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MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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Hi Everyone,
Thanks to all who attended the NT Mental Health Coalition AGM last Thursday 25 November 2021. The draft minutes, annual report and updated constitution will soon be available on our website.
On Friday I attended the launch of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031. Dr Ben Gauntlett who has been appointed Chair of the Strategy’s Advisory Council spoke about the strategy. Dr Gauntlett noted the statistic approximately one in five Australians has a disability and commented “disability policy is mainstream policy”. The release of the strategy is timely not just on International Day of People with Disability but as the NT government is developing its first Disability Strategy. Please be encouraged to have your say here.
The University of Sydney have been funded by the National Mental Health Commission to conduct a study to understand more about what stops some people, or makes it difficult for some people, to apply for the psychosocial disability stream of the NDIS. You can provide feedback as an individual, a carer or support person or as an organisation through this link.
Last week the Australian Mental Health Commission launched the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Development Guidelines. They are the result of extensive consultation to ensure they are grounded in the expertise of lived experience. You can read about the guidelines and the roadmap to implementation here.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care have drafted National Safety and Quality Mental Health Standards for Community Managed Organisations. Consultation is open via online focus groups and written submissions.
The Mental Health & Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch of the NT Department of Health have provided an update on the Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998 review. The Department is working with relevant agencies to finalise the consultation report and its recommendations with a view to circulate the consultation report in early 2022.
Congratulations to all who held and participated in the number of events on International Day of People with Disability. They were well attended, inclusive and contribute to crucial work reducing stigma. Well done!
We are reminded that Christmas is not a joyful time for all. Stress, anxiety, and depression are common during the festive season; and events at this time of year can be triggering for some. Plans to spend time with family may also be impacted by COVID-19. If this is the case for you or someone you know, acknowledge this is the case and do your best to stick to your ‘stay well’ plan such as keeping up with regular exercise (at a cool time of day), catching up with family and friends, doing some relaxation exercises, establishing healthy sleeping habits, and making healthy eating choices. It can be easy to overindulge at this time of year. If you don’t have a ‘stay well’ plan, there are some resources here to help you get started. You can speak to your GP or counsellor about it, you can call Beyond Blue 1800 512 348 or Lifeline 13 11 14 and there are a range of online forums and Web Chat services.
Geoff Radford
Chief Executive Officer
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Extension for NT disability strategy submissions - closes 31/12/21
How to have your say:
Your experiences, values and ideas will inform the development of the Strategy.
You can have your say by:
- completing the Northern Territory Disability Strategy Survey
- uploading a written submission to the discussion paper
- sharing your ideas with members of the NT Disability Strategy Oversight Group and Working Groups (External link)
- attending an NT Disability Strategy workshop (External link)
- contacting the Office of Disability at OfficeofDisability.TFHC@nt.gov.au (External link) or (08) 8999 2445.
You can ask for help to give your feedback by contacting:
Darwin Community Legal Services (Top End)
Email: sdrs@dcls.org.au
Tel: (08) 8982 1111 or 1800 812 953 (free call).
Disability Advocacy Services (Central Australia)
Email: admin@das.org.au
Tel: (08) 8953 1422
Please provide your input by 31 December 2021
More information the Northern Territory Disability Strategy is available on the Office of Disability consultation webpage. or email DSExecutive.TFHC@nt.gov.au
TEMCHO
NT PEER WORKFORCE PROJECT
Are you living with Psychosocial Disability?
The NT Workforce Project is raising the capacity of people with lived experience in Mental Health to complete vocational education and training in the community services sector through a supportive study and work placement arrangement.
For more information on the NT Workforce Project and course information please see flyer or email project@temcho.com.au
Mental Health Association of Central Australia
Pathways To Recovery
MHACA offers a range of services which aim to promote recovery and facilitate wellness for people living with mental illness or going through mental distress.
Pathways To Recovery is a program of MHACA and can provide one on one support to individuals to develop a recovery plan and to achieve goals through supported skills development. A range of therapeutic group activities are available which are focused on educational pursuits, personal development, living skills and include recreational outings.
