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November 2014

November eNews

AS we draw closer to the end of 2014, welcome to the November edition of peak body on mental health, the Western Australian Association for Mental Health's monthly newsletter.

In this issue

  1. Message from Rod Astbury
  2. Mental Health Bill passed
  3. Annual General Meeting
  4. Congratulations Ann White
  5. CLMIA Forum and Submission
  6. Mental Health Week
  7. Training & Events 2014
  8. Peer Work Training
  9. Do you have time to share your experience?
  10. NDIS evaluation survey
  11. External Professional Support
  12. Clinical Supervisors Training in Regional WA

Message from Rod Astbury

AFTER WAAMH's 2014 AGM on 30 October, we have reflected on a year of substantial change and achievement in the sector.

Our FY2013/14 Annual Report is now available online if you'd like to read about all of our recent milestones and contributions to mental health in WA.

We were very happy to see the formation of the Mental Health Network in October and the appointment of WAAMH president Alison Xamon as the Co-lead means WAAMH's strong commitment will be brought to this group on behalf of the sector.

We are also delighted that Alison was elected to the Mental Health Australia board, which enhances our ability to being our members' reform agendas into the Federal arena.

We welcomed the passing of the Mental Health Bill last month, but recognised the significant work that's needed to effectively implement the changes promised to consumers and families. Additionally, we hosted a forum on the Criminal Law Mentally Impaired Accused Act to engage our members and partners in the long overdue review that is underway.

Mental Health Week 2014 was a huge success this year; there has been a step change in public recognition of mental health, and I'd like to thank everyone who participated and supported our key annual mental health promotion event. There are still a range of great community events, training courses, and forums taking place throughout November, so check them out below.

Remember, members are entitled to significant discounts to attend our events, and anyone is welcome to sign up for membership, given they support the objectives of our organisation. Find out more about membership.

Rod Astbury
Chief Executive Officer
Western Australian Association for Mental Health

Mental Health Bill passed

WAAMH and the mental health sector welcomed the passing of the Mental Health Bill late last month.

The Bill was drafted after years of extensive consultation with carers, consumers and clinicians. An implementation period of about 12 months is expected before the new legislation commences.

WA's Mental Health Commission is holding a forum on 14 November to gather feedback on the Mental Health Bill, from families affected by mental illness, staff working in the sector, children over 15 years of age, and carers.

More information on the forum can be found, here.

Annual General Meeting

WAAMH's annual report FY13/14 was released to its members at the Annual General Meeting on 30 October. 

WAAMH's Annual Report 2013-2014 can be accessed here.

Mental Health Commissioner Tim Marney opened the AGM by speaking about his growing respect and relationship with WAAMH, and the imminent release of the 10 Year Services Plan. Questions on the plan were also taken from the floor.

Board changes motioned at the AGM introduced three new directors, Justine Coyler from Rise, Ian Moore from UnitingCare West, and Victor Crevatin from St Patricks. Six members are continuing;  Alison Xamon, Kerry Hawkins, Jacqui Carter, Mick Geaney, Helen Lynes, and Marina Korica; and the board members re-nominating included Pam Gardner (elected as the new vice president) and Simone Hosgood.

Joe Calleja and Sue Ash's terms came to an end. WAAMH president Alison Xamon thanked Joe and Sue for their valuable contributions to the WAAMH board and welcomed the new board members.

Congratulations Ann White

A massive congratulations and thanks goes to Ann White, who was awarded Honorary Life Membership of WAAMH at the AGM last week, for her outstanding and tireless contribution to the mental health sector over many years.

Ann is a former executive director of WAAMH, and currently sits on the boards of Fremantle Multicultural Centre and Mental Illness Fellowship of WA. She was integral in organising The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Conference in Perth this year, and is well known in the sector for her meticulous attention to detail, intelligence, wit and great taste in shoes!

WAAMH is honoured to have Ann as an Honorary life member.

CLMIA Forum and Submission

A FORUM discussing the urgent need to reform the Criminal Law Mentally Impaired Accused (CLMIA) Act, attracted nearly 100 people last week.

The forum hosted a wide range of consumers, and health and legal professionals, and was held to coincide with the Department of the Attorney General's release of a discussion paper on CLMIA and the call for feedback.

Panellists and presenters from multiple disciplinary backgrounds spoke at the event, including the Mentally Impaired Accused Review Board chairperson His Honour Judge Robert Cock QC, Inspector of Custodial Services Professor Neil Morgan, and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' Edward Petch.

