Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten, says Australian Paralympic legend and disability advocate, Kurt Fearnley AO, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

The NDIA Board will also welcome new members Dr Graeme Innes AM and Ms Maryanne Diamond AO. There are now five people with disability on the NDIA Board, including current board members Leah van Poppel and Meredith Allan, the largest number in its history. Dr Denis Napthine AO, formerly Chair, will return as a Board Member.

After an extensive recruitment process, the National Disability Scheme (NDIS) will also have a new Chief Executive, with Rebecca Falkingham PSM accepting the role. Ms Falkingham has extensive experience leading departments and major projects in NSW and Victoria

Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton, said Australia’s first legislated Suicide Prevention Council has been appointed, meeting for the first time to start their vital work to reduce suicide rates in South Australia. The Council of 15 members includes a diverse mix of those with lived experience of suicide, clinicians, researchers, regional and community groups, as well as Indigenous, multicultural, veteran, first responder and LGBTIQ+ representatives. The Premier’s Advocate for Suicide Prevention, Nadia Clancy MP, is the Council’s chair and joined by Mental Health Commissioner John Mannion.

The Albanese Government thanks the Productivity Commission for its final study report into the review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA). The report finds the NHHA has a number of shortcomings, and notes any future funding arrangements will be an opportunity for governments to work together on a national reform agenda to make housing more affordable. This report confirms that the last decade of policy inaction by the former Liberal-National Government has left us with serious housing challenges across the country. The Albanese Government is committed to bringing national leadership to address these issues, working collaboratively with states and territories, and key stakeholders, to improve housing outcomes for all Australians.

Minister for the NDIS, Bill Shorten, says this week has been one of the most memorable and exciting moments in my time in politics. I made an exciting announcement about significant disability leadership appointments for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIS supports almost 535,000 Australians with permanent and significant disability and is overseen by a chair and a 12 member board of directors. Kurt Fearnley AO will lead the NDIS board as Chairman, and Graeme Innes AM and Maryanne Diamond AO have also been appointed as NDIS board members. It is the first time ever to have an NDIS Chairman with disability and it is the first time ever there are five people with disability on the NDIS board.

The Andrews Labor Government is giving Victorians seeking treatment for mental health concerns and substance addiction better access to support, partnering with expert providers for the new Statewide Specialist Service. Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that Eastern Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Western Health and Austin Health (in partnership with Goulburn Valley Health) will run four initial hubs to open across Victoria. A key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System - the Labor Government’s $21.5 million investment in the Specialist Statewide Service will ensure people with co-occurring mental illness and substance use issues receive the care they need earlier and closer to home.

Mental Health Week is a national week recognised annually and includes World Mental Health Day on 10th October.

Join Growth Faculty for a week of free live virtual events dedicated to supporting businesses and individuals to manage mental health in the workplace, 10-14 October 2022.

Lockdowns, social distancing requirements, travel restrictions, staff shortages and being surrounded by constant change is stressful. Most adults spend over a third of their lives working so mental health and wellbeing are inextricably linked.

Research from Black Dog Institute shows that training leaders in mental health results in improved knowledge, confidence and management of mental health at work. 

Growth Faculty is passionate about mental health and wellbeing, and we want to help leaders and organisations implement beneficial practices in the workplace in practical and tested ways.

These free events series include a masterclass with a leading mental health expert, advice from corporate mental health leaders, interviews with psychologists, mental health advocates and sleep professionals and a breathing workshop. 

The Access for All program is a free interactive online training program to raise awareness of the barriers people with disability experience when accessing mainstream health care.

The course also provides strategies and resources to improve the accessibility of health services for people with disability.

ReachOut is conducting a survey of young people to better understand how the issues that concern them are impacting on their mental health and wellbeing. We are excited to be running this study to elevate the voices of young people regarding their experiences of day-to-day challenges and how these might impact their mental health and wellbeing. We will also be exploring how young people would like to be supported when things get tough. We believe this research will help ReachOut and the broader mental health sector to better understand the challenges facing young people and what supports they need. 

Relationships Australia is excited to announce a new PhD scholarship opportunity in partnership with the Australian National University.

The successful PhD candidate will investigate how to better include the voices of children and young people in the design, delivery, and evaluation of community services. This scholarship is in partnership with ANU, with the PhD student embedded at Relationships Australia Canberra & Region as they work to translate their research into real-world applications.

The scholarship is valued at $21,640 and is open to a prospective or continuing domestic ANU student receiving an approved ANU HDR Base stipend scholarship. Applications due 31 October.

Equally Well is inviting participation in the “National Initiatives and Activities Scan” to identify what organisations are doing to improve the physical healthcare of people living with mental ill-health. You can participate through a short online survey, to highlight your work and help build the broader movement for change.

Suicide Prevention Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Conference 2023 will be held over 1 – 4 May in Canberra. This event provides a gateway to unite suicide prevention experts to showcase evidence-based solutions and robust discussion, focused on solutions for saving lives.

The annual Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo, from 4 to 7pm on Sunday 9 October 2022, is a space where the Canberra community can learn about practical ways to support their mental wellbeing and that of their community, including where to go when they need support. 

Mental Health Month ACT occurs in October each year and is coordinated by the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT.

Black Dog Institute is pleased to announce its Summit on Self-Harm to be held on
Thursday, 10 November 2022 at Doltone House in Sydney.

This full-day event will bring together leading international researchers, clinicians and lived experience experts to provide and share insights about self-harm.