Changing Australia’s mental health trajectory with preventive measures

This week I was delighted to virtually attend the inaugural Preventive Mental Health Symposium, hosted by the Public Health Association of Australia in partnership with Beyond Blue. 

The symposium brought together leaders from across public and mental health sectors to discuss how we can collectively amplify our efforts in promoting mental wellbeing and preventing mental health conditions. 

Despite increased investment in mental health services over recent decades, the overall rate of people in Australia experiencing mental health conditions is not improving. 

For some population groups like young people, the rate of mental health conditions is getting worse, with the proportion of young people experiencing mental health conditions increasing dramatically from 25 per cent in 2007 to 40 per cent in 2021. 

The symposium discussed the range of risk factors associated with increasing rates of mental ill-health, including adverse childhood experiences, climate change, COVID-19, social media, and future uncertainty. 

ReachOut’s 2023 What Are You Worried About Report reflects some of these risk factors as well, with three-quarters of young people surveyed saying they were concerned about the future (75 per cent), while two-thirds reporting that anxiety (62 per cent) and COVID-19 (62 per cent) were also issues of concern. 

While a growing number of evidence-based programs are currently available to promote mental wellbeing and reduce the risk of experiencing mental ill-health, there is a big gap between what we know works and what is happening in practice and policy. 

Mental Health Australia calls on the government to work with the sector to address the underlying drivers of poor mental health, along with rapidly scaling up existing evidence-based wellbeing and prevention approaches, and continuing to develop new and better solutions based on research and data.  

There is a role for everyone in this - from taking steps at a personal level to improve and protect our own mental wellbeing, to implementing wellbeing and preventive interventions through existing services and communities, along with taking a whole-of-government approach, that embeds mental health in all policies, and measures our collective progress to improving our wellbeing.    

At the national level, Mental Health Australia will continue working with our members and the sector to advocate for implementation of clear actions under Australia’s National Preventive Health Strategy to promote and protect the mental health of all people in Australia, alongside investments to improve our mental health treatment system.

Carolyn Nikoloski 
CEO, Mental Health Australia 

The diary next week

• We are excited to be hosting the Member Connect event: In Conversation with Dr Ruth Vine this afternoon.
• On Friday I will be virtually attending the ALIVE National Centre Annual Symposium.
• On Tuesday I will attend the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance meeting and then the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Senior Officials Safety & Quality Group.
• Over the next week I will be meeting with Mental Health Australia members TeamHEALTH and the PHN Cooperative.

We are hiring! 

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project - Senior Program Manager 

The position will lead the renowned Embrace Multicultural Mental Health (the Embrace Project), which is delivered by Mental Health Australia and which provides a national focus on mental health and suicide prevention for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

This is a unique opportunity to become involved with an organisation that is dedicated to driving better mental health for all people in Australia.

Click below for more information and to apply. Applications close: 8pm (AEST) 17 March 2024 

Mental Health Australia CEO, Carolyn Nikoloski, is delighted to invite Members to a special Mental Health Australia Member Connect online event - our first for 2024. 

Dr Ruth Vine is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Mental Health, in the Department of Health and Aged Care and has graciously accepted our invitation. On the cusp of her imminent retirement, Dr Ruth Vine will join me in conversation to reflect on her extensive career, and to hear some of her insights on the mental health reform that she has seen and led through her time in the sector.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask Dr Vine questions and we’ll hear about her hopes for the future of mental health reform in Australia.

Event: Mental Health Australia CEO In conversation with Dr Ruth Vine
Date: Wednesday 13 March 2024
Time: 2:00PM - 2:45PM AEDT

Via Zoom: Click the button below to register for this exclusive member-only event

Mental Health Australia Members are invited to Save the Date for the Budget Special - Member Policy Forum - Thursday 16 May 2024 at Old Parliament House in Canberra.

Twice a year Mental Health Australia Member Policy Forums bring together mental health sector leaders, including Mental Health Australia members, policy makers, and other stakeholders to discuss and address critical issues surrounding mental health policy and reform. Through insightful discussions, presentations, and workshop sessions, these forums seek to foster collaboration and drive positive change in mental health policy and advocacy.

Some online attendance will be available. Registrations for in-person and online attendance will open in March. As this event will occur during a parliamentary sitting week, attendees are encouraged to book flights and accommodation early. 

Mental Health Australia, through the Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project’s targeted support to PHNs, has developed new resources to guide and support PHNs and other organisations in implementing the Embrace Framework - which allows organisations and individual practitioners to evaluate and enhance their cultural responsiveness. The Action Plan Template and Framework Implementation Guide, are available now!

Free webinar - Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia

Have you ever wondered about the Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (the Framework) and how it could be applied to your workplace? Now is your opportunity to have your questions answered!  

Explore the significance of multicultural mental health and discover how the Framework can be a valuable tool.  

Webinar Topic: The Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia: Frequently Asked Questions 

This webinar is ideal for Australian mental health services, individual practitioners and Primary Health Networks seeking to build their capacity to work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. 

