One of the reasons I was so pleased to join WAAMH was due to our recent work together on reform of the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Accused) Act (CLMIA), so it is perhaps fitting that my first fortnight in the role has seen the release of two important reports on the State’s justice system.

The first, from humanitarian organisation Human Rights Watch, detailed confronting treatment of WA prisoners with mental health issues and galvanises our efforts to ensure they have access to adequate treatment services. See the media release further in this newsletter for WAAMH’s full recommendations. A further report, from the Telethon Kids Institute, revealed nine out of 10 children in WA detention facilities have severe levels of neurological impairment. Given the cognitive impairment/mental health correlation, and with the knowledge that 65 per cent of WA youth detainees have mental health disorders, the reform of the CLMIA Act takes on a new urgency and we look forward to the realisation of the Government’s promise to do this within its first two years.

Also during the month, there was a third important report from Community Mental Health Australia and the University of Sydney, detailing emerging gaps in the NDIS relating psychosocial disability. WAAMH President Kerry Hawkins spoke to both national and local media on what this report means and its impact on those in WA attempting to connect with the scheme.

Thank you to all who have made me feel so welcome in my first few weeks; I’m looking forward to engaging with many of you over the coming months to learn how we can best represent the interests of our members and wider mental health community.

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

The Government’s Sustainable Health Review has a strong focus on mental health and is looking at ways to make WA’s health system more effective and more sustainable. Shifting focus to prevention of mental health issues and earlier, community-based and holistic care would mean people can access care where and when they need it – improving mental health and wellbeing. Have your say by completing this important consumer survey from the Health Consumers Council.  

The Statewide Consumer, Family and Carer Engagement Framework Steering Committee (comprised of consumers, families and significant others, support persons, peak bodies and service providers), in collaboration with the Mental Health Commission (MHC), have released the draft 'Working Together: An Engagement Framework for the Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Sector: 2018 – 2025' for feedback. This can be provided online, by email, by phone, in writing or in person, and a Feedback Guide is available to assist stakeholders. More information here.

People looking for alcohol and other drug services or community-managed mental health services in WA can find them in The Green Book. The WA Network of Alcohol & other Drug Agencies (WANADA) is currently reviewing the Green Book and is seeking your feedback. There's still time to complete the quick five-minute Green Book Directory Survey before the closing date on February 21. Further feedback can be provided after this date directly to info@greenbook.org.au or call (08) 6557 9400.

AOD consumers are invited to attend a ‘think-tank’ forum on 20 February for input on establishing an AOD consumer peak and AOD consumer training needs. To be considered for attendance at the Consumer Forum the submission of a simple Expression of Interest is required by 5pm, 11 February. This can be completed online. Consumers with any questions about the forum can contact a fellow consumer member on 0414 603 043.

The forum has been developed by the Transitional Alcohol and Other Drug Advisory Group - a group of consumers who have been meeting regularly since 2016, hosted by the Health Consumers’ Council, funded by the WA Primary Health Alliance and also including key AOD organisations in our state.
More information here.

THE WA Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) is calling for an urgent response to a Human Rights Watch report released last week detailing shocking treatment of WA prisoners with mental health issues. Among a range of recommendations, we are calling for: 

• An immediate end to the practise of solitary confinement of people with mental health conditions
• A dramatic increase in the number of forensic health beds – there has been no increase in the beds available since 1993 despite a three-fold increase in the WA prison population during that time
• Access to appropriate and specialised community mental health treatment services – modelling shows a four-fold increase in community based forensic support is needed
• The development of a statewide cross-sector Disability Justice Strategy

WAAMH CEO Taryn Harvey appeared on ABC Radio on 7 February to discuss the issues raised in the report.
View the WAAMH media release here.
View a joint media release from WA peaks.
View Human Rights Watch report 'I Needed Help, Instead I Was Punished'.

WAAMH President Kerry Hawkins spoke recently in her capacity as Vice-President of Community Mental Health Australia on the ABC Radio National program Health Report with Dr Norman Swan about the recent report on emerging gaps in NDIS coverage for people with psychosocial disability. This was followed on 30 January with an interview by Gareth Parker on 6PR Mornings to provide a local perspective. View the Mind the Gaps report from the University of Sydney and CMHA.