Issues raised will set the agenda for WAAMH's next step of action and help inform its submission to the Attorney General's discussion paper.

Please send your feedback on the discussion paper  to Chelsea McKinney at cmckinney@waamh.org.au

Feedback on the paper closes on December 12.

WAAMH will be providing access to Neil Morgan’s PowerPoint presentation, a Forum Report and more resources to assist you in making a submission soon.

Mental Health Week

MENTAL Health Week 2014 was a huge success and there were plenty of photos and stories to share. Thanks to everyone who was instrumental in its success and everyone who participated.

The theme, 'Make a Move Towards Better Mental Health' was well received and it's estimated between 5000-10,000 people around the State were directly involved in Mental Health Week in some way.

All photos from the week of events can be viewed here.

We look forward to continued success in 2015.

Training & Events 2014

12 November
Mental Health Responses

14 November
Let's Talk Culture
Seminar to assist professionals work in a professionally responsive way to consumers and carers from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

19 November
Creating a Mentally Healthy School Culture with Graeme Cowan

21 November
Peer Work Training

21 November
Consumer Coordination

21 November
Recording consumer Information

21 November
Rockingham Family Fun Day
As part of Post Natal Depression Awareness Week.

6 December
Suicide Prevention

Peer Work Training

AS part of implementing the Peer Work Strategic Framework, WAAMH is hosting a workshop facilitated by 2 Peers Consulting – Vivien Kemp and Dr. Sue Jackson. Register here.

WAAMH's Peer Work Strategic Framework is now complete and will be officially launched next month.

In order to create a sustainable workforce that understands and meets the diverse needs of people with mental health problems and/or mental illness, it is important that peer support and mentoring become an accepted and valued part of mental health support and services.

In an effort to achieve this, WAAMH create the Peer Work Framework to assist organisations embed peer work into their services. This framework focuses on four areas; defining peer work, peer worker support and development, system support for peer workers and developing the peer worker. It also includes an online toolkit of information and resources.

Do you have time to share your experience?

CHILDREN of Parents with a Mental Illness need your help to learn more about child and family resilience and family recovery, by taking a 5 minute survey.

Your answers will help inform and develop new information and resources, alongside professionals and people with a lived experience of mental illness.

Simply choose the survey that best suits your experience.

  • Survey for professionals:
    Seeking comment on child and family resilience and family recovery.
  • Survey for people with lived experience of mental illness:
  • Seeking comment on the three concepts separately: Child Resilience Survey, Family Resilience Survey, Family Recovery Survey.

Access the surveys here.

NDIS evaluation survey

AS part of the National Institute of Labour Studies at Flinders University's duty to conduct an independent evaluation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), its evaluation team want to hear from those already participating in it.

People with disability and their families and carers are urged to share their experience with the NDIS, through a survey, and the impact it is having on their lives.

The team also want to hear from people with disability who are not in the NDIS but who may be in the future.

The survey provides an important opportunity for people with disability and their families and carers to share their experiences with the evaluation team. Their views will be used to guide the future development of the NDIS.

For more information about the survey, including how to register to participate, please visit: http://www.ndisevaluation.net.au/fms/documents/NDISSurveyinformation.pdf

External Professional Support

THERE is now support available for the generous people who are always supporting others.

ASeTTS is offering external professional support services to people working in the ‘helping’ sector who may be impacted by their work and need additional support to prevent, or manage symptoms of professional burnout or vicarious trauma. 

This service is suitable for anyone wanting assistance with their own wellbeing and effectiveness as a worker and ultimately for the wellbeing of their clients.

Support is available in the form of sessional ‘as needs’ basis debriefing for individuals or a group of workers or more formal arrangement for clinical supervision. It can take place at ASeTTS' offices, onsite, by telephone or Skype (for remote locations). 

For further information please email the Clinical Supervisor at supervision@asetts.org.au or call 9227 2700.

Clinical Supervisors Training in Regional WA

The WA Clinical Training Network (WACTN) is offering free training opportunities for clinical supervisors in regional WA.

Details of training courses and dates in regional centres across WA can be found by visiting the WACTN webpage.

Training is available in Broome, Karratha, Geraldton, Albany and Kalgoorlie.

WA Association for Mental Health

City West Lotteries House
2 Delhi Street, West Perth
WA 6005

 

Tel 08 9420 7277
Fax 08 9420 7280