CEO Update: Meet our Consumer and Carer Team, latest news and reminders from the sector

Speaking frankly...

Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan is currently on leave and has invited colleagues to provide a guest blog each week. This week’s guest blog comes from Mental Health Australia’s Consumer and Carer Team.

Meet the Consumer and Carer Team

The Consumer and Carer (C&C) team provide secretariat support to members of the National Register of Mental Health Consumer and Carer Representatives (National Register) and the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF).

The C&C team also perform all functions consumer and carer related, such as organising consumer and carer consultations, submissions, workshops, and a national selection process to assist organisations seeking lived experience representation.

The team consists of:

Kylie Wake, Director of Consumer and Carer Programs, an adventurous pocket rocket of fun. Kylie can also give anyone a run for their money in an eating competition.

Kathryn Sequoia, NMHCCF/National Register Executive Officer, the proud Mumma of Gemma and Barney, two of the cutest puppies in the world (we might be biased).

Emma Judges, Project Officer, who loves her 13-year-old (but doesn’t necessarily like her all the time) and has a laugh that could stop traffic.

Kaitlin Saunders, Project Officer, one of the most observant, kind, and patient people you’ll ever meet. We’re not quite sure how she puts up with the rest of us.

We’re flat out in the office from Monday to Friday but always manage to have a good giggle.

NMHCCF Update

The NMHCCF is a combined national voice for mental health consumers and carers. They listen, learn, influence and advocate in matters of mental health reform. The NMHCCF was established in 2002 by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council and reports to the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Principal Committee. Funding is provided by the Australian Government and state and territory governments. It is currently auspiced by Mental Health Australia.

NMHCCF members represent mental health consumers and carers on a large number of national bodies, including government committees and advisory groups, professional bodies and other consultative forums and events. Members use their lived experience, understanding of the mental health system and communication skills to advocate and promote the issues and concerns of consumers and carers.

Please visit the NMHCCF website for further information nmhccf.org.au

‘What you may not know about antipsychotics’

The NMHCCF has been working with researchers from Curtin University to review the direct, adverse effects of neuroleptic drugs (antipsychotics).

The resulting Critical Literature Review and accompanying booklet for consumers and carers is being launched by the NMHCCF and guest, Dr Niall McLaren at the 2017 TheMHS Conference.

Event: Critical Literature Review Launch
Location: Sydney Hilton Hotel, Level 3, Room 6
Date: Friday 1 September 2017
Time: 12.50pm – 1.30pm

Please visit the NMHCCF website for further information about the Critical Literature Review and Launch.

New branding and logo

You may have noticed the brighter colours and new design of the NMHCCF logo. NMHCCF members are delighted with the more progressive and contemporary look, which will soon be incorporated into the website and future documents. Watch this space!

National Register Update

The National Register was established in 2007 and is an ongoing project at Mental Health Australia, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

The National Register consists of 60 trained mental health consumer and carer representatives who use their lived experience, knowledge of the mental health system and communication skills to advocate and promote the issues and concerns of mental health consumers and carers. The National Register provides consumer and carer representatives to national mental health and related committees.

Click here for further information about the National Register on the Mental Health Australia website.

Induction Training

Earlier in 2017 Mental Health Australia held a review of the National Register and a new cohort of representatives attended induction training in June. The new representatives are already applying for national representative positions and the C&C team are really looking forward to continuing the work we’ve already started with all of them.

2017 Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop

A working group of National Register and NMHCCF members are in the process of making plans for the 2017 Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop. The Workshop is a two day training and networking event for National Register and NMHCCF members.

This year the Workshop is being held in Melbourne on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 September.

The Consumer and Carer Team
Mental Health Australia

Consumer advocate Michael Burge appointed to board of the World Federation for Mental Health

Sincere congratulations to Michael Burge on his appointment to the World Federation for Mental Health board. Michael has been a long-standing member of the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum, and the National Register for Mental Health Consumer and Carer Representatives. Michael was identified in 2007 as a potential future leader and received a scholarship funded by the Department of Health through Mental Health Australia to attend the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership exchange in Canada and the US. He will be presenting at the World Federation for Mental Health congress in Delhi in November on ‘stigma and discrimination: a lived experience perspective’.

Next Week

On Wednesday, Acting Deputy CEO, Josh Fear will participate in a National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Psychosocial Pricing Workshop.

