Inside this edition you'll find

• an update on commissioning in our sector, including how you can provide your views

• a summary of Federal election commitments on mental health

• updates on our work with the Connecting with People training program, the ATOD-Mental Health Alliance and the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance

Commissioning 

After many delays and much silence, the Mental Health Subsector Commissioning Sector Investment Plan has been released for consultation. If you have not received this document you can access from: Mental Health Commissioning

What is this document and why is it important? 

The Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) outlines the way in which funding for the community mental health sector will be allocated, how procurement will occur and what the timelines will be. It is a key document for service providers to understand the next stage of commissioning and to start preparing for possible bids. It will help inform and shape your organisation's decisions over the coming months.

Is the document final? 

No, this document is a draft that is open for consultation for an eight-week period. The ACT Government has indicated that it is keen for feedback and will be open to hearing and considering all views before finalising the document. This is the last chance the sector has to influence the procurement stage of commissioning.  

Consultation process 

The ACT Health Directorate will provide a range of mechanisms for individuals and organisations to provide feedback and input. This will include surveys, workshops and written feedback. Details will be provided by Health to contracted service providers, through the commissioning website and newsletter and through other distribution lists.  

MHCC ACT will provide a response informed by the opinions of the sector. This will provide organisations with an opportunity to provide more anonymous feedback or to provide input where time or resourcing may not permit an individual response. To provide input you can: 

• Email communications@mhccact.org.au 

• Answer the Directorates survey questions and send to communications@mhccact.org.au for us to include in a sector response

• Attend a MHCC consultation: 

  • Wednesday 30 April 11am - 12.30pm MHCC Meeting Room Level 1 Griffin Centre Civic

  • Thursday 8 May 3.30pm - 4.30pm MHCC Meeting Room Level 1 Griffin Centre Civic

Please feel free to just drop in to either of the two consultation times.

Federal Election  

It has been pleasing to see promises from both major parties to invest in non-acute mental health services as part of their election platforms and that these investments are the largest we have seen in some time. To break it down into what is being promised and how much of that will impact the ACT service system, we have prepared the following summary.  

Federal Election  

It has been pleasing to see promises from both major parties to invest in non-acute mental health services as part of their election platforms and that these investments are the largest we have seen in some time. To break it down into what is being promised and how much of that will impact the ACT service system, we have prepared the following summary.  

The Liberals are promising $400m with a specific focus on youth mental health targeting the ‘missing middle’. Specifically this would include: 

• Expand early psychosis youth services (no new service levels in ACT) 
• Expand the capacity of existing headspace centres (no new centres for the ACT and unclear how much expansion we will see) 
• Reinstate a max of 20 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions per year (will increase access to longer treatment and therapy but, without an increased workforce, will not reduce wait times in the ACT) 
• Expand the remit of Orygen, the National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health (will have a trickle-down impact on the youth mental health space). 

The Labor Party is promising $1 billion to improve service access across youth and adult mental health services. Specifically, this would include: 

• Opening or upgrading 31 Medicare Mental Health Centres (including one in Queanbeyan but none in Canberra)
• Opening or expanding 58 headspace services (no new centres for ACT) 
• Opening 20 youth specialist care centres for young people with complex needs (no locations determined yet)
• Providing more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers (will hopefully increase the workforce in ACT). 

Unfortunately, while big national investments, there will be very minimal impact on the mental health system in the ACT. It is discouraging to see that this will mean there continues to be a lack of service access in Belconnen and Gungahlin, with many still needing to overcome significant access barriers to gain support.

We also find it disappointing that there will be no fiscal increase in federal funding allocation for the community mental health sector of the ACT, and no funding for prevention or early intervention or for the recognised gap in psychosocial supports.

MHCC ACT has been in discussions with local Labor candidates about lobbying for a youth specialist care centre and we have expressed our disappointment in the lack of ACT investment. We will continue to have these conversations as the campaign progresses.

Together with the ACT Mental Health Consumers Network, we released a statement on the Labor announcement and have undertaken radio interviews with ABC Canberra and 2CC. 

If you would like to participate in working towards building a case for the allocation of a youth specialist care centre, please reach out to us via lisa.kelly@mhccact.org.au. 

Interchange Health Centre 

MHCC was concerned to hear that the Interchange Health Centre in Tuggeranong has ceased trading. We are aware that this has left many vulnerable people without health care. This will impact many of the people who access community mental health services and we are aware of the pressure this will place on services. ADACAS has a list of bulk billing or low cost primary health care services on their website.

People requiring opioid management can call the Alcohol & Drug Intak Service via 5124 9977 (press 2). 

Productivity Commission Review 

The Productivity Commission is currently undertaking a review into the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement. They are currently accepting submissions and are due to release the interim report in June before conducting public hearings in July and August. Recently, they shared with the sector some of the things they have been hearing during the consultations including:

• the difficulties people face in finding the right services for themselves and the people they care for
• the level of service fragmentation and how that affects people who have to tell their story multiple times
• positive aspects of services and the commitment of workers
• many examples of excellence and best practice but often examples of policy settings that are not aligned with the way services operate
• policies that are not aligned with how consumers need care across the system
• that we need to move away from only having a clinical and acute focus and more towards community settings and wellbeing. 

