April 2019

Hi ,

Welcome to the April issue of Coordinator Connect, this issue includes ideas on increasing engagement at meetings, updates from our social media platforms, and MHPN's inaugural conference.

Encouraging networking and discussion amongst practitioners helps to foster collaborative mental health care practices. Read on for ideas to get the conversation started.

The countdown is on, we are busy behind the scenes getting ready for MHPN's inaugural online conference, sign up if you haven't already and share the invitation with network members.

It's not too late to host four meetings for the year, use the annual calendar to help pick dates. If you hold a total of four meetings in the year to June 30, 2019, your network will be eligible for extra guest speaker funding in the next financial year (July 2019 - June 2020). Speak with your project officer to see if you are eligible. 

Ideas to get the conversation started 

Networking and building connections with practitioners underpins MHPN's objective to foster interdisciplinary and collaborative mental health care practices. A few new coordinators have asked for ideas on engaging participants during meetings.

Here are three ideas to consider:

Invite an interactive or experiential speaker
The Mitcham network engaged a speaker who demonstrated TRE (tension & trauma release exercises) - this allowed the members to ask questions and see first hand what their client may experience read more... 

Orange MHPN enjoyed a breakfast meeting with Veronica Sutherland pilates and movement instructor who lead the group in self-care strategies including gentle movement exercises read more...

Speed networking
Breaking into small groups to further discussion or changing the seating configuration can encourage members to network with each other. The Brisbane North Older Persons' network enjoyed speed networking,  which created lots of conversation read more...

Trivia or bingo
It might seem a bit cheesy, but some networks have used trivia or bingo as an icebreaker activity to get the conversation started. 

Had a meeting where you did something different? We would love to hear your network meeting story. Let me know so we can share your idea with other networks.

Give your network social media exposure 

Recently we have seen Northern Sydney Child and Adolescent MHPN and the Kew Perinatal & Infant MHPN on LinkedIn and Facebook. Thank you to Emma Pratt and Renée Miller for sharing your network stories. 

Share your network meetings with MHPN followers. Post meeting stories on your Facebook or LinkedIn page and tag MHPN so we can share your post via the MHPN social pages. 

Reminder: Please ensure everyone in photos has given permission to share their image. 

Online Professional Development

Celebrating 100 webinars!

Collaborating to recognise and address the mental health impacts of loneliness webinar on April 3rd will mark 100 webinars produced and presented by MHPN. 

A look back through our webinar library reveals a range of interdisciplinary conversations that have made a rich and accessible resource for mental health professionals Australia wide read more...

The Working Better Together online conference

Register to attend live, interactive, web-based activities covering three content streams: Mental Health and the Military Experience; Grief and Loss; and Trauma: The Impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences. 

Scheduled over three weeks from 21 May – 6 June the Working Better Together online conference is free and completely online. The website has all the details. Register and learn more: www.mhpnconference.org.au

Kind regards,  
Jacqui O'Loughlin
Project Officer

Email: j.ologhlin@mhpn.org.au
Direct line: 03 8662 6604
Freecall: 1800 209 031