The Drop-in Centre at MHACA is a welcoming space with comfy lounges, internet access, laundry and bathroom facilities and provides opportunities to socialise with others. Pathways To Recovery provides services to community members with and without a NDIS Plan.
Participants must have a diagnosed mental illness to access MHACA services. Referrals are accepted from GP’s, service providers or people can self-refer. Download the MHACA Referral Form and to book an intake interview call 8950 4600 or email info@mhaca.org.au
Australian Human Rights Commission
ONLINE EVENT: Human Rights Oration
Human Rights Day 2021 - Bringing rights home
10 December – 11am to midday
'How can our legal system best protect people from discrimination? As debates continue about proposed religious discrimination laws, it’s also worth asking: are broader changes to Australia’s legal framework around discrimination required?'
Join Australian Human Rights Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM for the 2021 Human Rights Day Oration – Bringing rights home: the case to modernise federal discrimination law.
Professor Croucher will introduce the Commission’s latest discrimination law reform position paper as part of the Free and Equal: An Australian conversation on human rights project. For more information and register here
Australian Association of Social Workers
WEBINAR: REWIRE - A practice model and framework for supporting trauma-affected students in schools
1 out of every 4 children attending school has been exposed to a traumatic event that can affect their learning or behaviour.
This webinar will address the foundations for the REWIRE model as well as each element of the framework. It will provide participants with the key steps and essential ingredients to support trauma-impacted students to be successful in school and enable them to capitalise on the positive experiences and opportunities that schools are uniquely positioned to provide them with.
When: 20 December, 11.00am-12.30pm (AEDT)
Where: Online, Click here for details and to register
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia NT
MIFANT Christmas Party!
FREE
Christmas Lunch Provided
Christmas Carols
Fun Activities
When: Wednesday December 15, 2021
Time: 9.30am - 1.00pm
Where: MiPlace - 2/273 Bagot Rd, Coconut Grove, NT 0810
Please RSVP 08/12/2021 - email: admin@mifant.org.au ph: 8948 1051
ERMHA 365
Online Event - Information Session (DARWIN)
Tuesday 14 Dec 12pm – 12.45pm (ACST – Darwin time)
1.30pm – 2.15pm AEST
ermha365 is currently seeking expressions of interest from NDIS participants in Darwin with complex psychosocial disability who are interested in seeking specialist disability accommodation (SDA).
We would like to invite you to an information session on 14 December to hear from May Cheung, National Manager Growth & Service Design about:
- The SDA projects ermha365 operates with our SDA collaboration partners
- The opportunity to be part of a small therapeutic community in Darwin, with a built design that caters to psychosocial disability and specific day-to-day support needs
- How to express interest and next steps
This event is ideal for NDIS support coordinators and specialist support coordinators; workers in the justice and health systems; behaviour support practitioners; and guardians, advocates and family and friends of NDIS participants with psychosocial disability.
Mental Health Australia
Matt Berriman appointed new Chair of Mental Health Australia
On Wednesday MHA announced that Mr Matt Berriman will take over from Ms Robyn Kruk AO as the new Chair of Mental Health Australia following the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 8 December in Canberra.
At 37, Matt will be their youngest Chair in the 24-year history of the organisation and as a leading technology entrepreneur and corporate advisor, will bring with him a wealth of experience, vision, and drive. Read more here
Northern Territory PHN News
Mental health holiday stakeholder resources
Once again, PHN NT are running a mental health holiday campaign to encourage Territorians to look after themselves, and their family and friends during the holiday period. This year the focus of the campaign will be the Mental Health NT website.
PHN NT have developed some resources tailored to support people over the holiday season. Feel free to share amongst your networks.
National Eating Disorders Collaboration Steering Committee
Management of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guidelines - deadline extended for the opportunity to provide feedback.
The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) Steering Committee has convened a Guideline Development Group to create, write and develop the ‘Management of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guidelines.
The Guideline Development Group includes academic, clinical, and lived experience expertise.
NEDC are seeking your feedback on this guideline. This opportunity is available to everyone however may be of particular interest to clinicians. The consultation is now open and has been extended with a final date of 14 December 2021.
