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Speaking frankly... 
Taking a break
As I have flagged previously, I will be taking a break over the next six weeks.
I will spend some of that time at the Garma Festival in East Arnhem Land with a delegation of about 20 members of Mental Health Australia and Carers Australia. While not entirely a break, it is certainly a break from the routine, camped on important Yolngu Country, and learning more about the local people and about Indigenous aspirations at an important time in the Australian political discourse. I expect the Uluru Statement and Constitutional recognition will be high on the agenda, and I look forward to hearing much of the nation's Indigenous leadership discussing these issues at the festival.
But it certainly won't be all work. For much of my time away I will be exploring and camping in remote Australia. I consider this a great privilege.
I have the sense that all our work has become more and more intense. So many meetings, so many teleconferences, so much travel. So many events that are task focussed: that is, trying to resolve some particular problem or to formulate some kind of action plan.
As much as I love my work I am honestly looking forward to a break from all of that.
I am very much looking forward to watching the sunrise and sunset. I am looking forward to focussing my attention on some of the basics - where to camp, what to eat, where to walk to, whether to fish or not! I am looking forward to spending some time with my long term partner and wife Jane, that is, not managing the jobs around the house, or working out the logistics of managing our children.
I acknowledge that this is, in part, an investment in my own mental health.
I have always found connection with nature to be restorative. Similarly, I have always found time away from busy daily schedules restorative. I understand this to be a form of mindfulness, though I do not really consider myself to be a practitioner in any formal sense.
It is a reminder for me that time out is important, and that the opportunity to take that time out (which I recognise is not an opportunity open to everyone) is a gift to be embraced.
In my absence I have asked a number of friends and colleagues to write a weekly blog for me. Lachlan Searle will progress this over the next six weeks, and I hope they bring you some refreshing perspectives!
I hope to be back with a spring in my step in early September.
Warm regards,
Frank Quinlan
Chief Executive Officer
Next WeekTomorrow Friday I will be handing over to our Deputy CEO Melanie Cantwell who will be Acting CEO during my leave from 24 July to 4 September 2017. |
Meet a Mental Health Australia Member
Queensland Voice for Mental Health
Queensland Voice for Mental Health Inc is the peak representative body for Consumers and Carers of Mental Health services in Queensland, formed through an alliance of people with a lived experience of mental illness.
They proactively consult with individual consumers and carers, organisations, and their communities and promote, through advocacy, the needs and goals that are identified. They research frameworks for policy development for consumer and carer participation within the Government and Non-Government Sectors.
They aim to encourage and support our State-wide consumer and carer members through the voice of representation and also to encourage and support consumer and carer representatives throughout Queensland.
They are developing quality systems and support services in readiness to apply for accreditation, in particular through the National Mental Health Standards.
Web - http://qldvoice.org.au/
Become a Member of Mental Health Australia
As the peak body for the mental health sector in Australia, Mental Health Australia is uniquely placed to influence the national debate on mental health issues and achieve our vision of mentally healthy people and communities. Representing more than 100 organisations in the mental health sector, find out more about Membership at the link below.
Parliamentary News
Government welcomes new NDIA Chief
The appointment by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) of a new CEO has been welcomed by the Turnbull Government. Social Services Minister, Christian Porter, congratulated Mr Rob De Luca on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the NDIA, announced today by the Chairman of the NDIA, Dr Helen Nugent AO. "Mr De Luca will guide the National Disability Insurance Scheme during this critical transition to full roll out across Australia over the next three years," Minister Porter said.
NDIA HQ construction underway in Geelong
Construction has commenced on the new National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) headquarters in Geelong. Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter said the signing of an Agreement for Lease on the new building reflected the Australian Government’s commitment to the Geelong region. "The construction of this state-of-the-art, fully-accessible NDIA national office on Malop Street will create hundreds of local jobs and $120 million worth of investment," Minister Porter said.
New study takes aim at male suicide (VIC)
The recipient of a fellowship from the Andrews Labor Government’s medical research strategy is set to tackle the high incidence of suicide in working men. Initial studies show stressful working conditions are a major risk factor for mental health problems and suicide among men, and the research aims to find the reasons and link workplaces into health services which can help. Dr Allison Milner has received a four-year fellowship to research the issue and develop solutions - one of three worth up to $800,000 each - granted under the Labor Government’s $20 million plan to ensure Victoria stays a world leader in health and medical research that has the power to change lives. The fellowship is intended to develop initiatives and strategies, in association with workplaces and the business community, to reduce the incidence of mental health and rates of suicide in working age men by linking them into health services.
More mental health care for new mums, children and young people (VIC)
More mothers, children and young people will benefit from earlier and increased mental health support, thanks to a more than $21 million funding boost to expand the capacity of vital services. Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley visited Monash Children’s Hospital to announce a statewide package which will provide greater early intervention for Victorians to get support at crucial stages of their lives. The Andrews Labor Government will continue to fund the cuts by the Turnbull Government that ensures mums have access to extra support with a $2.9 million expansion which will allow earlier detection and treatment of antenatal and postnatal mental illness, including depression. Building on successful perinatal emotional health programs in rural settings there will also be extended treatment capacity in metropolitan services for expectant and new mothers.
