News and resources from the community-managed mental health sector
No images? Click here
ACT Mental Health Sector Update
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 27 October. Let us know if you have anything you'd like us to include by replying to this email.
From the CEO
Today’s sector update looks a little different! Over the next month, you’ll be seeing a brand refresh from us. It’s been 20 years since our original branding was developed, so it was time for an update. We’ve consulted with our new mental health communications network (staff in communications, events and related roles in our member and fellow peak organisations*), as well as our own staff and Board to create a brand that is both approachable and in line with our community-orientation, as well as professional and clean for use in our advocacy work. Thanks to all those who have contributed to our branding development, we’re looking forward to rolling it out!
Currently, we are in the swing of Mental Health Month. We celebrated 10 October, World Mental Health Day, by lighting up Telstra Tower. As we explain in our media release, we used this as an opportunity to draw attention to the loneliness epidemic – and to create a subtle, but beautiful, moment of connection. We are seeing loneliness in epidemic proportions across the country. And, according to a large study by the the non-profit organisation, Ending Loneliness Together, , the ACT is the loneliest state or territory in Australia – 40% of us feel lonely. I found this statistic shocking, especially given that, on many other indicators, such as physical health, income levels, and education levels, the ACT does comparatively well. There is both a tenderness and a sadness in reflecting on the fact that four of every ten people we interact with in our wonderful community are feeling so alone.
Through our Mental Health Month Wellbeing Trail over the last few weeks, our call to action has been to ask yourself who you can reach out to – is there a friend, a neighbour, a colleague who you can connect with today? We need to recognise the systemic factors that drive loneliness – issues such as overwork, financial stress, climate anxiety, urban design and more. But we can also take simple, individual actions right now that make a difference. Whether you are struggling with loneliness yourself, or whether you know someone who may be, a caring interaction can make a huge difference, even a brief one.
There are rich conversations to be had, and I was delighted to speak with Adam Shirley on ABC Canberra Breakfast about it.
On 3 October, we launched Mental Health Month at a beautiful morning gathering in Haig Park. We hard from several powerful lived experience speakers, and also from Mental Health Minister, Emma Davidson. We also welcomed Bradley Foxlewin, the ACT’s new Lived Experience Director (see our Lived Experience update below for further information about this exciting new appointment). The importance of our relationships, both to our communities and our environment, were key themes in the stories our lived experience speakers shared.
Since then, the MHCC team has been enjoying getting out and about to many of our members’ fantastic events. A highlight for me was the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre’s wonderful Festival. There was such a strong sense of community among the many new and expecting mums who came along. It was a wonderful example of our sector’s recognition that wellbeing cannot be not achieved through individual clinical interventions alone – it is developed and sustained through community-building.
Perinatal Wellbeing Centre CEO and MHCC Board chair Yvonne Luxford, MHCC CEO Melanie Poole, and ACT Mental Health Minister, Emma Davidson at the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre's Mental Health Festival.
Last week, MHCC also held a two-day Outcomes Measurement workshop. We are so thankful for all of the impressive sector leaders who came along – it was an impressive turnout, with over two-thirds of our fifty members attending, as well as a number of our fellow peak body friends. I found the conversation incredibly stimulating. While we did not shy away from acknowledging frustrations and hurdles, particularly around resourcing, I was heartened that we arrived at concrete steps that we will collaborate on as sector going forward – both within the commissioning process, and in our sector-wide advocacy more broadly. CEOs and senior staff – please keep an eye out for another save the date from me coming soon, as we will be holding a follow-up workshop to plan both our ACT Budget submission, and our election campaign next year.
From Wednesday until this afternoon, we are also hosting our Mental Health Info Hub at Belconnen Westfield. Please come and say hi, grab a packet of Skittles, and find some valuable mental health resources from our members across Canberra!
Coming up, we’ll be attending more community events across Mental Health Month, while also observing National Carers Week from 15-21 October.
Last but not least, we have our major event coming soon, the Mental Health Month Awards. We are so excited to be celebrating all of you and this inspirational, dedicated sector. We will be recognising our Community Wellbeing Heroes, and hearing again from Minister Davidson, the Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh, Federal Charities Minister, and Sophie Lewis, ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment. We’ll have live music from Ben Drysdale, and opportunities to connect with one another. More information can be found in the “What’s On” section below.
There are limited tickets available, so please RSVP as soon as possible to secure a place!
I look forward to seeing many of you throughout the many events this month, and also at the Awards night.
*Nb If you a staff member working in one of our member organisations, or a fellow peak body, whose work broadly involves communications/events/marketing, and you want to join the network – please reach out to our Media and Comms Manager, Erin Stewart, erin.stewart@mhccact.org.au.)
- Melanie Poole, CEO MHCC ACT
In our sector
Planning and consultations
Participate in the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network’s consumer led and co-designed consultation study into barriers accessing mental health services in the ACT
Do you have lived experience of mental illness? Have you had difficulty accessing mental health services and supports 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 services and support in the ACT and it’s regions, e.g. Yass, Goulburn, Queanbeyan. Flyer available here.
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 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.
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.
What's on
Today is the last day to attend our Info Hub! Come say hi between 12 and 4pm! We're near Amcal and Aldi.
This year we are taking over a space at Westfield Belconnen to engage with the Canberra Community and provide resources and information on the wonderful services available in our community.
At this hub, we will again be giving out our very popular resource and wellbeing “showbags”.
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.
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
- Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Education Program - ACTCOSS 9 November, 9.30am-4.30pm.
Lifeline Canberra - ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training 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.
Alcohol Brief Intervention training for community sector workers 4 December, 1-4.30pm
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Information and Harm Reduction training 31 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
NDS Executive Leaders Conference 2023 Melbourne, 11-12 December
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
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.