Feedback can be provided by completing an online questionnaire. To view the draft document and provide feedback, please click here.
Please note: Feedback sent in directly via email will not be accepted.
The feedback received from this public consultation will be reviewed by the Guideline Development Group and will inform guideline development.
The final version of the guideline is expected to be completed and available on the NEDC website in May-June 2022.
Questions regarding the guideline or the public consultation process should be directed to NEDC’s Research Lead, Dr Angelique Ralph at angelique.ralph@nedc.com.au
For more information please contact info@nedc.com.au
Menzies School of Health Research
AIMhi Mental Health App now available
Information about mental health and wellbeing will be easier for First Nations people to access as the Aboriginal and Islander Mental health initiative (AIMhi) at Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) has developed the AIMhi Stay Strong app.
The mobile app was launched last week and aims to provide service providers with the tools they require to have well-being conversations with First Nations people.
Pitjantjatjara language and Aboriginal English have been incorporated, with the plan for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. The app is already being used by Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Alcohol and Other Drug, Youth and Forensic Mental Health services across Australia
New Beyond Blue Campaign
Beyond Blue has launched a new campaign: Mixed Emotions
The new prevention and early intervention initiative aims to validate the complex and often contradictory feelings many can experience. It will also encourage people to reach out to the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service, in the effort to support Australians through the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More information here.
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Pro Bono Australia
Impact fund for women and girls unveiled
Luke Michael: 25 November
The fund aims to have a major impact on the wellbeing of women and girls in Australia and around the world. An impact investment fund for women and girls has just been launched, focused on investing in companies promoting gender equality and supporting charities with gender-focused programs.
Global Impact Initiative (GII) says its Global Gender Equality Fund (GGEF) is the world’s first, actively managed impact investment fund focused on women and girls.
Administered by global fund manager Robeco, the GGEF aims to have a major impact on the wellbeing of women and girls in Australia and around the world. Read more here.
Body Shop & Launch Housing partner to employ marginalised Australians
Nikki Stefanoff: 22 November
The Body Shop’s open hiring policy, which has made it to Australia in time for Christmas, is set to hire casual employees based on their answers to three questions – no resume or references needed.
Candidates will instead be asked: are you legally authorised to work in Australia, can you lift up to 11 kilos and work an eight-hour shift and are you happy to work with customers. And if the answer to that last question is ‘no’, it still isn’t a disqualifier.
This style of recruitment is called 'open hiring' and could be a real game-changer for those facing barriers to employment.
Partnering with organisations to make employment easier
There are two elements to implementing an open hiring program, the first is to open up roles to the general public. The other is to work with partners to ensure the message of open hiring gets to those who would benefit most from the work.
Launch Housing’s partnership with The Body Shop plays into this second aspect of the concept. Read more here.
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Headspace Darwin
Program Manager (Early Psychosis)
Darwin
Full Time
Click for details
CAAPS
Counsellor, AOD
Darwin
Full Time
Click for details
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SUBMIT AN ITEM TO E-BULLETIN
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To contribute notices to our fortnightly eBulletin, please email your information in the body of an email or as a Word document to admin@ntmhc.org.au
Please ensure your contribution is no more than 200 words and includes all relevant dates, times, links and contact details.
Please note: submissions are due by 2pm on the second Monday of the month for next day (Tuesday) distribution.
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The Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition is the peak body for community mental health and well-being. We represent NT community managed mental health organisations.
We work in collaboration with a wide network of organisations, people with lived experience, their families and supporters across the Northern Territory.
We work at both a national and local level to improve a national and local level to improve the mental health and well being of Territorians.
As a member of the Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition, you commit to supporting NTMHC’s purpose.
COME & JOIN US
Would you like to be a member of the Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition? As a member, you become part of a larger voice within the mental health sector across the Northern Territory.
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| Office Location: |
7/18 Bauhinia Street,
Nightcliff Community Centre,
Nightcliff NT 0810 |
| Postal Address: |
PO BOX 157,
Nightcliff NT 0814 |
| Phone: |
(08) 8948 2246 |
| Email: |
ceo@ntmhc.org.au |
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