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This is the first eNews since our AGM held on the 21st of November, which marked the first election under our new constitution that brings a skills basis to the appointment of board members. Nevenka Alemjivic and Debbie Evans were elected by members to the board from eight excellent candidates who had been endorsed as having skills required on the MHCT board. Nevenka works as a Support Co-ordinator with OzHelp and has recently completed a Masters Degree in Suicidology. Debbie is the Tasmanian State Manager for Aspire and has many years experience in management positions in a number of mental health organisations.
The board has appointed two further directors (up to three additional board members may be appointed by the board) being Sarah Sealy, a lawyer with Hunt & Hunt law firm, and Jade Barker who is head of the Scarlett Alliance in Tasmania. Nevenka, Debbie, Sarah and Jade join our continuing directors Patrick Carlisle and Jane Wood. At its first meeting the board elected Patrick as our Chair.
The staff and board look forward to working together with members to further the community mental health agenda in Tasmania over the coming year.
Let me also acknowledge here the contribution of our board members whose terms ended at our AGM. Gillian Long, Darren Jiggins, Wendy Groot, Sean Robinson and Jane Carlson have all made a great contribution to the Mental Health Council of Tasmania during their time on the board. I want to particularly acknowledge the support and contribution of our previous Chair, Claire Vissenga, whose contribution and wise counsel during my first two years at MHCT has been pivotal in leading MHCT to the strong position that we are now in to influence mental health policy in Tasmania.
Following the change of government federally, the Government has commissioned the National Mental Health Commission to review how Australia’s mental health system is operating. I would like to be outlining the terms on which that review is being conducted, but alas, there are no Terms of Reference for this review that have been made public yet. Once we know more we will inform you and organise opportunities for Tasmanian organisations, consumers and carers to contribute to the review.
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Workforce Development
The 2014 Skills Fund Tender Has Been Lodged
Workforce Development Officer Russell Stevens reported that the Skills Fund Tender for training subsidies offered through Skills Tasmania was lodged on Monday 25 November 2013. In this tender, seven courses were identified as needed by MHCT member organisations, to cater for the development needs of 26 employees, from 17 members.
See the below table
In addition to these qualifications, another 8 employees have been identified and funding sought for Skill Sets, adding a further subsidy of $17,400 – a total subsidy requested for training from the Skills Fund in 2014 of $115,600. If approved this will make the total amount of money injected into the training and development needs of MHCT member organisations of some $620K since the first application in 2012.
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Policy Research and Consultation
Regional Mental Health Group Meetings
for 2014
Regional Mental Health Group Meetings 2014
PLEASE PUT THESE DATES IN YOUR CALENDARS.
FEBRUARY 2014
Southern: Thursday 13 February, 9.30am – 11.30am
Northern: Wednesday 19 February, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
North West: Thursday 20 February, 10am – 12pm
MAY 2014
Southern: Thursday 8 May, 9.30am – 11.30am
Northern: Wednesday 14 May, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
North West: Thursday 15 May, 10am – 12pm
AUGUST 2014
Southern: Thursday 7 August, 9.30am – 11.30am
Northern: Wednesday 13 August, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
North West: Thursday 14 August, 10am – 12pm
NOVEMBER 2014
Southern: Thursday 6 November, 9.30am – 11.30am
Northern: Wednesday 12 November, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
North West: Thursday 13 November, 10am – 12pm
As always 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 relevant meeting.
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Stuck in Myself: isolation and mental health consumers research project.
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 now interviewing carers.
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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Hearing Voices: Journeys to Understanding: Sharing experience, expertise and wisdom
Last week I attended the World Hearing Voices Congress in Melbourne. Traditionally held in Europe, this extraordinary conference brings together the world’s leading experts on hearing voices and recovery. It is an event unlike anything else in mental health, filled with hope, innovative thinking and collaboration. This year the congress was hosted in Melbourne by Voices Vic, Prahran Mission.
The congress is consumer-led, but is developed by a working group which also includes members from all mental health disciplines, real practice and the latest research, carers & families, and multicultural & indigenous perspectives.
The congress was an Inspiring, collaborative event, filled with heart and brilliant ideas. Over 770 people attended the congress during the 3 days, making it the largest ever Intervoice World Hearing Voices Congress, and the largest ever consumer-led event in Australia's history. Most importantly, many voice hearers have now found new ways of living with their voices, many workers now have new strategies and ideas for better supporting voice hearers, and many family, friends and carers now feel better able to understand and support their loved ones.
