NTMHC eBulletin

Latest News from the Coalition

An update on the Peer - Led Education Pilot.

Stage 2. The My Recovery Train the Facilitator program was delivered in partnership with Wellways Victoria, with 11 local people graduating from the program in November 2019. Congratulations to all.

Stage 3. The local My Recovery facilitators are now delivering the My Recovery programs in Darwin and Palmerston. The Coalition hosted a series of information sessions during February with specific information sessions conducted in Alcohol and Other Drug rehabilitation organisations in the Darwin region.

My Recovery programs which commenced in February with the first two programs scheduled as follows:

Program 1:

Facilitators: Matt, Chris and Aaron
Participation Men Only
Format: 9 x 3.5 hour sessions over 4.5 weeks
Times: 1 pm to 4:30 pm
Days: Mondays and Thursdays
Start Date: Monday, 10th February 2020
Finish Date: Monday, 9th March 2020
Venue: Sunrise Rehab Centre Training Room, 24 Beaton Road, Berrimah

Program 2:

Facilitators: Lauren and Helen
Participation: Women Only
Format: 9 x 3.5 hour sessions over 4.5 weeks
Times: 9 am to 12:30 pm
Days: Tuesdays and Fridays
Start Date: Tuesday, 18th February 2020
Finish Date: Tuesday, 17th March 2020
Venue: Top End Mental Health Consumer Organisation (TEMHCO)

Further programs will commence in March, including mixed programs open to both male and female participants.

Go to the Coalition website for further information and applications forms. People can also contact Project Officer, Noelene Armstrong on (08) 8948 2246, mob 0439 100 360 or via email PLEPProject@ntmhc.org.au.

Coalition Recruitment - Policy Project Officer, closed.
The applications have now closed and shortlisting has commenced.

Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA)

Community Mental Health Australia, promotes the importance and benefits of community mental health and recovery services across Australia. CMHA is a coalition of eight state and territory peak community mental health organisations with direct links and contact with community mental health organisations delivering services to the community.

The NT Mental Health Coalition is a member of the CMHA.

CMHA has been involved in several initiatives and working groups since the start of the year including:

A submission to the Productivity Commission Draft Report. The Productive Commission (PC) received 516 Submissions and most CMHA members made their own submission. One reoccurring theme in the submissions was the view that the PC Draft Report had neither properly set out the extent and contribution of the non-government Community Mental Health Sector (including its workforce), nor had it made clear recommendations about the future development of that sector and the enormous contribution this sector could make to achieving some of the underlying goals set out in the Draft Report. The CMHA Submission can be found by clicking here

Ongoing participation and representation of the sector via meeting, teleconference, emails and phone calls in a number of NDIS related working groups focused on improving the entry, experience and outcomes for people living with psychosocial disabilities in the NDIS and seeking to improve the situation regarding the supply and viability of Community Mental organisation providers. These include the “Complex Needs Pathway Group”; the “National Mental Health Sector Reference Group”; contributing to the “Able Insight Report”; contributing to the “Tune Review”; the “NDIS Advisory Group on Market Oversight”; and the “NDIS CEO Forum”

Ongoing participation in a number working groups focused on implementing the 5th National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan and/or those involved in providing overall review and commentary on Australian’s current and future mental health system, these include the “Safety and Quality Partnerships Committee”; the “Fifth Plan Action 21.4 Working Group”; the “National Mental Health Expert Reference Panel”; the ”Mental Health information Strategy Standing Committee”; and the “National Mental Health Policy Review Working Group”.

In addition CMHA has had some interactions and involvement this year with Australian Council Of Social Services (ACOSS); the “Corporate Mental Health Alliance”; the “Australians for Mental Health”; the “Woven Threads” initiative; the “E-Mental Health in Practice” team; “Mind Medicine Australia” and the “Close the Gap Committee”. All these committees are seeking to improve mental health and mental health systems and more broadly working together to improve services to the most disadvantaged in Australia.

In addition work has commenced in the development and establishment of the AC/DC project and the preparations for the upcoming CMHA Conference in Adelaide at the end of March.

CMHA Conference - Third National Conference on the NDIS and Mental Health. The conference provides an opportunity to have a national conversation about what comes next?