Date: Wednesday 27 March 2024 
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm (AEDT)

Collaboration and cost-of-living high priority for the philanthropic sector

A new report and sector awards entries have highlighted collaboration as a big focus for the philanthropic sector, along with the impacts of rising cost-of-living. Philanthropy Australia’s second annual Better Philanthropy Telescope report has taken the pulse of the sector to help identify the trends, issues and opportunities that will shape the giving agenda this year.

Record half of all Australians in cost-of-living distress

A record half of all Australians nationally are now reporting elevated cost-of-living and personal debt distress (50%). Cost-of-living distress is now double all other economic and social issues for the first time with ‘middle Australia’ driving the increase, the latest quarterly Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker reveals.

Mental health experts urge governments to act on prevention

Mental and public health experts gathered in Melbourne on Tuesday 12 March, to discuss the growing number of young Australians experiencing mental illness, and encourage governments to tailor their investments in programs which help protect and promote mental wellbeing. The Public Health Association of Australia’s inaugural Preventive Mental Health Symposium, hosted in partnership with Beyond Blue, is the first of its kind to bring together mental health and public health experts with a specific focus on preventing mental health conditions. The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing found that of Australians aged 16-85 from 2020-2022, an estimated 8.5 million people, or 43% of the population, had experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life.

Governments need to take Closing the Gap commitments seriously

Following last week’s release of the updated Closing the Gap Data Dashboard, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is calling for governments to take their Closing the Gap commitments seriously.

“As with the other reports that have come out in recent weeks, the latest Closing the Gap Data Dashboard update shows what the sector is already well aware of”, said Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia CEO Ms Rachel Fishlock.

2024 Status of Women Report Card

The Albanese Government has released the second annual Status of Women Report Card showing what life looks like for women and girls in Australia in 2024. The Government promised to release a report card every International Women’s Day to shine a light on where progress towards gender equality has stalled and where more effort is needed.

headspace urges young women to create connections, as survey reveals many feel lonely

On the eve of International Women’s Day (8 March), the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace, encouraged young women to explore opportunities for social connection in their community, as research finds they are more likely than their male peers to experience loneliness.

“No one should miss out”: RACGP calls for urgent rural NDIS boost

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling on government to boost the National Disability Insurance Scheme in the bush. It comes following the College’s submission to the inquiry into NDIS participant experience in rural, regional, and remote Australia.

NTCOSS appoints Sally Sievers as new CEO (NT)

The Northern Territory Council of Social Service is pleased to announce the appointment of Sally Sievers as its new Chief Executive Officer.  Sally is a well-respected advocate and leader in the community. She brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to the work of NTCOSS.

GPs welcome Tasmanian Labor and Tasmanian Greens commitment to mother and baby health (TAS)

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has lauded Tasmanian Labor and Tasmanian Greens for heeding its calls to support families with babies who are facing challenges through access to dedicated mother and baby services. Tasmanian Labor have committed to spend $5 million a year for four years to establish small, dedicated community day programs and residential stay services for families dealing with perinatal exhaustion, feeding and settling issues and postnatal depression or anxiety.

Boosting mental health support for diverse communities (VIC)

Organisations supporting and promoting the mental health and wellbeing of diverse communities across Victoria have been given a funding boost by the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt announced the 20 recipients who will share in $4.2 million in the second round of the 2023-25 Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants Program, including organisations supporting multifaith, multicultural and LGBTIQA+ communities, and people living with disabilities.

Tender processes for the new lived experience peaks - now open

The Government’s tender processes for the new lived experience peaks, which have now opened and close on 5 April 2024, are detailed on the Grant Connect website, individually linked here: 

National Mental Health Carer, Family and Kin Peak Body 

National Mental Health Consumer Peak Body

Improving integrity within NDIA systems and processes stakeholder information pack

The NDIA is committed to strengthening its integrity culture. We are working hard to reduce fraud and integrity risks ensuring participant safety and wellbeing. We want to make it ‘easier to get it right, and harder to get it wrong’ for everyone engaging with the NDIA.

Refer to the attached PDF for the Stakeholder Information Pack.

NDIS Review Town Halls - Darwin, Hobart, Launceston and Canberra

This is an opportunity for the disability community to engage with members of the NDIS Review Panel on their blueprint to build a better disability support system.

The Town Hall events will feature members of the Review Panel, including Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM, Kirsten Deane and Mr Douglas Herd, with closing remarks made by the Honourable Bill Shorten MP - Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

People can register their in-person or online attendance for free. Accessibility options for the event are listed on the ticketing website.

The details of this Town Hall Event are as follows:

• 13 March - Darwin: https://events.humanitix.com/ndis-review-town-hall-event-darwin
• 14 March - Hobart: https://events.humanitix.com/ndis-review-town-hall-event-hobart
• 15 March - Launceston: https://events.humanitix.com/launceston-76etclr6
• 19 March - Canberra: https://events.humanitix.com/ndis-review-town-hall-event-canberra

Carer Wellbeing Survey – we need your help

Across Australia, millions of people provide care for friends or family members who are ill, have a disability, an addiction, or who are frail. Each year, the Carers Australia deliver the Carer Wellbeing Survey which calls on current and past carers to tell us about their experiences. 