Those in attendance were able to have many difficult conversations with a deep respect and collaborative spirit... keeping doors open for many new projects and partnerships. In my case, becoming part of the Intervoice Research network.
Many new ideas and projects kicked off at the congress and these will be shared in the coming weeks.
One major outcome of the Congress was the presentation of The Melbourne Declaration - A public commitment by organisations to listen and respond to the needs and wants of voice hearers. 55 organisations have already signed the declaration and there is a strong indication that many more will become signatories.
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Have you heard? Reports, Podcasts & Videos
Online treatment program for young people with OCD
Researchers at Curtin University have developed an online program to help young people aged 12 to 18 who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Sebastian Rosenberg and Ian Hickie 12 November 2013 This paper explores the concept of collaborative care, particularly in relation to a range of new models of organisation and service that are emerging in response to one of the most problematic areas of public policy – mental health.
SANE Australia 12 November 2013 This study finds that more support, services and education are needed to appropriately care for Australia's ageing population.
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Raven Cretney, Community Research - The Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector Research Centre. 12 November 2013. This paper summarises a research project that aimed to more fully understand the role of non-governmental local organisations in shaping responses to local crises, and also to investigate whether there was a case for increasing support for grassroots groups on the basis of the resilience capacities they can contribute.
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Can a new breed of “coaches” help transform mental health care?
Jennifer Doggett reports on an innovation in mental health care profiled at the Health Workforce Australia Conference 2013 in Adelaide.
When your health workforce is already working at capacity, how do you address the un-met need for care among those with early-stage disease without depleting the services available to people with serious illnesses? Creating a completely new health workforce might seem an impossible task but that is exactly what Kate Carnell and her team at beyondblue are doing in the mental health sector via an innovative pilot program called New Access.
Presented at the Health Workforce Australia Conference 2013, New Access is a $13.4 million early intervention pilot program, based on a successful UK-based program developed by the National Health Service (NHS).It is intended to provide easily accessible, free and quality services for people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety who are currently not accessing mental health services. Men are one of the major target groups as they typically do not seek support from conventional mental health services. READ MORE
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20 issues 20 days:Mental Health26 August, 2013 3:36PM AEST ABC New England North West
In this episode Kelly Fuller e focuses on Mental Health, from mental health first aid, to long term care and planning. Included in the discussion is John Mendoza, Adjunct Professor of Health Science at University of the Sunshine Coast and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Sydney. He is director of ConNectica Consulting and was the inaugural Chair of the National Advisory Council on Mental Health; Rhonda Wilson who is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse, and lecturer in mental health nursing at UNE; and Josefina Hofman, Principal Psychologist with Centrecare. Download this mp3 file
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Workshop, Forums and Conferences
Complexity & Connectedness in Life & Love: Working with trauma, mental health & identity
PACFA, CAPA (NSW) and AARC 2014 Conference
13 - 15 June 2014 at the Aerial UTS Function Centre, University of Technology, Sydney
Keynote Speakers: Professor Emeritus of Counselling John McLeod, University of Abertay, Scotland Professor David Tacey, La Trobe University, Melbourne
Complexity & Connectedness in Life & Love will explore how counsellors and psychotherapists support clients with the complex challenges of life and relationships in the 21st century, where identity and wellbeing are shaped by the prevalence of trauma and mental health issues, and the therapeutic encounter is an opportunity for greater connectedness in the face of growing isolation in our world.
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Sector News and Events
Release of the the 2013 National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
This week the National Mental Health Commission released their second annual report card on mental health in Australia. The Commission’s report is scathing in places of current systems and makes a number of recommendations on how mental health outcomes in Australia can be improved.
Click here to download your copy of the report card.
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9th National Seclusion and Restraint Reduction Forum Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November.
On Thursday and Friday 28 & 29 November, Elida will be attending the 9th National Seclusion and Restraint Reduction Forum in Canberra which will be chaired by Dr Peter Norrie, Director of Clinical Services and Chief Psychiatrist, Mental Health, Justice Health, Alcohol & Drug Services, ACT
This forum will include a breadth of issues including data collection; developing trauma-informed care; recovery; implementing best practice; sensory modulation and other approaches. Elida is happy to report back on this forum to anyone who is interested.
