Inside this edition you'll find

• A message from our CEO Melanie Wilde with her reflections on ACT election commitments, sector advocacy and Mental Health Month.
• Mental health sector must reads of press releases and perspectives published within the past three weeks. 
• Training, events, opportunities and resources curated by us, for professionals, practitioners and people like us.  

Hello friends, 

With Mental Health Month starting tomorrow and the recent flurry of election announcements leading into early voting next Tuesday it’s feeling like community-managed mental health is getting the much-needed attention that it deserves–especially given that it was only last month that the national unmet needs analysis was released. Listen out for me and Georgia Stynes on ABC Canberra Radio this morning at 9.20am here. I'll be talking about our joint-peaks response to the unmet needs final report live-on-air, and keep an eye out for more media on this throughout the week. 

Over the past weeks I've been pleased to see that ACT Labor have committed to many of the policies and priorities we put forward for our election platform, and issues that we have campaigned on over the years, in perinatal mental health and mental health more broadly. 

I shared my own personal perspective on recently returning to work as CEO and Mum to my 8-month-year-old Rafi in Riotact reacting to new maternity service funding commitments. Like many parents, I’ve experienced gaps in the system firsthand. So the promise of a new perinatal mental ill-health clinic for Mums and bubs, low-cost public IVF, Birthing on Country in consultation with  Winnunga and other practical help is exciting and will help make Canberra a healthier and more supportive place.

I also spoke in support of more mental health practitioners and psychologists in ACT public schools, new walk-in centres with advanced practice mental health nurses and practitioners, a focus on an integrated youth mental health system, and co-designing solutions to tackle loneliness while holding steadfast that our sector also needs its fair share of funding. We look forward to working with a newly-elected ACT Government on these programs and policy reforms but it’s critical to make clear that our sector cannot be expected to deliver two-thirds of the ACT’s mental health services – which requires us to achieve good governance and retain great people – if the community-managed mental health sector only gets 13 percent of the total ACT Government mental health service funding. We won’t stop fighting for our fair share and a minimum uplift to 20 percent. 

Electoral politics often energises our communities and collective imagination, but that energy wouldn’t take flight without coordinated advocacy from our sector. I was thrilled to participate in yesterday’s ACT Election Disability Town Hall, organised by Advocacy for Inclusion and expertly MC’d by ABC Canberra Mornings presenter Georgia Stynes. It was an honour to join fellow peak bodies and powerful lived experience presenters in directly addressing Ministers Stephen-Smith and Davidson, Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury, and numerous candidates and MLAs on the critical mental health funding needs in the ACT. I was especially proud to stand alongside MHCC’s Lived Experience presenter, Qin Qin—Canberra-based writer and author of Model Minority Gone Rogue—who brought such a profound focus on the intersection of culture, race, disability, and trauma to the discussion.

And by the time we press send the next sector update it’ll almost be ACT Election Day so it’s a good reminder to re-familiarise ourselves with the vision and priorities we’re putting forward to put our people and communities first, from  ACTCOSS ACT for Community, Carers ACT Stand with Carers, the Mental Health Consumer Network’s ongoing advocacy on behalf of people with lived experience, the fantastic work of Advocacy for Inclusion's Election Policy Platforms and Shared Election Priorities.

I can’t wait to celebrate all our Mental Health Heroes at the end of October with you. It’ll be such a fantastic way to bookend a busy month of events, perspectives and community engagement campaigns. Everything you need to know about nominations and securing your spot at the official awards ceremony can be found at mhccact.org.au/mentalhealthmonth and I hope to see you there on October 30 at the Ainslie Arts Centre joined by special guests Sarah Miller from ACT Office of Wellbeing, musician Ben Drysdale, Mel Greenhalgh of Collective Wisdom Coaching, and lived experience advocate Terri Warner. 

And finally, you may have noticed in our last newsletter and on social media that the MHCC ACT has a new look. We’re almost finished rolling it out and there’s only one more outfit change left for Mental Health Month, our new website. Have a play and poke around here! If you need logos or other key pieces of information on 2024 ACT Mental Health Month you can head to mhccact.org.au/mentalhealthmonth 

For a mentally healthy Canberra,
Mel 

Advocating for our fair share of funding

We welcomed ACT Labor’s election commitment for more mental health practitioners and psychologists in ACT public schools, new walk-in centres with advanced practice mental health nurses and practitioners, and a focus on an integrated youth mental health system and co-designing solutions to tackle loneliness.

A 20 percent increase in community mental health funding—from the current 13 percent—is not just a nice-to-have, it’s vital. The recent unmet needs report showed that out of nearly 10,000 Canberrans with moderate to severe psychosocial disabilities, almost 80% receive no support at all.

That’s thousands and thousands of people—right here in one of the top 10-15 wealthiest per capita cities in the entire world—who need employment, social connection, healthcare, and basic support systems so that they can be included in the community and enabled to realise their full potential.

