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MHCT Enews September Edition 2013
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Mental Health Council of Tasmania ENEWS

September 2013 Edition

CONTENTS

CEO Column
Policy, Research & Consultation
Workforce Development

Mental Health Week
Have you heard? Reports, Podcasts & Videos 

Workshops & Forums
MHCT Resources and Stay in Touch

 

CEO Column

New Constitution
Undoubtedly the most exciting event involving the Mental Health Council of Tasmania this past month has been our Special General Meeting where members had their chance to vote on a proposed new constitution.  Two resolutions were put to members, with one clause different in each. Whilst the first resolution failed to achieve the required 75% of all members voting in favour, the second resolution was passed, with 39 members voting in favour and 2 against. Our new constitution sees some important changes in governance at MHCT:

  • Open nominations – anybody may nominate as a candidate for election to the MHCT board. It is no longer necessary for candidates to members or to be nominated by a member.
  • Skills based board – whilst anybody may nominate, only those candidates endorsed by the Nominations Committee as having one or more of the required skills the board is looking for will become endorsed candidates.
  • Members determine MHCT board – Members still retain the final say as to election of the majority of MHCT Board members. A ballot (where required) will be conducted for members to vote on endorsed candidates using an optional preferential system.
  • Equality of members’ votes – all members will be able to vote in relation to all candidates, will all votes having equal weighting in the election of MHCT board members.
  • Strengthened consumer and carer input – for the first time MHCT will be required to consult directly with people identifying as mental health consumer and carers, through the formation of Advisory Committees made up of consumers and carers.
  • Consolidation of organisational member categories – the distinction between carer, consumer and service provider organisational members has been removed, with all organisational members falling under the one category.
Board Elections 
As outlined above, there are significant changes as to how MHCT Board elections are conducted. As well as being governed by our consitution, a new Board Elections Procedure policy has been developed that sets out in detail the processes for conducting fair, open and transparent elections.  For the 2013 election, the board is seeking candidates with one or more of the following skills:
  • Finance / accounting expertise
  • Mental health service delivery experience / expertise
  • Community sector management
  • Business / commercial acumen
  • Governance / board experience
Anybody may nominate, however only those candidates endorsed by the Board Nominations Committee as having one or more of the required skills will be endorsed and therefore eligible for election. 
Nominations MUST be made on the approved nominations form and this will be circulated to members, as well as being available via our website (mhct.org) and facebook page.
We encourage any prospective candidates with one or more of the above skills and with an interest in improving the mental health of all Tasmanians to consider nominating.
 
Save the Date: MHCT AGM
10AM on Thursday 21st November, at the Hobart Botanical Gardens. Our Guest Speaker this year will be Tasmania’s new Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Len Lambeth, who will be sharing his vision for mental health services in Tasmania. All members are encouraged to save the date now so you don’t miss out.
 
Directorate news 

The newly formed Mental Health Alcohol and Drugs Directorate (formerly Statewide and Mental Health Services) will be focusing heavily on the development of their next Strategic plan in coming months. We have already indicated that we look forward to facilitating consultation with the sector to ensure the plan is comprehensive and meets the needs of all Tasmanians in the most efficient and effective ways possible.  The Directorate has also announced its intention to review how it engages with stakeholders and that the Consumer and Carer Strategic Oversight Group will not be continuing. 
 
Marriage Equality Declaration 
As part of the ongoing push to improve the mental health of people in marginalised and disadvantaged communities, MHCT is calling on all members to sign up to our Marriage Equality Declaration. We urge all members, be they individual or organisation based, to join with us in the campaign for equal human rights for all citizens.
Click here to sign the declaration

MHCT on Facebook and Twitter.
For those of you who haven’t already noticed, MHCT now has its own Facebook and Twitter. All things mental health will be discussed as wells news and events.Click the links below!


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Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Website
Website
Policy Research and Consultation

Regional Mental Health Group Meetings November 2013
 
The next RMHG meetings are scheduled for: 
Southern: Thursday 7 November
9.30am – 11.30am
Northern: Wednesday 13 November
1.30pm – 3.30pm
North West: Thursday 14 November
10am – 12pm
 
We are yet to confirm venues – please get in touch if you would like to host a meeting. No minute taking required.

