As spring beckons here in Canberra and the daffodils start to do their thing – a symbol of new beginnings and rebirth – our challenge in the mental health ecosystem at the moment continues to grow, and we need to keep going.
It’s an uncertain time for many as we know, and also a time when many of us are finalising and starting to deliver campaigns for suicide prevention month and mental health month.
This time last year I said the work of the suicide prevention and mental health sector had never been more important. And now, twelve months on, that emphasis has only increased: it’s more important than ever.
We know that thousands of people from hundreds of organisations have already been stretched and challenged to deliver services and advocate for reform over the last 18 months.
And we know that the need and importance of such work will ramp up further this year, and continue well into 2022, and potentially beyond.
So as we head into our campaign season, where we all make that extra effort to reduce stigma, prevent suicide, and encourage all to look after their mental health, I wanted to start spring by recognising and honouring the many frontline mental health staff and organisations who have provided ongoing care to thousands in our community during the pandemic.
In this context, Mental Health Australia will continue to advocate for our Advice to Governments on the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement. Many have worked too hard for too long and made the case for reform too often, for governments to now deliver an Agreement that does not address what we know it must.
All governments, state territory and federal, are on notice.
We will also continue to work with partners and services providers to promote cultural responsiveness through the Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project.
We will invite members and partners to tell us how they are looking up, looking forward and looking out for each other as part of the World Mental Health Day campaign in October.
And we will continue to champion a national voice for those with lived experience, and their carers and families, to create a system that is truly person led.
But above all else this week, we say to you in the sector, we value your skills, and your commitment to mental health service provision and to long-lasting reform.
We value your ability to adapt to the intensity of the situation – which we’ve all seen this year and last, and we thank you for your ongoing effort to improve the mental health of all Australians.
Have a good weekend.
Leanne Beagley
CEO
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on NDIS Inquiry into NDIS Workforce
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 (and available here), this time focusing on the recently released NDIS National Workforce Plan. The submission highlights issues not addressed in the NDIS National Workforce Plan such as the collection of accurate data about the workforce, addressing inadequacies of current pricing assumptions and improving the capacity for workplaces and individuals to invest time in training and development. It also makes recommendations designed to support a psychosocial disability workforce for the future including the creation of a National Centre for Workforce Development and a professional association for peer workers.
Read the full submission here
Contact us for your FREE World Mental Health Day Partner Pack
Mental Health Australia has launched the 2021 World Mental Health Day campaign for October 10, encouraging all Australians to look after their mental health in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. To become a partner for this years campaign, and receive a FREE Partner Pack including the chance to record your own campaign video, please email info@mhaustralia.org or find out more on the World Mental Health Day website.
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On Monday I am meeting with Beth Weatherly, CEO from Kilfinnan Australia and later with Arthur Papakotsias, CEO of Youth Focus (WA)
On Tuesday I will be attending a National Carers Policy Forum extended workshop, led by Carers Australia.
On Wednesday we will be meeting with the Consumer Health Forum about our shared agenda to privilege the voice of mental health consumers and carers, and then I will be hosting a members webinar with Dr Ruth Vine. Later I have the Child Working Group for the National Initial Assessment and Referral for Mental Healthcare.
On Friday I have the Primary Care Reform Steering Committee.
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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.
Mental Health Association of Central Australia position vacant
The Support Coordinator will have responsibility for establishing and maintaining a positive collaborative relationship with the participant. They will at times work with participants with complex needs requiring time-limited supports utilising their additional expertise. They have responsibility for ensuring the participant is linked to the services and supports that will allow them to achieve the goals articulated in their NDIS Plan. The Support Coordinator will actively be involved in the development, implementation, monitoring, review and reporting of participants programs with key stakeholders. More information is available here.
Member Profiles
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
NACCHO is the national peak body representing 143 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) Australia wide on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing issues. NACCHO’s work is focussed on liaising with governments, its members and other organisations on health and wellbeing policy and planning issues and advocacy relating to health service delivery, health information, research, public health, health financing and health programs. Our Members provide about 3.1 million episodes of care per year for about 350,000 people across Australia.
