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

Speaking frankly...                                       

What are we doing on Monday to achieve our vision for mental health?

At the Mental Health Australia Members Policy Forum in Canberra this week, our Chair Jennifer Westacott challenged the sector to unite behind a shared vision, and find practical, incremental ways to achieve that vision.

Put succinctly and simply, Jennifer raised the question, ‘what are we doing on Monday to achieve our vision for mental health in Australia?’

Next Monday, and next week, Mental Health Australia is going to continue to argue that issue of mental health and insurance discrimination will be properly addressed by the newly announced Banking Royal Commission.

This opportunity comes at the end of a long road, and Mental Health Australia, along with other organisations, have advocated tirelessly for many years now to have the discrimination present in the insurance industry eliminated.

Earlier in the year we saw a good, but small step in this area with travel insurance agencies such as Cover-More Australia and QBE Insurance removing exclusions in their policies and amending clauses to properly protect people experiencing mental illness.

The Banking Royal Commission provides us with a much bigger opportunity. An opportunity to right wrongs that have been prevalent for decades. An opportunity to identify and ultimately discrimination.

If stigma is a physical mark of disgrace, a stain, or a blemish, then discrimination is the practice of acting on that stigma. Of treating someone less favourably. Providing them with less opportunity. Making a choice between perceived disadvantages. Judging them.

Stigma is the sum total of a series of individual acts and omissions. And so, it’s really only when we actually name and tackle those individual acts, and omissions that we get closer to the heart of what stigma, or discrimination really is.

People living with mental health issues should have access to the same financial services and insurances that the rest of the population have access to. People seeking support for mental health issues should not have to ask themselves whether reaching out for help will affect their chances of subsequently receiving insurance.

The insurance industry has discriminated against people living with mental health issues for decades. We know practices have been discriminatory and people have been treated unfairly. And we know this because strong, inspirational people like Ella Ingram have taken on big insurers, challenged misconceptions and discriminatory policies, won, and changed the way forward.

Speaking on ABC AM today The Nationals Mr Llew O’Brien MP has already outlined his three priorities for the terms of reference for the Banking Royal Commission, and calling for discrimination by insurance companies against people with mental ill health to be looked at is one of them.

Mental Health Australia, beyondblue, and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre have been arguing this issue for some time, and we will continue to do so until we see it surface in the terms of reference for Banking Royal Commission.

A practical step towards our own vision of mental healthy people, and mentally health communities.

That’s what we’ll be doing on Monday. What will you be doing?

Warm regards.


Frank Quinlan

Chief Executive Officer

An energising and engaging Mental Health Australia Gathering

This week we held our AGM, Members & Friends Dinner, Grace Groom Memorial Oration and the Members Policy Forum over two days in Canberra.

A busy 48 hours indeed, but another unified step in the right direction for the sector – highlighted by Minister for Health The Hon Greg Hunt MP delivering a stirring and energising oration in honour of Grace Groom.

For those who were unable to attend this year’s Grace Groom Memorial Oration by Minister Hunt on Wednesday, you can watch it in full here.

From the outset, Minister Hunt has been passionate about influencing change in the mental health sector, and that was clear again in this year’s oration.

To hear the Minister speak about such a vision for mental health based on the work already undertaken as part of the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan is encouraging, and something we will all need to support.

Minister Hunt also announced an increase to our core funding which will provide Mental Health Australia with further certainty, and the ability to continue to support our members and advocate for a long term vision for mental health in Australia.

The Grace Groom Memorial Oration was held following the Mental Health Australia AGM on Tuesday 28 November, where we welcomed three new board members in beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman, Network Chair from the Private Mental Health Consumer and Carer Network Janne McMahon, and Batyr CEO Sam Refshauge.

This experienced trio will join Jennifer Westacott (Chair), Robyn Kruk, Patrick Hardwick, Christine Morgan, Jono Nicholas and Arthur Papakotsias on the Mental Health Australia board.

