MHCA CEO's Weekly Update - 1 August

This Week

Our mental health

I can’t help but wonder what impact the blanket, and often graphic, media coverage of so many truly terrible international and local tragedies and events might have on our “collective mental health” if there is such a thing.  I spoke to one caller to our office this week for the whom the events in the Ukraine seemed to have contributed to an overwhelming sense of distress.

I think such times should serve as a very powerful reminder of the importance of the work that we all do in promoting resilience, relieving distress and ensuring support is available for those who need it. It is essential work and we all have a role to play.

NDIS Capacity Building Project

On Tuesday I presented at the workshop “Is your organisation and workforce NDIS ready?” in Sydney. The workshop was co-hosted by the MHCA, NSW Mental Health Coordinating Council and National Disability Services and attended by over 70 representatives from mental health non-government organisations interested in preparing for the NDIS. The audience received briefings on national, state, disability and Hunter trial site perspectives as well as from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Two workshop streams also focused on the NDS Organisational Readiness Toolkit and a discuss of key workforce issues, the outcomes of which will feed into the draft NDIS Workforce Strategy being prepared by the NDIA. We also got quite a workout when a fire alarm forced us to walk down 8 flights of stairs!

In other NDIS news, National Disability Services have released a paper exploring the potential role of block funding under the NDIS. This is a good example of the useful thinking that NDS are doing and we congratulate them on the initiative. You can download the paper here.

National Employment Services Conference

Policy Officer Travis Gilbert attended the National Employment Services Association conference this week. The conference brings together providers of Job Services Australia and Disability Employment Services as well as people from allied sectors. It was an opportunity to hear from Patrick McClure, AO and a panel of experts about the progress of the welfare review and to hear from Federal Ministers and the Department of Employment about the Coalition Government’s proposed model of employment services and ‘mutual obligation’ regime for job-seekers that will apply from 2015 -2020. The Exposure Draft of funding arrangements for the proposed new model was released on Monday 28 July. For those who are interested, you can download the Exposure Draft from the Jobs Australia Website. 

National Welfare Rights Network - have your say about proposed changes to the DSP

As we have been discussing for several weeks now, the 2014 Budget flagged some significant changes for people receiving the Disability Support Pension. Many of the proposed changes will require a change to the law, and these changes will still have to pass through Parliament. There a window of opportunity to let the Government know what these changes might mean for people with a disability. The MHCA is currently supporting the National Welfare Rights Network as they seek to talk to people (especially those with lived experience of mental illness) who may be affected by the proposed changes. If you are interested in participating in the research please visit the website.

Perspectives - August edition

We are currently working on the next edition of our new bi-monthly magazine, Perspectives. MHCA member organisations are invited to contribute content for the publication, please send your articles to communications@mhca.org.au. If you haven’t subscribed to receive Perspectives, please visit our website and sign up today.

 

Reminders

National Suicide Prevention Program - Video 

LIFE Communications has profiled six National Suicide Prevention Program projects in a series of videos. The videos showcase the diversity in the range of activities provided across the continuum of suicide prevention. These projects are guided by the LIFE framework, an overarching strategic policy framework for suicide prevention in Australia. To view the videos please visit the website. 

National Hospital Cost Data Collection Cycle

The Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) has developed an animated film and infographic to explain the National Hospital Cost Data Collection (NHCDC) cycle from patient admission through to the publication of the NHCDC. This is a great explanation of just how Activity Based Funding works. 

Ask ACNC information sessions

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is holding a series of information sessions throughout Australia in August and September. These sessions will provide information about the ACNC and charity obligations, and will have staff available to answer questions. These sessions will be useful for people running charities of all sizes and types, who need to meet ACNC obligations. For more information including session times please visit the website. 

Getting the best from the NDIS - National Conference 

The NSW Council for Intellectual Disability will be hosting a conference in Newcastle from 28-29 August this year that will bring together a range of stakeholders from sectors including health, justice, planning to learn from each other and contribute towards the positive development of the NDIS. Full details are available on the website. 

The NDIS One Year On - Conference 

Another upcoming NDIS conference is set to take place in Geelong from 11-12 August and will focus on key learnings from the different implementation approaches taken across the trial sites. Delegates will be challenged to review their role in moving forward including how we can collectively respond to this sweeping reform; manage risks, be organisationally prepared and ensure that the NDIS and disability sector are effective in delivering informed choice, security and confidence, a vibrant services sector and a more inclusive society. Full details are available from the website. 

40th International Mental Health Nursing Conference

2014 is the year to celebrate the Australian College of Mental Health Nursing’s 40th International Mental Health Nursing Conference!  During our 40th year celebrations, the College believes it is important to take time to reflect on how the past has shaped the profession into the 21st Century. The conference will be held in Melbourne from 7-9 October, with a workshop on the 6th. Full details and registration details are available from the website. 

TheMHS Conference

This year’s TheMHS Conference is rapidly approaching with the event to kick off in Perth on 26 August. The full range of pre-conference workshops and the program are available from the website, along with registration information. The conference promises to be very informative so don’t miss your chance to attend. 

Mindfulness Matters 

This August, Grill’d and Smiling Mind have teamed up to build a happier and healthier community by spreading the word about mindfulness. Through their community donation program Local Matters, Grill’d will enable Smiling Mind to provide local schools, youth organisations and sports clubs with valuable Mindfulness Meditation resources from the Smiling Mind Education and Sport programs. To get involved, simply pop into your local Grill’d for a burger and use your Local Matters token to support a local charity. 

Australian Healthcare Summit

The Australian Healthcare Summit will be held on 15-16 October in Sydney. This year’s event is a forum focusing on innovative models of care that form guidelines, industry reform, and policies, plus a focus on health priorities including: diabetes / obesity, ageing, mental, Aboriginal health, and other major health priorities. It will also look at prevention versus cure strategies, and the role of new technology. For full details including registration please visit the website. 

Warm regards
Frank

Frank Quinlan
Chief Executive Officer
T: 02 6285 3100  |  M: 0409 655 460
E: frank.quinlan@mhca.org.au  |  W: mhca.org.au
PO Box 174 DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600