CatholicCare Victoria
CatholicCare Victoria deliver an extensive range of social welfare and outreach services across the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat and the Western District of Victoria. They provide services that support individuals, families and communities empowering people to bring about positive change while building community capacity. Our vision is for a stronger, more inclusive society - where everyone can reach their potential and live life to the full. We break down the barriers to social inclusion by strengthening families and communities.
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Embrace Multicultural Mental Health News
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Videos to support the COVID-19 outbreak
The Department of Health has created videos featuring multicultural health professionals and community leaders from Sydney sharing messaging about the importance of staying home, get tested, get vaccinated - specifically for the Greater Sydney region. The videos are available in 20 languages and are available on the Department’s website. Further videos featuring health professionals and religious and community leaders speaking in-language with the same messaging are also available.
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New mental health roadmap to stop the 23 year death gap
A new report from 60 leading Australian health experts recommends major improvements to primary healthcare services in Australia to stop people with serious mental illnesses from dying between 14 and 23 years earlier than other Australians. Nearly 80% of people with serious mental illness die prematurely of chronic physical health conditions that could be effectively managed and often prevented.
Read more
Funding boost for LGBTIQ+ mental health hotline
Switchboard Victoria will receive $7 million to deliver tailored mental health information, support and advice through its Rainbow Door service. Rainbow Door is a free, peer-led helpline for LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their friends and families. The service provides information, support and referrals across a range of areas including mental health, family violence, alcohol and other drugs, housing, sexual assault, elder abuse as well as general health.
Read more
Lived experience to shape Victoria’s mental health reform
Minister for Mental Health James Merlino says the Victorian Government is investing right across the state to create a mental health workforce shaped by people with lived experience to help rebuild Victoria’s broken mental health system. Engaging people with lived experience of mental illness is at the heart of Victoria’s mental health reform, after the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System highlighted the importance of shared understanding and experience in supporting the recovery of others - and using personal insight to deliver better initiatives.
Read more
Balancing physical and mental health - all a part of Being Equally Well
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt says the Morrison Government has welcomed the release of the National Policy Roadmap to Being Equally Well, which aims to improve the physical health care provided to Australians living with serious mental illness. “The Being Equally Well Roadmap is aimed at reducing the life expectancy gap for people living with a mental illness, and shows that physical health and wellbeing must be a priority for health care providers when working with a person living with a mental illness.”
Read more
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TheMHS Mental Health Services Melbourne Virtual Conference
Held over three days, 13-15 October, with more than 150 presentations, the Mental Health Services Melbourne Virtual Conference is Australasia’s largest and most diverse. Co-hosted with Mental Health Victoria and Alfred Health, it will bring the mental health community together under a banner of ‘Hope into Action’. The multi-disciplinary focus attracts researchers, clinicians, service managers, peer workers and people with lived experience. Register now.
The Census: how you can assist
Last week, reminder letters were sent to households that are yet to complete, advising them their Census is overdue. Some people will need assistance to complete the Census. This is particularly relevant in areas where face-to-face support is not possible due to COVID restrictions. Helpful resources you can share with your community include information from the Census website, social media tiles, newsletter articles, and contact-free supports.
Youth Health Forum
The Youth Health Forum 2021 National Summit is a one-day virtual summit on Wednesday 15th of September. The YHF National Summit will bring thought leaders and policy makers together with passionate young people to discuss the health issues that affect people under 30. Find out more and register here.
The 26th Asia-Pacific Regional Social Work Conference 2021
The 26th Asia-Pacific Regional Social Work Conference 2021 will be held online from 11-13 November 2021. Attracting more than 1,000 registrants from across the Asia-Pacific, the Conference will focus on a wide range of issues related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Although it will be online, there will be opportunities to network, see exhibitions and posters, as well as attend panels, workshops, keynote speeches, and pre-conference activities. Find out more and register here.
Body Kind Families - support for parents of teens on body image and being body kind
Body Kind Families provides free informaiton and resources to help parents connect with their teenagers around body image and being Body Kind; kind to their own bodies and to others. Body Kind offers bite-sized videos, tips sheets, family activities, audio resources and FAQs on a variety of topics that parents identified as important to them. Sign up for free and find resources to share here.
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