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Speaking frankly...Homelessness in Australia, an unnatural disasterI’m glad we think about homelessness at winter time. But it also reinforces some unhelpful stereotypes. Insecure housing is with us all year round, and summer is no comfort. In Australia, the homelessness toll now exceeds even our worst natural disasters, but unlike so many natural disasters, homelessness is frequently invisible. The 2016 Census showed that around Australia a total of 116,427 people were homeless. Or to put it another way, for every 10,000 people living in Australia, 50 had no adequate or permanent dwelling to sleep in. They included families with children, young people, elderly, single adults, pregnant women, people fleeing family violence situations and people with disabilities… Some of the country’s most vulnerable. Nearly two years on from the 2016 census, with Australia’s population about to tick over the 25 million mark, our actual number of homelessness today, the first day of winter 2018, is probably closer to 125,000. Not far off the current population of Darwin (146,000). Why is that relevant? Because 44 years ago when a natural disaster in Cyclone Tracy hit the Northern Territory capital it left some 25,000 homeless. At the time, governments, businesses and the community rallied and were able to find $800 million dollars (nearly $4.5 billion today) to reconstruct and repair more than 2,800 homes. The impact of the disaster was immediate, it was visible, it needed to be fixed. And so it was. For comparison, it would take five Cyclone Tracy's to generate Australia's present-day homeless population. Yet the response is nowhere near as sympathetic, as vigorous, as prompt or impactful. So what will it take for governments, business and the community, to mobilise around the issue of homelessness in the same way they did in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy? In our recent report Investing to Save – the economic benefits for Australia of investment in mental health reform we focused heavily on homelessness, its impact on mental health, and how well-targeted investment could provide strong economic benefit, not the mention the social benefits. To highlight this, let’s take directly from the Investing to Save report: Recommendation 2.1 Adopt a Housing First model for young people aged 15 to 24 with a mental illness at risk of homelessness. Why this recommendation?
The economic evidence is clear, and with a major up-front investment there are savings of $1.5 billion over the first one to two years, and then $4.8 billion in the long-term. Perhaps those savings could assist us in addressing a future a natural disaster? But more importantly, we could ease the burden on those 116,427 people who were homeless on August 9 2016. Because a home is so much more than just a roof over one's head. A home is security, stability, privacy, safety and a sense of belonging. More than that, a place to call home is both a human right and platform for better mental health. The first day of winter is a helpful reminder. Warm regards.
Allison Kokany Scholarship for consumers & carersMany of us lost a friend and a fellow advocate this week when we lost Ally Kokany to cancer. Ally was a familiar face to many at the NMHCCF and National Register, and was part of the team that offered me an "induction" when I first joined Mental Health Australia. A tireless advocate, Ally could none the less always find the humour and light in a situation. Ally, you will be sorely missed, but we will not give up your fight! It was nice to hear that WentWest is establishing a scholarship to honour the memory of one of their beloved staff members, in Ally. As the consumer consultant for the Western Sydney Primary Health Network she was a key team member of the Partners in Recovery program. The Allison Kokany Scholarship will assist consumers and carers to continue her legacy of making change. Save the dates: AGM, Grace Groom Memorial Oration and Parliamentary Advocacy DayMental Health Australia will hold its Annual General Meeting and Grace Groom Memorial Oration in Canberra on Monday 26 November followed by the Parliamentary Advocacy Day and Members Policy Forum at Parliament House on Tuesday 27 November. To register your interest for any of these events, please email Lachlan.Searle@mhaustralia.org
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Mental Health Australia Member Profiles
NewsNew Research Hub focused on prevention Earlier this week, Health Minister Greg Hunt MP launched a new research hub focused on preventing anxiety and depression. The federal government pledged $5 million in support of the Hub; a collaboration between the Black Dog Institute and Everymind. "The Prevention Hub is about delivering practical applied research which effectively means better access to prevention [for] Australians, " Mr Hunt said.
More support for Canberrans living with mental illness In an ACT Government 2018 pre-Budget announcement, ACT Minister for Mental Health Shane Rattenbury promised an additional $22.8 million over four years to provide accommodation for Canberrans struggling with mental health problems. This includes establishing 24-hour supported accommodation for people with complex mental health needs; and increased funding for local support services to meet growing demand. 45,000 Australians with disability receive support for the first time New figures released this week show that more than one quarter of the 160,000 Australians now benefiting from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are receiving support for the first time. The latest NDIS Quarterly Report shows 162,223 Australians are now benefitting from the NDIS, and of this number 44,945 had not received support prior to entering the Scheme. |
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RemindersNational Homelessness Conference 2018 The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute in partnership with Homelessness Australia will convene the National Homelessness Conference 2018 in Melbourne on 6 - 7 August 2018, part of Homelessness Week 2018. The theme is ‘Ending homelessness together’ and the program will enable delegates to learn about a broad range of issues related to homelessness including housing models; responding to domestic and family violence; working with clients with disability, mental health issues and people leaving custody; social and affordable housing policy; and financial inclusion.
Wellways is on a mission to build a more inclusive and accepting world, from the ground up. They are providing free community workshops to help build an understanding of mental illness at schools, sporting groups and in workplaces. They are also looking for groups and organisations interested in hosting a Well Together workshops. If you are interested in building a more supportive and inclusive community, take advantage of this free initiative.
Google Impact Challenge for non-profit innovators & social entrepreneurs The Google.org Impact Challenge supports the next generation of Australians whose innovative ideas for change are making an impact locally and globally. This year, the Impact Challenge will award $5.5M to non-profit innovators and social entrepreneurs using technology to tackle our biggest social challenges. Submit your application before 6 July 2018.
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