The government’s Sustainable Health Review is the most important opportunity to influence the mental health landscape in our State for many years. Here at the peak body for community mental health we are heartened to see that the interim report of the review – released last week – has acknowledged many of the concerns raised by WAAMH on behalf of our members, including the lack of consumer involvement in design and delivery, balancing the system towards prevention and the benefits of community support to a sustainable system, and the inertia against change and innovation.

But there are still many open questions about mental health, and we are concerned that review has left open whether an independent Mental Health Commission should remain – the need for this is strongly held by our members to drive recovery and genuine reform.

The review was announced by the State Government in June 2017 with the aim of developing a more sustainable health system for Western Australia and had over 300 public submissions – a clear message from industry and public that change is urgently needed.

It is now calling for feedback on the interim report and I urge you to review WAAMH’s analysis further in this eNews and pass on your thoughts so that we are able to provide a strong and balanced response representing the views of a good sample of our membership. We will continue to advocate until the final report is due in November 2018, and will bring you opportunities to further engage with the review – watch this space for details.

Taryn Harvey, Chief Executive Officer
Western Australian Association for Mental Health

There's just a few days left to check in with us - simply email membership@waamh.org.au and we’ll send you the link to complete it by Friday, 16 March. You'll go in the draw to win FREE training from our Semester Two 2018 WAAMH public training calendar. If you are not already a WAAMH member, you can find out more here.

Mental Health Minister Roger Cook recently released the WA Government's interim report of the Sustainable Health Review. Not just another review, the government is adamant its recommendations will inform health and mental health reform so it’s essential that if you are a mental health consumer, family or carer, or provider, you have your say.

WAAMH has reviewed the report and has compiled an analysis. We urge members to review the Interim Report (for which an Executive Summary is available) and provide feedback - either to us directly or via the survey or public Q&A sessions being held this week. All information can be found here.

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has released its Community Services Procurement Schedule 2018 - 2025. WAAMH will be compiling questions in response - including requesting more detail on timelines - and invites members to direct any questions they have to mjones@waamh.org.au. We will compile responses to communicate back to the sector.

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety is seeking feedback on a draft code of practice for mentally healthy workplaces for fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers in the resources and construction sectors in WA. The code is designed for those who have functions or responsibilities to manage exposure, as far as practicable, to psychosocial hazards and factors at workplaces, including the implementation of appropriate controls; strategies and programs for intervention, recovery and promotion of wellbeing; and monitoring and review (e.g. statutory reporting). Submissions close Thursday 19 April 2018. More information here.

CoMHWA, Carers WA and HelpingMinds would like to hear your views as an individual, family member or carer about what additional advice, guidance or training could help clinical staff and teams to provide the best recovery supports. This might be to do with guidance or instructions to staff on how to:

• Respect consumer and carer rights and dignity
• Support consumer and carer participation
• Support people’s safety and physical health
• Support people’s mental health recovery, including recovery from addictions
Your views will be used by our organisations throughout 2018 for feedback, advice and advocacy to clinical services. The survey is open until 31 March.
Go to the survey now.

The rollout of the NDIS in WA continues, with life-changing supports for people with psychosocial disability (mental health issues) who can access the scheme. WAAMH and others have major concerns about the numbers of people currently accessing federally funded mental health supports who will not be eligible for the NDIS and may lose supports when these programs end. These programs include PHaMs, PiR and MH Carer Respite.

We are calling for a statewide strategy to focus efforts on people most at risk of falling through the cracks, and are supporting our national partners to improve NDIS design and federal mental health funding. If you have on-the-ground information about mental health and the NDIS roll-out that might assist these advocacy efforts please contact Chelsea McKinney on 6246 3003 or email cmckinney@waamh.org.au.

A game-changing project now underway at WAAMH will potentially change the way youth mental health services are delivered in the future. It’s long been acknowledged that fragmented delivery and eligibility for mental health services as a person grows into adolescence and adulthood often causes confusion and stress as young people and their families and carers try to navigate the various systems.

