FOLLOWING the election of the McGowan Labor government and the appointment of Roger Cook as Minister for Mental Health, the Western Australian Association for Mental Health has written to the new minister, provided him and the parliamentary secretary Alanna Clohessy with an incoming government briefing (see below), and sought a meeting as soon as possible.

We are eager to ensure the new government makes early progress on the shift in focus of services from acute to community as detailed in the Ten Year Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Plan.

WAAMH is also seeking input into the review by Stephen Dawson, the new Minister for Disability Services, on the decision by the previous government to go with the WA National Disability Insurance Scheme model. WAAMH’s aim is to ensure the needs of people with psycho-social disability and their services are fully accounted for in the future direction and management of the NDIS in WA.

Also this month, there is an opportunity to have input into our survey on future needs of the community mental health workforce, so make your views known!

Rod Astbury
Chief Executive Officer
Western Australian Association for Mental Health

WITH the State election now behind us and the McGowan Labor Government in place, WAAMH has extended a warm welcome to the new Minister for Mental Health The Hon. Roger Cook MLA. 

We have provided the Minister with an ‘Incoming Government Brief’ for mental health.  This brief provides a platform from which to build our relationship with the new government. 

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Mental Health is The Hon. Allana Clohesy MLC.  Some of the key points to be found in our brief acknowledge the election commitments of the McGowan Labor Government and also point the way forward in putting the needs of consumers and carers at the centre; addressing areas of underinvestment; implementing the MHAOD Plan; and working across portfolios where complex challenges exist.

Download our briefing to Roger Cook here.

THE commitment to a ‘WA NDIS’ immediately prior to the recent State election led to an early challenge for the incoming Minister for Disability Services, The Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC. 

During the election period it became clear an incoming Labor Government would examine the selection and possibly make changes. It is now known the Minister is consulting and seeking a range of views to inform the Government’s final position on the merits of ‘WA NDIS’ or ‘NDIS’ (the national model). 

WAAMH will be using all avenues at its disposal to assist Mr Dawson in recommending to Cabinet the model that best addresses the needs and challenges of people with psycho-social disabilities. 

We will update you with any information that comes to hand in doing this, but in the meantime if there are pressing concerns which would inform this debate and you think WAAMH should know about them, please send us a brief email to info@waamh.org.au.

THE National Mental Health Commission is calling on consumers, carers, families and support people to share housing and homelessness experiences in relation to mental health through its online consultation this month.

Complete survey or find out more here.

Survey closes 24 April 2017.

STANDARD registrations for the Towards Elimination of Restrictive Practices 11th National Forum have sold out, however lived experience delegate registrations are still available. People who have a lived experience with mental health services have valuable information to share about improvements that can be made to these services.

Don’t miss the opportunity to have your voice heard and stand up for the rights of consumers, carers and family members across Australia!
Click here to register. 

Travel subsidies are also now available.
Click here for more information on travel subsidies.

This year's theme is 'Working together, a culture of care' plus the forum will feature fantastic entertainment from Perth-based singer Syndee Carter. The forum will include panel discussions; concurrent streams based on experiences, research, case studies and results; poster presentations; and a formal dinner with the keynote speakers.

For more information, please visit the WAAMH website and follow the TERP 11 forum on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates. 

In 2017, Mental Health Week will have a strong focus on the healing properties and importance of nature, connecting with the community, and
self-empowerment. 

Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing, and more engagement with rural, remote and regional WA will also feature heavily this year.

The MHW Sponsorship Prospectus is now available for you to review the amazing options on offer to increase the reach, recognition and exposure of your brand and services in the wider community as part of Mental Health Week, 8-14 October 2017.  
More at: mhw.waamh.org.au

POSITIVE Schools is Australia’s premier mental health, wellbeing and positive education conference series for all primary and secondary teachers, school leaders and allied health professionals.

This year it's on 25 - 26 May at the Rydges in Fremantle.

Join 3000 colleagues across Australia to to see 14 keynote presentations, 10 workshops and spice up your lunchtimes with Mindfood.

Find out more at: http://positiveschools.com.au

PARENTS and schools are being urged to encourage students and children to join innovative youth program, The Big Splash when it comes to Perth early next year.

A 'Wild in Art' event will take place in the streets, parks and public spaces of Perth and surrounds from January - March 2018, featuring a huge pod of wildly colourful dolphin sculptures painted by local artists 'swimming' into town as part of a mass public art exhibition.

This event aims to raise awareness and support for Perth Children’s Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit.

For more information on The Big Splash, click here.