I thank them all for their acumen, drive and continued support, and I also thank the staff of Mental Health Australia for their professionalism and passionate to helping us achieve our vision

For those who were not able to attend the AGM this year, you can download a copy of the 2016-17 Mental Health Australia Annual Report here.

Insurers under mounting pressure to reform mental health practices

Beyondblue, Mental Health Australia (MHA) and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) welcome the Federal Government’s royal commission into the financial services sector. The practices of insurance companies will be scrutinised as part of the royal commission into misconduct in the financial services sector, a move applauded by the organisations. 

Read more

Next Week 

On Tuesday, Director of Policy and Projects, Josh Fear and I will be participating in a consultation with Nous Group, who have been engaged by the National Mental Health Commission to develop a monitoring and reporting framework for mental health and suicide prevention.

Wednesday will see Kim Ryan, CEO of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and myself up at Parliament House to meet with Minister Wyatt to discuss Aged Care and mental health.

And on Thursday, the Mental Health Australia office will be closed as we hold an staff Christmas Party! 

 

Parliamentary News

$53 million to find better mental health treatments and care 

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, says the Turnbull Government will provide more than $53 million for new research into better treatments, prevention and care for Australian patients facing mental health challenges. "A total of 47 projects will be funded across Australia to support some of our nation’s brightest researchers. With four million Australians experiencing some form of mental illness each year, health and medical research is critical to addressing this growing and significant health challenge. The Turnbull Government has made mental health a priority and it is a key pillar of our National Long Term Health Plan. This year we will invest a record $4.3 billion in mental health - including over $120 million in mental health research."

Read more


Australia's humanitarian agencies warn of impending mental health crisis on Manus

A fact-finding mission representing Australian humanitarian agencies has warned of an impending mental health crisis on Manus Island in its report released today. In a report entitled Refugees on Manus: An Impending Mental Health Crisis the multi-agency mission outlined its findings from their mission to Papua New Guinea 21-27 November 2017, conducted under the auspices of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). The delegation is warning of urgent physical and mental health issues among the refugees and asylum seekers and is calling on the Australian Government to immediately ensure the safety and wellbeing of the men for whom it is responsible.

Read more

Reminders

Be kind to your mental health this festive season

Financial hardship, family conflict and loneliness can increase stress for people with anxiety and depression in the lead up to Christmas and New Year celebrations. beyondblue clinical adviser Dr Stephen Carbone said people with mental health conditions should start thinking about coping strategies now for the festive season. 

Read more

Stop mental illness stigma workshop invitation

Murray PHN is holding a series of stop mental illness stigma workshops in February. Stigma is a major barrier that stops people from seeking help, which is a concern given that: 
• 45% of Australians will experience a mental illness at some stage of their life
• 1 in 5 Australian employees report that they have taken time off work due to feeling mentally unwell in the past 12 months. Murray PHN created the Stop Mental Illness Stigma Charter to help workplaces make employees and customers with mental illness feel more valued, supported and understood.

Read more

Implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Update

Catholic Social Services Victoria will hold an NDIS Update in Melbourne on Friday 15 December. Presentations and discussions will be on the NDIS today – where it is, where it’s heading, some of the key issues being faced, and learnings from the experience of service providers.

Friday 15 December, 7.45 for 8.00 – 10.00am
At Catholic Social Services Victoria, 383 Albert St, East Melbourne
Bookings: $25, www.trybooking.com/SZDN
Enquiries to Lucia Brick: lbrick@css.org.au, tel 9287 5566.

Read more

Health in Difference 2018 / 11-13 April 2018
The 10th National LGBTI Health Conference

Due to overwhelming demand we have extended the deadline for applications to present at HiD2018 by one week! New closing date: COB 8th of December 2017

Read more

Save and register early for TheMHS Summer Forum 2018: Trauma Matters

TheMHS Summer Forum 2018 is a two day educational program that explores how mental health services can recognise and respond to trauma as well as what’s next for trauma-informed care and effective, evidence-based responses. Celebrated speakers include 2017 Mental Health Nurse of the year, Matt Ball. Early Bird Registration for TheMHS Summer Forum ends December 14 – get your ticket now and save $110.

Read more

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