Thousands of our families, loved ones, friends, colleagues neighbours. Denied basic help that they need.

Let that sink in.

When we talk about increased funding, it is also important to be clear that don’t just mean squeezing even more out of our existing workforce – the increase must also align with the ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy.

What that means is that this new funding needs to not only support frontline services but also strengthen capacity for data-driven planning and robust outcomes measurement—both within the ACT Health Department and across community sector organisations.

We need strong governance and competitive remuneration to keep skilled people – including the skills and expertise offered by those with lived and living experience – in our sector, especially those tasked with leading and governing our organisations. As we work toward growing funding, it's especially crucial that community-managed organisations are held to high governance standards. We also must address leadership pay equity, in line with the principle of 'same work, same pay', particularly at the executive level. If we don’t address this, we risk losing the vital expertise and leadership needed to guide our sector through these necessary reforms.

We know that data, governance, workforce competitiveness, and capacity building in the public and community sectors may not be the most headline-grabbing topics, but they are the threads that weave together a more resilient, effective mental health care system. 

These priorities reflect key elements of the Framework for Action 2023-2026 and its 2024 Work Plan, ensuring that the mental health workforce is well-supported to deliver high-quality care while fostering innovation, education, and lived experience.

On the maternity services front, right now in the ACT, if you don’t have someone else who can come in to look after your baby or don’t want to be away from it, there’s nowhere else you can go unless you go interstate. The closest place is Sydney. 

As CEO and a single mum, I know firsthand how overwhelming motherhood can feel. There are days when the weight of the world is on your shoulders, and managing your mental health can seem impossible—especially when you’re caring for a little one without extra support.

That’s why I’m so thrilled to see Canberra open its first-ever mum and bub mental health unit—a place where mothers can receive the care they need without having to be separated from their babies. This new facility is a game-changer for so many families, providing essential support during the toughest times. 

Additional promised investment in a low-cost public IVF service, new perinatal mental health residential unit and Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Birthing on Country program development, which our members have been advocating for ahead of the ACT election are also very welcome. This is a win for our sector, and for all the families who call Canberra and the ACT home.

Nominate a mental health hero

Can you think of an outstanding individual, organisation, or group making a real difference in the ACT mental health sector? It’s time to recognise their invaluable contribution with an award or scholarship.  

Nominate a mental health champion today before [DATE] for one of our Mental Health Month Awards from Mental Health Community Coalition ACT, Carers ACT and the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network and secure your spot for the ceremony. 

Another email will land in your inbox later today to focus on the awards and nomination process from me, Dalane at ACT Mental Health Consumer Network and Lisa from Carers ACT so keep an eye out for that and check out mhccact.org.au/mentalhealthmonth for more. 

There's still time to get your application in for our Mental Health Month event reimbursement grants. Forward this email to anyone you can think of anyone that's into smashing mental health stigma and fostering social connection here in Canberra and the Territory.

It could be your colleague, individuals or organisations, it could be your neighbour. Any community-based group or organisation, charity, school, university or faith-based group within or outside of the mental health sector can apply for a reimbursement grant.

Grants are up to $2,000 to cover costs of events promoted in October that benefit people who experience social isolation and loneliness at disproportionate levels. In Canberra and the ACT that's LGBTQIA+ people, First Nations people, people from CALD backgrounds, young people and adults over 65 years, children of parents affected by a mental illness, people with a disability and other isolated or at-risk groups.

So, if your event idea (big or small) meets this criteria and aims to raise awareness and understanding of mental health, reduce stigma and discrimination, promote positive social participation and increase service connection then—this is for you!

Applications close at midnight. Reply to this email or get in touch at admin@mhccact.org.au and we'll send you an application form and more information. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: 

You might have already seen, but you have until midnight to apply for our Mental Health Month event grants

This years Mental Health Month ACT Reimbursement Grant Program provides funding of up to $2,000 to help groups and organisations located in the ACT host an event that is promoted during Mental Health Month in October. 

These grants are for positive, encouraging, informative and supportive events around topics of mental health and wellbeing.

Have questions? Email us at admin@mhccact.org.au

Mental health must reads

This is our curated bite-sized list of media reporting and publications on mental health issues and perspectives from the past three weeks. 

Climate Change and a Just Transition Report, Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity, ACT Government, September 24.
Inquiry into Unpaid Work Report, Standing Committee on Economy and Gender and Economic Equality, ACT Government, September 12. 
Climate Change Authority Advice shows we can cut emissions faster, and need to be fairer, ACTCOSS, September 6. 
Increasing JobSeeker is good economics, Inside Story, September 3. 

