportunity to discuss the draft Plan at our Members Policyt Forum on November 3 in Canberra, and, of course, we'll share more information, including links to the draft 5th Plan and national consultation workshop dates, once the consultation draft has been released. 

 

NDIS Mental Health Network Update

On Wednesday this week, we circulated our latest NDIS Mental Health Network Update. In this update you’ll find information about the NDIS training and webinar, with details in the Reminders section below, as well as the funding announcement regarding NDIS Workforce Innovation and release of a report on effective, evidence-based psychosocial interventions suitable for early intervention in the NDIS. Please click here to read the full update.

Parliamentarians provided with an Incoming Government Brief

Mental Health Australia marked World Mental Health Day by providing parliamentarians with an Incoming Government Brief, prepared to assist members of parliament to understand the current state of mental health reform and the factors which will contribute to future success.

Recommendations include:

• Setting clear targets and indicators to measure the progress of mental health reforms
• Agreeing on a comprehensive 5th Plan for Mental Health & Suicide Prevention with state and territory governments
• Funding greater consumer and carer participation in service design, service delivery and evaluation
• Increasing investment in early intervention and prevention
• Supporting the National Mental Health Commission to ensure accountability across various areas of current reform
• Strengthening the community mental health sector during the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

To see the full Mental Health Australia 2016 Incoming Government Brief click on the link below.

Parliamentary news

Boost to mental health services underway

This World Mental Health Day (10 October) the Turnbull Government has re-affirmed its commitment to trialling innovative approaches in delivering mental health services, in an effort to curb rates of suicide around the country.

Minister for Health Sussan Ley said World Mental Health Day served as a timely reminder of the importance of taking care of our mental health and wellbeing and focusing on the measures already underway for suicide prevention.

RACGP says general practice must remain central in mental health care

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a new Position statement on mental health care in general practice to coincide with Mental Health Week (9 - 15 October). The RACGP's position statement champions the central role of general practice in delivering mental health services to the community, emphasising the need for integration with general practice across all areas of mental health. The release comes as the Australian Government continues the rollout of its most significant mental health reforms in a decade.  

More support needed to meet growing mental health need in the bush

Rural doctors and rural general practices are playing a significant frontline role in meeting the burgeoning need for mental healthcare services in the bush, but better supports are required to ensure they can sustain and further enhance this care. That's the take home message coming from the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) during Mental Health Week 2016.

RDAA President, Dr Ewen McPhee, said while ensuring access to other mental health professionals and 'next level' care are important elements of the mental health system and must be improved, better supporting the primary care sector and rural general practices to boost frontline mental health services would "help enormously" in meeting the growing demand for mental health help in rural and remote Australia.

Finally - Some progress around the fifth national mental health plan

Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Julie Collins, said while Labor cautiously welcomes that some progress has been made around the development of the Fifth National Mental Health Plan, we will reserve our judgement until we see further details.

The long awaited plan has now been drafted. Labor expects this next phase of national reform will include a suicide prevention target. To be an effective plan that supports long-term reform, it must also include a robust measurement strategy that has clear measurable outcomes. Labor will also be watching to see what additional funding the Government will attach to the Fifth National Mental Health Plan.

Reminders

Members reminded about voting and proxy forms

A friendly reminder to all Mental Health Australia voting Members that ahead of the AGM on Wednesday 2 November, proxy forms and votes need to be submitted to Deputy CEO and Company Secretary Melanie Cantwell at melanie.cantwell@mhaustralia.org. Voting closes on Saturday 29 October at 4.30pm AST and if you have any concerns please call on 02 6188 6702.

Eligible Voting Member Delegates should already have received voting instructions from MHA2016@boardroomlimited.com.au, please check spam etc or contact Melanie if concerned.

Grace Groom Memorial Oration 

 

Members Policy Forum

Members are invited to send up to two representatives to attend our Members Policy Forum on 3 November. 

Time: 8.30am for 9.00am start – 4.00pm finish
Venue: Members Dining Room, Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House), Canberra

To RSVP email bianca.brownlow@mhaustralia.org or phone 02 6285 3100. 

