In this Sector Update, find:

• The CEO blog, from Melanie Poole
• Sector News
• Upcoming events from the MHCC ACT and in Canberra
• Lived experience news
• Grants, community resources, and other opportunities

Our next Sector Update will be on 13 October. Let us know if you have anything you'd like us to include by replying to this email.

It’s a busy time here at the MHCC ACT as we prepare for Mental Health Month, run a 2-day workshop to coordinate our members for the remainder of the commissioning process, and keep pace with mental health sector changes. 

Yesterday, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability handed its final report and recommendations to the governor general. The Royal Commission has been ongoing since 2019. The report marks the conclusion of years of testimony by people with lived experience of disability and the organisations that support them. Through this Royal Commission, as well as through the Robodebt Inquiry, we have witnessed the courage of those with lived experience of discrimination and abuse. They have had to relive their most traumatising experiences in order to bring to light systemic abuses toward people with a disability. They have spoken up not only to seek justice and accountability for themselves, but for the many who cannot speak – including those who have lost their lives as a direct result of the abuses of power we have seen exposed. We are committed to holding the government accountable to delivering on this Royal Commission, and to working in deep collaboration with our friends and partners across the disability sector in doing so.  

Recently, The ACT Health Department briefed us on the latest Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Senior Officials (MHSPSO) meeting, which sounds very productive. At the meeting, four First Nations representatives were welcomed. The Black Dog Institute's definition of lived experience, recognising intergenerational trauma and the importance of trauma-informed care, was adopted. It is particularly encouraging to see these steps the MHSPSO has taken to recognise intergenerational trauma and to increase First Nations representation, in the context of the 14 October Referendum on the Voice to Parliament. This period is of course taking an horrific toll on First Nations people, particularly due to the abhorrent racism coming from some members of the “No” campaign (including prominent leaders who should know better). 

The MHSPSO proudly endorsed the Gayaa Dhuwi Declaration Implementation Plan, which will guide reforms under the National Agreement. Notably, officials at the meeting discussed the launch of two national mental health lived experience peak bodies, representing consumers and families/carers/kin. 

Key priorities encompass regional planning guidelines, enhancing equity and access, and fostering collaboration with the private healthcare sector. Additionally, cross-portfolio issues such as domestic violence and substance use were addressed. 

There is a a commitment to transparency and to delivering the first National Annual Progress Report in November 2023, in collaboration with the National Mental Health Commission. 

Next week, we celebrate the start of Mental Health Month with our in-person launch on Tuesday 3 October at the Saltwater Community Centre at 9.30am. I’m looking forward to welcoming ACT Minister for Mental Health, Emma Davidson MLA, consumer representative Rose Beard, Big Picture Academy students, Margot Franklin and Neena Mathee, and Matt Morrissey of the Embrace Disability Group to speak to community mental health on Tuesday morning. We'll also be offering light refreshments. There are still spots available, and we would love to see you there. Please RSVP here. 

From October 1, we will also be promoting our Wellbeing Trail. The trail is a set of fun, daily activities to foster positive mental health. Make sure to follow us on socials, like the Wellbeing trail posts, and tag someone you know, and let us know how your trail goes by tagging us. You’ll go in the draw to win some great prizes which have been kindly donated to us by artisans and restaurants around Canberra. 

Be on the lookout for these posts, starting Sunday, via your favourite social media platform below:

There are many other ways to participate in Mental Health Month over the coming weeks. You can see all the upcoming events in the “What’s On” section below, and visit our Mental Health Month website. 

On 4 and 5 October, we’re also facilitating our Outcomes Measurement Workshop and launching our Mental Health Commissioning Working Group. We will be offering members support and resources to put forward a strong, effective and coordinated voice throughout the remainder of the commissioning process. If you are a leader in our sector and who would like to attend the workshops but has not yet RSVPd, please reach out to me directly, we’d love to have you there. 

Finally, we hope you will join us in looking forward to a positive and exciting Mental Health Month this October, with lots of opportunities to engage with your friends and colleagues in the community and the sector – both online and offline. So often, conversations about mental health are framed in a deficit lens. We see images of people looking downcast, head in their hands, and in the shadows. We see sadness, frustration, isolation, despair. 