International conference to focus on veterans’ mental health
Ministers from five countries, including Australia, will meet in London this week to explore challenges faced by contemporary veterans, and how governments can improve support services to help them achieve a fulfilling post-service life. Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Dan Tehan said the International Ministerial Conference on Veterans’ Issues would provide an opportunity to gain insights, in particular, into how our partner nations - Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and United States - deal with mental health issues and suicide prevention.
ACT Mental Health Advisory Council established
Minister for Mental Health Shane Rattenbury has hosted the ACT's new Mental Health Advisory Council (MHAC). The first of its kind under the new Mental Health Act, the Council will provide invaluable advice to the Government as the new Office for Mental Health is established. Formed under the Mental Health Act 2015, the MHAC will provide advice to the Minister on a range of topics, including improved and integrated service provision, extensive policy reforms, and legislative change. Advice from the panel will play a pivotal role in informing the Government's ongoing reforms to ensure Canberrans can access effective, affordable and integrated mental healthcare support when they need it.
Reminders
Invitation to Attend Launch of Equally Well National Consensus Statement
The Equally Well National Consensus Statement will be launched by the National Mental Health Commission Chair, Professor Allan Fels AO, at 11.30-1.30pm Tuesday 25 July at the National Press Club in Canberra.
The draft Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan identifies as a key priority are - Improving the physical health of people living with mental illness and reducing early mortality.
The public launch of the Equally Well initiative is an important step forward to address this priority area. There was significant participation in the development of this national consensus statement by interested stakeholders across Australia representing consumers and carers, government, private and non-government sectors all share a common vision of people living with mental illness receiving the same equity of access to quality health care as the rest of the population.
Those who have been involved in this initiative, or who have an interest are invited to attend the address.
Early Bird for International Carers Conference closes in three weeks
The 7th International Carers Conference - Adelaide Convention Centre, 4-6 October – will re-imagine caring into the future; providing insights into intelligent, futuristic and inclusive technology, pioneering innovations, the digital health revolution, lived carer experience, leading-edge research and an exhibition zone.
Making Personality Disorders a Mental Health Priority Area
A new call for making Personality Disorders a mental health priority area was released early online July 6 2017 by the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.
Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Inquiry
The Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is conducting an Inquiry into the transitional arrangements for the NDIS. The committee is looking into:
- “the boundaries and interface of NDIS service provision, and other non-NDIS service provision, with particular reference to health, education and transport services
- the consistency of NDIS plans and delivery of NDIS and other services for people with disabilities across Australia
- the rollout of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program”
Mental Health Australia encourages its members and friends to participate in this consultation process through providing a submission by 10 August 2017. Mental Health Australia will also be providing a submission to this inquiry pointing to the most relevant sections of our recent submission to the Productivity Commission’s position paper on NDIS costs.
If you would like to find out more about the inquiry or make a submission, please visit the Parliament of Australia website.
2016 Progress Report Stakeholder Engagement Survey - calling for participants
The Department of Social Services (DSS) is inviting people with disability, their carers and families to complete the 2016 Progress Report Stakeholder Engagement Survey.
An important part of the work of DSS doing is finding out what people with disability, their families and carers think about disability in Australia and the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (the Strategy).
The survey includes questions about things like health care, employment and access to the local community for people with disability.
Your feedback will help the government to create better policies, programs and communities so people with disability are able to lead happy and fulfilling lives.
Complete the 2016 Progress Report Stakeholder Survey online.
Seclusion & Restraint Project: Consumer & Carer Information Session
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses has been funded by the National Mental Health Commission to explore the perceptions and experiences (as well as barriers and enablers) of mental health nurses towards seclusion and restraint reduction and elimination.
Consumers and carers are invited to attend a discussion of the results being conducted by research lead, Professor Eimear Muir-Cochrane from Flinders University. Attendance in person in Canberra or via teleconference, on August 16th 2017 from 1:00-3:00pm.
Please contact the ACMHN Project Manager peta.marks@acmhn.org to register your attendance.
The 7th National Borderline Personality Disorder Conference, From Stigma to Strength
The 7th National Borderline Personality Disorder Conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia for the first time. The conference provides an opportunity for clinicians, practitioners, consumers and carers/family members from across Australia to come together to collaborate, share information and educate the wider community. The conference attracts delegates from every corner of Australia and signifies a significant step forward in the advancement of knowledge, awareness and services for a misunderstood illness.
The Theme for the 2017 conference is ‘From stigma to strength’ and is not only about correcting damaging myths and stigmas, but highlighting the strength of everyone involved in improving treatment, care and support for people with Borderline Personality Disorder, their carers and families. For more information go to www.waamh.org.au/bpdc or contact Hannah Harbinson, BPD Project Officer on events@waamh.org.au or alternatively on (08) 6246 3019.
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