This new project, led by WAAMH and funded by the Department of Finance, is investigating the many journeys a young person can have when they seek help for mental health issues, resulting in a comprehensive picture of the “pain points” when seeking help. Scoping interviews have recently been completed with young people who have experience of youth mental health services, allowing researchers to look at the overarching themes, with a further 35 interviews set to be completed by May.

The advisory group includes representatives from Youth Focus, Telethon Kids Institute, Anglicare, YACWA and NMAHS. Find out more here.

The second annual Mental Health & NDIS Conference has been booked for 31 October - 1 November, 2018 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. More details soon.

Join us for a second opportunity to discover the human faces behind those with a lived experience of mental ill health at this intimate and uplifting performance by participants of WAAMH's 'Recovery Stories' program, showcasing the courage, humour, tragedy and triumph of those who journey with mental health issues. We hope to see you there!
When: Tuesday 27 March from 5.30-9.30pm
Where: WorkZone Building, Level 1, 1 Nash Street, Perth
Cost: $25
Purchase tickets now.
This Healthway-funded event may feature confronting content however the focus is on recovery, resilience and strength.

Mental Health First Aid is the internationally acclaimed equivalent of standard first aid. With kind funding from WAPHA, WAAMH is pleased to offer three FREE courses in May and June 2018 in Mirrabooka, Midland and Merriwa. This course is primarily for Aboriginal people. Employees of non-government Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander service organisations who work regularly with Aboriginal communities may also attend. Places are limited. Book now.

Below is just a taste of our full training offering this semester. Go to the WAAMH website to see the entire semester one offering and to Book your place now.

16 Mar Drugs, Alcohol & Mental Health - BROOME
20 Mar De-Escalation Techniques - ROCKINGHAM
20 Mar Drugs, Alcohol & Mental Health- PERTH
27 Mar Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - PERTH
3 Apr Dual Disability: Mental Health & Disability - PERTH
3 Apr Influential Public Speaking for Change Makers - Tuesday series - 03/04-29/05 - PERTH
5 Apr De-escalation Techniques - BUNBURY
10 Apr Safe Professional Boundaries - PERTH
12 Apr De-Escalation Techniques - ESPERANCE
13 Apr Drugs, Alcohol & Mental Health - ESPERANCE
18 Apr Positive Psychology Tools - PERTH
23 Apr Mental Health Law: Let's Act Up! – PERTH
1 May Understanding Self-Harm – PERTH
7 May Marketing Services in a Consumer-Choice Landscape – Perth
8 May Sexual & Gender Diversity & Mental Health – PERTH
10 May Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – BUNBURY
14 May De-escalation Techniques - PERTH

Reclink is a national not-for-profit organisation that has a national program of initiatives that aim to reduce barriers for those who don't traditionally access main stream sport and recreation, but would greatly benefit from the physical and mental wellbeing that comes with it. With over 50 WA members already, agencies who provide services and support to people with mental ill health are invited to join Reclink by completing the online registration form and processing a nominal fee of $130. Once members, agencies are able to bring their clients along to any of the sport and recreation programs on offer, including kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, ten pin bowling, swim and gym, and many more. A full list of programs currently on offer in WA is available on the Reclink website. For further information contact State Manager Michelle Duffield on 0423 510 498 or michelle.duffield@reclink.org.

The RISE/MIFWA Peer Worker Course might just be for you! The course starts Monday 9th April 2018 (9.30am-3.30pm) and runs for six consecutive weeks finishing 14 May, costing $50.

Want to know more?
For more information join us on Monday, 26 March 2018 from 10am–2.30pm. To register, or for more details contact either Rebecca Fitzpatrick (0447 855 693 or rebecca.fitzpatrick@risenetwork.com.au) or Michael Akkermans (0417 857 735 or michael.akkermans@risenetwork.com.au).