News and resources from the community-managed mental health sector No images? Click here ACT Mental Health Sector UpdateIn this Sector Update, find:
Our next Sector Update will be on 8 December. Let us know if you have anything you'd like us to include by replying to this email. From the CEOIt is already late November, and the end-of-year season is just about here! As we approach the end of a transformative year, I have been enjoying my time recently with the MHCC ACT staff and Board team in planning a purposeful year ahead. When there is so much activity going on in the mental health and community sectors, it can be difficult to set aside time for reflection and strategy. But it is energising to express our ideas, our goals, and our overarching vision so we can make best use of the opportunities available to us. We are continually reminded of how important our advocacy pillars are as events unfold. One of our areas of focus is loneliness, which the World Health Organization has recently declared a “global public health concern”. Going forward, we will be playing our part in addressing this global issue in Canberra as we plan our submission to the Inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT. As a result of ongoing consultation with our members, MHCC ACT have also been able to conduct productive meetings with Members of the Legislative Assembly. This week, I met with Michael Pettersson, Leanne Castley, Emma Davidson, and Rebecca Vassarotti. We have more meetings lined up over the coming weeks, and into the new year. We have been pleased to see the genuine interest ACT MLAs have in mental health, and in our priority areas –
including our upcoming budget bid which will focus heavily on the resourcing our sector needs for the commissioning process, as well as our key thematic priorities: loneliness, perinatal wellbeing, climate and mental health, and justice. We look forward to building on these discussions. · Full Member Ordinary Directors · 1 x Lived Experience Director Finally, an update to let you know that I will be heading on maternity leave soon, until July 2024. I am grateful to be able to leave MHCC in the very capable hands of our Chief Operations Officer, Jane Brownbill, and our wonderful team during this period. I hope to see you at the AGM on Tuesday! - Melanie Poole, CEO MHCC ACT In our sectorIn the newsWHO declares loneliness a ‘global public health concern’ | The Guardian After raising the age, what happens when children commit crimes in the ACT? | The Canberra Times Four in five Australians think income inequality is too high as social cohesion drops | SBS News How the ACT's free 3-year-old preschool will work from 2024 | The Canberra Times Low income earners priced out of Canberra | Canberra Daily Menslink walkers tired but satisfied after an epic trek and an enormous achievement | Riotact 'No need' for security guards at Dhulwa mental health unit, hearing told | The Canberra Times Therapeutic spaces front of mind for CAMHS Southside's new home in Woden | Riotact Trans Awareness Week: “Visibility Is Crucial” | Starr Observer Seeking participantsFinal opportunity to provide feedback on Mental Health Month and win!We'd love your feedback on Mental Health Month, and thanks to our great friends and supporters at Canberra Potters Society, you can go in the draw to win a place in one of their 2024 9 week Adult Pottery Classes. Annual NDIS Conference 2024 Topic & Speaker NominationsThis is your chance to tell the NDIS Conference what matters the most to you right now. You can pitch session ideas, and nominate the talented speakers and artists you think will knock people’s socks off. Feedback on the principles and priorities of a Blueprint for Australia’s not-for-profit (NFP) sector.In October 2022, the Australian Government tasked the Community Services Advisory Group (CSAG) to develop a Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint (NFP Blueprint). In December 2022, CSAG established the Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG). BERG comprises 9 representatives from the Community Services Sector. The BERG is leading the work to develop a fully consulted Blueprint to deliver advice to Government charting out a better future for the Australian not-for-profit (NFP) and charities sector. The Blueprint will be used to develop a suite of sector-led workable and effective options for reform to strengthen social capital and a vibrant sector. The purpose of the consultation is to invite your feedback on the principles and priorities of a Blueprint for Australia’s not-for-profit (NFP) sector. The NFP Sector Development Blueprint Issues Paper (NFP Blueprint Issues Paper) forms the basis of this consultation. The Issues Paper and 2 page Summary Vision document include a number of discussion questions to guide (but not limit) your feedback. You can share your views by addressing some or all of the questions outlined in the Issues Paper, or you may choose to provide us with your feedback and thoughts without responding to any particular question. Australian Mental Health Promotion Practitioner Competency FrameworkMental health promotion is a specialist field of endeavour that focuses on three outcomes:
While the field has existed for some time, it has not always received the attention it deserves. Prevention United is keen to change this, and encourage more people to work in mental health promotion. We believe that having a Competency Framework is one way to achieve this. To ensure that the Competency Framework accurately captures the core knowledge and skills required to be an effective mental health promotion practitioner, we would like people already working in mental health promotion or related fields like health promotion and public health to provide their feedback on a Consultation Draft we have developed. CBR Health and Wellbeing StudyThe ACT Health Directorate has launched a new study, CBR Health and Wellbeing, which collects information about the health and wellbeing of Canberrans. The study will be launched as a pilot to help ACT Health better understand the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ Canberrans. LGBTIQ+ people experience major health disparities compared to the general population, which are often underreported in health surveys. The term LGBTIQ+ is respectfully used as an umbrella term and is not intended to be limited to only those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and/or queer. The study is open until 30 November. Haig Park Community Art Installation Survey 🌳This initiative, generously supported by the City Renewal Authority, aims to blend the vibrant spirit of our community with the animals we share our city with. We're excited to involve you in the creative process by asking you to choose the animals you'd most like to see featured in this public art installation. Your input will help shape the artistic expression that will breathe life into Haig Park and enrich the experiences of all who visit. Join us in making Haig Park a more vibrant and inspiring place to gather and connect. Your participation is not just a survey; it's an opportunity to leave your mark in our city park. What's onMHCC ACT Events and TrainingAGM - Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT Inc.Members of the Mental Health Community Coalition Inc are invited to join us for our 2023 Annual General Meeting. Date: Tuesday 28 November A quorum of members is required for the AGM. Please RSVP toadmin@mhccact.org.au by Monday 27 November. For further details, including relevant documents: https://mhccact.org.au/notice-of-2023-annual-general.../ We hope you can join us and appreciate your continued support. Upcoming eventsTraining and workshops
Conferences and forums
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OpportunitiesAudrey Fagan Board TraineeshipThe Board Traineeship Program aims to support women to develop the skills and expertise in order to increase their participation in decision-making and leadership roles. The Board Traineeship Program will commence in February 2024 and will run over 5 months. The program is free to all participants. Preference will be given to women from diverse backgrounds, women who have been out of the workforce for an extended period, women who are seeking to get into leadership positions and women who work in male-dominated fields. Applications close 14 December. Editorial policy Acknowledgement of Country |