Mental Health Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Peoples, and in particular to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we conduct much of our work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Highlights from our 2022-2023 Annual Report

As we approach our Annual General Meeting next week, I am thrilled to present Mental Health Australia’s 2022-2023 Annual Report, which is a testament to our collective efforts in reforming our mental health system over the past financial year. 

Mental Health Australia’s unwavering vision for mentally healthy people and communities has driven us to further collaborate with people with lived experience, including their carers and family members, our members, and government stakeholders. Together, we have played a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s mental health landscape. 

Over the past year, our team, with the invaluable support of our members, has developed 11 significant submissions to the government, covering a broad spectrum of mental health priorities. Our Policy and Research team has been resolutely committed to advancing policies related to system reform and the social determinants of mental health. 

Another highlight was our 2022 Parliamentary Advocacy Day in September, where over 60 delegate members participated in 65 meetings with parliamentarians, marking our most significant success to date. The presence and acknowledgment from national leaders, including the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Hon Emma McBride MP, Mrs. Melissa McIntosh MP, and Senator Jordan Steele-John, underscore the respect our organisation garners. 

In the lead-up to the 2023 Federal Budget, our Policy and Research team outlined government priorities in a Pre-Budget Submission, emphasising the crucial need for investment in lived experience leadership, government accountability, a community-focussed mental health system, and bolstering the mental health workforce. 

Our adoption of a proactive and strategic approach over the last 12 months has positioned Mental Health Australia as a leader in the sector. This, in turn, has led to greater collaboration with government, so that we can work together to implement practical solutions in mental health reform. 
 
I highly encourage everyone to delve into our Report and read about the many more highlights of Mental Health Australia’s work over the past year.  

Over the next week I’ll be joined in Canberra by many of Mental Health Australia’s members to reflect on the past year at the AGM and have the opportunity to celebrate our achievements at the Grace Groom Memorial Oration. At the Oration we will hear from 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt, and award the 2023 Grace Groom Memorial Scholarship. This event will be followed by our Members Policy Forum, where we’ll examine the government’s current mental health commitments and discuss our collective priorities for our pre-budget submission for 2024/25 and future policy asks. 

Mental Health Australia is steadfast in our commitment to driving collaboration within the sector, presenting a united front in our advocacy efforts. Change does take time, but traction is being achieved through our proactive and strategic approach, as evidenced in our Annual Report. Next week’s events with members and stakeholders are also opportunities to set ourselves up for success next year.

Together, we can showcase to the Government how our collective strength can enhance the mental health system, fostering a nation where we have mentally healthy people and mentally healthy communities. 

Have a good weekend,

Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia

The diary next week

• On Tuesday I will be attending the Mental Health Australia Board meeting, followed by the AGM and Grace Groom Memorial Oration.
• On Wednesday I am attending the Mental Health Australia Member Policy Forum.
• On Thursday I am meeting with the Hon David Coleman MP.

Have your say on Embrace project

The Department of Health and Aged Care is funding an independent evaluation of the Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project. Kantar Public is conducting the evaluation and have created an anonymous survey for everyone working in the mental health sector to have their say on how the department can best support multicultural mental health services.

The survey is open to anyone delivering mental health services, not just those that have interacted with the Embrace Project.

The survey closes on Friday 1 December.

New Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant COVID vaccines

The Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia has approved the following XBB 1.5 vaccines for use as primary and additional doses:

• Pfizer monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine 5 - <12 years formulation (light blue cap)
• Pfizer monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine ≥12 years formulation (dark grey cap)
• Moderna monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine, registered for use in people aged 12 years and older.

The government says doctors and pharmacies can now order the new vaccines which will be delivered from December 11.

However, ATAGI doesn’t recommend getting this updated vaccine if you’re up to date with your 2023 boosters (or you had your primary vaccine dose less than six months ago) as you should still be well protected from severe disease.

ATAGI continues to review all available evidence on COVID-19 vaccines, infection rates and risk of severe disease and will make further recommendations in early 2024.

