NTMHC ebulletin

Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition e-bulletin features: Latest news from the Coalition, CMHA news, NDIS News, General News, Events, Conferences, and Training, Employment

Government continues funding to support people with mental illness to transition to the NDIS - Media release.
Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, and Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said the Liberal National Government is ensuring there are no gaps in supports for clients of Commonwealth community mental health programs as they roll out the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The Government is investing $121.29 million in Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to provide an additional 12 months support for clients transitioning from the following Commonwealth community mental health programs: Personal Helpers and Mentors; Partners in Recovery, and Support for Day to Day Living in the Community.

Health bodies declare Aboriginal youth suicide an urgent national priority.

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) are calling on the Prime Minister to make tackling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth suicides a national health priority. Suicide was once unknown to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples but now every community has been affected by suicide.

Introduction of the NDIS (Authorisations) Bill 2019.
On the 20th of March 2019, the Minister for Disabilities, the Hon Natasha Fyles MLA, introduced the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Authorisations) Bill 2019 (the Bill) to the Legislative Assembly.

The purpose of this Bill is to establish a formal restrictive practice authorisation process and framework for Northern Territory (NT) National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) registered providers, NDIS participants, behaviour support practitioners and create the new role of the Senior Practitioner in the NT. The NT Framework will provide for the formal authorising of a restrictive practice and the NDIS Commission will provide oversight and monitoring of the use of restrictive practices. Further information is available on Behaviour Support within the NDIS Commission.

Mental Health Week Working Committee 2019.
The first meeting of the Mental Health Week working committee will be held on Wednesday 10th April from 10:30am - 11:30am at the Nightcliff Community Centre Meeting Room, 18 Bauhinia Street, Nightcliff. Call us on (08) 8948 2246 if you have any questions.

Community Mental Health Australia, promoting the importance and benefits of community mental health and recovery services across Australia. Visit the website here.

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 founding member of the CMHA.

CMHA urges all Primary Health Networks to immediately work with providers of services to people living with severe mental illness - Media Release.

Bill Gye, Acting General Manager of CMHA said “We welcome this announcement as a significant number of people currently supported by these programs have not transitioned to the NDIS and many, for various reasons, will not.” Gye said “The impending cessation of funding was causing great angst for many people and their families currently being assisted by these programs, so this announcement is extremely welcome”.

Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program (BLCW).
The BLCW Program is being delivered by Ernst Young (EY), with the First Peoples Disability Network (Australia), and the Community Services Industry Alliance. The BLCW Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and the Australian Government Department of Health.The Program aims to develop the capacity of disability and aged care service providers to operate effectively and expand their workforce.The BLCW Program has three main objectives:

Reduce barriers that impact disability and aged care service providers’ ability and willingness to start, continue or grow their service offering.
Improve the operation and efficiency of the disability and aged care labour markets by better matching supply and demand through measures such as providing information, resources and links to relevant government programs.
Provide local level knowledge on the disability and aged care service provider and workforce markets.

To contact a BLCW Program Regional Coordinator to find out more about what's happening in your area. For further enquiries in relation to the BLCW Program contact info@blcwprogram.com.au.

The BLCW website, Demand Map and Transition Assistance Funding web pages are now live. The first round of Transition Assistance Funding is now open. All questions about the funding need to go through the Community Grants Hub on 1800 020 283.

Critical Incident Reporting Guidelines.

The updated Critical Incident Reporting Guidelines (the Guidelines) and incident reporting form took effect from the 4th March 2019.

The Guidelines and the incident reporting form are available online at the Northern Territory Government Department of Health website.

Support for NDIS Providers Program.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission have announced that applications are now open for the new Support NDIS Providers Program. Applications close on 29 April 2019. For further information.

The Program will fund the development of tools and resources for the benefit of all providers, existing and new to the NDIS, and support businesses and individuals to meet their responsibilities to deliver safe and high quality services to people with disability in the NDIS.

The Support for the NDIS Providers Program is an annual program. Up to $4.323 million is available nationally in 2018-19 to fund large scale projects of up to two years.

Alice Springs: NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Information Session.

NDIS Commissioner, Graeme Head is presenting. The session will introduce and provide an overview of the role and function of the NDIS Commission, an outline of the new quality and safeguarding arrangements and will include the process for registering as an NDIS provider. There will also be time allocated for a questions and answer segment - r egister.

Latest News in the NDIS Newsletter.
Keep up to date with the NDIS news. The latest edition of the NDIS newsletter has been released.

Changes to the Office of the Public Guardian in the NT.
As of 4th March 2019, the Public Guardian will be positioned within the Department of Attorney-General and Justice. This aligns the Public Guardian with all other independent offices within the Northern Territory. For further information.

What's on @ TEMHCO.
The Top End Mental Health Consumer Organisation (TEMHCO) has a new website, Facebook page, Instagram account and Twitter account. TEMHCO is not-for-profit and charity organisation located in Palmerston. With a drop-in centre for people living with a mental illness and a place where members can feel safe, build friendships and receive the help and support they need. TEMHCO events calendar.

Productivity Commission Inquiry into The Social and Economic Benefits of Improving Mental Health. Issues Paper, January 2019.

The Commission has released the Issues paper to assist individuals and organisations to prepare submissions. The Issues paper contains and outlines: the scope of the inquiry, the Commission’s procedures, matters about which the Commission is seeking comment and information, and how to make a submission.

The NT Mental Health Coalition is currently developing a submission to the Inquiry, consulting with member organisations and key stakeholders. Submission close 5th April.

Podcast - ABC Radio's 'The Money' explores mental health and our economy.

