People

We said farewell to three VTMH team members at the start of 2018.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank Education and Service Development Consultants, Joanne Comerford and Harvey Tuck, and Administration and Events Coordinator, Kate Fagnani, for their dedication to VTMH throughout the last seven or more years. We wish them all the best with their future endeavours.

Over the last few months we have welcomed new staff to the VTMH team: two wonderful new Education and Service Development Consultants,

Naomi Halpern and Adriana Mendoza

Adriana Mendoza and Naomi Halpern;
Psychiatry Registrar, Shalinda Kekulawala; and Program Support & Administrator, Sylvia Piazza.

Adriana has international and national experience in the mental health sector supporting organisations and communities in Colombia and Australia. She has most recently worked in the community managed mental health sector as a team leader, supporting workers to continue growing professionally and personally. 

Naomi has been in private practice for 30 years where she has specialised in psychotherapy for complex trauma. In addition to her work at VTMH, Naomi is a specialist external supervisor, consultant and trainer in clinical skills related to complex trauma and vicarious trauma, and resilience building for mental health organisations, sexual assault centres, law firms and the United Nations.

Sylvia has worked in marketing and event administration roles for more than 10 years across a range of fields including the legal sector and education. 

Read more about new staff here

Upcoming education and events

Register for a new VTMH Workshop

VTMH offers workshops to Victoria’s public mental health services in collaboration with the Victorian Learning and Development Clusters. Read more about new workshop topics

Forum: 'Vocation works!' - Diverse voices on vocational rehabilitation

VTMH will hold a half day forum on Thursday, 11th October at the Michael Chamberlain Theatre, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne. Read more here

VTMH Seminar Series 2018

The VTMH Seminar Series presents speakers on a range of mental health and diversity themes. These sessions are free and are held once a month on a Wednesday, 3-4 pm. Click on the dates below to register:

• 15th August  Xris Reardon,  co-founder of Third Way Theatre (Australia), 'Working in the margins: ethical practice with and alongside, communities who are structurally marginalised'
• 19th September Commissioner Kristen Hilton, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission,  'Driving cultural change' 
• 17th October  Naomi Halpern, Delphi Training and Consulting & VTMH,  'Navigating the complexities of complex trauma' 
• 21st November Dr. Manjula O'Connor, The University of Melbourne, 'Exploring psychiatrists' knowledge, opinions, practices, in relation to domestic and family violence'

Read more here about seminars already held this year

News from the website

Building networks in La Trobe Valley

Over the last 12 months, VTMH has been involved in a number of activities aimed at supporting local efforts to enhance cultural responsiveness of service providers and increase awareness of VTMH services in the La Trobe Valley region. Read more here

Partnering with North Western Melbourne Primary Healthcare Network

VTMH has been working closely with North Western Melbourne Primary Healthcare Network (NWMPHN) this year. VTMH is proud to be supporting the Network's aim to provide culturally responsive care for vulnerable and underserved populations in Victoria. Read more here

Culturally responsive AOD practice

VTMH has been working with VAADA, the peak body representing alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in Victoria, and led some sessions at their 'Inaugural culturally and linguistically diverse AOD Forum' in February, part of a population initiative of the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN). Read more here

Program Updates

VTMH working with interpreters resources 

Following a series of consultations in the latter part of last year, we are continuing work on updating our resources for mental health professionals. More to come.

LGBTIQ-inclusive multicultural and multifaith communities: Consultations launched

Consultations have commenced as part of the LGBTIQ Intersect Project, a two year partnership of VTMH and GLHV to support the health and wellbeing of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer in multicultural and multifaith communities. A co-design facilitated session with service providers across health and human services, faith leaders and community elders was held to discuss developing inclusive services.

A lived experience group consultation using a co-production approach, was also held where participants shared the experiences and beliefs they identified as important to communicate about their identity as LGBTIQ people from multicultural and diverse faith background. Themes included how their experiences were often overlooked and challenges navigating services. 

Consultations continue with two online surveys currently open for 'People with Lived Experience' and 'Service Providers'. If you would like to know more please be in touch via vtmh@svha.org.au

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