30 March 2023

Hi there. In this edition, we are recruiting for our Media and Communications Manager and have announced new dates for Walk on Country training. 

You'll also find information on upcoming training, surveys, submissions, grants and opportunities, news articles, events and other useful mental health resources.

As the proliferation of media articles and reports listed in this and previous Sector Updates reveals, there is growing evidence that cost-of-living pressures are placing increasing strain on mental health across the community.

Financial pressures and mental health issues are two sides of the same coin – money worries can cause mental health to deteriorate and vice versa. And, at a time when costs of living are really biting for many people, mental health support simply isn’t affordable, available or easy to find for many of those who need it.

These effects are particularly pronounced for people relying on income support. A report by released by ACOSS earlier this week shows inadequate rates of income support payments are directly harming the mental health of people receiving income support.

The research surveyed 365 people living on income support, with almost all respondents saying their inability to cover living costs affected their mental health (99%). Along with severe financial stress, another big contributor to poor mental health is social isolation. The vast majority of people said living on income support has led to them being socially isolated (90%), with many avoiding contact with family and friends because they cannot afford the cost of going to a café or out for a meal, or because of the embarrassment of not having enough money.

The linkages between financial stress and poor mental wellbeing are also highlighted in the recent evaluation report of the Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project. The ACDC project, run by Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA), knocked on 37,500 doors across the country. Of the doors answered, 46% of householders engaged in conversations about their mental health, and 69% completed a follow-up survey about their experiences with mental health and accessing support.

The responses to the ACDC project showed social determinants such as housing, employment challenges, and financial stress correlated with higher levels of distress and lower wellbeing scores. Alarmingly, nearly half (43%) of respondents who had wanted to seek help in the last year were unable to get the support they needed. About a quarter (26%) could not afford the cost of the service, 24% did not know where to go to get help, and 22% said they were too afraid, embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help.

These findings, together with the findings from the ACOSS report, underscore the close relationship between mental wellbeing and costs of living, as well as the importance of increasing the availability of accessible and affordable mental health supports. But they also point to the importance of going beyond a narrow focus on individual behaviour change and mental health services alone. As Bill Gye, CEO of CMHA, recently said when reflecting on the findings from the ACDC project:

“The evaluation has demonstrated how important social determinants are to addressing poor mental wellbeing, with people facing significant challenges usually juggling multiple concerns and reporting higher distress and lower wellbeing.

“Most people think of greater health expenditure as the policy response to the mental health crisis, but we need to be thinking more broadly about the underlying causes which drive mental distress like social inequality, poverty, lack of affordable housing and poor lifestyle. We must meet this challenge with holistic multidisciplinary support rather than trying to silo mental and emotional wellbeing from these significant social equity needs.”

Recent reports by the UN Special Rapporteur on Mental Health similarly emphasise that structural conditions, such as economic stress, access to housing, poverty, inequality, unemployment, racism, discrimination and violence are the root causes of mental ill health and that policies and initiatives designed to promote mental health and prevent mental ill-health must address these underlying social determinants.

When we understand that mental ill-health is shaped by the circumstances and contexts in which people live, a narrow focus on the behaviour and treatment of individuals can only ever be a part of the solution to improve mental health. There is an urgent need to improve access to community-based mental health services and holistic supports. But neither financial stress nor mental ill-health can be addressed without tackling the underlying social determinants and the political and economic conditions that cause both.

While this requires a range of policy responses, for the Federal Government a key starting point must be lifting the rate of income support, which currently falls below the poverty line. To date, the Federal Government has refused to commit to raising income support. However, the Government is awaiting a report from an independent economic inclusion advisory committee, which was established under a deal with the independent ACT Senator David Pocock to comment on the adequacy of welfare payments before the May budget. Time will tell if they act on this report and the overwhelming evidence pointing to the detrimental mental health effects of inadequate income.

Final opportunities: Walk on Country training for our members

Since July last week, MHCC ACT has been offering our members the opportunity to participate in free three-hour Walk on Country training, delivered by Ngunnawal leader, Richie Allan, Cultural Director for the Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (TOAC).

There are only a handful of remaining sessions, with the next session scheduled for Monday 3 April. If you are employed by a MHCC ACT member organisation and haven’t taken part in one of these sessions, I urge you to book now so you don’t miss out! See the section ‘What’s On’ below for more details on how to register.

MHCC ACT welcomes appointment of new ACTCOSS CEO

MHCC ACT warmly welcomes the announcement that Dr Devin Bowles has been appointed as the new CEO of ACTCOSS. Devin is the outgoing CEO of the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA), and brings to the role extensive experience advocating for better social outcomes and knowledge of the community sector in the ACT. We look forward to working with Devin and the ACTCOSS team in the next phase of collaboration between the community sector and ACT Government.

