Sorry Day ceremony, Redfern Community Centre, 13 Feb 2008 / photographed by Wendy McDougall
A young family member of mine (you know who you are!) took some time as a child to learn how to apologise, and to sound like she meant it! In the overwhelming emotion of the moment sometimes the recipient of the apology remained unconvinced. But she won her sisters around by showing that she understood why the other felt wounded, and taking time to repair the relationship. Sometimes this took a lot of work: more apologies, more re-telling and reviews of what happened, and more repair efforts than she initially expected.
Generally, the level of effort required to move forward was directly proportionate to the extent of the experience of being wounded and how much the apologiser really understood the extent of this experience.
This week the federal parliament has acknowledged the fourteenth anniversary of the moment when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made an historic apology on behalf of the Australian people – on your behalf and on mine.
On Monday, The Healing Foundation’s Board Chair, Professor Steve Larkin, said:
Commemorating the Apology is important to keep the spirit of its words and their meaning alive. The commemoration is a very real part of the healing journey – one that encourages us to keep looking for new ways to work together for genuine change in the lives of survivors, their families, and descendants.
The Healing Foundation promotes trauma-aware, healing-informed practice to help government, policymakers, and workforces understand their role in intergenerational healing.
In 2021, some of my colleagues attended the launch of The Healing Foundation’s Make Healing Happen: It’s time to act report at the National Press Club here in Canberra. The report provided in-depth insight into the experiences of Stolen Generations survivors and presents ways healing can happen, now.
They are helping in the how: how to move forward from an apology.
In 2018, Mr Rudd ended the apology by saying:
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.
In December, Mental Health Australia proudly launched its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan to progress on our journey for equitable mental health outcomes – for all Australians.
We also hear and acknowledge the generous advice of the Uluru Statement From the Heart which called for three key things — voice, treaty, and truth. It says:
Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination. We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history.
We must both respect the apology made and also move forward in reconciliation, guided by those whose wounds are deep and whose strength, courage and leadership is honoured.
Mental Health Australia accepts the gracious invitation of the Uluru Statement to walk together for a better future, side-by-side with our First Nations brothers and sisters.
Dr Leanne Beagley
CEO
National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint Committee workforce final report
The final report for this inquiry makes eight recommendations relating to the need for increased workforce data collection, enhanced employment opportunities for people with disability and Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander people, increased student placement opportunities and appropriately resourced training and upskilling initiatives. Recommendations further call for the development of clear and measurable outcomes for each of the initiatives under the government’s NDIS National Workforce Plan as well as a comprehensive consultation strategy for its implementation.
In August 2021, Mental Health Australia, Community Mental Health Australia and the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia made a second joint submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS Inquiry into the NDIS Workforce. This submission provided an update to our previous joint submission made to the same inquiry in May 2020, this time focusing on the NDIS National Workforce Plan.
On Monday the highlight of my day will be the opportunity to contribute to and celebrate the Launch of the new National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum Website and the Psychosocial Disability Publications. You can register here.
On Tuesday I have a meeting to commence a new partnership with TheMHS for the Sydney 2022 Conference; a meeting with Alison Brooks of Relationships Australia and later a meeting of the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance.
On Wednesday we have a members webinar advising the Australian Digital Health Agency on My Health Record and Electronic Prescribing from a mental health point of view. Later I have a meeting of the Initial Assessment and Referral Expert Group.
On Thursday we have Board Finance Audit and Risk Management Meeting, and later I have an Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Alliance Meeting, an NDIS Joint Advocacy and Co-design meeting and a meeting with the Palliative Care Australia Board.
On Friday I have a gathering of local CEOs in Canberra.
National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum Website and Psychosocial Disability Publication Launch
The National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) is a combined national voice for mental health consumers and carers. We listen, learn, influence and advocate in matters of mental health reform.
The NMHCCF is inviting you to its Website and Psychosocial Disability Publication Launch.
This is an opportunity to learn more about the NMHCCF’s work, its new website, and also its collaborative process towards transformational change in Australia’s mental health system.
Hear from NMHCCF members on their reflections of psychosocial disability and reform agendas, and ask your questions to a panel of lived experience experts.