But in our sector, we see something else. We see care, passion, dedication, resilience, recovery, community. We recognise that to be human means to have lived experience of both wellbeing, and of mental ill-health, at different times in our lives. We know that sustained wellbeing is possible for all of us when we can access the care we need, and when we can also experience authentic, lasting connection to each other, and to the beautiful environment we live in. Mental Health Month is Canberra’s opportunity to celebrate the ways we look after each other and our environment. And to recognise our sector’s crucial role in fostering care, belonging, and connection.

- Melanie Poole, CEO MHCC ACT

In the news

Why is loneliness on the rise among young Australians? | SBS News

The 'poverty premium': Why it costs more to be poor | SBS News

Apple wants to know if you’re happy or sad as part of its latest software update. Who will this benefit? | The Conversation

Key Indigenous disability network backs Voice to Parliament as 'critical' avenue of support | NIT

For Matthew, 'a third job wasn't a crazy idea', as he struggled with the cost of living | SBS News

Tim Flannery's message to all: rise up and become a climate leader – be the change we need so desperately | The Conversation

'Nervous rants' and crying at school: Teachers say poor mental health is the biggest issue facing Australia's youth | ABC News

'Careful thinking' goes into mental health unit leave, minister says | The Canberra Times

Workplace loneliness is the modern pandemic damaging lives and hurting businesses | The Conversation

7 ways to look after yourself and your community before and after the Voice referendum | The Conversation

'Dysfunctional and underfunded': Calls for urgent mental health reform | The Canberra Times

Mental health advocates say the referendum debate is causing harm. This is what they want from politicians | NITV

Planning and consultations

Participate in the Network’s consumer led and co-designed consultation study into barriers accessing mental health care in the ACT

Do you have lived experience of mental illness? Have you had difficulty accessing mental health services and/or support groups in the ACT?

The ACT Mental Health Consumer Network with funding from an ACTEWAGL Community Grant are conducting a consumer led and co-designed consultation study into barriers accessing mental health care in the ACT and regions.

We need your voice as a mental health consumer to identify the mental health care services and/or supports that you have accessed, tried to access or want to access in the ACT. 

The project will consist of three rounds of consultation, each round consisting of five focus groups, and we strongly encourage participants to attend a focus group in each of the rounds. 

Focus groups will be held in hybrid style to ensure COVID-19 safety – online via Zoom or in person at the Network’s Office. 

In the first round your voice will determine what this research project examines.  We want to know what barriers YOU want the Network to investigate through this project.

Who: up to 40 mental health consumers who have tried to access mental health services and/or supports in the ACT during the last 12 months.
First round -: Mon 9 Oct (5 – 7pm), Wed 11 Oct (10am – 12pm), Frid 13 Oct (1pm – 3pm), Tues 17 Oct (5pm – 7pm) and Thurs 19 Oct (10am – 12pm)
Reimbursement: $75 will be provided to each participant for each Focus Group. You can only attend one Focus Group per round.
Catering: light snacks will be provided, please advise if you have any dietary requirements when registering.
Where: online (details to be provided on registration) and in person (The Griffin Centre, Civic)
Registration: send an email to research@actmhcn.org.au providing your name, which Focus Group(s) you are able to participate in rounds.
Contact: Please contact Dia Andrews or Jen Nixon (research@actmhcn.org.au; 6230 5796) for further information or to register for a Focus Group.

Consultation on the types of psychosocial supports that need to be available outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Mental Health Australia is inviting you to an online consultation that Mental Health Australia and the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) will host on the types of psychosocial supports that need to be available outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

As you may already be aware, the Productivity Commission estimated that 154,000 people are not able to access the psychosocial support services they require outside the NDIS. It estimated the funding shortfall for these services to be in the order of $610 million per year.