- Corinne Dobson, Acting CEO MHCC ACT

NDIS news

The 2022-23 Annual Pricing Review (APR) is open for public consultation. Inviting submissions from advocacy groups, participants, nominees and carers, government, plan managers, professional and provider peak bodies, researchers, as well as worker's unions. Submissions close 13 April. 

Contribute to the NDIS CALD Strategy - If you have lived experience of disability and you are from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background, the NDIS invites you to contribute to its new CALD Strategy.

NDIS participants say providers are price gouging, ABC News, ABC News 

Check out Team DSC's upcoming training.

In the media

      Access to mental health care

• A pilot mental health program is being rolled out for Australia's commercial fishing industry, ABC News video, ABC News article 
• Calls for an increase in targeted funding and treatments for women's mental health, ABC News
•  
• Veterans unite to call for federal government to improve access to mental health support, ABC News
  
  Housing and homelessness 
   

• Vulnerable Australians to wait months for housing fund, Canberra Times

• Albanese Govt boosts homelessness funding by $67.5M, Mirage News
  
  Sector demand
   

• Experts, lawyers lift lid on Australia's 'woefully under-funded' prison mental health services, ABC News 

• Full Stop family violence counselling support hotline facing funding crisis, calls for federal government to intervene, ABC News

• Mental health generalism: the invisible workhorse, MJA Insight

• Mental health generalists: an endangered species becoming extinct?, MJA Insight
  
  Cost of Living 
   

• ACOSS demands tax shake-up, major increase to Jobseeker, ABC News, news.com

• Cost of living crisis drives surge in middle-aged male suicides, Sydney Morning Herald

• Mental health support is not accessible as cost of living bites, Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Morning Herald

• How financial stress can affect your mental health and 5 things that can help, The Conversation  

• University students relying on food banks, skipping meals as cost of living bites, ABC News 
  
  Eating Disorders and body image
   

• Older people have eating disorders too – but they’re a largely ignored group, The Conversation
• James was the 'fat kid' in school. This led to body image issues and steroid use in his 20s, ABC News
   
• Other 
   

• Is ‘climate anxiety’ a clinical diagnosis? Should it be?, The Conversation 

• Key crossbenchers are demanding a crackdown on the gambling industry, SBS News 

• ‘Little doubt’ mental health issues from lockdowns are a ‘big issue’ for Australia, Sky News

• Students’ mental health is a big issue for schools – but teachers should only be part of the solution, The Conversation 

• Five Canberra schools to provide free breakfasts and lunches three days per week with Meals in Schools program pilot, ABC News 

Planning and consultations

Mental Health Workforce Strategy Action Plan - Workshop

You are invited to contribute to the development of the ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy Action Plan. These workshops will address the following priority areas of the Mental Health Workforce Strategy.

• Attraction, recruitment, and retention
• Develop and embed the lived-experience workforce

You are invited to attend one of the following workshops. 

Monday 3 April from 2.15-4 pm in person at Bowes St, Woden or online. 

If you want to attend in person, please register via Eventbrite.

If you want to attend online, please register for the Webex meeting. 

Wednesday 26 April from 11 am- 1 pm at Nara Centre, 2 Constitution Ave, City or online.

If you want to attend in person, please register via Eventbrite.

If you want to attend online, please register for the Webex meeting. 

(If you have already booked in for this earlier session and will now not be able to attend, please cancel and register for the alternative date).

Seeking participants

Upcoming MHCC ACT events

Final opportunities: Walk on Country training for our members

Other upcoming events

Training and workshops 

• Perinatal Mental Health lived experience workshop to guide Perinatal Mental Heath Week 2023, 10:30am on 30 March, hosted by the Perinatal Mental Health Week team.

• Grant Writing Workshop for the ACT Community Sector, 4 April or 1 June, hosted by ACTCOSS.

• Body Image Training for Educators (suitable for educators, youth workers and community professionals working with young people of all genders aged 8 to 18), webinar, 10:00am 5 April, 1:00pm 16 May, 10:00am 7 June, hosted by Butterfly Foundation.

• Consumer representation training, 11am to 2pm on Wednesdays from 19 April to 17 May, hosted by the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network. Email education@actmhcn.org.au for more information.

• SiTara's Story Gala 2023, 6:30pm on 13 May, hosted by SiTara's Story. 

• Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June.

• "Break the Barrier" - an intergenerational learning circle, 25 June and 10 September, hosted by SiTara's Story. 

Conferences and forums 

• National Suicide Prevention Conference, Canberra, 1 to 4 May, hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia.