In 2024, we are again asking carers to tell us about their lives in the Carer Wellbeing Survey. As well as asking about wellbeing and the impacts of rising living costs for carers, we are asking about experiences with accessing respite care and dementia resources.

It is voluntary, confidential and participants have a chance of winning one of 13 prizes worth a total of $5,000.

R U OK? Conversation Convoy to connect communities across Illawarra and South Coast NSW

Community events in Dapto, Wollongong, Berkeley, Kiama, Nowra, Vincentia, Ulladulla, Bega, Pambula Beach and Wyndham will offer a free cuppa, a sausage sizzle and a chance to learn more about the important role we can all play in looking out for our friends, family and colleagues.

A full schedule of the R U OK? Conversation Convoy public events, and resources to help support local communities can be found by clicking on the button below.

Current grant opportunity: $55.8 million over four years from 2023-24

The Addressing Critical Psychology Shortages - Postgraduate Psychology Incentive Program aims to support higher education providers who have created additional postgraduate psychology places in courses which lead to general registration and can lead to relevant areas of practice endorsement.

The grant opportunity will be available over four separate grant rounds (with one opening each financial year) and will provide up to $55.8 million over four years from 2023-24.

Leading youth mental health service, ReachOut, is launching its inaugural Social Impact Report 2022 - 2023. To mark the release of this new report, they will be hosting a webinar on 21 March. 

Karen Wilcox, ReachOut’s Director of Research and Impact, will be joined by sector experts Eleanor Booth, Managing Director and Founder of For-Purpose Evaluations and Amanda Third, Professor at Western Sydney University and Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Centre. 

Join the ReachOut team as they unpack the findings from the report and demystify impact measurement for digital mental health services. Discover strategies to overcome common challenges and barriers in impact measurement, and explore the skills to strengthen service through data-driven decision-making. 

Invitation to launch of a Blackdog Policy Brief with Ms Kylea Tink MP, Member for North Sydney - 26 March 

The launch will feature a policy discussion with some of the leading experts in the youth mental health space, the voice of lived experience and from the schools system.

Schools provide an ideal setting for mental wellbeing promotion and preventative mental health interventions but at the moment, these interventions are not being targeted and used in the most effective ways. Blackdog’s policy brief provides some concrete and actionable steps that the Government could take to improve school based mental health and wellbeing programs.

Date: 26 March 2024, 9-10:30AM

Location: Senate Committee Room S2R1 - Australian Parliament House – Canberra

Improving emergency department care for suicidal teens and their families

Youth suicide is a growing problem in Australia. There is increasing recognition that brief interventions and strategies may be an important aspect of a comprehensive treatment strategy. In a joint project between Deakin University and Monash Health, their teams are conducting research to develop a new intervention to support young people who present to the emergency department at risk of suicide, and their parents.

One part of the intervention will be a series of text messages to support young people and their parents in the days and weeks after they are discharged from the emergency department (ED). To do this, they are looking for parents/carers of a young person who presented to an ED for suicide-related concerns when the young person was aged 12-18, to complete a brief survey. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in a follow-up interview. 

If you are in this group, or know others in this group, please complete this survey by clicking on the button below. 

Many communities throughout Australia have been impacted by natural disasters in recent weeks, months and years. The emotional impact can be difficult for people to cope with both in the short and longer term.

The R U OK? Mateship Manual provides guidance and tips to help you support a family member, friend, neighbour or workmate affected by a natural disaster.

Implementation resources for the NSQMHCMO Standards

Are you planning to implement the National Safety and Quality Mental Health Standards for Community Managed Organisations (NSQMHCMO Standards)? Accreditation begins on 1 July 2024.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released a range of practical resources to support CMO service providers, consumers and carers, and accrediting agencies.

EACH24 Conference: Call for abstracts

ASPIRE is seeking abstracts from interested parties for the new EACH24 conference. We’re looking for exciting and interesting submissions that can relate to one or more of our conference themes, which include:

• Access. Ensuring we minimise barriers to the access and referral of services, simplifying processes, affordability and availability, supporting hard to reach or underserviced communities

• Need. Actively identifying practical needs and opportunities for improving quality of life for individuals and communities

• Opportunity. Identifying local and national assets and resources to meet the needs of people and communities

• Enrichment. Offering expert guidance, fostering growth, facilitating learning, and creating opportunities to contribute to the wellbeing of others.

• Connection. Linking people to the resources they need, creating local networks with equitable access to opportunities, building social capital and resilience

• Community. Celebrating community assets and working together to build needed resources to improve quality of life for all 

• Growth. Supporting national learning and advancement through evidence-based research, frameworks, education and collaboration

Don’t miss the chance to present your work to an international audience and network with leaders in the field. Submit your details ASAP by the link below for a chance to secure a spot. Submissions close 8 April 2024.

2024 Rural Mental Health Conference and website launch

The 2024 Rural Mental Health Conference has launched! Presenter applications will open on Friday 19 April, and there will be 60 presentation spots available. Registrations will open on Thursday 27 June, with a super early bird rate available for 60 registrations for a limited time.

Please encourage your colleagues to register their interest so they can get these important dates for the conference in their calendars now.

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