NDIS News

Recovery coaches within the NDIS.
The Community Care review, quotes Dr Gerry Naughton, Strategic Advisor for Mental Health for the NDIS, "The recovery coach will combine lived experience and learnt experience,” “It is a concept that is trying to respond to a need for a greater focus on recovery. We see this as an important strategy recognising the value of peer workers.” Dr Naughton goes on to say the ‘role of a recovery coach will combine recovery and support co-ordination, and will fulfill a function that has historically been performed by community mental health services’. To read the full article.

Investigating the impact of NDIS market settings on participants with a psychosocial disability and providers.
A Fact Sheet is available for organisations delivering NDIS funded support to participants with a psychosocial disability.

Results from the recent NDIS Provider Survey.
A report on provider sentiment and satisfaction has been released. This report includes all providers, not just the Psychosocial Disability sector.

ILC Individual Capacity Building Roadshows.
There are two road shows in the Northern Territory - Alice Springs and Darwin.
- Alice Springs, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs 4th March. Register via Eventbrite.
- Darwin, Rydges Darwin Central 5th March. Register via Eventbrite.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is delivering a national Individual Capacity Building Program Roadshow throughout February and March. The Roadshow aims to provide information to Disabled Person Organisations, Family Organisations and priority cohort led organisations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, LGBTIQ+, homelessness and children and young people aged 0-24) about the upcoming Individual Capacity Building grant round 2 and to build their confidence to apply for an Individual Capacity Building Grant.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is an independent Government body that works to improve the quality and safety of NDIS services and supports, investigates and resolves problems, and strengthens the skills and knowledge of providers and participants.

Information about the NDIS
How to apply or find your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) in Darwin - APM.

NDIS Newsletter
Subscribe to the NDIS newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news. You can also follow the National Disability Insurance Agency on Linkedin to stay up to date with news, articles and vacancies

NDS Resources, tools and products for the disability sector.

Other News

Local Information

Alice Springs
Overcoming Adversity to be inspired, An International Women's Day. Women Leadership event - 10 March. Olive Pink Botanic Garden Gallery, Feature presentation: Rosemary Wanganeen is a proud SA Aboriginal woman and founder of the Australian Institute for Loss and Grief.

Alice Springs Family Law Pathways Network presents: Building a Positive Workplace Culture and Foundations of Emotional Resilience.
An interactive workshop, which provides practical information and tools on how to create a positive workplace culture and assist professionals to identify stressors and build emotional resilience. The flyer.

TEMHCO monthly calendar of events here.

National information

Consultation open: draft National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards.
The Australian Government Department of Health (the Department) has contracted the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) to develop National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health (NSQDMH) Standards.

The Commission defines a digital mental health service as a mental health, suicide prevention, or alcohol and other drugs service that uses technology to facilitate engagement and the delivery of care. The draft NSQDMH Standards are now available on the Commission’s website for public consultation.

To support the consultation process, the Commission is holding a series of webinars and public forums in March-April 2020 in all capital cities and three regional locations. These forums will be facilitated by Dr Peggy Brown AO, Senior Clinical Advisor, and will give stakeholders a chance to discuss the draft NSQDMH Standards, provide feedback and ask questions of the project team.

The Commission invites consumers and carers, clinicians, service providers, and all stakeholders wishing to attend a forum or webinar to register their interest. Download the draft NSQDMH Standards and register for a forum or webinar at safetyandquality.gov.au/dmhs

Your input during the consultation process will inform the final draft of the NSQDMH Standards the Commission provides to the Department for approval in June 2020. For further information please contact: Ben Prest, Senior Project Officer DMHS@safetyandquality.gov.au

Social prescribing report released. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Consumers Health Forum of Australia have released a joint report documenting outcomes of the Social Prescribing Roundtable in November 2019. The report highlights the importance of social prescribing for people experiencing mental health issues and outlines arguments for a strategic and systematic approach to incorporating social prescribing into the Australian healthcare system. More.

The National Mental Health Commission -  Peer Workforce Development Guidelines.
Under the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan, the Commission is leading the development of National Peer Workforce Development Guidelines by 2021 to sustain and grow the workforce. In collaboration with RMIT University, the Commission has launched a national online survey to help inform the initial draft of the Peer Workforce Development Guidelines.

All peer workers and anyone who works in the mental health sector are invited to complete the survey. The survey is anonymous, should take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be open until 31 March 2020. More info about the National Peer Workforce Development Guidelines is here.  A direct link to the survey is here

The Youth Survey 2019 Report released in November delved into responses to new questions relating to voice and bullying. Young people want to be heard on the issues that matter to them, and need evidence based support in the challenges they face.