The launch will take place on 21 February 2022, 2pm-3pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (11am AWST, 1.30pm ACDT, 1pm AEST, 12.30pm ACST).
Register in advance for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Work with us!
Mental Health Australia is seeking a Communications Officer. You will be responsible for assisting with communication and public relations activities as well as events, social media and publication development. The role is also responsible for assisting with the delivery and administration of the World Mental Health Day campaign and Mental Health Australia’s membership program. Find out more about the role.
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health News
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Translated information on testing for COVID-19, and for people who test positive for COVID-19
These fact sheets, developed by the Department of Health, contain important information on the types of tests available in Australia and when to get tested, and information for people who test positive for COVID-19 or are close contacts. There’s also further information for people who contract COVID-19 including guidance on symptoms, when to call an ambulance, and how to isolate.
The fact sheets are available in 63 languages:
Getting tested for COVID-19
Information for people who test positive for COVID-19, or are close contacts
What to expect when you have COVID-19
Expression of Interest open for Primary Health Networks: Embedding the “Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia” with PHNs
The Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project (the Embrace Project) is committed to providing support to Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to work effectively with multicultural communities across Australia and improve the cultural responsiveness of mental health services.
The Embrace Project is seeking Expressions of Interest from PHNs to Embed the “Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia”.
This opportunity will allow your PHN to:
- Map and work with multicultural communities and organisations
- Utilise a comprehensive structure to plan, implement and evaluate effective multicultural mental health interventions
- Work with commissioned services to build multicultural mental health capacity
- Benefit from resources, best practice and specialised knowledge in multicultural mental health
- Build a tailored organisational approach to multicultural mental health
The EOI is now open and closes at 9:00am (AEDT) Monday 28 February 2022.
PHNs are invited to submit an EOI application. For more information on the EOI and how to apply please view the following documents:
Primary Health Network Request for Expression of Interest – includes application form
Embrace Project Fact Sheet
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Member Benefits, Jobs and Profiles
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Communicate your news, job vacancies, or upcoming events to more than 5,000 people in the mental health ecosystem weekly.
Mental Health Australia members are invited to send us news, announcements, job vacancies, events or other notices for inclusion in the Weekly CEO Update newsletter. To do so, simply fill out this form by COB each Wednesday for your notice to appear in the newsletter the following Friday.
Job Vacancies
Beyond Blue is looking for a new Community Engagement Coordinator to provide coordination and administrative support across Beyond Blue’s Community Engagement team with a primary focus on Blue Voices. Applicants need to possess a minimum of two years’ experience in an admin/coordinator role. Candidates should also have a solid understanding and competence in using website content management systems, databases and other online technologies, and must possess high attention to detail, strong written and verbal communication skills and an ability to adjust to a range of audiences.
Eating Disorders Queensland is hiring Mental Health Practitioners. The Eating Disorder Practitioner with a Medicare provider number will provide therapeutic/dietetic services to people with a range of eating disorders. This position operates within a collaborative team environment that is responsive to the needs of service users and is committed to continuous improvement and best practice principles. The practitioner is required to work within the Vision and Mission of Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ) and contribute to organisational objectives. Email admin@edq.org.au with any questions.
Mental Health Victoria is recruiting a Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, you will lead and support the sector by encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing and amplifying Lived Experience voices, while influencing governments to further invest in Mental Health. You will expand MHV’s service portfolio and build its state and federal media profile. A proven leader, you have outstanding stakeholder engagement skills, with a deep understanding of politics and public policy. Your advocacy and profile have enabled you to achieve large-scale reform implementation.
Member Profiles
SANE Australia
SANE Australia is a national mental health charity making a real difference in the lives of people affected by complex mental health issues through support, research and advocacy. Our vision is for an Australia where people affected by complex mental health issues live long and fulfilling lives, free from stigma and discrimination.
Open Minds
Open Minds is a leading provider of mental health and disability support services in Queensland and Northern New South Wales. With more than 100 years of history, Open Minds is committed to its purpose of enabling an independent and positive future for people living with mental illness and disabilities. Open Minds is also a registered NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) provider, with more than 400 employees spread across 35 locations. We provide Support Workers and other professionals to enable our clients to live as independently as possible.