On Thursday, Acting CEO Melanie Cantwell will participate in a Reducing Adverse Medication Events in Mental Health Services working group meeting.

Meet a Mental Health Australia Member

Mental Health First Aid Australia

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation focused on mental health training and research. MHFA Australia develops, evaluates and provides a variety of training programs and courses. MHFA courses teach mental health first aid strategies to members of the public. Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of a mental health problem, or in a mental health crisis. First aid is given until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

Subsidised eLearning Mental Health First Aid training

Mental Health First Aid Australia has received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, to provide subsidised access to the eLearning MHFA Course for Tertiary Students across several first year health and allied health courses.

Find out more about Subsidised eLearning.

Web - https://mhfa.com.au/
Social - Facebook - Twitter - Instagram

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

Thanks to Martin Bowles

Mental Health Australia would like to thank Secretary of the Department of Health Mr Martin Bowles for his support and service to the mental health sector over the last three years.

Mr Bowles announced his resignation from the role this week and has been a strong advocate for the mental health sector throughout his tenure.

We thank him for his counsel and engagement during this time and wish him every success in the future.

NDIS supporting 100,000 Australians

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has reached a major milestone with 100,000 Australians with disability now having choice and control over life-changing support delivered through the Scheme. Minister for Social Services, The Hon. Christian Porter, said the achievement represented significant progress for the NDIS.

Broken Hill hosts nation’s 100th headspace youth mental health service

A $1.787 million Turnbull Government investment in headspace services in Broken Hill will provide a significant boost to the region's mental health care and support in an area identified as high need. headspace will soon relocate from temporary accommodation to its permanent location at 231 Blende Street, making it the 100th headspace centre in Australia.

NDIS grants connect the community

Organisations seeking to increase inclusion and support people with disability are invited to apply for a national grant program. As part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) National Readiness Grants are designed to make the community more accessible and help increase the independence, social and community participation of people with a disability. The Hon Jane Prentice, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, said the grant round is an open, competitive process, available to all eligible organisations.

Self-harm and suicidal behaviour of young people aged 14-15 years old

The Australian Institute of Family Studies says rates of self-harm and suicidal behaviour are high among Australian teens. Among 14-15 year olds, one in ten reported that they had self-harmed in the previous 12 months, and 5 per cent reported they had attempted suicide. Girls appeared to be at greater risk than boys of both self-harm and suicidal behaviour. One in four girls had had thoughts about self-harming, and 15 per cent had engaged in some form of self-harm.

Recognition of Contributions of Lifeline Australia CEO Peter Shmigel

Health Minister, Greg Hunt says he wants to express his sincere thanks and gratitude to Pete Shmigel for his work, dedication and stewardship of Lifeline Australia for the last two years. "For more than 50 years Lifeline has helped many thousands of Australians struggling with life’s challenges through its counselling services over the telephone, web and face to face counselling services. During his tenure at Lifeline, Pete has made a significant contribution to ensuring the most vulnerable people in our community receive the help, guidance and support they need to get back on track."

Reminders

Thanks to Pete Shmigel

Mental Health Australia would like to thank Mr Pete Shmigel, who recently resigned from his role as Lifeline Australia CEO, for his two years of service to suicide prevention in Australia.

Pete brought energy, enthusiasm and compassion to the role, driven by his own lived experience of suicide and strong wish to make a difference.

We wish Pete all the best on his next chapter.

National NDIS Mental Health Conference Program now available

The National NDIS Mental Health Conference is being held in Sydney on 16 - 17 November 2017. The preliminary program for the conference has been announced. To take advantage of the program announcement the early bird ticket prices have been extended until 14 September.

Government announces Medicare-funded mental health assessments for pregnant women

Medicare is about to fund mental health assessments for pregnant women, under new measures being adopted by the Federal Government.

Cracking the genetic code of clinical depression

More than two-thirds of Australian study participants have had to rely upon multiple antidepressants to treat their clinical depression - a trial and error approach that remains a major challenge in delivering more effective mental health care. This interim data from the Australian Genetics of Depression Study - the world’s largest genetic investigation into clinical depression - published in MJA InSight on August 21, 2017, reveals the limit of current knowledge of treating clinical depression has been reached, and far more personalised, and targeted approaches are required to optimise outcomes.