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Speaking frankly...                                       

This week I found the news very hard to reconcile

Ball tampering has dominated the news cycle. What could possibly be worse than ball tampering by Australians in a test match?

Caught in the act by cameras straining for a close up view, Australian cricket endured a shameful exposé. Cheats. This was shocking for politicians and punters alike, and the media was full of public displays of disappointment.  

Only days later, the players involved were sent home from the South African tour, stripped of their leadership positions, banned for a year, sponsorhips withdrawn, and left with reputations only somewhat restored by what looked to be sincere contrition – again, all played out publically, all captured in excruciating detail by the world’s media.

Even in the aftermath, there remains much talk of a further purge of Cricket Australia; the Board, the CEO, perhaps more players? There will be no rest until this wrong is righted, and the world’s eyes will be watching vigilantly until it is.

And then, later in the week, more horror footage. This time a disability pensioner being dragged from his own home and beaten into submission by police. Capsicum spray, batons, an overwhelming number of police officers, verbal taunts, public humiliation.

And why were the police in attendance? Because one of the man’s care team was concerned for his mental health.

We were concerned for a man’s mental health and have a system that relies on us sending the police. No CAT team, no peer worker, no de-escalation, no prolonged negotiation, no safe house. We sent in the police.

This time it was not the world’s media that captured the event. Rather the man’s own CCTV recorded the horrifying footage. CCTV equipment that he had installed himself when he was the victim of a previous robbery.

The footage has only just come to light; the event occurred last year.

But unlike the ball the tampering, there has been no inquiry. There have been no suspensions. It seems no witnesses to the event thought it necessary to report it to anyone in authority. Now that an inquiry has begun, police won’t comment.

Media attention lasted about a day. Not the world’s media – just a spot on the ABC and some follow up from other outlets.

If politicians were talking about the incident, I did not hear them. I have heard few calls for a shakeup of our police, and fewer still for a shakeup of our response to mental illness.

We spent the week talking about grown men in South Africa rubbing a cricket ball with sandpaper. How can it be that that left us no room to talk about a disability pensioner with mental health issues being violently confronted and restrained by police?

I wonder whether it is the media that has lost its way, or whether they are simply serving our misplaced priorities.

Warm regards.


Frank Quinlan

Chief Executive Officer

National Disability Insurance Scheme psychosocial pathway workshop in Townsville

CEO update readers will know that the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has engaged Mental Health Australia to hold consultation workshops on the design of a tailored National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) pathway for people with psychosocial disability. The pathway refers to the experience participants have from their first interaction to their ongoing engagement with the NDIS. Mental Health Australia has already held consultations on this issue in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and we are pleased to be holding an additional workshop in Townsville on Friday, 20 April 2018.

The workshops have focussed on the experience of NDIS participants with psychosocial disability and their carers and families. Service providers and peak bodies are also encouraged to RSVP, however please note that every attempt is being made to privilege the voice of NDIS participants with psychosocial disability and their carers and families through this process.

Workshop details
Location: Rydges, Southbank Townsville
Date: Friday, 20 April 2018
Time: 10am-3pm

RSVP: Please RSVP via email to jeremy.colebrook@ndis.gov.au with the following:

  • your name
  • whether you are: 
    • a NDIS participant
    • a carer or family member of someone who is a NDIS participant
    • a NDIS service provider
    • other
  • if you are a NDIS participant whether you would prefer the NDIA contact you directly or through another person (e.g. a carer, support worker etc…)
  • whether you will require your support worker to attend with you
  • any dietary or accessibility requirements.

The NDIA will contact the potential workshop participant to advise whether a place has been secured.

Next Week 

On Monday, I will be participating in the first meeting of the ACT NFP CEO’s Forum in Canberra.

On Monday, Director of Policy & Projects Josh Fear will be heading to Sydney to attend an ANZ Life Insurance Roundtable.

On Wednesday, Josh, Manager of Policy & Projects Belinda Highmore and I will be meeting together with the Royal Flying Doctors Service and the National Rural Health Alliance.

Also on Wednesday, I will be participating in an Australian Human Rights Commission roundtable discussing violence against people with disability in institutional settings.

On Thursday, I will be meeting with the Department of Health.

On Thursday, Josh will be participating in an Expert Advisory Group Meeting for the National Disability Service Providers Benchmarking Survey.

Mental Health Australia Member Profiles

Blue Knot Foundation, formerly known as Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA), is the leading national organisation working to improve the lives of 5 million Australian adults who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse. Blue Knot Foundation helps adults who have experienced trauma in childhood recover. This includes people who have experienced child abuse in all its forms, neglect, domestic violence in childhood and other adverse childhood events. Childhood trauma affects an estimated 5 million Australian adults. Many struggle day to day with their self-esteem, relationships as well as their mental and physical health. Research has established that people who have experienced severe early trauma can recover. And when parents have worked through their trauma their children do better too.
Website www.blueknot.org.au Facebook www.facebook.com/BlueKnotFoundation
Twitter www.twitter.com/BlueKnotOrg


breakthru is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering people to create their own futures. Through the provision of high-quality person-centric programs, they enable thousands of people every year to address mental health, employment, disability, homelessness and training needs. breakthru operates on the premise that everyone’s needs, preferences and aspirations are different. Their commitment to client choice and family inclusion is well demonstrated through their individualised services and person-centred principles. They have a specific focus on assisting those most in need and offer specialist programs for those facing the challenge of an intensive mental health illness, a disability or physical health issue, long-term unemployment, unmet education goals or homelessness. breakthru is proud to offer dedicated and culturally considered programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, refugee and migrant populations and other culturally and linguistically diverse groups. With over 20 years of demonstrated service to the community, breakthru offers quality programs in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
Website www.breakthru.org.au Facebook www.facebook.com/breakthruAU
Twitter www.twitter.com/breakthruAU Instagram www.instagram.com/breakthruAU

News

Keeping iconic service in the air

The Turnbull Government will enable the Royal Flying Doctor Service to extend and expand essential
health services for Australians in rural and remote areas. This will help ensure these essential services are available where and when people need them. Australians living in rural and remote places will get better access to dental care services, emergency air medical services and for the first time the Royal Flying Doctor Service will establish a Mental Health Outreach Clinic. $84 million in new funding will put more psychologists and mental health nurses on the ground in areas where there are currently few or no services.
 