• Disability Services Digital and Technology Transformation Forum, 23 and 24 May, hosted by Aventedge.

• Annual International Mental Health Conference, 7 to 9 June, Gold Coast, hosted by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.

• 3rd International Indigenous Health & Wellbeing Conference, Cairns, 14 to 16 June, hosted by The Lowitja Institute. 

• Australian Psychosis Conference 2023, hosted by Psychosis Australia, Sydney, 11 to 13 September.

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

Other 

• Transgender Day of Visibility, 31 March. 

• Joyland (film screening on Transgender Day of Visibility), 31 March (see below). 

• Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June. 

A Gender Agenda aims to support the goals and needs of the intersex, transgender and gender diverse communities of Canberra and the surrounding region. Through education, advocacy, peer support and professional networks we connect people to each other and build off the wisdom of collective experiences. For over fifteen years, AGA has represented a gold standard of TGD+I support that is unique in Australia.

Special viewing of Joyland at the NFSA

This Transgender Day of Visibility, come join A Gender Agenda for a special viewing of Joyland at the NFSA (Friday 31 March, 6.30pm).

Joyland is a Pakistani film about the youngest son in a traditional family who takes a job as a backup dancer in a Bollywood-style burlesque and quickly becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman who runs the show. Winner of the Queer Palm and Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival 2022, and with 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, this movie is not to be missed.

All proceeds from this event will be going to Encampment - a two day overnight camp from 13th-14th April for LGBTIQ+ young people facilitated by mentors aged 18-25 who are trained and supported by AGA. The aim of Encampment is to bring local LGBTIQ+ young people together, to support participants to navigate their gender identities and sexualities, and strengthen their connection to the community. 

Grants

Great Ydeas Small Grants

YWCA Canberra's Great Ydeas Small Grants Program provides grants up to $2500 to support women, girls and non-binary people in the ACT to pursue their passions and improve our community. Apply by 2 April.

Other opportunities

Exhibition space: Volunteering Expo Canberra Region 2023

This year's Volunteering Expo will occur on 20 May, and planning is well underway. Your organisation can book an exhibition space, costing $110 for Volunteering ACT members and $220 for non-members. Book your space.

Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW) releases

• Expenditure on mental health-related services - March 2023 update, AIHW
• Physical health of people with mental illness, AIHW
• Specialised mental health care facilities - March 2023 update, AIHW

Other releases 

• ‘A safe haven’: Australia’s first mental health chatbot supports women of colour, Women’s Agenda
• “It’s hell”: how inadequate income support is causing harm, ACOSS 
• Examining Mental Health and Wellbeing Policies in Australian Universities, Rethinking Higher Education
• Optimising adolescent wellbeing in a digital age, BMJ 
• Perspectives of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community members regarding mental health services: A qualitative analysis, Psychiatric and Mental health nursing (online)
• State of the states in suicide prevention. A snapshot of suicide prevention reform in Australian states and territories, Suicide Prevention Australia
• The climate change threat to our mental health, Pursuit
• The effect of energy poverty on mental health, cardiovascular disease and respiratory health: a longitudinal analysis, The Lancet

• More than an outcome: a person-centered, ecological framework for eating disorder recovery, Journal of Eating Disorders

Upcoming AIHW data releases

• 29 March: Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework webpages - March 2023 update

• 31 March: Youth justice in Australia 2021-22

• 06 April: Suicide & self-harm ambulance, BoD, disabilty, COVID-19 update

• 14 April: Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia - early insights

For workplace improvement

The Working Mind for Managers: Workplace Training by Lifeline Canberra

Managers, supervisors, and team leads have a special role in any organisation. The Working Mind is an evidence-based program designed to address and promote mental health in a workplace setting. This course teaches leaders to:

• understand mental health, recognise signs and indicators (in themselves and others)
• reduce stigma
• maintain mental health and improve resilience
• support your employees’ mental health and well-being
• enable employees to be more productive
• ensure the workplace climate respects and involves all employees 
• encourage employees to seek help for mental health problems

Details: 

• Tuesday, 9 May 2023, 9AM-5PM at Lifeline Canberra (1/71 Northbourne  Avenue, Canberra City)
• Cost is $400 per participant
• Questions? Contact training@act.lifeline.org.au

For front-line workers

• The Essential Network (TEN) is a multifaceted e-health hub developed by health professionals and launched by Black Dog Institute. TEN provides support to for front-line workers through: 
  - TEN Digital Mental Health Check-up – a self-guided mental health assessment which provides a range of triaged support options 
  - Connection to one-on-one clinical care through Black Dog Institute’s TEN Clinic, with up to five free telehealth sessions with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist  - Evidence-based tools and resources tailored to the needs of health professionals - Peer support – offered through TEN partner Hand-n-Hand 
  - Digital mental health programs – offered free through This Way Up & the TEN Navigating Burnout program 

To help consumers

• Double handed breathing by MIEACT is a resource video that guides you through deep breathing. Deep breathing is scientifically proven to lower your heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels. MIEACT educator Jenny demonstrates double-handed breathing which can help you relax, reduce your anxiety and can be done anywhere, anytime.

