mental health families & friends TASMANIA recognises the deep, ancient and everlasting history and culture of this island lutruwita upon which we learn, work, and live, and its people, the palawa people. We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners and continuing carers of the nipaluna land on which we have the privilege to meet on today.
We acknowledge Elders past, Elders present, future and evolving Elders and pay our respects to those who did not and will not attain the status of Elder because of the ongoing pain and the legacy of colonisation.
MHFFTas is the peak body for families and friends who provide unpaid support to someone who lives with mental ill health and co-occuring mental ill health and substance use.
As a peak body, our overarching purpose is to support families and friends by systemically advocating for their rights and working with the Government and Community Managed Sectors.
MHFFTas has a number of exciting opportunities for members to join the Board. Board members will assist the Board in the provision of strong strategic direction, oversight and governance.
The organisation is looking for individuals with skills and experience in any of the following areas:
Finance/audit | Leadership | An understanding of mental health issues | | Legal background | Governance as it applies to community sector organisations | Risk Management | Marketing/PR/Communication | Strategic Vision
For more information and to request an expression of interest form, please email Glen.
Applications close 5pm on 16th September 2022
From the CEO - Glen O'Keefe
Hi everyone and welcome to the August MHFFTas newsletter.
What a busy period it has been and somehow, we have found ourselves at the end of August already.
After five months in my role as CEO it is encouraging to see the high levels of engagement continuing in the Statewide Mental Health Reforms, which is seeing representation at all levels by our team and/or Family and Friends Representatives.
A major milestone in the reform will be achieved towards the end of the year with the Peacock Centre opening in North Hobart. The centre will host The Mental Health Integration Hub, The Recovery College, Safe Haven and the Acute Treatment Unit. The centre will be a great example of what can be achieved when the input of families and friends and consumers with lived experience is sort out and heard.
Speaking of milestones, we were thrilled to recently launch our Self Advocacy Tool Kit and Workshops. These were launched in June with approximately 30 people in attendance at the Moonah Arts Centre. Bec Thomas, Glenorchy Lord Major, spoke to the group around the importance of the toolkit and workshops and our M-Leag group (lived experience advisors) came together on a panel discussion around their experiences of being involved in the project. The tool kit is available on our website and the workshops will be delivered across the state from September (details below in this newsletter).
Our Safe Spaces sessions continue around the state, and we have recently introduced the opportunity for families and friends in the north and north-west to meet one-on-one with Rahnee, our Lived Experience Project Officer, to discuss how we may be able to support them.
At the national level we continue to be engaged with Mental Health Carers Australia and there is some important upcoming work to be completed around the potential formation of two (consumers and families and friends) national peak bodies.
I also recently attended the National Mental Health Consumer and Carers Forum in Melbourne to gain knowledge of its role and activities with the aim to support the recruitment of a family and friend representative on to this important and influential national working group.
Finally, I would again like to thank and acknowledge the amazing work of the team at MHFFTas who all are very dedicated to their roles and individual projects. It is a privilege to work with such a great team. I would also like to acknowledge the participation of our Family and Friends representatives who are having invaluable input into what our mental health systems will look like into the future through drawing on their lived experience.
Warm regards,
Glen
Self-Advocacy Project
In June, Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania (MHFFTas) launched its self-advocacy program. A program funded by the Department of Social Services to help build the individual capacity of mental health families and friends.
To inform the program and ensure it reflected the experience of Tasmanian support people, MHFFTas formed an advisory group, called the M-LEAG: Members of the Lived Experience Advisory Group. This dedicated group of people worked closely with our organisation and consultants to create a 70+ page booklet and accompanying workshop – all with the aim to help other support people navigate the mental health system, advocate for themselves and to feel less alone and overwhelmed.
At its core, the self-advocacy program is designed by support people for support people.
During the past two months, representatives have been involved in interview panels and attended forums, to share their lived experience towards the development of the new Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Advocacy has continued in the AOD sector with representatives sitting on the new Detox@Home program, to ensure family and friends are being supported. If you are interested in using your lived experience to create change in the AOD or Mental Health sector, please contact Rahnee.
Are you helping a friend or family member with mental ill health or co-occurring mental ill health and substance use. At times it may feel like an emotional rollercoaster full of tears and triumphs. You are not alone. This is for you!
We offer one-on-one peer support at a place that suits you. You can also join the peer support sessions. Peer groups provide an opportunity to listen and share your experience and wisdom with others like you. Connecting with others is important for self-care and your continued wellbeing. We invite you to come along to share your story and make friendships that will help you maintain resilience, cope with challenges, and strengthen your support role.
The Call2Connect Program provides up to 4, 1-hour calls after the initial contact. This program can be described as an informal, one on one, peer support session, with someone who gets it, in a session where you will be listened too, and validated.
The purpose of the Program is to provide follow up support to families and friends who support someone living with mental ill health or co-occurring mental ill health and substance use. The calls will adopt a person-centred, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach. You will be supported by a social worker who will provide support, referrals and other relevant information.
If you would like to be supported through this program: Email | 6228 7448
The workshops kick off in August and continue to roll out state-wide throughout September 2022. Each session runs for 5 hours, the workshops are free and include catering. Spaces are limited to 10 participants, so please ensure you register early.
