In this Sector Update, find:

• Director of Engagement and Partnerships blog, from Vicky Choice
• Sector News
• Upcoming events
• Grants, community resources, and other opportunities

Our next Sector Update will be in 3 May. Let us know if you have anything you'd like us to include by replying to this email.

Dear Friends,  

The Easter break seems like a distant memory now; however, I hope you all had a good break and managed some downtime with family and friends.  

Since the end of March, our team been up to a lot! We are gathering momentum in producing concrete election asks, which we hope will improve conditions and opportunities for our members in the community-based mental health space 

On the 26th of March, Erin and I met Chief Minister Andrew Barr. We had a robust discussion, underpinned by our requests for an increase in funding to our sector, and focus on capacity-building for mental health commissioning.  We also put forward an idea to have free public transport, plus a series of small community-focussed events, to coincide with World Mental Health Day, whilst raising awareness about loneliness rates in the ACT. 

Erin, Chief Minister Barr and Vicky 

The following day, we held our Advocacy Workshop with members. There was a wealth of expertise in the room, which helped cultivate excellent conversations, connections, and ideas. We are now formulating these ideas into concrete election asks, which we’ll distribute to members ahead of putting them forward to government.   

The day after, our Board Chair Yvonne Luxford, Erin, and I met Michael Pettersson MLA for Yerrabi. Michael has a deep interest in the issues surrounding loneliness and social isolation in the ACT, and we provided examples of where things are and aren’t working. We appreciated his pragmatic, supportive approach.

Vicky, Minister Davidson, Melanie and Erin 

Vicky, Yvonne, Mr Pettersson MLA and Erin

Two weeks ago, our Policy, Advocacy and Media Manager, Erin, spoke at the Public Hearing - ECI - Inquiry into the Disability Inclusion Bill 2024. Erin referred to our submission; Inquiry into Disability Inclusion Bill 2024. You can find a recording of the hearing on the Legislative Assembly’s page. Erin kicks off at the 1:27 mark.  
 
Last week, our Events and Engagement Manager, Rahni attended TheMHS Learning Network’s forum “Connecting with People Who Care” in Sydney. Rahni was excited to be joined by our friends from our sister peaks, Mental Health Consumer Network, and Carers ACT.  

Most recently, we had our second op-ed this year published in the Canberra Times, ‘The benefit for everyone in a properly funded mental health system’ speaks to our 2024-25 ACT Pre-budget Submission, and highlights the reality that with almost half of all Canberrans experiencing mental ill-health in their lifetime, a properly funded mental health system is in the best interests of all Canberrans.  

What next?  

In addition to developing our own election platform, we are excited to be collaborating with other ACT peak leaders to develop a joint election platform. ACTCOSS hosted a roundtable after Easter, and Minister Emma Davidson attended, sharing insights and support for our sector. As a collective of peak leaders, we hope our shared voice will drive change to positively impact our community.  

We’d love for you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X to keep up to date with what we’re up to in between sector updates.  

- Vicky Choice, Director of Engagement and Partnerships MHCC ACT

In the news

ACT Government publishes 10-year disability strategy | Canberra Daily
ACT Public Service sets nine per cent employment target of people with disability | Riotact
Documentary shines the light on Canberra carers | Canberra Daily 
DoNOHarm at work - how to care for others and avoid burnout | Riotact
'It's a matter of urgency': The push for more chronic fatigue support | SBS News
Laws to remove penalties for nicotine-containing vapes in ACT on cards | The Canberra Times 
Retirement is good for us. It's those who keep working that we should worry about | SBS News
Seniors advocacy workers say there are ways to help our older people access government support services | ABC News 
Survey finds ACT principals more likely to be subject to threats, violence, and have poor mental health | Riotact
The ACT has decriminalised many illicit drugs, but has some of the strictest penalties for possessing nicotine vapes | ABC News  
The benefit for everyone in a properly funded mental health system | The Canberra Times 

Seeking participants

Molonglo Valley Library Codesign

The ACT Government is seeking ideas and feedback from the Canberra community to support the vision of the future library and community hub for the Molonglo Valley.

