The government has recently announced a Senate Inquiry into the Accessibility and Quality of Mental Health Services in Rural and Remote Australia. WAAMH will be completing a submission for the inquiry and would like to hear what you think about mental health in rural and remote areas of WA.

To ensure that we are presenting a genuine and focussed regional perspective, we are keen to hear as many voices from rural and remote WA as possible, and to represent those voices in the WAAMH submission and advocacy work. There are three options to contribute:

1) Complete the quick WAAMH feedback survey

2) Provide written information to WAAMH to Elizabeth Connor (Systemic Advocacy Officer) at Econnor@waamh.org.au

3) Talk to our advocacy team on the phone at 6246 3034 (Elizabeth Connor, Systemic Advocacy Officer).

More information on the WAAMH website.
Senate Inquiry website, including terms of reference for the inquiry.

The independent Mental Health Advocacy Service recently released a report on compliance by WA mental health services into the Treatment, Support and Discharge Plans required under Mental Health Act as of 2015. It found that although pockets of good practice exist, the cultural change needed to make these shifts hasn’t happened and no services fully comply with the changed requirements, meaning patient and carer rights are being breached daily in WA mental health services.

The law requires the plans must be in place and guide all treatment and support for involuntary patients, that patients and their support persons must be involved in the plan’s development, they must receive a copy, and that the plan must be prepared and reviewed in accordance with Chief Psychiatrists’ Guidelines. Key reasons for the failures were that psychiatrists lacked knowledge about their responsibility to ensure these plans were developed, a lack of processes existed for involving consumers, and that clinicians did not appreciate the therapeutic benefits and improved outcomes which can result from quality plans.

MHAS has called for leadership by key agencies - health providers, Department of Health, the Chief Psychiatrist and other bodies - to ensure future compliance. View report here.

The Mental Health Advocacy Service is seeking an Advocate in the Broome and Bunbury areas to help protect rights and assist involuntary patients under the Mental Health Act 2014. No specific qualifications are required but you do need some knowledge about mental health issues, a passion for human rights and good written and oral advocacy skills . Working hours vary but are not full-time and are flexible (exceptions would be travelling to Perth for training and Tribunal hearings). Contact MHAS for the information package on mhas.recruitment@mhas.wa.gov.au. Applications close Monday, 16 April 2018 at 8.30am.

Neighbourhood & Community Resource Centres (CRCs) are the beating heart of 105 regional and remote towns throughout WA – often the only place providing videoconferencing, computer and training facilities for hundreds of kilometres - yet in 2019 they will have their funding cut by more than 40 per cent. As a safe, non-judgemental place for community members to find information and connect with others, these cuts will be a disaster for these communities, increasing digital disadvantage and isolation even further for people from low socio-economic backgrounds. To show your support for CRCs, follow CRCs are the Answer on social media, and see here for more information to get behind the campaign to save these valuable community hubs in WA’s outback. If you use hashtags, here's a selection to use: #morethanjustasmartphone #smallinvestmentbigimpact #strengthinplace #saveourcrcs

Want to find out more about Recovery Colleges and their value? The WA Mental Health Commission is holding an information session on April 10, and again on April 11, led by Jane Rennison from the UK, an international expert and Senior Consultant for Implementing Recovery through Organisational Change (ImROC). More information (and to book) here.

At the same time, the Recovery College of WA Ltd, with support from WAAMH, is working to establish a model for use in both metro and rural areas, using a Recovery College approach.

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.

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
8 May Sexual & Gender Diversity & Mental Health – PERTH
10 May Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – BUNBURY
15 May Postvention & Healing from Suicide and Crisis - PERTH
16 May Understanding & Managing Depression - PERTH
18 May Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Tools - PERTH
21 May Mania, Euphoria and Grandiosity - PERTH

Our place in society influences our experiences, affects our health, welfare, security, and contentment. Place is where we struggle and where we dream, and place can be the foundation for shared community vision. The 'Making Place' Conference is a chance for us to have conversations about, and to learn from, place-based initiatives while championing place in the future. A must for those in the community services sector.  1-3 May 2018, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. More information here.

You are invited to join advocacy group Mental Health Matters 2's eighth birthday and community discussion evening. With the theme, 'Using your voice for change: What works, what doesn't?', the celebration will feature panellists David Shakespeare (consumer), Debra Sobott (family member & state/national advocate, Louise Howe (Consumer Advisor, Mental Health Commission), Mark Hills (nurse, manager and volunteer), Barry MacKinnon (former State political leader and current political commentator) and Mike Seward (Senior Mental Health Advocate, Mental Health Advocacy Service). Welcome to Country will be delivered by Nyoongar man, Jim Cain.
When: Tuesday, April 10, 2018, 7-9pm
Where: 182 Lord Street, Perth
RSVP: Place limited to RSVP via email to mentalhealthmatters2@gmail.com or text 0413 861 049.

The National Mental Health Commission has announced the Australian Mental Health Leaders Fellowship, a prestigious program for early and emerging leaders who have a passion and commitment to improving outcomes for people with lived experience of mental health issues. It consists of five components:

1. Residential learning and networking workshops
2. One week of experiential learning in a workplace environment providing exposure to leadership roles in various work settings, and the opportunity for reflecting on the leadership styles participants observe
3. Diagnostic and assessment tools measuring leadership style, strengths and capabilities
4. A 12-month mentoring program
5. A collaborative group project conducted over approximately six months to assist participants to apply what they have learnt to practical and contemporary issues.

Who should apply?
People who have demonstrated commitment and engagement in leadership related to improving mental health outcomes in the Australian community. This could include (but is not limited to):

• Mental health service delivery in government, non-government organisations, not for profit organisations and charities, and roles involved in the mental health policy arena
• Clinicians and administrative workers in mental health, community health, hospital and health services
• Carers and consumers of mental health services with demonstrated engagement to influence outcomes at a system level
• Employees in sectors where mental health issues are prominent (e.g. first responders such as police, fire and emergency and ambulance services, education, child protection, justice and corrections); and
• Representatives from organisations and sectors that promote mental health issues, health and wellbeing including sporting organisations, media and communications, and community services.

In particular, the fellowship seeks the involvement of mental health consumers and carers. More information, including the full application pack will soon be available on the National Mental Health Commission’s website. Enquiries can be directed to 02 8229 7550 or by email to AMHLF@mentalhealthcommission.gov.au.