Safe Spaces Peer Support Sessions
Register now for the on-line, face-to-face, and one-on-one support sessions in your region below.
State-wide on-line sessions via Zoom on-line platform
Wednesday 14th September| 1:00pm to 2:00pm Register
Wednesday 14th September | 5:30pm to 6:30pm Register
Wednesday 12th October | 1:00pm to 2:00pm Register
Wednesday 12th October | 5:30pm to 6:30pm Register
Hobart Face-to-Face
21st September | 5:15pm to 6:45pm Register
Launceston One-on-One Support
10th to 14th October | By appointment
7th and 8th December | By appointment Phone | Email
Devonport One-on-One Support
7th & 8th September | By appointment
2nd & 3rd November | By appointment Phone | Email
In Your Head Poetry Workshop
MAD Poetry and Wellways Hobart are holding a free workshop for emerging Tasmanian writers who identify as having lived experience of mental health issues. This workshop will allow you to reflect on your experience of mental health and explore your emotional wellbeing through creative writing.
Where: Wellways Hobart, 136 Davey Street, Hobart When: 7th September 2022 Time: 1pm-2.30pm
Limited spots are available, bookings are required Register EmailPhone
Safe Spaces Education and Information Sessions
These sessions are a time and place for families and friends to hear from guest speakers and gain information on an array of topics, in a safe and friendly space.Register for a session in your region below.
Topic: Introducing Headspace Launceston
How we support someone with Borderline Personality Disorder When & Where: Wednesday 12th of October| 10:00am – 11:30am | At Head to Health, 93 Paterson Street, Launceston Guest Speakers: To be confirmed
Devonport | RegisterHERE Topic: Drug Education Network When & Where: Thursday 8th September | 10:00am – 11:30am | Devonport Football Club, James Street Guest Speaker:
Dave Reynolds - Den Educator
Hobart | Register HERE Topic: Introducing Baptcare's TasConnect Program
How we support someone with Borderline Personality Disorder When & Where: Thursday 29th September |10:00am – 11:30am | MHFFTas
2 Terry Street, Glenorchy Guest Speakers:
Tara Witts – Senior Mental Health Practitioner at Baptcare
Belinda Moore – Registered Nurse Care Coordinator at Glenorchy and Northern Districts Adult Community Mental Health Services
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Course
This course is an evidence based program that teaches adults how to confidently recognise and support yourng people developing a mental health problem or in crisis.
Wednesday 14 September 9.15am – 5pm
Rosny Library – 46 Bligh St Rosny
*self-paced eLearning component (typically 3-4 hours) followed by 1 day face-to-face session with 2 accredited MHFA instructors. Book tickets
Or
Thursday 15 September 9.15am – 5pm
Glenorchy Library - 4 Terry St Glenorchy
*self-paced eLearning component (typically 3-4 hours) followed by 1 day face-to-face session with 2 accredited MHFA instructors. Book tickets
Join leading expert and psychiatrist Professor Brett McDermott, as he discusses current issues in child and adolescent mental health in the 2022 Arthur Cobbold Memorial Lecture.
Brett McDermott is a Professor of Psychiatry and the Statewide Director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Professor McDermott spoke of the progress of the CAMHS reforms at our recent Conversations with Mental Health Services. If you would like to receive the notes from the CAMHS reform session, please email Vicki your contact details.
Support Services
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, seek help and support from Tasmanian Lifeline (1800 98 44 34), Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Lifeline (13 11 14), or the Lifeline crisis chat service. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Government Sector News
Have Your Say on Youth Suicide Prevention in Tasmania
We want to hear from young people (aged 12-25), their parents/carers, and anyone who works with young Tasmanians about how we can prevent youth suicide and distress.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
are seeking dynamic and passionate Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Psychologists and Social Workers to deliver the first ever MST program in Tasmania.
MST is an innovative, evidence-based program that empowers young people involved in offending and antisocial behaviour and their families build the skills to achieve positive, long-term changes. MST Practioners will work with youth and their families in their home, school and community, with a focus on being as accessible as possible and removing barriers to engagement.
With your Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Commission is keen to hear from as many Australians as possible to learn about your experiences of the mental health and suicide prevention system and services.
Your voice is essential in helping us continuously improve and measure the impact of our country’s mental health and suicide prevention system from the way you experience it.
The public community conversation will be held at Hobart.
Hobart Town Hall
50 Macquarie Street
Monday, 12 September 2022 5:30 – 7:00pm AEST
Refreshments will be provided
Register to attend here making-connections-hobart.eventbrite.com.au
For more information contact us:
By visiting: making-connections.com.au
Or call toll free: 1800 220 246
Or email community@making-connections.com.au
Peacock Site
Building works have continued with the current completion date still expected in late 2022-early 2023. A recent highlight has been restoring the historic greenhouse: it is planned to use the greenhouse for art and creative experiences to support wellbeing and recovery. Other achievements include:
• The reform team are well into planning a comprehensive orientation program, supporting staff to understand the models and building capacity within and across the new teams.
