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Embrace Multicultural Mental Health (The Embrace Project) provides a national focus on mental health and suicide prevention for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Embrace Project is run by Mental Health Australia in partnership with the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia (FECCA) and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA).

We are currently seeking a Senior Project Officer to coordinate with project partners and deliver outcomes for the Suicide Prevention Pilot Project. This is an excellent opportunity to work with the peak national organisation advocating for the mental health sector.

Have your say by Sunday 22 January

SANE’S 2023 Bridging the Gaps survey is seeking input from the community.

If you are someone with lived experience of mental health issues, whether personal or as a supporter, family member or carer, you are invited to complete a short anonymous survey that will help SANE advocate to government, address inequity, and bridge the current gaps in mental health care.

Have your say by Wednesday 1 February

The consultation period for the Draft National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy closes the week after next. The Strategy presents a long-term vision and proposes a range of actions by governments, industry and the community across sectors and settings. If you have not yet made a submission or delivered feedback, you are invited to do by:

• Participate in the online survey
• Upload a written submission
• Upload a submission in another format, such as image or video

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

The Commissioner’s Report on Public Hearing 2 was released on Tuesday 17 January. The Commissioner’s Report, which can be found at the link below, makes 11 findings about a Disability Employment Services (DES) provider and its related companies which resulted in recommendations for the company to review its contracts and make appropriate redress to individuals who were failed by the program.

Extra mental health support for Riverland communities

Premier’s Advocate for Suicide Prevention Nadia Clancy said more children’s counselling and expanded services for adults in distress will be offered to Riverland communities affected by flooding. The additional services are being funded by the Government’s $1 million SA Flood Mental Health Response package. With flood waters now receding, it is expected that more people along the Murray will need extra support to stay mentally healthy and well over the coming months during the recovery period.

NDIS “Own Motion Inquiry”

People with disability who live in group homes have positive changes to look forward to, according by an announcement made on Monday this week via the office of Minister for the NDIS. Named improvements include better regulation and monitoring and the introduction of new standards. The “Own Motion Inquiry”, conducted by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission), investigated an estimated 7,000 incidents and complaints across four years from group home residents. The Inquiry’s goal is to achieve systemic improvements for those that live in supported accommodation and their families.

Pokies and public health

Gambling reform is under discussion in New South Wales, a state with over 95,000 poker machines and a public health crisis. The local Labor Government released a plan this week to tackle problem gambling by introducing measures that have long been supported by the mental health sector, including bans on political donations from gaming machines. Another proposed solution has been the trialing of a cashless card overseen by an independent panel. Wesley Mission released a discussion paper this Thursday documenting evidence and recommending features for an effective cashless card design.

The hidden mental health toll of worsening climate disasters

New polling by the Climate Council, supported by Beyond Blue, has revealed the profound impact more frequent and intense disasters are having on the mental health of Australians. The survey of 2,032 Australians found that since 2019, the majority (80%) reported they had experienced, at least once, heatwaves (63%), flooding (47%), bushfires (42%), droughts (36%), cyclones or destructive storms (29%) or landslides (8%). Half of Australians said their mental health had been detrimentally affected by the extreme weather event they experienced and one in five reported a major or moderate impact. A follow-up community-level survey with people who had experienced a disaster found the most common mental health symptoms were anxiety, followed by symptoms of depression and PTSD.

Develop knowledge and skills when working with complex trauma

The Blue Knot Foundation will provide professional development training in 2023 to help build skills around trauma responsiveness, sensitivity, using a trauma lens, recognising and responding to types of trauma, and more. Grow your leadership capacity and skillset either face-to-face or in a virtual classroom in a training program suited to your role.

Want to know what’s up with the NDIS?

Community Mental Health Australia is delivering the National NDIS & Mental Health Conference at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. 10 registration bursaries are available for individuals with lived experience who are not currently in paid employment to attend the conference, which will take place on 20 - 21 February.

Annual International Mental Health Conference

The International Mental Health Conference is a leading event in the international mental health community, attracting a cross section of sector leaders, professionals, and practitioners.

Stay up to date with future projections
Hear from experts on what the mental health workforce of the future looks like. Learn how we can support the longevity of our workforce and strategically manage our workforce.

Tap into more advanced work systems and care models
Access the latest tech advancements and industry innovations to improve multi-sectoral collaboration and service standards to support better mental health.

Feel connected to your global community of mental health industry professionals
Gather with likeminded sector professionals from both near and further afield to share stories, experiences and future plans for the sector.

Share, Collaborate and Listen
Collaborate with your peers and learn from others in the field. Have your voice, research or insights seen and heard either as a presenter, or during the interactive Pan-Shops.