Elida Meadows, policy@mhct.org
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NPS MedicineWise - Advisory Groups – Opportunities for Consumer Representation
The Consumers Health Forum (CHF) is currently seeking applications from consumer representatives who would like to contribute to the work of NPS Medicinewise. We would very much appreciate it if you could forward this email to those within your networks who may have an interest.
NPS Medicinewise has invited the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) to provide consumer representative nominations for consideration by NPS for appointment to five newly formed Advisory Groups. Consumer representation is supported with the payment of sitting fees and coverage of travel expenses. NPS MedicineWise is an independent, not-for-profit and evidence-based organisation that aims to provide tools and information to support people to make the best decisions about their medicines and their health. More information on the work of NPS Medicinewise is available on their website.
NPS MedicineWise is forming a new Consumer Advisory Group (CAG) which you may have seen advertised recently- https://www.chf.org.au/committee-vacancies.php and along with this CAG there are a further five Advisory Groups.
Click here to read more
Work for these Groups will begin early in 2014 and consumer representatives interested in being considered for nomination by CHF should complete a CHF nomination form available online at www.chf.org.au/ma-nomination-form.php or by contacting Ghislaine on 02 6273 5444, email g.alventoza@chf.org.au CHF will provide NPS Medicinewise with a shortlist of consumer representative nominations for consideration. Expressions of interest close 13 December
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The latest edition of LIFE's Expert Insights, featuring Jill Fisher, Coordinator of the National Standby Response Service, is now available online.
Jill is well known and respected in the Australian suicide prevention sector. This year, she received the LIFE Award for Leadership, in recognition of her significant contribution over many years. Jill’s extensive experience, particularly in the area of suicide bereavement and postvention, make her a valuable source of knowledge and insight.
Go online to see Jill's insights into suicide warning signs, the key aspects of a successful suicide bereavement support program, and the sector's priorities for the future.
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Do you have a story to tell about discrimination in accessing insurance?
For over ten years, the Mental Health Council of Australia and beyondblue have heard stories from people experiencing difficulties with accessing insurance simply because they have had a prior experience of mental illness. On the basis of these stories, we believe that insurance companies often deal inappropriately with consumers who disclose mental illness.
Do you have a story? With around 45 per cent of Australians experiencing mental illness in their lifetimes, there are potentially millions of people who have stories like these.
We are calling for as many people as possible to come forward and tell us their stories – both the good and the bad – about insurance and mental illness.
Click here to find out more
So please get in touch – tell your story by emailing theinsuranceproject@beyondblue.org.au
or
Completing a short online form
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Not happy with an NDIA decision?
Participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme have the right to ask for a review of certain decisions made by the NDIA. These decisions include a decision not to allow access to NDIA and decisions relating to a participant’s plan.
Advocacy Tasmania Inc. has appointed a Support Officer whose job is to help anyone who wants to have an NDIA decision reviewed. This is called an External Merits Review, and is conducted in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. The process is preceded by an Internal Review of the original decision, which is conducted by NDIA.
If you have any queries about what an External Merits Review would involve, what sorts of decisions can be reviewed and what kind of support is available to you, please contact Lee Parker who is the External Merits Review Support Officer, at Advocacy Tasmania on 6224 2240 ext. 224. (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.)
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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.
We have a new book in our library:
Healing schizophrenia: using medication wisely by John Watkins. South Yarra, Vic: Michelle Anderson Publishing, 2006.
Healing schizophrenia: using medication wisely raises many difficult questions in regard to what medication can and can’t do. Understanding the role of antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia is complex and often there are no definitive answers. The author gives a lot of information based on his research and opinion that is hard to find elsewhere and often makes you look at what you think you know, in a different way. This is a unique book in that the author has not just looked at newer medications and the views of current academics and researchers as most modern guidelines do, but has researched back many decades and delved into past practice, research and experiences. It is refreshing that views of people who have taken these medications are included.
Watkins provides detailed information about the effects and side effects of neuroleptics (the drugs used to treat schizophrenia) together with a wide range of practical suggestions showing how to maximise the potential benefits of neuroleptic treatment while minimising the possible risks.
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 December 18.
Email your article (no more than 500 words please) and maybe a picture or two!
If you do not wish to be on the mailing list for our e-news please click the unsubscribe link below.
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