Guests: Stephen King, Productivity Commission, Leonie Segal, Professor of Health Economics, University of South Australia and Frank Quinlan, CEO Mental Health Australia. Mental illness is the single largest cause of long-term ill-health in Australia. But what are the financial consequences for individuals, families and the broader economy? “One of the things that’s changed over the past two decades is how we regard mental health problems.

Royal Commission into Mental Health in Victoria - Terms of Reference released.

The Victorian Government has announced the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission into Mental Health, and the Commissioners who will lead this inquiry. The inquiry will be chaired by Penny Armytage, who will be supported by fellow Commissioners Professor Allan Fels, Professor Bernadette McSherry, and Associate Professor Alex Cockram. The Royal Commission will release an interim report by November 30th 2019, with the final report due to be handed down by October 31 2020.

Council of Australia Government (COAG) Health Council - Communique 8 March 2019. The Federal and state and territory Health Ministers met in Adelaide on 8th March to discuss a range of national health issues. The meeting was chaired by the Western Australian Minister for Health and Mental Health, the Hon Roger Cook MLA.

Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2018, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.
The Summary has been prepared by the HealthInfoNet as part of its effort to help 'close the gap' by providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The Summary aims to make this information available to all people, including those without a specialised knowledge of the health field.

Primary Health Network (PHN) Advisory Panel on Mental Health Reports.
The PHN Advisory Panel on Mental Health produced two reports:

The Reform and System Transformation: A Five Year Horizon for PHNs.
A report from the PHN Advisory Panel on Mental Health which was released on 27 February.

Community Grants Hub.
The Community Grants Hub (the Hub) administers community-based grants on behalf of Australian Government departments, agencies and organisations. With over 1100 staff and contractors across Australia, the Hub plays a critical role in designing, selecting, establishing and managing grants across the Australian Government.

The risks of linking extremist behaviour and mental illness - Joint Statement.
Mindframe National Media Initiative and SANE Australia Stigma Watch would like to remind media of the impact of linking mental illness with extremist behaviour.

Youth Foyers - NT Shelter's latest newsletter.
NT Shelter reports that the NT currently doesn't have Youth Foyers available to support homeless and at-risk young people. Foyers are operating in most Australian states, supporting up to 500 young people. To find out more about the Foyer model visit the Foyer Foundation website.

Podcast - Disability sector says budget an opportunity to fix broken NDIS.
Guests: Jeff Thompson, Business Development Manager, Lead and Joan McKenna Kerr, President, National Disability Services. Disability service providers say the viability of the sector is at risk because of NDIS red tape and policy positions. The sector's peak body says after six years of operation, its poor operation can no longer be blamed on growing pains.

Coming Home with Bipolar: Information for Families and Carers.
Produced by Bipolar Australia, this is a printable booklet for carers of people who have just been diagnosed with Bipolar.

Cafe One Coffee Trailer.
Cafe One is a training and social enterprise program run by Mission Australia to assist young people aged 16 to 24 living in the Darwin and Palmerston region who are at risk, homeless or experiencing disadvantage, marginalisation, disengagement and have barriers to access training elsewhere. For further information call (08) 8935 0900 or email adminNT@missionaustralia.com.au

Historic Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap between the Commonwealth Government, State and Territory Governments and a Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Bodies - Joint Media Release. An historic agreement is set to change the way governments and Indigenous Australians work together on Closing the Gap. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new Closing the Gap Partnership Agreement between the Federal Government, states, territories and the National Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks) would ensure decision makers worked closer than ever to deliver real change for Indigenous Australians.

Australian Institute of Applied Mindfulness 3 Day Experiential Mindfulness Training, Darwin 3 - 5 April 2019 r egister. Experience how mindfulness can transform your life.

FASD: Repetition, Repeat and AGAIN.Strategies for Frontline Professionals Workshops, Alice Springs - register for 3 April or 10 April . InHandz InnoVationZ Service Development, Training and Consultancy presents this workshop that will highlight practical strategies for professionals when working with FASD cognitive impairments and challenging behaviours. Suitable for the Drug and Alcohol sector, Disability Support Services, Mental Health, Youth Workers, Juvenile Justice, Child Protection, Teachers and School Support Workers and any other professional working in the Community Services Sector.

Online Suicide Prevention Summit - register it's free!

Join the largest Suicide Prevention online conference for mental health professionals ever held in Australia. The purpose of the Summit is to equip every practising mental health professional in Australia with global best-practice knowledge and skills on suicide prevention, thereby making a tangible reduction on suicide rates.

The 2019 Suicide Prevention Summit will be delivered via 15 live webinar sessions from Friday 12th April to Sunday 14th April and will continue as an on-demand event (i.e. you can watch recorded versions of the live sessions) until Sunday 28th April.

The Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference - Thinking Speaking Being, Darwin 18 - 20 June 2019 - r egister.
This conference will be an Indigenous space built on First Nations knowledge's and values.
It will be a space to connect Indigenous peoples, and non-Indigenous colleagues, and share the journey together. The conference theme is Thinking Speaking Being invites an important discussion around the future of Indigenous people, their contribution to the wellbeing of the planet.

Anglicare NT - current vacancies.
Anglicare NT offers a range of 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 - current vacancies.
CatholicCare NT provides unique career and personal opportunities that include travel and the experience of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in both local and remote community settings.

TeamHEALTH - current vacancies.
TeamHEALTH is a for-purpose organisation that supports people dealing with mental health concerns or mental illness that 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.

Latest News from the Coalition

Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA)

NDIS News

Other News

Events, Conferences & Training

Employment