MHCA CEO's Weekly Update - 25 July
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This Week
MHCA Board Meeting
This week we were focussed on the MHCA Board meeting and on taking stock of the reform agenda that we are working on currently. With so many relevant reform processes underway, there are a number issues competing for attention:
- the NMHC Review of Mental Health
- the ongoing implementation of the NDIS
- the McClure Review of Welfare
- the Federation White Paper process
- the ongoing implementation of Activity Based Funding.
All this is happening in a very unstable political environment, where negotiations in a finely balanced Senate are difficult to predict.
Following our most recent submission to the National Mental Health Commission, the Board identified an opportunity prior to the completion of the NMHC’s review in November for us to develop specific ideas to answer three broad questions;
1. What could the government do now to improve integration across the various systems that support people experiencing mental illness?
2. How could financial systems be changed to better support the outcomes required for a contributing life?
3. How can we support substantial but carefully sequenced reform and change across such a diverse sector?
In the lead up to the Members Policy Forum in October we will be seeking your input into this next stage of our advocacy. More to follow…
Thanks for the very positive feedback we have received to date, you can find our recent submissions here.
DSS Funding Application
This week our Manager of Policy and Projects, Emily Clay, led the charge on a number of bids for funding under the current DSS funding round. Our efforts were mainly focussed on how DSS could be receiving better advice on disability issues, including psychosocial disability. It is unclear how the many DSS programs that have been amalgamated and re-fashioned will land once this funding round is complete - but I know many MHCA members are hopeful of receiving support under the new arrangements. Good luck with your bids!
COTA Forum
Earlier in the week I attended a very worthwhile forum hosted by the Council on the Ageing (COTA). There were a number of useful papers detailing some of the key issues for our ageing population and many of the speaker presentations can be downloaded here.
NATSILMH
Those who follow the MHCA on Twitter (@TheMHCA) will have already seen some of our announcements about the new body established to provide leadership in Indigenous mental health. I was delighted to dine with the group when they met in Canberra this week. We hope to work closely with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group in Mental Health as their work program develops.
SPA Conference
I was disappointed to be unable to attend the Suicide Prevention Australia Annual Conference in Perth this week; the media coverage suggests it was a very successful event. We have noted a number of important reports coming out of the conference in the section below, and I would encourage you to seek out more about the many issues that were covered by this important event.
Experiences with the Welfare System - take our survey!
Thank you to all those who have already shared their stories of how they experienced the income support system. The survey is still open and I would encourage you to tell your story if you have not already done so, or to pass the link on to others who may wish to tell their story.
Submissions in response to the Review’s interim report close on 8 August 2014.
Reminders
White Ribbon Night - tonight!
You can join communities across Australia tonight in support of ending violence against women by having a night in to get the word out. We all like to think that our family, friends, neighbours and ourselves are safe at home. Most of us would believe this to be a basic human right but sadly, for many, this is not always the case. On average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner in Australia and one in four young Australians are exposed to domestic violence. The White Ribbon Foundation is working to prevent violence against women before it occurs so get online to see how you can help. 
beyondblue March - Take 1 Step for Mental Health
Hawthorn, in conjunction with beyondblue, is encouraging all members and supporters to take one step for mental health by joining in a march from Federation Square to the MCG prior to tomorrow’s clash against Sydney. By joining the march, you will be showing your support for efforts to tackle anxiety and depression. Full details are available on the website.
Is your organisation and workforce NDIS ready?
The MHCA is partnering with the NSW Mental Health Coordinating Council and National Disability Services to hold the next workshop in the NDIS Organisational Readiness series in Sydney next Tuesday 29 July. The workshops expose participants to the NDIS Organisational Readiness Toolkit which has been designed to assist organisations to gain a deeper and more detailed analysis of their strengths and challenges in preparing for the NDIS. For full details of the workshop including registration information please visit the website.
Study to trial intense exercise to aid mental health - volunteers needed
Researchers from the Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health at UQ’s School of Human Movement Studies hope to improve the wellbeing of people with mental illness by comparing high-intensity to moderate-intensity exercise. The researchers are seeking volunteers to take part in the study, with participants needing to be 18 years or older, receiving mental health services, and either have a mental illness, or have been experiencing symptoms such as depression, anxiety or stress for several weeks. More information is available from the website.
Launch of EUFAMI major Family Carer Survey
EUFAMI is pleased to announce the launch of a major survey which aims to gather information and data from family members around the world about their own circumstances and needs in respect to their role as carers of relatives affected by mental health problems. If you are a family carer of a relative with a mental illness, then we would welcome your participation in this important survey. Full details are available from the website.
Consultation on the Review of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record
Deloitte are currently holding consultations in relation to the recommendations of the Government’s Review of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record. A series of face to face sessions are being held across the country throughout July and August. There will also be other opportunities to comment on the Review’s recommendations including a survey from the Department of Health. For full details on the sessions please email Deloitte and to download the Review please visit the Department of Health website.
National Mental Health Core Capabilities publication
Health Workforce Australia announced the publication of the National Mental Health Core Capabilities (provisional edition) earlier this week. The capabilities are intended to support both good practice and workforce innovation and reform in the mental health sector. The publication can be downloaded from the HWA website and I would encourage you to share it among your networks.
Recognising and responding to deterioration in mental state
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has recently released a scoping review of policy and practice relating to recognising and responding to deterioration in mental state. The process involved a literature review and a series of focus groups and interviews with consumers, carers, healthcare professionals, managers and executives. The findings of this review will inform new work to improve the safety and quality of care for people who experience acute deterioration in their mental state. You can download the full review from the website.
‘Suicide is not a selfish act’ - SANE Australia research
SANE Australia this week released the findings from a study of Australians who have attempted suicide. The research found that many made the attempt feeling they were ‘a burden’ and believed their family and friends would be ‘better off’ without them. The research also found that a common feeling among people at the time of the attempt was of hopelessness and that their ‘mental pain’ would never end. You can read more on the SANE Australia website.
New practical resources to support people who have attempted suicide
This week our friends at beyondblue and the Hunter Institute of Mental Health have released a series of new resources to support people after they have attempted suicide. The three new booklets include frank accounts and practical advice from people who’ve attempted suicide, and suggestions for families and friends on what they can do to support someone in their recovery. The booklets were proudly funded with donations from the Movember Foundation. Full details are available on the website.
Social media benefits outweigh risks in suicide prevention: new research
New research released this week by the Young and Well CRC and Orygen Youth Health Research Centre has found that the benefits of using social media for suicide prevention outweigh the potential risks. The study found that the most helpful benefits of using social media for an emotional problem are in expressing feelings, receiving emotional support and helping others and Facebook was seen as holding the most potential as a platform for suicide prevention. Full details on the research can be found at the website.
SANE Forums: people helping people
SANE Australia’s online forums help all people affected by mental illness to connect with and support each other. The SANE Forums are anonymous and moderated, providing a safe online space and a new Carers Forum has just been launched. More information is available here.
2014 Westpac Community Leaders Awards
Nominations are currently open for the 2014 Westpac Community Leaders Awards. If you know someone who is an exceptional community leader, I would encourage you to give them the recognition and support they deserve by nominating them. Nominations close on 15 August and the winners will be announced on 13 November in Sydney. Full details are available from 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