Through the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, Australian governments are currently estimating demand compared to current availability of psychosocial supports outside the NDIS. Mental Health Australia in partnership with the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum intends to provide the Australian Government with advice on the evidence-based and best practice psychosocial support services, initiatives and approaches it should prioritise funding after it completes its analysis. This consultation will inform Mental Health Australia’s advice to governments.

Mental Health Australia members and people with lived experience, and carers and family members, will provide feedback on the updated list of psychosocial services.

Date: Thursday 26 October 2023

Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm

Location: Online via Zoom

For more information, to RSVP, or to provide input if you are not available at this time, please email policy@mhaustralia.org.

NDIS General Issues Inquiry

The Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS is seeking information about the implementation, performance, governance, administration and expenditure of the NDIS. In particular, the committee invites input from participants, their carers and family members, service providers, and representative organisations. 

Seeking participants

National Workforce Survey to help improve outcomes for children – plus your chance to win an iPad

Emerging Minds is inviting health and social services workers to complete the 2023 National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental Health. The survey captures current capabilities, practice challenges and learning needs for a broad range of workers in understanding and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and families. You do not need to work with children or have a focus on mental health to participate. Take the Survey, survey closes 15 November.

YWCA Canberra | Our Lives: Women in the ACT

YWCA Canberra are proud to be running the third iteration of the Our Lives: women in the ACT survey. This biannual survey is your opportunity to share your experiences of living in Canberra and the surrounding region and to help us achieve our vision of girls and women thriving. The 2023 survey is for all women and non-binary people who are aged 16 years and over, and who live, work, or study in the ACT or surrounding NSW regions. The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete depending on your responses.

Mental Health Month

Mental Health Month Awards Night

MHCC ACT would love for you to show your support of the Canberra community by attending our End of Year Celebration and Awards Night.

Wednesday, 1 November
5-8pm
Juliet, the upstairs room at Verity Lane Market
50 Northborne Ave, Canberra City

Speakers include:

• Opening by MC Genevieve Jacobs
• Address by the Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh, Federal Charities Minister
• Address by Emma Davidson, ACT Minister for Mental Health
• Sophie Lewis, ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment
• MHCC CEO Melanie Poole
• Award winners

…And more to be announced!

Live Music will be performed by Ben Drysdale of Ben Drysdale music

This is a very special event in the calendar for MHCC and our 48 members - who make up two-thirds of the mental health service sector in the ACT. It's an evening where we reflect on our shared vision of the ACT as a thriving, inclusive and healthy community - a place where all people can experience belonging, connection, safety, healing, and wellbeing, and you are invited to be a part of that.

Book your tickets

Upcoming events

Training and workshops 

• Volunteer Leaders Seminar 2023 - VolunteeringACT A capability-building event for volunteer managers and coordinators, 2 November, 9.30am - 2.30pm

• Lifeline Canberra - Dealing with People in Difficult Situations 3 November, 30 January

• Accidental Counsellor Training - Lifeline Canberra 28 September, 11 October, or 21 November

• Wesley LifeForce First Nations Suicide Prevention Training 3 October, 9.30am - 4pm.

• Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Education Program - ACTCOSS 9 November, 9.30am-4.30pm.

• Lifeline Canberra - ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training 21 September or 7 December

• Using the NDIS - Workshop for people with intellectual disability 22 November, 6.30-8.30pm

• safeTALK - Suicide Alertness Workshop Free for residents of Queanbeyan and surrounding NSW. 23 November, 9.30am - 1.30pm.

• Working Together For Our Booris Symposium Attend a symposium designed and dedicated to raising the voices of our booris (babies/children) to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children in Out of Home Care. 10 October 9.30am-4.30pm

Conferences and forums  

• Women in Leadership Summit 2023, Sydney, 23-26 October.

• Indigenous Wellbeing Conference, Darwin, 30 to 31 October, hosted by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.

• 2023 Rural Mental Health Conference Albury, 8-10 November

• The Australian Association of Social Workers Health Symposium 16 November, Online.

• Third annual Australian Disability Service Conference, Melbourne, 23 November   hosted by One Community. 

• 2023 STOP Domestic Violence Conference, Hobart, 27-29 November.