• Developing a social media plan for sharing information with the community about what is available in the new services.
• We are working with Arts Tasmania to identify artwork for the building and the garden that reflects the new models of care.
• Advisory Groups for each of the new services, plus the site as a whole, are meeting regularly with shared decision making between stakeholders, including consumer representatives and family and friend representatives.
Recovery College update - Mental Health Reform Program August 2022
The Recovery College is an exciting new initiative through the Tasmanian Mental Health Reform Program.
Recovery Colleges bring together strengths and expertise from lived experience and subject/professional expertise in an inclusive learning environment. Colleges promote recovery at multiple levels: for each individual in their personal recovery journey, together as a learning community and driving organisations towards systems change. Everyone is welcome in a Recovery College!
The Older Persons Mental Health Service Reform Project is currently in the planning stage with a range of consultations being undertaken to determine the immediate priorities while also mapping out a roadmap for longer term reform.
The development of a contemporary models of care for the Service will be initiated as a priority, with extensive consultation with:
• Older Persons Mental Health Service;
• consumers, families and friends;
• the Mental Health Council of Tasmania.
• Mental Health Family and Friends;
• Flourish
• University of Tasmania.
The planning stage will also concentrate on the broader reform priorities to ensure that the implementation of the Model of Care is embedded within the new Statewide Older Person’s Mental Health Service over the course of the project’s duration.
Acute Care Team (ACT)
The Acute Care Team (ACT) is now fully operational as a new “front end” to the Mental Health Service in the south.
ACT manages all referrals of new and unknown clients and all community crises referred to Access Mental Health Service that are assessed as requiring a specialist response. ACT operates between 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, 7 days a week.
A new position of General Practitioner Liaison Clinician has implemented for the Acute Care Team (ACT) South – Mental Health Services. This position will lead the establishment of a GP Liaison Service within the Acute Care Stream and the promotion and maintenance of referral pathways to and from a broad range of GPs across the Southern region that support consumers to continue treatment in Primary Care.
This position will primarily work in conjunction with the new ACT Triage Officer and Access Mental Health Service and is on a trial basis which will operate for a period of up to 12 months. The objectives of introducing this role include:
enhanced communication between primary care and specialist secondary care maximizing continuity of care
assisting people with mental health problems to have fewer assessments and for them to be better supported to live as well as possible in their communities
a reduction in waiting times for assessment by a mental health professional
enabling people with the highest levels of complexity to have a coordinated and assertive community response
launched the Tasmanian Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Communications Charter yesterday. ATDC acknowledges that all people deserve dignity and respect regardless of their current or prior alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
The purpose of the Charter is to help us to communicate ethically, respectfully and responsibly in the quest to reduce stigma, minimise harm and ultimately encourage people to seek help if they want or need it.
A New Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Online Resource For The Tasmanian Community
HOBART, Tasmania— The Drug Education Network (DEN) has launched a new online resource CODE (Community Online Drug Education).
“CODE is in response to the conversations we have had with parents, guardians, friends and family over the past few years. Collectively, they have told us that finding trustworthy and reliable information online can be very difficult — especially on topics relating to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs,” said Shirleyann Varney, Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Education Network.
FindHelpTAS is a free online directory of community services for all Tasmanians. You can find advice, counselling, support groups, food relief, local community activities and everything in between — online, over the phone or face-to-face. There are over 900 programs listed from more than 400 community service organisations.
You can also become a member organisation and list your services. FindHelpTAS is a self-funded community initiative led by a partnership of Tasmanian community service organisations, supported by TasCOSS.
SANE Forums Whether you have a complex mental health need, or you’re a friend or family member of someone who does, the forums are for anyone seeking support from other people who ‘get it’.
Topic Tuesday
Topic Tuesday is a live, facilitated Q&A style discussion with a special guest who is a subject matter expert. We run Topic Tuesdays every fortnight from 7:00pm-8:30pm (AEST/AEDT).
Each fortnight there is a different topic with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator and joined by a Peer Support Worker.
Upcoming dates: 13th & 27th September | 11th & 25th October| 8th & 26th November Forums
Mental Health Nurse Access Program
The Mental Health Nurse Access Program (MHNAP) is a Rural Health Tasmania Inc. service that coordinates care for people with complex and severe mental illnesses across the North-west.
Mental Health Nurses ensure patients’ with severe and persistent mental illness receive appropriate case management and coordinated treatment.
To access the Mental Health Nurse Access Program, a Mental Health Care Plan and referral is required from your GP. Rural Health Tasmania can provide assistance in obtaining the Health Care Plan if required.
We want your contribution to be valued and your voice to be heard. Carers Tasmania provides recognition, support and advice to make sure that you get the help that you need to fulfill your role to its best potential.
Is the Tasmanian provider of the National Carer Gateway support services.
To access supports all carers must first register and complete a Carer Support Plan. This process starts with a conversation with one of our Carer Support Officers and can be over the phone, face-to-face or via video link.
acknowledges the invaluable contribution that family and friends give as they support their loved ones through their mental health diagnosis and recovery.
MHFFTas recognises that family and friends work hard and face many challenges. Family and friends are doing the best they can with the time and resources they have.