WAAMH President Kerry Hawkins was also interviewed recently regarding the funding announcement in January of funding for further youth mental health services in WA and calls for expanded services in Esperance.
View the article here.

The WAAMH submission in response to the Mental Health Commission’s draft ‘Mental Health Promotion, Mental Illness and Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Plan 2018–2025’ consultation process is now available on the WAAMH website. Our submission calls for a stronger focus on the social determinants of mental health in the plan, a more integrated approach, a stronger emphasis on the importance of co-design and co-production, and clear and accountable governance.

January 24, 2018 marked an exciting milestone for people with a lived experience of mental health/AOD issues with the first official meeting of the new Board of Recovery College WA (RCWA), having transitioned after four years from a Task Group to a Steering Committee, and now into an official company limited by guarantee while retaining its not-for-profit status.

The college aspires to play a big role in ‘Personal Recovery’ education and training. Importantly, RCWA will be open to people who have experienced mental distress (regardless of if they have a diagnosis or not), their family and carers, mental health professionals and community members and all courses will be co-designed, co-produced and co-taught by people with a lived experience of mental health recovery. Stay tuned for further updates!

The inaugural Recovery College WA Board
Pam Gardner, Chairperson and Director
Lyn Mahboub, Deputy Chair and Director
Debbie Childs, Treasurer and Director
Tony Hume, Company Secretary and Director
Andrew Markovs, Director
Kerry Hawkins, Director
Sharon Karas, Director
Julie Jamieson, Director
Jonine Jancey, Director
Antonella Segre, Director
Carli Sheers, Member

The 2018 round of Dream it Forward small grants program is now open, focusing on the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families, and communities in WA. Dream it Forward projects keep culture strong and are based on needs identified by community, for community, and delivered by community. Grants are capped at $7000 and the application deadline in March 1, 2018. More information, guidelines and application form here.

Registrations are now open for this conference, this year with the theme ‘Leading the Way: Embracing New Opportunities in the Alcohol and other Drug Sector’, to be held on 20-21 March, 2018 at the Novotel Langley Perth. To view the program and register go to the 2018 WA AOD Conference website.
WANADA is pleased to offer consumers, family members and regional, rural and remote alcohol and other drug workers and volunteers subsidies to attend, thanks to Lotterywest. Learn more at WANADA's 2018 WA AOD Conference Subsidies. Applications close Monday 19 February 2018.

FREE workshop valued at over $500, exclusively for WAAMH members, to be held on 9-10 April. Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention is a two-day workshop designed for professionals and para-professionals in the human services whose roles bring them into regular contact with people at risk of suicide.
Click here for full details.

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.

15 Mar De-Escalation Techniques - BROOME
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 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
16-17 Apr Everyday Counselling Skills (2-day Workshop) - PERTH
18 Apr Positive Psychology Tools - PERTH
23 Apr Mental Health Law: Let's Act Up! - PERTH

Register for the second webinar in this professional development series to be held on Wednesday 21 February and hear presentations from an expert panel, covering core treatment principles and strategies. Funded by the Australian Government, this webinar is free for practitioners and eligible for RACGP QI & CPD points, ACCRM points and CPD self-report.
When: Wednesday, 21 February at 7.15–8.30 pm AEDT (4.15-5.30pm WA time).
Bookings and more information.

This training will enhance your knowledge so you feel more comfortable working with child protection issues and develop your confidence in engaging with Child Protection and Family Support. Handouts for practitioners and parents will also be available.
When: Tuesday, 20 February, 9.30am - 12.30pm
Where: FINWA Office, 156 Vincent Street, North Perth (corner of Fitzgerald St)
Cost: $50
Bookings: Go to http://bit.ly/2DVXAyA or email michelle.twigger@ruah.org.au.

'Alternatives to Suicide' is an innovative, peer led suicide prevention approach from Western Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community (USA). Two of their trainers, Sera Davidow and Caroline Mazel-Carlton are returning to Australia to provide further information and training from 5 to 22 March 2018. View further details about the Perth program and forms. Questions can be directed to alternativesforum@mercycare.com.au.
The program is held on behalf of the WA Steering Committee: MercyCare, CoMHWA, ConnectGroups, HelpingMinds, Suicide Prevention Australia, University of WA (Centre for Aboriginal Medicine and Dentistry), Margaret Doust, Ella Macnish and Kai Schweizer (individual members).