DO you work in community mental health sector? We need to hear your views to help shape and inform our workforce development project.

We would appreciate if you could take around 10 - 15 minutes of your time to complete one of the two surveys relevant to you, below.

Workers survey
This survey is for the general workforce employed in non-government organisations which provide services to clients with mental health issues.

Managers survey
This survey is for managers/coordinators of non-government organisations providing services to clients with mental health issues.

Closing date for survey completion is Saturday, 8 May 2017.

All information provided will remain anonymous and confidential. Responses will be reported as summary information and no individual or organisation will be identified.

Further information at: https://waamh.org.au/development-and-training/workforce-development-project.aspx

10 April 2017
Mental Health Communication
Whether you are a specialist service provider in the Mental Health Sector or someone dealing with the general public, a strong suite of communication skills for engaging with people experiencing mental health difficulties is essential.

11 & 12 April 2017
Co-Design Training
Held across two days, this course will assist participants to understand and implement co-design. Looking beyond surface change, co-design identifies some of the partnership and collaborative practices that have the potential to transform the way in which mental health services are delivered.

12 April 2017
Positive Psychology Tools 
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing, and offers a suite of practical tools to help everyone live an optimal life. Pragmatic, enjoyable and gentle, this course encourages participants to build and maintain wellbeing and provides a diverse suite of take-home tools and resources.

18 April 2017
WA Mental Health Awards FREE Nomination Writing Workshop
Learn how to submit a winning nomination.

19 & 20 April 2017
Mental Health First Aid
The two-day interactive course is designed to equip you with the skills and resources to recognise and respond appropriately to someone experiencing a mental health crisis, until professional help arrives.

27 April 2017
Individualised Services & Person-Centred Care
Person centred care is all about responding to individual needs and preferences when providing health and community services. This engaging and stimulating course, invites those interested in mental health, disability, health / aged care to discover practical, incremental ways to evolve existing services and create new ideas.

2 May 2017
Recovery Oriented Practice
This engaging and stimulating course, invites mental health workers to explore the principles of recovery-oriented practice and find ways to better support consumers’ recovery journey.

3 May 2017
De-escalation Techniques - BUNBURY
This course is designed to assist service providers and front-line staff to respond appropriately to threatening, violent, aggressive and other unexpected or inappropriate behaviour.

4 - 5 May 2017
Towards Elimination of Restrictive Practices 11th National Forum
(formerly Seclusion & Restraint Reduction Forum) Only lived experience delegate registrations remaining.

8 &12 May 2017
Co-Design Training
5 SPOTS LEFT!
Held across two days, this course will assist participants to understand and implement co-design. Looking beyond surface change, co-design identifies some of the partnership and collaborative practices that have the potential to transform the way in which mental health services are delivered.

9 May 2017
Culturally Diverse Mental Health 
A person’s ethic background, personal faith and cultural community can have a profound impact on their experience of mental illness as a consumer or carer, appropriate treatment options and their service needs. This course is designed to assist mental health workers to understand diverse needs and improve service delivery for CaLD communities.

10 May 2017
Mental Health Communication - BUNBURY
Whether you are a specialist service provider in the Mental Health Sector or someone dealing with the general public, a strong suite of communication skills for engaging with people experiencing mental health difficulties is essential.

11 May 2017
Re-thinking Thoughts 
Our thoughts create our experiences. To a large extent it is our internal “self talk” and the nature of our “mental life”, which determines our moods, emotions, subjective experiences and ultimately our quality of life.

11 May 2017
Persuasive Speaking Showcase
A showcase of persuasive speaking skills from participants in WAAMH's Influential Public Speaking for Change-Makers course.

16 May 2017
Co-Creation: Organisational Readiness for Co-Design
Co-creation is the first step. This one day Workshop for Mental health Service providers focuses on co-creation strategies for capacity building organisational readiness for integrating Co-design principles and processes into service delivery.

17 May 2017
De-escalation Techniques - ALBANY
This course is designed to assist service providers and front-line staff to respond appropriately to threatening, violent, aggressive and other unexpected or inappropriate behaviour.

18 May 2017
Mental Health Communication - ALBANY
Whether you are a specialist service provider in the Mental Health Sector or someone dealing with the general public, a strong suite of communication skills for engaging with people experiencing mental health difficulties is essential.

23 May 2017
Recording Consumer Information 
This workshop assists mental health workers to develop and maintain quality consumer records and ensure information kept is useful and appropriate.