NDIS Organisational Readiness Training for Mental Health Service Providers

To support mental health providers in the successful transition to NDIS operating environment, Mental Health Australia has partnered with National Disability Services, the Mental Health Coordinating Council of New South Wales, the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health and the Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition to deliver a suite of training. This will include national webinars, and face to face workshops in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory, to be run between now and mid-November 2016.

Both the face to face workshops and online webinars will be offered free of charge to mental health service providers.

The training will cover:

• Marketing for Psychosocial Disability Providers
• Costing and Pricing
• Flexible Work Practices
• Strategies for positive organisational change.

Please click here to find out more about the training including information about what’s covered in each of the workshops and their dates, locations and registration information.

Webinar – Introduction to the NDIS for mental health carers 
Friday 21 October 2016

Mental Health Australia and Carers Australia present a webinar for mental health carers on the NDIS. The webinar aims to help mental health carers understand the NDIS and provide them with information and resources to help them to support the person they care for to engage with the Scheme.

Webinar panel members include Frank Quinlan, CEO Mental Health Australia, Ara Creswell, CEO Carers Australia, a representative from the National Disability Insurance Agency, and Janet, a mental health carer with experience accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme. There will be an opportunity for people attending the webinar to ask the panel members questions.

The webinar will be held 4 – 5pm (AEDT) Friday 21 October 2016.

A link will be distributed shortly via the NDIS Mental Health Network to register for this event, but in the meantime, please save the date in your calendar!

This webinar was made possible by funding provided through the Australian Government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme Sector Development Fund.

12th Biennial Asia Pacific International Mental Health Conference

The 12th Biennial Asia Pacific International Mental Health Conference (AsPac) is being held in Brisbane on October 24 to 26. 

Over 90 international and Australian presentations will feature in the highly anticipated 12^th Biennial Asia Pacific International Mental Health Conference (AsPac) in Brisbane on 24 to 26 October 2016, with highlights including a focus on early intervention, suicide, cross cultural learnings and innovative service developments.

eMHPrac Webinar 7: Using Mobile Apps in mental health work

The eMHPrac ANU Team is pleased to invite you to participate in a free and interactive webinar on how to select high quality MH apps and ways to use in your work with clients.Find out about how to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of MH apps; identify opportunities to use MH apps within existing clinical practice; and learn practical ways to support clients’ use of apps.

This webinar is hosted by the Centre for Mental Health Research at The Australian National University. It is part of the eMHPrac Project funded by the Australian Government. A Certificate of Participation will be emailed to everyone who participates in the live webinar.

The Mental Health Service (TheMHS) Awards 2017

Expressions of Interest are now open for The Mental Health Service (TheMHS) Awards 2017 which recognise and celebrate great work in mental health service delivery throughout Australia and New Zealand. For 25 years, TheMHS Award winners have demonstrated excellence and innovation in mental health programs, services and media reporting across Australia and New Zealand. Each year, winners are selected by panels of independent experts from New Zealand and Australia. 

Introducing the ACNC charity tick

The ACNC charity tick has been designed at the request of a number of Australia’s registered charities as a small, visually appealing logo that can be used across a variety of formats. Charities will be able to use the charity tick on their website, at events, on their social media accounts and posts, on letterheads, and other marketing materials.

Martin Parkinson’s Address to the Australasian Implementation Conference

Martin Parkinson’s Address to the Australasian Implementation Conference

For the Australian Government, an important policy and implementation challenge is delivering social policies that are just and reflect Australian values.

We are living in a fast changing world with many risks facing our economy, particularly for some of our most vulnerable.

As the Prime Minister said in his recent speech to CEDA, a just society that supports its disadvantaged and where everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential, contribute, and participate to the extent they can in society and the economy is one that will deliver the greatest gains in prosperity and wellbeing to people, to families, and to the nation as a whole.

To read the full address click on the link below

Warm regards,
Frank
Frank Quinlan
Chief Executive Officer

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