Lifeline via text: Suicide prevention pilot reaches young people who won't call for help. A new text helpline by Lifeline is reaching young people aged under 25 at risk of suicide at an unprecedented rate, with four times more texting a counsellor compared to calling. Suicide is the leading cause of death of young people aged 18 to 24, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, yet this group accounts for only 7 per cent of the million contacts to Lifeline's crisis and suicide prevention telephone hotline and other services.

Our Turn to Speak.
Our Turn to Speak is a national survey that seeks to understand the life experiences of people living with severe and complex mental health issues in Australia. This confidential survey is open to any adult aged 18 and over, residing in Australia who has been living with severe and complex mental health issues over the last 12 months.

Connections: Vision 2030
The National Mental Health Commission have now consolidated the input from communities to form the key concepts of the Vision 2030 for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Feedback is welcome as Connections work toward the delivery of Vision 2030 to Government before the end of this year.

Mental Health Coordinating Council NSW
The Trauma-informed Care and Practice Organisational Toolkit (TICPOT) Stage 4 is now available. This is a FREE quality improvement audit and implementation resource for developing a trauma-informed organisational and practice culture. Social Impact Tool
A toolbox that empowers organisations to evaluate their social impact in a way that is reliable, accessible and FREE.

Australia's Long Term National Health Plan.
A pledge to rate mental health equally alongside physical health. The Long Term National Health Plan includes: 2030 mental health vision,  A new strategy specifically for children under 12 years, a 10-year primary health care plan and continued improvement of private health insurance. A 10-year National Preventive Health Strategy and a 10-year Medical Research Future Fund investment plan.

Events, Conferences & Training

Bereaved By Suicide Support Group (NT) is hosting a free information session. Wednesday 4th March, Harry's Place.
"What is Trauma and it's Impact" To Register.

NO Women Left Behind Conference - Darwin Friday 6th March Double Tree Hilton.
Hear from inspirational women, keynote speaker, panel sessions, workshops and information booths. To Register.

Mental Health across the Lifespan 2020 Conference, 17-18 March 2020, Melbourne. Conference website.
Mental Health Victoria is proud to present its annual conference, where leaders and innovators across the mental health and related sectors come to meet, share, inspire and network. Hear the latest research highlights and sector reform updates. To register.

embrace multicultural mental health. 26 March
Join our Workshop - The Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (The Framework). To learn more.

Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) is running the third webinar on the in a series of ten as part of the Embracing Change project. The project aims to create greater national awareness of the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators as they apply in the provision of psychosocial support services. This webinar is part of the Embracing Change project.

Join this webinar from the Mental Health Coordinating Council to learn about quality, safety and information management for psychosocial providers under NDIS Practice Standards. Hear from Sherie Avola, NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission, and Fiona Loughlan, Institute for Healthy Communities Australia. The webinar is titled: NDIS Practice Standards in Psychosocial Support Services Core Module 2:. Governance, Operations, Risk, Quality and Information Management.To register for the NDIS Practice Standards webinar, March 5, 11am.

CMHA Conference 30 - 31 March, Adelaide.
Third National NDIS and Mental Health: A national conversation about what comes next?

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference, 30 - 31 March, Surfers Paradise.
Conference program and registrations now open.

"Peaceful Pathways” Alice Springs Workshops, Run by the Alternative to Violence Program. resolving conflict in a non-violent way. Community Workshops for 2020. Basic: May 9th 16th - Oct 24th 31st. Advanced: June 13th 20th 8am to 5.00pm

Employment

TeamHEALTH
TeamHEALTH is a for-purpose organisation that supports people dealing with mental health concerns or mental illness. TeamHEALTH provides evidence based mental health services, focused on support, recovery and rehabilitation across Darwin, Palmerston and the regional and remote communities of the Northern Territory’s Top End, including; Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Daly River, Maningrida and Gunbalanya. Careers.

Anglicare NT
Career opportunities in the community and social services sector in a diverse range of fields such as children and youth, family relationships and counselling, out of home care, refugee and migrant, corporate services, financial counselling, mental health, disability and home care, social enterprises and specialist homelessness services.

CatholicCare NT
Career opportunities that include travel and the experience of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in both local and remote community settings.

Mission Australia
Career opportunities to work with vulnerable people in the community applications welcomed and encourage from skilled and compassionate people from all walks of life.