More people putting off seeing health professionals due to cost

New analysis of patient experiences revealed 7.0 per cent of people who needed to see a General Practitioner (GP) in 2022-23 delayed or did not see one when needed due to cost, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members who have served since 1985: suicide monitoring 1997 to 2021

Permanent and reserve male ADF members die by suicide at about half the rate of Australians of similar age, while ex-serving male members have a higher rate than Australian males. This report is the sixth annual update monitoring suicides among permanent, reserve and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who served between 1985 and 2021. 

Health system continues to fail people with poor mental health

The Australian Medical Association’s Public hospital report card: mental health edition shows more patients with mental health-related conditions are arriving in emergency departments by ambulance and police services, and more are arriving in a critical condition needing urgent care.

New mental health emergency response
service to rollout in North West Tasmania

The Tasmanian mental health emergency response service will expand to the North West from next week. Mental Health Emergency Response – North West is part of a two-year trial designed to boost access to timely, evidence-based mental health care in the region. The new service will take learnings from the successful emergency response model in the South, and will provide a customised model of care that is tailored to meet the needs of the North West community, taking into account the region’s geography and demographics.

Improve quality use of medicines to improve mental health care

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Medicine Safety series ‘Medicine Safety: Mental Health Care report’ highlights opportunities for pharmacists to better support Australians using medicines to treat mental health conditions, including improving access to care and investing in quality use of medicines services at critical points of care.

Head to Health adult mental health centre opens in Armadale

A Head to Health adult mental health centre has opened in Armadale, offering free advice, support and, if needed, assessment and treatment for people with stress, anxiety and other mental health issues.

Ipswich region benefits from new eating disorders service

A new eating disorder service will be delivered from Ipswich Hospital from early 2024 and managed by West Moreton and Darling Downs Hospital and Health Services. The services target leading risk factors for developing eating disorders including poor body image and body dissatisfaction, through behavioural therapies and nutritional education.

National wellbeing survey shows stark generational and income divides

Australian Unity in partnership with Deakin University, has released its latest Wellbeing Index survey report in partnership with Deakin University. Conducted in June 2023, the survey measured the subjective wellbeing of over 2,000 Australians aged 18 to 97 against a series of national and personal life areas, including the economy, health, and community connectedness. This year, researchers also examined the areas of mental distress and carer wellbeing.

Nominations Open For LiFE Awards

The 2024 Suicide Prevention Australia LiFE Awards acknowledge individuals and organisations at a state and territory level, with all award recipients automatically proceeding to the national awards which are held at the 2024 National Suicide Prevention Conference.

Anyone can nominate someone for an award - and that includes self-nominations. Anyone who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to suicide prevention is encouraged to nominate.

Nominations close 15 January 2024.

Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention

Through the Commonwealth Government’s Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention, Murray PHN is offering grants for projects aimed at reducing the impact and incidence of suicide.

Applications for grant amounts of up $10,000, $50,000 and $150,000 are now open to community groups, organisations and service providers to deliver projects in line with the Black Dog Institute’s Lifespan Framework.

All questions and enquiries must be made through eProcure.

Tender submissions close at 3pm on Monday 4 December 2023.

COVID-19 Response Inquiry call for submissions and evidence

An independent Inquiry will be held into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help better prepare and protect our country for the future.

It will review what worked well and what we can do better to improve Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics.

The COVID-19 Response Inquiry Panel invites interested people and organisations to make a submission and/or provide evidence to inform recommendations that aim to improve Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics.

The closing date for submissions is 15 December 2023.

NFP Sector Development Blueprint Issues Paper open for consultation

The Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG) is developing a Blueprint that will be provided to the Australian Government on what is needed for a sustainable Not-for-Profit (NFP) and charities sector.

Development of a NFP Blueprint was announced by the Australian Government in the 2022-23 October Budget. The BERG comprises of representatives from the social services sector, who have drawn from their expertise to develop an issues paper as the basis for broader consultation with community and across the NFP sector.

This issues paper has been published to the Department of Social Services Engage website.

Submissions close on Wednesday 20 December 2023.