Read more


Alleged police attack is the latest in continuing violence by Victorian public services against people in mental distress

'It seems as though the more distressed you are, the more likely you are to be hurt when using public service systems in Victoria,' said Deb Carlon, Acting CEO of the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC). This week's news of alleged police violence against a Melbourne man is the latest in a long series of violence perpetrated against vulnerable Victorians with mental health needs. 'Last week we heard about a major investigation into sexual assaults of people in psychiatric hospital units,' said Carlon, 'and this week we hear about a man being allegedly assaulted by police. There is much more violence that VMIAC hears about which never makes it to the news.'

Read more

Research into the wellbeing of serving and ex-serving personnel released

The first stages of research examining the health and wellbeing of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel during service and following their transition back into civilian life has been released by Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the Mental Health Prevalence and Pathways to Care reports were the first reports under the Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme, which is the most comprehensive study undertaken in Australia of the effect of military service on the mental, physical and social health of serving and ex-serving ADF personnel.

Read more

1 in 20 Australian deaths caused by alcohol and illicit drugs

Alcohol and illicit drugs have a significant impact on the health of Australians, together responsible for nearly 1 in every 20 deaths, according to new analysis from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The report, Impact of alcohol and illicit drug use on the burden of disease and injury in Australia, uses data from the 2011 Australian Burden of Disease Study published in 2016 (the next study due out in 2019) to calculate the health impact-or 'burden'-of alcohol and illicit drugs. This is calculated in terms of years of life lost from early death (the 'fatal burden'), as well as the years of healthy life lost due to living with diseases or injuries caused by alcohol and drugs (the 'non-fatal burden').

Read more

Reminders

Become a SANE Peer Ambassador

SANE Australia is currently accepting applications for Peer Ambassadors from across Australia. SANE Peer Ambassadors work with SANE Australia to raise awareness, reduce stigma and provide hope to Australians affected by complex mental illness. Peer Ambassadors are either people with their own lived experience of complex mental illness, or families, friends, carers, partners and colleagues, who support someone affected by mental illness. Find out more about the program and how to apply at the link below.

Read more

New younger onset dementia resources released

Dementia Australia has released two online resources developed with assistance from the New South Wales Government’s Family and Community Services to improve support, care and knowledge of services available for people living with younger onset dementia. The resources will improve awareness around complex issues that follow a diagnosis for a young person, the impact it may have on their family and how to best support carers, while also encouraging health professionals to gain a better understanding of the specific needs for people living with younger onset dementia.

Read more

6th Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium in Canberra from 11-12 April

The 6th Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium: Outback Infront is taking place in Canberra from 11-12 April 2018. With more than 200 of Australia’s leading rural and remote health researchers registered to attend, the Symposium is gearing up to be one of the largest and most significant in the National Rural Health Alliance’s long history of hosting the event.

Read more

PANDA seeking new Board members - applications close 9 April

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) is seeking expression of interest for two Board members committed to the emotional and mental wellbeing of expecting and new parents. PANDA supports women, men and families across Australia to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression through a specialised helpline, raising awareness and providing education to health professionals and the wider community. The governance and stewardship of the organisation is vested in a skilled Board with a passion and commitment to ensure that the vision, mission, values and strategic plan are translated into action. Applicants are invited from all over Australia, however Board members based in NSW, QLD and SA are preferred. Find out more about the role of the Board member, key selection criteria and how to apply at the link below. Applications close 9 April 2018.

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South East Melbourne Primary Health Network GP Symposium - 2 June

South East Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) is inviting general practitioners to its inaugural GP symposium on 2 June 2018. The symposium aims to provide GPs with practical information on mental health through presentations from experts in the treatment and care of depression, self-harm, eating disorders, anxiety and suicide prevention. The MC and key note speaker for this event is Craig Hamilton, an ABC broadcaster and Beyond Blue Ambassador, who in September 2000, on the eve of his assignment for the Sydney Olympic Games, experienced a major psychotic episode in public that led to him being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He has since become one of Australia's most high profile and most sought-after speakers on mental health awareness, lifestyle, overcoming adversity and work/life balance.

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Have your say on draft code targeting FIFO mental health

A draft code of practice to help promote and maintain mentally healthy workplaces for fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers released by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) closes for comment on 19 April. The department is seeking feedback on the draft code of practice for mentally healthy workplaces for FIFO workers in the resources and construction sectors in Western Australia.

Read more

Employable Me

Employable Me is a new ABC TV series which premiered this week, and follows people with neuro diverse conditions such as autism and Tourette Syndrome as they search for meaningful employment. This uplifting, warm and insightful series draws on experts to uncover people's hidden skills and to match job seekers to roles that can harness their strengths. We all deserve a role in society. That's what this show is about: striving to belong and play your part. The series looks beyond first impressions to reveal there's always more than meets the eye. 

Read more
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