View mailing in browser
banner: CEO Update, Mental Health Australia
 
Twitter Facebook YouTube SoundCloud

Speaking frankly...                                       

What did we all do to stamp out stigma this week?

The shooting in Texas this week and loss of 26 innocent lives, once again broke our hearts.

The senselessness of such violence and the burden of yet another horror to add to our collective psyche. As if this was not enough, what came next appalled me, and many of you too.

The President of the United States of America, described by some during his international trade tour as the “Leader of the Free World”, made the following statements in the immediate aftermath of the shootings:

“I think that mental health is your problem here…”
“This isn’t a guns situation. We could go into it, but it’s a little bit soon to go into it…”
“This is a mental health problem at the highest level…”

The comments were taken up and broadcast by the international media almost immediately, without any thought to the stigma they were creating.  

At the time I tweeted: Hey @realDonaldTrump have you noticed Australia has #mentalillness but no mass shootings? Clue: its about #gunlaws #GunLawsNow

But for me it is worse than that. 

Why is the media so quick to broadcast the stigmatising comments of the President, made (by his own admission) in the absence of facts and analysis?

What impact do these comments, and the associated media coverage, have for those who experience mental illness, or who know someone that does?

We know people who experience mental illness are overwhelmingly the victims of violence, rather than the perpetrators.

We now know in this particular case the perpetrator had: military training ending in discharge; a history of violent acts and threats; access to military grade weapons. Did it occur to the media that any of these factors might have been more significant than his mental health?

We also know that stigma and discrimination prevent people from seeking, rather than promote it. The media know this too.

In the aftermath our colleague Marc Bryant from Everymind said ‘We need to call the media on reporting this without questions. Start by reporting to @SANEAustralia stigma watch

Marc is right. How many of us were outraged by these comments? How many of us immediately recognised the myth they perpetuated? How many of us braced ourselves for calls from our friends, family and colleagues living with mental health issues who we knew would be distressed by this reporting?

How many of us took a few moments to note the media outlet and the reporter and send the details to Stigma Watch so that action could be taken?

I know I didn’t. I know I should have. And I know I will next time.

The fact that it’s a ‘world leader’ using stigmatising language means we need to be even more vocal in raising our concerns. We all have voice, and our voices a real, not fake, provided that we use them.

Warm regards,


Frank Quinlan

Chief Executive Officer

Mental Health Australia Gathering in Canberra - AGM, Dinner, Grace Groom Oration and MPF - November 28 and 29 - Tickets Selling Fast

It’s great to see a number of members and friends already planning their trips to Canberra for the Mental Health Australia Gathering on November 28 and 29.

The gathering will include the Mental Health Australia AGM and a Members & Friends Dinner on Tuesday 28 November at the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, where we’ll hear from one of the gallery curators and have a VIP tour. The AGM will start at 5.30pm, with dinner from 6.30pm.

Then for breakfast on Wednesday 29 November from 7.30am, Minister Hunt will deliver the 2017 Grace Groom Memorial Oration at Old Parliament House, followed by our Members Policy Forum.

For those looking to plan flights, the Members Policy Forum will finish at 3pm on Wednesday 29 November and will include the following topics on the agenda:

  • Political environment
  • Mental Health Australia update
  • Economic and Social Case for a 10 year investment plan for mental health
  • NDIS update
  • PHN Advisory Group update
  • Members Soap Box

To find out more and to purchase a combined ticket for all events, or individual event tickets as required, please click on the link below.

Find out more and Purchase Tickets Here

We look forward to seeing you at this important gathering for Mental Health Australia, and to celebrating another year for the mental health sector and community – with our Members and Friends.

Read more

Safework NSW Mentally Healthy Workplaces Summit in Sydney

On Wednesday Directory of Policy and Projects, Josh Fear attended Safework NSW’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Summit in Sydney. The Summit brought together people with lived experience, mental health advocates, researchers and employers to discuss strategies to address workplace mental health in NSW. The outcomes of the Summit will inform the NSW Government’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Strategy, which is expected in early 2018.

Next Week 

On Tuesday I will be in Melbourne for the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council meeting.

On Wednesday we will be holding an internal planning session in Canberra for our Members Policy Forum and looking ahead to 2018.

On Thursday and Friday I will be attending the National NDIS Mental Health Conference.

 

Parliamentary News

COAG Health Council Meeting Communique - 3 November 2017

The Federal and state and territory Health Ministers met in Canberra at the COAG Health Council to discuss a range of national health issues.  The meeting made progress in protecting patients with items dealing with the health risks associated with cosmetic procedures. Ministers also agreed to pursue a national approach to supporting the mental health of health professionals including progressing reform of mandatory reporting. Ministers noted a suite of resources to help improve the safety and security of health professionals working in remote locations and protecting our children and seniors with advanced influenza protection, including the importance of investigating the benefits of flu vaccinations for children 6 months to 5 years.

Read more

A tick for the states on Doctors' mental health, but a cross on Codeine issue

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has welcomed the support shown by state governments for revised mandatory reporting requirements for doctors seeking mental healthcare, but is "very disappointed" some states are continuing to block moves to make codeine a prescription-only medicine. State health ministers met with the Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt MP, last week for the Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) Health Ministers' Meeting. On the issue of mandatory reporting, RDAA President (outgoing), Dr Ewen McPhee, said: "It is great to see agreement from the federal and state health ministers to revise the current mandatory reporting system to better protect doctors who seek care for mental health concerns like anxiety and depression."

Read more


Ice dependence, chronic disease among targets of North Coast health blitz

Ice dependence, mental conditions, suicide prevention and chronic disease are among the targets of a $9.1 million funding investment, from 2016-17, from the Turnbull Government, aiming to improve Indigenous health across north-eastern New South Wales. Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt AM, visited Ballina, Lismore and Casino to talk with providers of innovative services in these areas, commissioned through the North Coast Primary Health Network (PHN). 

Read more

Reminders

Perinatal Depression & Anxiety Awareness Week - 12-18 November

During Perinatal Depression & Anxiety Awareness Week (12th – 18th November), PANDA is encouraging people everywhere to start open and honest conversations about perinatal anxiety and depression, a serious and common illness that can affect any expecting or new parent.

Becoming a new parent can be a wonderful, exciting time. However the reality of pregnancy and early parenthood can also be overwhelming, with up to one in five expecting or new mums and one in ten dads experiencing perinatal anxiety or depression. It’s an illness that can have devastating consequences if left untreated, and can even put lives at risk.

Read more

Society for Mental Health Research conference in Canberra - Dec 6-8

The Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) annual conference is in Canberra this year and will be held at the Hyatt Hotel from December 6-8. SMHR is the national peak body for mental health research in Australia and New Zealand. To find out more about the conference and register to attend for 1-3 days go to www.smhr2017.com.au or click on the link below.

Read more

Sane’s Topic Tuesday – Designing your online world – 21 November

In this Topic Tuesday we will have SANE's very own Digital Content Producer as our guest, talking about how we can work with our online world in the best way to support our health. If you would like to receive an email reminder about this session on the night, click on the link below.

Read more

 
Mental Health Begins with Me!
© 2017 Mental Health Australia Ltd. Unsubscribe | Subscribe