Our members are recruiting. You can also see a weekly summary of member job opportunities each Friday on our LinkedIn channel.

• Media and Communications Manager, Mental Health Community Coalition. Applications close 21 April. 

• Administration/Bookings Officer, Anglicare. Applications close 31 March.

• Chief Operating Officer, Toora Women. Applications close 31 March. 

• Room Leaders - School Aged Care Bureau, YWCA. Applications close 31 March.

• Team Leader – Carer Development (OOHC), Marymead. Applications close 31 March.

• Case Manager - Street to Home Services, St Vincent de Paul Society. Applications close 2 April.

• General Hand, Donation Sorter, and Retail Assistants - Multiple roles & locations, St Vincent de Paul Society. Applications close 2 April. 

• Data Analyst, Capital Health Network. Applications close 2 April.

• Research Analyst, Capital Health Network. Applications close 2 April.

• Property Manager (Rentwell), YWCA. Applications close 3 April. 

• Internal Communications and Engagement Officer, St Vincent de Paul Society. Applications close 5 April. 

• Case Coordinator - Special Measures Position, Toora Women. Applications close 6 April. 

• Case Coordinator - Toora Domestic Violence and Homelessness Service, Toora Women. Applications close 6 April.  

• Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Assistant Coordinator, Woden Community Services. Applications close 7 April. 

• Therapeutic Specialist - ACT Together, Australian Childhood Foundation. Applications close 7 April.

• Assessment and Support Practitioner, Capital Region Community Services. Applications close on 9 April.

• Commissioned Activities Coordinator, Capital Health Network. Applications close 9 April.

• CPSP Recovery Worker, Woden Community Services. Applications close 9 April. 

• Digital Content Producer, YWCA. Applications close 9 April. 

• Group Facilitator, Capital Region Community Services. Applications close 9 April.

• Qualified Lead Educator, Capital Region Community Services. Applications close 10 April.

• Business Manager, Perinatal Wellbeing Centre. Applications close 11 April.

• Corporate Administrative Officer, YWCA. Applications close 12 April. 

• Children’s Services Roster Clerk, YWCA. Applications close 14 April. 

• Children’s Services Accounts Manager, YWCA. Applications close 16 April. 

• Marketing and Communications Officer, YWCA. Applications close 16 April. 

• Early Childhood Educators, Anglicare. Applications Close 31 December.

• Administration Officer, Galilee School, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Administration Support, Barnados. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Care Planner, Carers ACT. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Case Manager, Barnados. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Centre Cook – Early Childhood Education and Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Cert III Educators - Early Childhood Education and Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Chief Operating Officer, Carers ACT. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Coach Driver, Capital Region Community Services. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible. 

• Diploma Qualified Educators - Early Childhood Education and Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Disability Support Worker - Complex Care, Access Lifecare. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Early Childhood Centre Assistant Director, Northside Community Services. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Early Childhood Teachers, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Educational Leaders - Early Childhood Education and Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Engagement Facilitator (CHSP), Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Finance Manager, Capital Region Community Services. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible. 

• Marketing and Communications Manager with Heart!, Capital Region Community Services. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible. 

• NDIS Accommodation Manager, Access Lifecare. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible. Email HR@accesslifecare.org.au for more information.

• NDIS Support Coordinator, Access Lifecare. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible. 

• NDIS Support Coordinator (casual), The Quest Group. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• NDIS Supported Independent Living – Manager, Access Lifecare. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Out of School Hours Care Educator, Anglicare. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Out of School Hours Care Educator, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Play and Fun Facilitator! (2-4 years), Capital Region Community Services. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible. 

• Program Worker, Wellways. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Senior Program Coordinator - Out of School Hours Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Student and Family Counsellor, CatholicCare. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Support Worker, Mental Health Foundation. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Teacher, Galilee School, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Therapeutic Support Worker (Disability) – Children and Young People, The Quest Group. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• Trainer Assessor - Centre of Professional Learning and Education, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

• 2IC - Out of School Hours Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

In this section, we want to include fun, uplifting or light-hearted stories linked to mental health. If you have an idea for an article to include, please email it to communications@mhccact.org.au.

Walking for mental heath 

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.

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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.