Speaking frankly...                                       

Australia's 'Top 5' young scientists of 2018

This week the ABC announced their “Top 5” scientists for 2018. Each year the ABC and the University of New South Wales seek to identify “Australia’s next generation of research talent.”

A few things struck me about this year’s award.

Firstly, this year’s Top 5 are all women. Whether we consider the role of women as leaders in society, or as leaders in science, there was a time not too long past where this would have been impossible. Women would simply not have been participating in science, and if they were, their contribution and role would not have been recognised. Whilst we still have a long way to go, here’s hoping we are reaching a time when women can pursue whatever careers they wish, and be recognised for their achievements and leadership.

Secondly, one of this year’s winners is a specialist in mental health research.  I am encouraged to think this might flag mental health starting to move out of the fringes and into the mainstream.  Mental health research has lagged well behind other areas of health research – underfunded, and poorly prioritised. If we are going to find lasting solutions and interventions to mental illness, we must invest in research. And we must do this even when the demand for front line services and crisis interventions risk shifting our focus from longer term investments.

Thirdly, Dr Belinda Liddell, the mental health researcher recognised in this Top 5, is a specialist in cross cultural differences in approaches to mental health. Her own biography describes her work as:

… trying to understand why different cultural perspectives change our mental and biological processes, particularly underpinning our emotions and our social functioning.

We live in a multicultural society and so trying to understand why different cultural perspectives affect our very basic process, including the way our brain perceives the world around us and processes information, might help us build bridges between different cultural groups and improve understanding.

As previously announced in this update, we are currently recruiting for new staff to work with our partners at the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA), to work on the next stage of work to improve our approaches to multicultural mental health, building on the achievements of the former MHiMA project.

Australia is a rich, multicultural society, but we have largely neglected multicultural approaches to mental health. Our data is inadequate, and our investment falls far short of community need.

Let’s hope as the work of young scientists like Dr Liddell receive more public recognition, and as increased investment in multicultural mental health draws on the rich lived experience of those living at the intersection of cross cultural approaches to mental health, that specialist CALD services and programs and “mainstream” mental health services and programs alike can be enriched by new learnings.

And let’s celebrate the fact that a young female scientist is receiving national recognition for her expertise and leadership in this critical field of research.

Warm regards.

Frank Quinlan
Chief Executive Officer

Design of a pathway for NDIS participants with psychosocial disability

Mental Health Australia Member Profiles

dNet – People Like Us has two main purposes: 1. to empower people like us, Australians living with depression and our families and friends, to make informed choices and find solutions to the challenges of living with depression; and 2. to empower people who have benefited from the depressioNet website and services in the past (‘dNetters’), to work together to provide the new dNet website and services for other people like us and experience the many benefits involved.
Websitte http://dnet.org.au/(link is external)
 

CatholicCare NT is a not-for-profit organisation, providing counselling services and programs to individuals, couples, families, children groups, schools and agencies across the Northern Territory. CatholicCare NT operate services in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Ltyentye Apurte, Finke, Titjikala,Tennant Creek, APY Lands, Nauiyu, Palmerston, Tiwi and Wadeye. Funding for their services is provided by both the Australian and Northern Territory governments.
Website - www.catholiccarent.org.au

News

NSW Budget: Record investment in workplace mental health

Workers will be better supported in the workplace thanks to a $55 million NSW Government investment in mental health initiatives. The Mentally Healthy Workplaces in NSW Strategy 2022, a long-term plan for mentally healthy workplaces, represents "the single-biggest investment in workplace mental health in the country’s history,” said Matt Kean, NSW Minister for Better Regulation.

 

 

Dementia Australia welcomes ACT Government spending on disability services

Dementia Australia has welcomed the ACT Government's announcement on additional funding for the NDIS to support people whose needs are not currently met by the system, as well as the support for older Canberrans with mental health issues in residential care. Dementia Australia CEO, Maree McCabe, said the NDIS was an important initiative that was vital to supporting people with complex disabilities, like younger onset dementia, in the community.
 

Health system reforms to improve treatment of eating disorders

Renewed focus on early intervention and treatment of eating disorders has been praised by the Butterfly Foundation following the 2018 MAYDAYS for Eating Disorders campaign. Recent reforms such as: the inclusion of eating disorders in the Fifth National Mental Health Plan; increased online support; the launch of the National Agenda for Eating Disorders; and investment in workforce capacity building for eating disorder service providers; are growing the sector's optimism around future treatment of eating disorders.  

Reminders

Save the date: Mental Health in the Emergency Department Summit

The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) is hosting a Mental Health in the Emergency Department Summit on Tuesday 16 October 2018 in Melbourne. ACEM is looking to create a discussion and consensus statement about better managing mental illness in the acute care context and broader health system as an outcome of the Summit. 
 

THeMHS pre-conference forums for consumers & carers

The 'roar' of policy makers, service providers and medical experts commands so much attention in the mental health reform arena, whilst the 'whisper' of people who live with mental health issues often goes unnoticed. The 2018 TheMHS Pre-Conference Forums bring together consumers and carers from across Australia and NZ to explore the collective and individual power of the whisper. Register below.
 

 

Mission Australia's 17th Annual Youth Survey

Mission Australia has just launched the 2018 Youth Survey: the 17^th annual online survey giving a voice to the concerns, values and thoughts of young people aged 15-19 across Australia. Survey results are a valuable resource for informing youth services, community development and youth engagement across sectors and regions. If you would like to get involved and receive an individual report of survey results for your organisation, email LiyanarachchiD@missionaustralia.com.au to find out more.
 

Nominate now for the 2018 Mental Health Awards

The Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Mental Health Awards. The Awards will recognise an Advocate of the Year and a Mental Health Organisation of the Year. These inaugural awards will be presented by the Governor of Victoria at Government House of Friday 26 October 2018 from 7:00 - 9:00am.

Call for abstracts for the Australian Psychosis Conference

The Australian Psychosis Conference takes the place of the Australasian Schizophrenia Conference, a meeting of researchers, clinicians, carers and consumers aimed at increasing understanding and improving treatment of people who experience psychosis. The conference will be held from 14-16 September 2018 at the SMC Conference and Function Centre, Sydney.

The National LGBTI Health Alliance is seeking an Executive Director 

The peak body representing over 170 organisations and individuals working to improve the health and wellbeing of the LGBTI community are looking for an Executive Director. The successful candidate will be responsible for the implementation of a brand new organisational strategy designed to have a significant impact on the Alliance’s future, culture and organisational goals. For more info and to apply, click the link below.

Hocking Fellowship

Applications are now open for the 2018 Hocking Fellowship. SANE's Hocking Fellowship program provides an opportunity for Australians to undertake a fully-funded study tour in an area of interest that advances the public understanding of complex mental illness, improves treatment, support and the wellbeing of people affected by mental illness, and contributes to stigma reduction.