If we've missed a punchy press release, longer form opinion piece or an article you think our network should see next time, please let us know by replying to this email or at admin@mhccact.org.au

Events and training

Training and workshops

Australian Digital Health Technologies Webinar Overview from People With Disabilities Australia, October 30, online, free. 
Landcare ACT October and November Events Series, various locations in ACT, free. 
Alcohol Other Drugs and the Brain with 360Edge October 3, online, paid. 
In collaboration with What Were You Wearing? Australia Canberra Rape Crisis Centre is hold Reclaim the Night at Glebe Park (Civic) Friday 25 October 2024 5pm - 7:30pm, for more information about setting up a stall contact Joanna at 0448 635 025 or jovana@crcc.org.au 
Learn Australian Sign Language for headspace Day with headspace Canberra, October 2, online, free.
Putting theory into practice: Core skills modules workshops by the Australian Association of Social Workers are fully funded by the Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, Ministry of Health, various dates, online, free. 
Mindframe Briefing on ABS Causes of Death data, October 10, online, free.
The EMDR Autism Protocol: Tolerating the Intolerable from Mental Health Professionals Network, October 17, Canberra, free. 
Outmanoeuvring Disinformation Masterclass with Australian Democracy Network, 11-12 November, online, paid. 

Webinars and resources

National Disability Insurance Scheme has updated this resource online at Quality Support for Children. 
National Redress Scheme Resources have been updated for people with a disability and for First Nations people. 
University of Canberra Centre for A Better Canberra has release its first policy paper Thriving Canberra 2024, Better and Fairer Utilisation of Community Facility Zoned Land in Canberra.
Black Dog Institute released Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Workforce Guide: A Learning Tool for all Peer Workforces and Organisations
ACT Greens and Minister Emma Davidson shared their 2024 ACT Community Sector Funding policy initiative. 
'Strengthening alcohol and other drug (AOD), womens’ and disability sector responses to gender-based violence' online webinar was recorded by Australian Alcohol & Other Drugs Council. 
Preparing for Pathway to Employment Post School NDIS organised webinars will take place on October 23-24, online, free. 

Seeking feedback

Annual NDIS participant outcomes survey is open

The annual Long Form Outcomes Framework survey with participants, families and carers around Australia is underway in partnership with Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) to do these surveys between 1 September and 16 December this year. You can have your say here.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Lived Experience Survey currently seeking submissions

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) are conducting a survey to better understand the experiences of individuals with disability when accessing the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). Your insights are invaluable in identifying any challenges and barriers faced. This targeted survey is specifically for people with disability who have interacted with the FCFCOA, either in person or online, in the last three years. More information on an anonymous and confidential survey can be found here.

Seeking input on community attitudes towards people with disability national survey 

Australian National University and the Social Research Centre are carrying out research on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Social Services.  Part of this research includes a national survey Share with us 2024 to help the Government understand:  

• Community attitudes towards people with disability.
• How these are experienced by people with disability.

You can read more about the work of the research team and their findings to date on their website. 

Complete the AOD nursing state of the workforce survey

The 2024 Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australiasia State of the Workforce survey. This project aims to map and explore issues pertinent to alcohol and other drug (AOD) nurses in Australia, and to compare results to our previous workforce survey conducted in 2020. 

DANA will use this information to produce a comprehensive report on the state of the workforce, and to continue their advocacy work to advance the role and scope of the AOD nurse. The survey can be found here. 

Public Consultation is open for advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Consultation draft

The draft advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy is now open for public consultation. It is time to change the approach to suicide prevention, and have your say. 

This is draft Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (Advice on the Strategy), the feedback received through this public consultation process will inform advice to Government from the National Suicide Prevention Office on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. More information can be found here on the Mental Health Commission's website.

Opportunities 

Strong and Resilient Communities grants open until Oct 4

The objectives of the Strong and Resilient Communities Activity grant are to build volunteer management capability within organisations to uplift volunteer capability, including volunteer knowledge, skills and volunteer numbers; and to support alignment with the strategic objectives of the National Strategy for Volunteering and National Standards for Volunteer Involvement in organisations that support a number of priority cohorts. Grants are up to $20,000 and close on October 4, more information can be found here. 

Join Volunteering ACT's Lived Experience Advisory Groups

VolunteeringACT is working on a short-term project to develop toolkits for young people, support people (such as teachers, school administrators, parents, careers advisors and youth support services) and volunteer managers and coordinators.These toolkits will aim to reduce the barriers to volunteer involvement for young people. VolunteeringACT is recruiting for following lived experience advisory groups:

• Disability Advisory Group
• Multicultural Advisory Group
• Youth Volunteering Working Group  

These groups help VolunteeringACT to identify barriers to volunteering for priority groups, and co-design solutions to those barriers. You can express you interest here. 

National Justice Reinvestment Program Round 3 Grants are now open

The National Justice Reinvestment Program aims to reduce contact with the criminal justice system and incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and young people through support for place-based and community-led justice reinvestment initiatives across Australia.

Applications are now open and close 9:00 pm AEDT on Monday 13 January 2025. Find out more on GrantConnect.

Our next sector update will be on October 18. Reply to this email if you have suggestions of something you'd like us to include. 

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.