News and resources from the community-managed mental health sector
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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 10 November. Let us know if you have anything you'd like us to include by replying to this email.
From the CEO
We’re getting to the end of a massive Mental Health Month. Throughout this month, we have seen an incredible array of events, programs, and initiatives designed to foster mental wellbeing, community building, and wellbeing. (Psst: keep reading for a link to grab one of the last tickets to our almost sold-out Awards evening next week!)
Mental Health Month Launch Speakers
We kicked off Mental Health Month with an official launch, at which I joined ACT Minister for Mental Health, Emma Davidson, and several powerful lived experience speakers in reflecting on how we build collective wellbeing. I also joined Adam Shirley on ABC Canberra later in the month for a wonderful discussion about the loneliness epidemic – you can listen to the interview here.
Throughout the month, our members, fellow peaks and grant recipients have organised vibrant, inspiring grassroots events to speak to their communities about mental health. We’ve seen festivals; chats over teddy bear-construction; a drumming circle; an anti-racism roundtable; a beautiful mums, mums-to-be, and bubs gathering; and other mental health promotion events held by schools, cultural groups, and other pillars of community. And there's more to look forward to as we get to October’s final days, including the Belconnen Art Centre's “Moments of Connection” exhibition next week!
A teddy produced at "A Beary Lovely Morning" and a mind map from the Collective on Anti-Racism (COAR) roundtable.
These events have not only kept our community engaged but also demonstrated the incredible power of collective action in the pursuit of mental health promotion and community building.
One of our own efforts during the Month included lighting up Black Mountain Tower in green, the international colour of mental health awareness on 10 October, World Mental Health Day. As we discuss in our op-ed published this week in The Canberra Times, for this night, we thought of Black Mountain Tower as a beacon – people throughout Canberra looked to this same icon in the landscape.
This is a reminder that we are not alone – something that can be difficult for many of us to keep in mind given the prevailing loneliness epidemic. According to a large study by the non-profit organisation, Ending Loneliness Together, the ACT is the loneliest state or territory in Australia – 40% of us feel lonely. I argue that the antidote to loneliness in addressing issues like work/life balance that keep us unable to connect with others outside of work commitments; urban planning and design that incorporates communal spaces; and other holistic efforts to build communities from the ground up.
Coming soon is another highlight of Mental Health Month, our almost sold-out Awards Night! We’ve already been celebrating awards nominees Ainslee Village Chat to Pat and Jacinta Dubojski with RiotACT in the lead up to the event. The night will further honour our local Community Wellbeing Heroes. These heroes are the backbone of our community, tirelessly working to uplift the well-being of individuals in need.
Joining us for this celebration will be distinguished guests, including Minister Davidson, the Hon. Dr. Andrew Leigh, Federal Charities Minister, Sophie Lewis, ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, Office for Wellbeing Coordinator General Elizabeth Moore, and, at least count, around a dozen members of the ACT Legislative Assembly representing all political parties, along with high profile local business leaders.
We'll also enjoy live music from the talented Ben Drysdale – a well-known local musician and also the Director of Rebus Theatre, a theatre company run by and for people with lived experience of mental ill-health – and have opportunities to connect with one another. More information about this event can be found in the "What's On" section below.
Tickets are close to selling out, so be sure to RSVP as soon as possible to secure your place.
Mental Health Month has been a whirlwind of activity, but it has also served as a galvanising reminder of the remarkable work taking place in Canberra for mental health promotion and community building.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to celebrating with you at the Mental Health Month Awards on Wednesday 1 November.