23 May 2017
Mental Health Careers Seminar 
Mental health is a growing sector in Australia. With 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental illness every year, organisations look for skilled, compassionate and recovery-oriented staff to undertake a diverse number of support roles. (Subsidised event.)

24 May 2017
Co-existing Disorders, Addiction & Mental Health - BUNBURY
This one-day workshop examines the complex relationship between substance use or addiction and mental health problems. Learn about the relationship between substance use and mental health issues and how one causes the other and why they so often will occur together.

30 May 2017
Co-Creation, Organisational Readiness for Co-Design
Co-creation is the first step. This one day workshop for mental health service providers focuses on co-creation strategies for capacity building organisational readiness for integrating Co-design principles and processes into service delivery.

31 May 2017
Co-existing Disorders, Addiction & Mental Health - PERTH
This one-day workshop examines the complex relationship between substance use or addiction and mental health problems. Learn about the relationship between substance use and mental health issues and how one causes the other and why they so often will occur together.

View more information and register for any of these training courses and events here: waamh.org.au/events

The WA Mental Health Conference and Awards are fast approaching with a stellar line up of presenters.

Don't forget to join our Facebook event as we're announcing conference presenters, topics and news there regularly.

Haven't got your tickets yet? Don't worry, you can still purchase your conference tickets at waamh.org.au/conference
 

Nominate someone for a WA Mental Health Award

IF you're thinking of nominating an individual, organisation or project you can find more information at waamh.org.au/awards or why not attend one of our nomination writing workshops. Or, if you have a group of six or more, we'll tailor a workshop to you! Email our awards project officer Haley at hhibbitt@waamh.org.au to arrange yours today.
Nominations close 12 May 2017. Find out more about the awards here.

The Mental Health Rights & Recourse forum is being held on 2 June 2017. The forum will explore the rights of consumers, carers and service providers across the mental health landscape and the recourse from lead agencies.

Keynote Speakers:

• Dr Nathan Gibson - Chief Psychiatrist, Office of the Chief Psychiatrist (WA)
• Debora Colvin - Chief Mental Health Advocate, Mental Health Advocacy Service (WA)
• Michael Hawkins - President, Mental Health Tribunal (WA)

Price:
Members: $25
Non- Members: $35

Click here for more information.

The Mental Health Rights & Recourse is provided by the Western Australian Association for Mental Health in partnership with the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist, Mental Health Advocacy Service, the Mental Health Tribunal, Consumers of Mental Health WA, HelpingMinds, MHM2 and Health Consumers Council. 

The Mental Health Services annual conference will be held in Sydney this year from 29 August - 1 September. Award submissions for TheMHS Awards are now open.

Key award dates include:
Online submission: Now Open
Expressions of Interest: Now Open
Service, Program, Research,
Outstanding Contribution Awards close: 19 April 2017
Notification:  Early June 2017
Media Awards close: 26 April 2017
Notification: Late June 2017

TheMHS Awards celebrate the passion and dedication of those working in mental health. With 16 different awards for excellence, innovation and best practice for Programs, Services, Research, Evaluation, Media and Outstanding Individuals, everyone is eligible, no matter how big or small their endeavour. 

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the awards submission process, contact awards@themhs.org or call +61 02 9810 8700.
For full Award details and online application submission, visit themhs.org

DRESS for Success - which supports women back into employment - is looking to secure some office space, potentially with another not-for-profit.

It has the following requirements:

• 200sqm would be ideal for all facilities combined with the following co-located:
• Larger boutique area with two or more change rooms (or small boutique with interview coaching rooms)
• Two offices for interview coaching
• Office space for three employees including operations manager
• Reception area with room to display a couple of racks of clothes
• Small kitchen area/staff room/breakout area and for storing staff/volunteer personal possessions

The following can be co-located or separate from the above or each other:

• Area to receive, sort and store donations
• Access to a room for board meetings and workshops for up to 15 people (based on one workshop per week which could also be held on client premises, and one board meeting per month, this does not have to be owned or leased full time – can book ad hoc or use others’ premises)

Also needs to have:

• Suitable parking for clients, staff/volunteers and donors that do drive. Could have space for clothing donation bins outside.
• Accessible for people with disability (wheelchair)
• Needs to be able to show signage (externally on the building)
• Have security – be able to lock office space from walk-ins if need be; have client interaction at the front of the premise and staff space at the back.
• Best located within 500m of Armadale train line, preferably Cannington.
• Need space from end July/August for one year plus option to extend.

If you can help, please contact Justine Coyler at: Justine.Colyer@risenetwork.com.au