• 15th Annual Professional Conference Organisers Association Conference & Exhibition 2023 10-12 December, Adelaide

• 2024 Frontline Mental Health Conference Gold Coast, 4-5 March.

• 2024 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference 18-20 March, Gold Coast

• AddictionZ 2024, Breaking the Barriers Conference 29 April - 1 May, Gold Coast

• National Suicide Prevention Conference 2024 30 April - 2 May

• MHomentum 2024 22-24 May, Gold Coast

• 17th National Rural Health Conference, Perth, 16-18 September 2024. (Save the date, link to come)

Other 

• Lake Rattle & Roll Support Lifeline and help break the world twist record. 8 October, 9-10am

• Perinatal Wellbeing Fest. Includes free BBQ, Giggle and Wiggle, face painting, gentle exercise session, stalls, and more! Perinatal Wellbeing Centre, 6 Minns Pl Weston ACT from 11am to 2pm on 10 October. Contact kate@perinatalwellbeing.org.au for more info.

• 6th This Is My Brave Canberra International Mental Health Film Festival 2023 40 films from countries such as Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, India, France, Sweden, China, Germany, Netherlands and of course Australia under the banner. Screening online 1-31 October.

• Kindred Premiere Screening + Q&A | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia6pm, Friday 6 October @ Arc Cinema, NFSA, Acton

• YWCA Canberra: LGBTQIA+ & Allies Prom 2023 Young people are invited to attend; or you can sponsor a ticket for a young person to have the night of their life. TONIGHT 29 September 6-10pm

• MIEACT Fundraising Gala 2023 13 October, 7-11pm

• African Australian Awards, Art, & Cultural Showcase, Phillip, 30 September 5-11.30PM

• Prevent, Empower, Support - Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2023 Forum The Gambling and Racing Commission invites you to participate in Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2023 to discuss how all stakeholders can ‘Prevent, Empower, Support’ to address gambling harm in the ACT. 19 October, 8.30am-12.45pm

• Just Hearing. An innovative Forum Theatre initiative that explores what trauma-informed legal practice might look like. Developed and delivered by lived experience actors and creative team.  

• Private performance for mental health consumers, service providers and advocacy groups – 2:30-4pm | 18^th October 2023|Room 8, Level 2,Griffin Centre, Canberra City (90 minutes no interval) Bookings for private performance here 
• Public Performance - 7-8:30pm | 20^th October 2023 I Main Hall, Gorman Arts Centre (90 minutes no interval) Bookings for public performance here 

Over the past few months, several initiatives and changes have been happening in the Lived Experience Peer Workspace.

Many may be aware of the Safe Haven service that operates from the main the ACT Health building in Belconnen has been in operation for over a year now to great success. The special aspect of the Safe Haven model is that all staff are peer workers with lived experience of mental health challenges. It can support both critical and moderate needs and provides a safe and comfortable alternative to waiting hours in the hospital waiting room.

Recently the Minister for mental health announced a second Safe Haven will be opening at the Canberra Hospital. The MHCC ACT has been involved in the Safe Haven process from its inception and has been actively involved in both the codesign and steering committee.The development of a service that is fully staffed using Lived Experience/Peer professionals is indicative of the ongoing recognition and recognition that Lived Experience Peer Work now enjoys. It can be seen as a real turning point in the recognition of the efficacy of this professional discipline.

For most of us there is something intuitive about the notion of using Lived Experience as a powerful way to support those accessing services, but the recognition of Lived Experience Peer Work as an identified and respected discipline has taken many years of advocacy and activism from consumers and carers to achieve. In many ways the history of the consumer movement and of peer work is one of rights and activism, with consumers actively fighting to overcome discrimination, obtain better conditions and services, have their rights acknowledged and respected, gain social justice and have their voices heard.

In addition to the Safe Haven expansion the ACT Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing have created a lived Experience Director role within the office, this again points to the ACT moving forward to embrace that value of lived experience in all aspects of service delivery and management. Employing Lived Experience Directors is becoming more common recently with organisations such as Mind Australia and Orygen Mental Health also using this role where they have an executive level manager responsible for establishing and maintaining the highest levels of Lived Experience Practice and amplifying the voice of those using services within decision-making at all levels of the organisation.