If you have an issue/news or would like to make a presentation please contact Elida at policy@mhct.org so that we can add it to the agenda for the next meeting.
 
Stuck in Myself: isolation and mental health consumers research project.
The impact of isolation on mental health consumers and carers. 
 
Focus groups and interviews for the Stuck in Myself: isolation and mental health consumers research project are continuing, and we are asking consumers about their experiences with social isolation and attitudes to social/recreational programs.
 
Please note that: 
 
• At this stage we are booking carer focus groups and interviews. 
 
• We are still seeking to interview service providers, in particular managers who provide and oversee social/recreational programs for mental health consumers.
 
• We are also happy to continue interviewing and holding focus groups with consumers. 
 
If you want to know more about this project and are interested in participating please contact Elida Meadows, Policy and Research Officer by email: policy@mhct.org or by phone 6224 9222

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Budget Priority Submission 2014-2015
 
The Government has invited submissions (with a deadline of 31 October) in advance of preparing the 2014-15 State Budget. As in previous years, the MHCT will be making a detailed submission based on member input currently being gathered through our Regional Mental Health meetings. Some issues that we’ve already identified include a comprehensive anti-stigma campaign, long-term support and accommodation, and a Mental Health Industry Plan.
Members are invited to contact us with the issues that they would like to see considered for inclusion in our BPS.
Please contact Darren Carr, CEO - ceo@mhct.org - or Elida Meadows, Policy & Research Officer – policy@mhct.org
 

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Have you heard? Reports, Podcasts & Videos 

Counting the Cost: The Impact of Young Men's Mental Health on the Australian Economy.
Degney, J, Hopkins, B, Hosie, A, Lim, S, Verma, A, Vogl, G, (2012) Inspire Foundation and Ernst & Young, Sydney.
 
The human and economic costs of mental illness in Australia can no longer be ignored. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that 26.5% of adolescents (one in four young people in this age group) will experience a mental health problem. Click here for the full report
 
Mental health and substance abuse disorders are taking an alarming toll on the health system, a new report says.
Mental illness and substance abuse are the leading causes of non-fatal illness in the world, according to the latest part of major research into the global burden of disease.
The issues are second only to musculoskeletal diseases as causes of disability in Australia, according to the study led by University of Queensland Professor Harvey Whiteford as part of the Lancet Global Burden of Disease 2010 report. 
 Click here to read the full article.
 
Why hasn’t the mental health of Australians improved?
Anthony Jorm, The Conversation 3 September 2013


Given the money Australia has spent on mental health, it’s surprising that population data doesn’t show expected gains. Despite two decades of investment in improving mental health services, the mental health of Australians has not improved. 
Click here to read the full article
 
Changing brains: why neuroscience is ending the Prozac era
The big money has moved from developing psychiatric drugs to manipulating our brain networks
Vaughan Bell, The Observer, Sunday 22 September 2013
 
Schizophrenia: 'I felt like I'd been given a life sentence'
A diagnosis of schizophrenia has turned film-maker Jonny Benjamin into a poster boy for young people's mental health
Mary O'Hara, The Guardian, Wednesday 18 September 2013
 
 
Suicide: Healing After the Death of a Loved One Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 4:52PM
"Suicide: Healing After the Death of a Loved One features an inspirational couple who lost their son to suicide. They share the story of how their faith community supported them and how they have used their painful experience to reach out to others." - Published on Aug 19, 2013
 
 Radio National Life Matters Broadcast 19 Feb 2013 How exercise can help severe mental illness


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MHCT Resources and Stay in Touch

The Mental Health Council of Tasmania has a comprehensive selection of, Self Help resources and Professional Practice resources in the MHCT library. 

Call us on (03) 62249222 or visit at Suite 5, Mayfair Plaza, Sandy Bay to borrow or for more information. 
 

Do you have something you would like to contribute?
Deadline for the next ENews is Wednesday 23rd October
 

Email your article (no more than 500 words please) and maybe a picture or two!

email: promotions@mhct.org.au

 
If you do not wish to be on the mailing list for our e-news please call 6224 9222 or email admin@mhct.org.