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Australia Post is set to appoint the organisation’s first Chief Mental Health Officer, as it sharpens its focus on not just the physical safety of its people, but also on the mental health and wellbeing of its more than 60,000 strong extended workforce. The role will focus on the development of evidence-based, practical and engaging organisational development solutions to drive continued improvement in workplace psychological health. It will be the first time a Government Business Enterprise has made such an appointment and highlights the increasing recognition of the importance of mental health.
Leading mental and physical health experts and consumers have called for the Government to allocate $13.7m to deliver new pilot health initiatives to help cut the up to 23-year life expectancy gap for people with a severe mental illness. Nearly 80% of people with serious mental illness die prematurely of chronic physical health conditions that could be effectively managed and often prevented. In its pre-budget submission, the Being Equally Well collaboration has outlined four programs that will deliver improved and more joined-up healthcare for those with severe mental illness.
The Queensland Government must invest at least $700 million a year into mental health services, particularly into services for new parents and their babies to cope with COVID-related restrictions and cutbacks. AMA Queensland President Professor Chris Perry and Vice President Dr Bav Manoharan gave evidence to the Queensland Parliament Select Committee.
Critical to the sustainability of the NDIS, one of Australia’s most ambitious public policy initiatives, is a workforce of a sufficient size and which has the appropriate skills, qualifications and expertise to deliver safe, quality supports to participants. It is estimated that the NDIS workforce will need to grow by an additional 83,000 full-time equivalent staff to support participants at the scheme’s projected peak.
Public comment has opened on the proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations, which will provide clearer guidance to employers on their obligations to safeguard workers from mental injury. WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer said work-related psychological injuries continued to grow, with mental injury expected to account for a third of all worker’s compensation claims by the end of the decade.
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Australian Mental Healthcare Classification (AMHCC) and Mental Health Phase of Care (MHPoC) education materials - survey
In October 2021, the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) commenced a project to develop nationally consistent education materials for the Australian Mental Healthcare Classification (AMHCC) and Mental Health Phase of Care (MHPoC) in consultation with stakeholders and clinicians. To further support the refinement of the mental health education prototypes, IHPA is seeking feedback through an online survey available until 5pm AEDT Friday 25 February 2022.
MindOut Champions Project
The MindOut Champions project is a free source of professional development for all people working in the mental health or community service sector within Australia. Funded by the Department of Health, Champion’s is a collaborative project between MindOut and wider organisations. In return for a commitment towards meaningful inclusion practices for LGBTIQ+ people, Champions allows individual advocates to access resources and support to become champions for LGBTIQ+ inclusion within and outside of their organisations. Champions of our partner organisations have access to online and face-to-face training as well as monthly facilitated reflective practice sessions with other peers across Australia. Champions will also be called upon to evaluate MindOut projects, co-design the LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Action Plan and occasionally be supported to speak at events or conferences on behalf of the project. Register for the Champions project.
Disability Provider Alert – 16 February 2022
The Department of Health has issued its next COVID-19 vaccination – Disability provider alert 16 February 2022. This provider alert along with other resources and information about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is available from a dedicated web page for disability service providers on the Department of Health website.
New online short course addresses trauma and mental health concerns in the workplace
As the prevalence of trauma and its associated impacts on mental health continues to surge in the workplace and across society, Kaplan Professional has released a dedicated new short course to help address these concerns. Recognising Trauma and its Impact in the Workplace has been designed specifically for individuals in the workplace who may be interacting with colleagues or clients, or managing staff impacted by any type of trauma.
Opportunity to Participate in Focus Group
Everymind is seeking participants for a series of focus groups exploring the use of language and imagery in public communication about mental health and wellbeing, mental illness, suicide and alcohol and other drug use. They are seeking media professionals, professional communicators, people with professional and personal experience with mental ill-health, suicidal behaviour and/or alcohol and other drugs to participate in targeted focus groups. They are also seeking participants from a range of identified priority population groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, young people, people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and men. Participants will be asked to share their views about safe, inclusive and non-stigmatising public representations of mental health issues, suicidal behaviour and alcohol and other drugs. The results from these focus groups will contribute to and inform the development of resources to support best-practice communication for a range of stakeholders, including media, professional communicators, organisations, governments and individuals. Find more information about this research study and to register to participate.
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