In times past people with mental health challenges were viewed as “(the other)” as "objects" of charity, medical treatment, and social protection; rather than people with rights, who can claim those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society. This is the cornerstone of Recovery and Recovery Oriented Practice.

We must always remember that a Lived Experience Peer Worker’s role has been the result of decades of activism, the core aspect of Lived Experience Peer Work  is actually making sense of human suffering as part of our existence. It’s a gift only lived experience can give, so I would like to thank all those who have fought for the rights for people with mental health challenges and honor the sacrifices made that have now given us a different way of thinking about mental health.

• Ben Matthews, Sector Development and Lived Experience Officer

Grants

2023/2024 Volunteer Grants

Volunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by enabling the inclusion of vulnerable people and promoting awareness to increase participation in volunteering. The 2023–24 Volunteer Grants Opportunity is open for Expressions of Interest (EOI) through Members of Parliament (MPs). Organisations interested in a grant must contact their local MP to submit an EOI and confirm when their EOI closes. Organisations that are nominated by their MP will be invited to apply for a grant in November 2023.

First Nations Rapid Response Referendum Grant Round - Australian Communities Foundation

One-off grants of between $500 and $2,000 are available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations, community groups and individuals undertaking initiatives that bring community together and provide access to information, resources and support in relation to the upcoming referendum. Apply here.

Other opportunities

Belco Arts - Moments of Connection 

Art and creativity have an important role to play in supporting our wellbeing, and this Mental Health month, we’re celebrating this with a community exhibition Moments of Connection. Artists of all ages, backgrounds and abilities who are living in the ACT and surrounds are invited to submit artworks responding to the exhibition theme. Whether it’s connection with self, with other people, animals, ideas and the wider world around us, we would love for you to share the connections that sustain you. Voting will be open at the Gungahlin Library Foyer from 31 October – 12 November and winners will be notified on Monday 13 November. Entries close Midnight Sunday 29 October. Exhibition runs Tuesday 31 October – Sunday 12 November | Gungahlin Library Foyer.

Perinatal Portraits 

Whether you fancy yourself as the next great photographer of our age, or you're just lucky enough to grab the phone at the right time - we want to see your photos. In fact - Canberra wants to see your photos! To prove it, we will hang your photos at the famous Shine Dome on 4 November. You need to send us your digital image by 9 October, 5pm. Entry is $30 and you can pick up a print of your image following the exhibition.

Awards

2023 Volunteering Awards - VolunteeringACT

It’s been an important year for the volunteering sector and, of course, for volunteers. To acknowledge these efforts and recognise outstanding individuals and teams, VolunteeringACT invites you to celebrate with us the vital contribution of local volunteers by making a nomination and participating in our 2023 Volunteering Awards, Canberra region. Submit nominations by 30 October.

YOGIES 2023 - The Youth Coalition of the ACT

The YOGIES highlight the exceptional commitment, talent and innovation that exist in the youth sector. Nominations close 30 October.

ACT Women's Awards

The ACT Women's Awards are presented to women who improve the status and lives of women and girls in the ACT. Each year, the awards recognise a woman of the year, a young woman of the year and a senior woman of the year. The Women's Honour Roll showcases the achievements of women in the ACT and those who are excelling in their field. Their work may be in the ACT or more broadly across Australia or the world. Nominations close 23 October

2023 ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards

The Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards celebrate people with disability who are leaders in our community and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our Canberra businesses, organisations and individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to encourage, welcome and support people with disability in their workplace, business and community. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 9 October 2023

Editorial policy
Opinions expressed in articles included in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the policy position of MHCC ACT. Information included in this newsletter is for general information purposes only and should not be seen as an endorsement of any particular service.

Our mailing address
Lvl 1, 20 Genge St, Canberra City, ACT 2601

Acknowledgement of Country
MHCC ACT acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians and Country and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.