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Mental Health Week

6-12 October 2013
CELEBRATE, CONNECT, GROW!

Starting with two pre-events this week there is an array of exciting activity happening across the state as part of Mental Health Week. 

Wednesday in Hobart sees the opening of the Aspire:

'Minds Do Matter' Art Exhibition:
Wednesday 2nd October 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery - Bond Store Basement Gallery
 
The exhibition will be open to the public from the 2nd - 6th October.

Launceston: 6th-13th of October 2013
Mill Providore and Art Gallery
North enquiries: Rhonda or Darren 63 333 111

Burnie: 6th-13th of October 2013
Two Oaks Cafe
North West enquiries: David 64 318 286
Entry Forms can be obtained from:
www.aspire.org.au/events or aspiretas@aspire.org.au

 

Friday October 4 is Odd Socks Day 

Leading into Mental Health Week,  pull on your odd socks and help to stamp out stigma around mental illness by taking part in Odd Socks Day - because everyone can have and odd day.

Register at www.oddsocksday.org.au


Mental Health Week "Stress Less Seminar"with Fay Jackson

This is a free community event

WHEN: Friday 11 October 2013, 10am – 4pm

WHERE: The Centre, 100 Beach Rd Kingston

Please RSVP by 30 September2013

e.growaspire@gmail.com


Roads2Recovery
Mental Health Carers Tasmania Community Walk
Thursday 10 October 2013

Meet: The Regatta Ground for an
11am walk to Parliament House Lawns

Speeches commence 11.30am at
Parliament House Lawns
Activities continue 11.30 am - 1.30 pm
 

Please visit our website for the full program of events.
www.mhct.org/mentalhealthweek.html 


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Workforce Development

Russell Stevens commenced at MHCT at the beginning of September, taking over as Workforce Development Officer.
 
He comes to the Community Mental Health Sector after managing a large Australian Disability Enterprise here in Hobart. This organisation employed seven staff and employed some 50 people with intellectual disabilities. Russell managed that Division for over twelve years. He has a Bachelor of Business degree, and a Master of Social Sciences degree.
 
This experience gives Russell a very good background on issues in workforce development. This includes access to relevant development courses; making time available for staff to participate in this development; and issues around funding workforce development.
 
In particular Russell understands the impacts that issues with  adult literacy have on the capacity of employees to enter in to workforce development programs. Accordingly, whilst preparing for this year’s Skills Fund applications, he has already started looking at the opportunities available to the sector under the 26TEN Fund which is now open for funding applications. He will be contacting member organisations over the next weeks to discuss this.
 
In the meantime Russell has started to meet as many people in our member organisations, and related bodies.
 

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Workshop, Forums and Conferences

Richmond Fellowship Tasmania Discussion Forum
October 4
9:00 - 4:30PM

Click here for more information


The Third National Borderline Personality Disorder Conference.
The last day for registrations is Tuesday 1 October. 
October 3-4 in Sydney
Click here for more information


'Stand Up for Mental Health'
Brought to youy by Wise Employment
October 25 in Melbourne

A unique stand-up comedy event featuring award-winning Canadian comedian David Granirer.
Click here for more information



WorkSafe Month will kick off next Mon 30 Sept in Hobart at Wrest Point.
 
Don’t miss out.  Events are filling.  Register online at www.worksafe.tas.gov.au
 
Remember the WorkSafe Awards on Fri 4 Oct from 3pm-5pm at Wrest Point. 


Sleep
& Workplace Health & Wellbeing
 
This symposium forms part of the partnering Healthy@Work research study currently being undertaken by Menzies Research Institute Tasmania and the State Government of Tasmania to determine the feasibility, effectiveness and sustainability of workplace health promotion.


Date: Thursday 10 October 2013
Time: 9am – 12.30pm
Where: Hobart Wrest Point, Show Room
Cost: Entry Free – tea and coffee provided

CONTACT

Doreen Bate (Tues and Friday only)
Menzies Research Institute Tasmania
 
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