(Super) Mental Health and Wellbeing 25 October, 7-10pm, Smith's Alternative, Alinga St. Tickets: $15/$10. Contact: Chris van Reyk. 0450 799 456 csvanreyk@gmail.com
Women's Wellbeing Day 18 October, 11am-3pm
Sustainable Travel Street Party 26 November, with specific events TBA.
Drum Circle Mental Health Awareness Workshop 28 October, 4-6pm
EVERY BODY Film screening for Intersex Awareness Day 25 October, 7pm
Intersex Awareness Day - A Convo with Mimi Hall 27 October, 6-7pm
MIEACT Fundraising Gala 2023 TONIGHT, 13 October, 7-11pm
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 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 October 2023 I Main Hall, Gorman Arts Centre (90 minutes no interval) Bookings for public performance here
Lived Experience News
Recently the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing announced the appointment of a Lived Experience Director for the ACT. This appointment points to a commitment from the ACT government to further include the voices of those with a living and lived experience to be actively involved in the ongoing development of mental health services in the ACT.
The new director is Bradley Foxlewin, many in the ACT and beyond know Bradley and the tireless work he has done over decades as an advocate and activist supporting the mental health consumer movement.
The development of this role and Bradley's appointment point to an exciting new phase in the maturity of the role lived experience now plays in service design and delivery. This is especially the case in the ongoing development of the Lived Experience Peer Workforce in the ACT.
There is some confusion over the difference between a lived experience peer worker and more simply, someone with lived experience. In the case of the latter, if you have experience of mental health issues or life events such as suicide or family violence, there are avenues for you to use that experience (either as a consumer, carer, or loved one) as a representative or advocate. These roles are often voluntary or reimbursed to some extent. In the ACT, the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network provides consumer representation on a multitude of steering committees, working groups and policy review forums. Carers Voice, a part of Carers ACT, also provide lived experience advocacy from mental health carer perspectives.
In contrast, lived experience peer workers draw on their experiences of distress in a therapeutic way, as part of others' recovery and healing journeys. A lived experience peer worker is a designated role that requires the intentional and purposeful use of lived experience skills and complimentary competencies that provide a unique form of support distinct from other allied and clinical mental health qualifications.
As mentioned earlier Bradley has been a lived experience/consumer advocate and activist for many years. While the list of his achievements within and outside the ACT is substantial, some examples include:
- Foundation Deputy Commissioner, NSW Mental Health Commission (2013-16)
- Chair, Consumer led Research Network, CLRN, 2014 – 2016. Bradley has overseen the development of the Consumer Led Research Network in NSW, CLRN, from an idea in 2012 to an entity that continues attracts significant interest for research partnerships for Consumer led and Co-production research.
- Co-Chair, National Mental Health Commission Reference Group, Seclusion and Restraint
- A key Consumer representative at both the National Health and Medical Research Council, Research Advisory Committee, 2017-19 and the Aust Govt, Research Roundtable, Million Minds research Initiative.
The history of mental health consumer advocacy and activism is grounded in people's negative and sometimes traumatic experiences of service delivery. This has forged a unified desire to change the way we think about and support people with mental health challenges to lead full and meaningful lives in their community. Bradley's work over the decades exemplifies this tradition.
Being a mental health consumer and taking on a role of disruption and criticism of health and social support systems is difficult and at times it is easy to feel like nothing can change. It is the long-term commitment by Bradley and numerous other peers and allies that bring us to a place where lived experience is not just an experience but rather a qualification to support others to be empowered to take control of their own recovery and supports. There is an old saying that “we are experts at not being experts” and that consumers and all those touched by mental health challenges are and should be “experts in their own lives”.
An example of how lived experience can be an agent of change can be found in the research paper “What is happening at the Seclusion Review that makes a difference? – a consumer led research study" (Foxlewin 2012). This research was the result of the appointment of a Seclusion and Restraint Review committee at the mental health ward at Canberra Hospital, Bradley was one of the leaders in this project. While this paper is a substantial piece of research, the key statistics saw seclusions at the ward drop from 371 instances of seclusion in the year 2006-2007 to 15 seclusions in the years 2011-2012. Again, this points to the efficacy and fidelity of lived experience driving change in mental health settings.
The mental health sector is keenly awaiting the development of the ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy and the ensuing implementation plan; moving forward the appointment of Bradley will be a positive step to ensure the principles of lived experience and Lived Experience Peer work are featured front and centre in the planning, codesign, and implementation of this key strategy. The Mental Health Community Coalition congratulates Bradley and looks forward to being part of the important work he will be doing here in the ACT.
Ben Matthews, Sector Development and Lived Experience Officer
Opportunities
Grants
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.
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
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.
Expression of Interest: Sensory Processing Information Session 2024
Do you work with children aged 0-8 years? Do you want to know more about sensory processing and how to include children with sensory processing differences in your program? Register your interest.
ACT Anti-Poverty Weeks
Join us for a free community lunch for ACT Anti-Poverty Weeks on Wednesday 25th October from 12pm to 2pm.
ACT Anti-Poverty Weeks (APW) 2023 are being held from the 15th to 27th October 2023.
This year as part of ACT's Anti-Poverty Week, ACTCOSS and VolunteeringACT (Co-Chairs of ACT APW) are hosting a free lunch at the Food Co-op Shop & Cafe (3 Kingsley Street, Canberra, 2601).
There will also be representatives from the community and volunteering sector, and opportunities to chat about poverty and inequality, and ways to take action in the ACT!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to avan.daruwalla@actcoss.org.au
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.