You can have your say by:

• completing the short survey
• posting your ideas, photos and videos on our vision board
• attending one of the ‘pop-ups’ at local shops or libraries
• checking out the display at your local library branch and sharing your ideas on the interactive board
• emailing communityengagement@act.gov.au.

Consultation closes 6 May.

Climate Change Adaptation Planning Toolkit - Community Service Organisation Survey

Many CSOs play an important role in assisting the community to cope with disasters, including those that are climate related. Many also provide critical services that cannot afford to be disrupted by such disasters or by other impacts caused by a changing climate. 

Climate change risks include extreme weather events, such as floods or fires. They may be sudden and quick or slower and over a longer duration. The risks associated with how we change society to adapt to climate change are also considered climate change risks. These include higher taxes on fossil fuels, changes in technology like shifting to electric vehicles and shifts in the market when some industries become less viable.

It is critical that community service organisations continue to operate in a future with more frequent and severe climate hazards and so are prepared for these risks

The ACT Government has engaged a team of specialists in climate change resilience to develop a toolkit that will help Community Service Organisations prepare for a future that includes severe climate risks.

This survey will give the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) a better understanding of your service and how it operates.
This information will help plan a series of interactive workshops where EPSDD will collaborate with participants to co-design a Climate Change Adaptation Planning Toolkit.

Survey. 

AIHW Stakeholder Survey 2024

AIHW is asking for stakeholders to participate n in the AIHW’s 2024 Stakeholder Survey. This survey aims to give a better understanding of your engagement preferences, and helps the AIHW to know what AIHW products and topics you find most useful.  

Your feedback will allow the AIHW to ensure they continue to evolve in an ever-changing data environment.

Survey

Upcoming events

Training and workshops 

• Volunteer Recruitment Basics 16 April, 202 City Walk Canberra

• Adult Mental Health First Aid - 2 Day Course 7 and 8 May, ACTCOSS 

• Wesley LifeForce First Nations Suicide Prevention Training 17 April, ACTCOSS 

• Multicultural Training 30 May, ACTCOSS 

• ACTCOSS Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Education Workshop 15 August, Weston Community Hub Meeting Room

• Stepping Stone: CALD Adults Learning Elementary Computer and English Skills Multiple dates, Gunghalin Library 

• Lifeline Canberra - Accidental Counsellor Multiple dates, Canberra

• Lifeline Canberra - ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Multiple dates, Canberra

• Take Control – Live Well 3 week group program Multiple dates, multiple locations

Conferences and forums  

• AddictionZ 2024, Breaking the Barriers Conference 29 April - 1 May, Gold Coast

• National Suicide Prevention Conference 2024 30 April - 2 May

• Volunteering Conference 2024 21 May, Canberra

• MHomentum 2024 22-24 May, Gold Coast

• Safeguarding the Future conference 23 - 24 May, Canberra

• 34th Annual Mental Health Services Conference 27 - 30 August, Canberra

• Free and Equal Human Rights Conference 6 - 7 June, Sydney 

• 17th National Rural Health Conference 16-18 September, Perth

• 4th Indigenous Wellbeing Conference October, Auckland 

• APSAD Canberra 2024 30 October - 2 November, Canberra

• Rural Mental Health Conference 6 - 8 November, Cairns 

• STOP Domestic Violence Conference 25 - 27 November, Adelaide 

Other 

• Youth Homelessness Matters Day 2024 17 April, Salthouse Community Centre, Canberra

Youth InterACT Grants and Scholarships

The Youth InterACT Grants and Scholarships support young people to develop and connect with each other.

The Youth InterACT Scholarships are for young people who have genuine ability and determination but don’t have the money to attend events or activities. They also help these young people to remain connected and engaged with their community.

Scholarships are open all year round. If you are, or know, a young person aged 12 to 25, this scholarship could go towards attending an otherwise unaffordable activity, event or course.

The Youth InterACT Grants support events, programs and projects to strengthen community connections, promote diversity and increase awareness of issues that affect young people.

Apply by 15 April. 

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.