Commission Update - July 2019 Issue 60 No Images? Click here A community survey of mental health reformThe Government's ten year mental health strategy, Living Well, sets a direction to improve and reform mental health for all. At the halfway point in this decade long strategy, the Commission is looking back at the first five years to see how the reforms have progressed, in order to see where government should focus over the next five years. The views of people with lived experience of mental health issues and caring, families and kinship groups, the mental health sector, and the wider community are essential in this work, which is why we have created the online Living Well mid-term review survey. By taking part in the survey we will be able to understand your issues and perspectives and include those together with everything else we have learned from community consultations, reviewing changes in services and programs, and considering mental health trends and research that relate to enabling people to live well. With your input the Commission will be able to provide the Minister for Mental Health with clear directions on the future priority areas for Living Well, informed by lived experience, the community and those working to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people. Your contributions are valuable to us, so please take a few minutes to fill in the survey and share it with your contacts, colleagues and networks so a strong community voice can inform this important work. We will keep the survey open until mid-September 2019. Living Well Mid-Term Review UpdateThe Commission has been holding community consultations around the state as part of the Living Well mid-term review. We are showcasing local initiatives and findings from these consultations on our website and South Eastern NSW content is now available. Farewell to Tania SkippenThe Commission said a fond farewell to Deputy Commissioner Tania Skippen in June. While at the Commission, Tania has been a strong champion for people with lived experience and mental health reform in NSW and her deep understanding of the mental health sector and strong networks has enhanced our work. We wish her the very best in her future as she moves into the private sector. Suicide Prevention Advisor to the Prime Minister appointedThe Commission welcomes the appointment of Christine Morgan to the newly created role of National Suicide Prevention Advisor to report directly to the Prime Minister’s Department. We look forward to working with Ms Morgan to improve mental health and suicide prevention services in NSW and to support people to live well in the community. Lived Experience Framework grants have been awardedTo help organisations around NSW to embed the Lived Experience Framework, the Commission recently provided 10 one-off implementation grants to support a range of projects. We look forward to sharing more information about how these projects have progressed. Be part of the NSW Youth Drought SummitUNICEF Australia and the Ministry of Health are hosting the first Youth Summit for young people living with drought in NSW. They are calling for young people aged 14-24 years to participate. Everymind is looking for a new DirectorDirector of Everymind, Jaelea Skehan, will be taking leave to work alongside the Suicide Prevention Advisor to the PM's office, Christine Morgan. Applications for the Everymind Director role close on Sunday 11 August. New series about mental health and young peopleThe Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, Headspace and Sane Australia have produced The Common Thread, a six-part documentary series aiming to inspire conversations about mental health and young Australians. Upcoming eventsMental Health Carer & Support Worker Forum 14 August 2019, Woolloomooloo Rethinking Mental Health Conference 17 August 2019, Leura Inspire, Motivate, Empower Youth Forum 20 August 2019, Condell Park #LivingWellNSWHow can you achieve your fitness goals? The Black Dog Institute recommends to set small goals and write them down. This will help you address the barriers to achieving your goals, stay accountable, prioritise and keep fitness achievable instead of overwhelming. Read more here. Lifeline: 13 11 14 Are you looking for a mental health service in your area? Try the WayAhead Directory. |