- Melanie Poole, CEO MHCC ACT
In our sector
In the news
Employers on notice to protect their staff against psychosocial hazards in the workplace | Riotact
A pandemic-like intervention is needed to address gambling | The Canberra Times
The relentless grind of being a carer in the ACT | The Canberra Times
Insomnia and mental disorders are linked. But exactly how is still a mystery | The Conversation
Towards active citizenship for people living with psychosocial disability | Simon Katterl Consulting
How to manage anxiety through Canberra's next bushfire season | The Canberra Times
Israel-Hamas war: How to cope with distressing news and social media content | SBS News
Gungahlin to finally have new community centre and youth hub | Riotact
Advocate 'significantly concerned' at inappropriate Dhulwa referrals | The Canberra Times
$7 million boost for Canberra’s Walk-in Centres to expand services | Riotact
Planning and consultations
Therapeutic Support Panel for Children and Young People - EOIs Open
The Therapeutic Support Panel will be established when the Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 is enacted. This Bill raises the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the ACT from 10 to 12 years, and to 14 years in 2025. The Panel will lead the ACT Government’s response to children and young people engaging in harmful behaviour who are no longer subject to a youth justice response. Applications close 30 October.
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.
CBR Health and Wellbeing Study
The ACT Health Directorate has launched a new study, CBR Health and Wellbeing, which collects information about the health and wellbeing of Canberrans. The study will be launched as a pilot to help ACT Health better understand the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ Canberrans. LGBTIQ+ people experience major health disparities compared to the general population, which are often underreported in health surveys. The term LGBTIQ+ is respectfully used as an umbrella term and is not intended to be limited to only those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and/or queer.
Haig Park Community Art Installation Survey 🌳
This initiative, generously supported by the City Renewal Authority, aims to blend the vibrant spirit of our community with the animals we share our city with. We're excited to involve you in the creative process by asking you to choose the animals you'd most like to see featured in this public art installation. Your input will help shape the artistic expression that will breathe life into Haig Park and enrich the experiences of all who visit. Join us in making Haig Park a more vibrant and inspiring place to gather and connect. Your participation is not just a survey; it's an opportunity to leave your mark in our city park.
What's on
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
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 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
Introduction to Grant Writing 30 November, 9.30am - 4.30pm
(Youth) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid 2-Day Workshop 21 November 9:30am - 22 November 4pm
Information Sessions: Insurances for Community Organisations 16 November, 10-11am
Hindsight, Insight, Foresight - a CDNet Community of Practice event 13 November 9.30-12.30
Foundation Training: LGBTIQ+[Ai] Awareness & inclusion 14 November, 10am-12pm
Volunteer Leaders Seminar 2023 2 November, 9.30am-3pm
Conferences and forums
AFDO Advocacy Conference 30 October, Melbourne/Online
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 until 31 October.
Sustainable Travel Street Party 26 November, with specific events TBA.
Drum Circle Mental Health Awareness Workshop 28 October, 4-6pm
Intersex Awareness Day - A Convo with Mimi Hall TONIGHT 27 October, 6-7pm
Trans Joy for Trans Awareness Week 17 November, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
World AIDS Day 2023 1 December, 8:00am - 10am
Landcare Festival of Nature Held throughout spring.
CAHMA - ATODA art exhibit Bid for art created by CAHMA clients and CAHMA's NDIS clients. All artists are people with lived experience of alcohol and other drug use and/or mental health issues. All artwork is for sale and all proceeds go to the artists. The art is currently on display at ATODA and can be viewed by arrangement.
Reclaim the Night Canberra 2023 TONIGHT 27 October, 5pm, Glebe Park.
Opportunities
Grants and Funding
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.
Sue Salthouse Leadership Fund, Call for Applications 2023
The Sue Salthouse Leadership Fund (SSLF) was established to assist people with disability to access opportunities that build skills and experience, enhancing the representation and leadership capacity of people with disability. The application deadline is 5:00pm on Monday 30 October 2023.
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.
Seniors Achievement Awards 2023
COTA ACT is taking the opportunity to recognise outstanding individuals, community organisations, social and business enterprises that have made a significant contribution to improving the lives of older Canberrans. Within our 6 award categories, we spotlight the importance of aged care, education and resourcefulness, outstanding service for seniors, diversity, social justice and advocacy and resilience within the Senior community. Nominations close 3 November.
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.
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.
