July 2019
Hi ,
In this special edition, read about MHPN's funding extension, ways to encourage attendance during the winter months and the top topics discussed at meetings this year - including loads of resources for your next meeting.
MHPN Funded Until 2022
MHPN has received a letter from the Minister for Health confirming an extension of the current funding agreement to June 30, 2022. This is very positive news and ensures continuity of the MHPN program.
120 networks met in June - a great result for the month.
Over 1,110 meetings were held in the last financial year.
Winter Meeting Attendance
As winter is upon us and some parts of the country are experiencing cold and dark evenings, not to mention an increase in seasonal illness.
It is anticipated that meeting attendance rates may be impacted. With this in mind, we’d like to reassure you not be discouraged if your meetings have fewer attendee’s and ‘no-shows’ this quarter.
A special message will be included in the July edition of the MHPN e-newsletter reminding members of the importance of accurately registering for meetings, and urging them to notify MHPN or their network coordinators if they can no longer attend so catering and room set-up can be adjusted.
Some tips for encouraging attendance could be to provide a hot meal (hot soup or pizzas are always popular), choose venues that have adequate heating, and where possible, secure, well-lit parking areas. Another option would be to try a day time meeting.
Popular meeting topics so far in 2019:
- Child and adolescent mental health
- Cancer and mental health
- Diabetes and mental health
- Pain and mental health
- Drug and alcohol related
- Eating disorders
- Perinatal and infant mental health
- Trauma
- Practitioner self-care
Top Tip: The meeting planner tool can help you record dates and topics for future meetings.
Are any of these topics of interest to your network? The following resources may help you structure a meeting focused on one.
Top Topics: Resources
Child and adolescent articles:
Emerging Minds have compiled, 'Highlights in Child Mental Health Research: April 2019' these articles provide the latest research that could be discussed at your meetings. Online training on various topics is also provided by Emerging Minds.
Prostate Cancer and mental health webinar:
MHPN webinar 'Prostate Cancer – effects on mental health after surgery', associated case study and supporting resources are available. The supporting resources also include links to other resources if you wanted to focus on cancer and mental health in a broader context. 'Diabetes' and 'Pain' focused webinars can be found in the MHPN webinar library.
Alcohol and depression resources:
Dr Hester Wilson provided a case study in the newsGP publication. Perhaps discuss the case study and listen to The Black Dog Institute podcast Alcohol misuse and mental health (35 min).
Eating disorders guidelines:
National Eating Disorders Collaboration provides resources for health professionals on their website.
Perinatal and infant guidelines:
Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) offers a free resource for practitioners in the form of the National Perinatal Mental Health Guidelines.
Complex Trauma information:
Blue Knot Foundation provides information for health professionals who work in various capacities with clients with complex trauma histories.
Self-Care webinar:
The MHPN webinar 'Self-care for mental health practitioners', associated case study and supporting resources are available.
If you'd like more ideas, read our article 10 Ideas for Network Meetings.
Get in touch with me if you have any questions and to set a date for your next meeting.
Welcome baby Liam!
Jacqui and Cathal welcomed baby Liam into the world Friday 28th June at 2:19 pm weighing 4.38 kg (9lb 11oz) and 55cm. Conor is very excited to be a big brother.
Liam and Jacqui are both doing well and enjoying getting to know one another.
Kind regards,
Ashleigh Blair
Project Officer
Email: a.blair@mhpn.org.au
Direct line: 03 8662 6619
Freecall: 1800 209 031
Essential resources
Meeting planner
Current financial support
Awareness Calendar
Survey Tool fact-sheet
MHPN's webinar library has 100+ great resources for network meetings.
Watch past webinars
Webinar: Collaborating to recognise and address depression in cannabis users.
Register to attend
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Emirates House
Level 6, 257 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria
Australia
P: 1800 209 031 E: contactus@mhpn.org.au