The interim report will be released in June. If you have yet to make a submission you can do so on the Productivity Commission website. 

ATOD-MH Alliance 

The ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs – Mental Health (ATOD-MH) Alliance has continued to progress throughout 2025. The Alliance, established by the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Association ACT (ATODA) and MHCC ACT, with support from the ACT Health Directorate, focuses on reducing the fragmentation and gaps in ATOD and mental health services and aims to improve outcomes for individuals and families within the ACT.  

So far, the Alliance, with support of the Alliance Working Groups, has organised a free workshop and bus tour events for workers in the ATOD and mental health sectors. Both events have been a great success so far, helping to foster strong connections between the two sectors, and ensuring seamless on-the-ground service delivery for individuals with co-occurring ATOD and mental health needs.

We are now working on developing an online Community of Practice to foster collaboration across the ACT ATOD and mental health sector workforce through the sharing of knowledge, techniques and developing practice.

Bus tours 

Free training on compassion-based approaches to suicide prevention

Thank you to the community for your interest in our Connecting with People (CwP) training sessions.

That is why we are proud to be delivering the CwP training, developed by 4 Mental Health (4MH). This compassion-based and evidence-informed suicide prevention framework and training approach equips professionals and community members with the tools to provide person-centred support to those experiencing suicidal distress. It complements the traditional risk-based approach to suicide prevention training, providing the necessary soft skills of suicide mitigation practices. 

We are facilitating training sessions for two modules from the CwP suite: 

• Compassion at Work: Explore the often-overlooked aspects of compassion that shape your daily interactions and learn how to better support the wellbeing of your community, workplace and yourself. 

• Community Suicide Awareness: Understand more about what can be done to prevent suicide and learn safe ways to talk to people in suicidal distress to potentially help save their life. 

Each module is a half-day training session, delivered by accredited trainers who are fellow members of the ACT community-managed mental health sector. 

We recommend that attendees complete or register for the Compassion at Work module before undertaking Community Suicide Awareness, as it provides the foundational information for the approach. 

This professional development opportunity is free for members of the ACT community-based mental health sector. People working in primary health care in the ACT with an association with an MHCC ACT working group or community of practice are also welcome to attend.   

This training is delivered with assistance from the ACT Government under the Connecting with People program.

Perinatal Mental Health Alliance 

The ACT Perinatal Mental Health Alliance held its inaugural meeting on 25 March and discussions around the Alliance’s aims, objectives, operations and governance between the Alliance members has flourished. The Alliance members help to bring organisations within this sector together, to overall improve the care and treatment of families in the perinatal period in the ACT. 

The Alliance’s focus is on three main areas: residential services, screening and data and service system improvements. It aims to reduce system fragmentation, improve the integration of systems and connect members and service providers to enhance perinatal mental health for new and growing families within the ACT.  

Thus, the Alliance serves as the ACT’s perinatal health community group to help to achieve a sustainable framework for future perinatal mental health services. 

In addition to our free Connecting with People training and free bus tours for front-line mental health or ATOD sector workers who have contact with clients with co-occurring ATOD or mental health needs, we would like to highlight a selection of events happening in our community.

VolunteeringACT events

VolunteeringACT has several upcoming events, including:

• 15 April & 8 May: Inclusive Volunteering for Organisations Workshop
• 30 April: Sector Networking for Volunteer Managers Workshop
• 22 May: 2025 Volunteering Conference
• 27 May: Wellbeing & Boundaries in Volunteering Workshop.

16 April: Youth Homelessness Matters Day 2025

Young people and service providers are invited to join the Canberra community event to raise awareness and support for young people experiencing homelessness.

The event will include: 

• a Welcome to Country by Aunty Violet Sheridan
• speeches, featuring Minister Yvette Berry and young people with lived experience
• market space with organisations showcasing their services
• art activities and outdoor field games
• food and refreshments.

16 April: Advocacy for Inclusion: Disability ACT Federal Election Town Hall event

The upcoming Federal election is highly consequential for people with disability due to the Federal responsibilities for NDIS, income supports, disability employment and more.

Canberrans with disability are around 20% of the ACT’s voters and we approach the election in a time of unprecedented change for people with disability. Changes to the NDIS, the new system of Foundational Supports, the Disability Royal Commission response, along with issues like poverty, health, housing, education, misinformation, and discrimination, mean it’s time to engage and have your say.

At this event, you will:

• Hear about disability policy priorities for the next Federal Government including the launch of AFI’s 9-point platform for Federal action on disability.
• Listen to people with disability speaking about what these priorities mean on the ground.
• Hear from candidates with their responses and reflections.

17 April: Sunset Festival

Woden Community Service’s (WCS) Youth Engagement Team presents the Sunset Festival 2025, returning for the 8^th year at Eddison Park to celebrate ACT Youth Week 2025!

WCS invites the Canberra community along to help celebrate ACT Youth Week with fun and engaging activities for all ages! Activities include free food and drinks, sunset beats from the local legend himself DJ Mista Nige and special guest performances from young local artists, African drumming workshop by Celebration Africa, Warehouse Circus, youth engagement stalls, touch football with local footy stars and much more!

23 April: CreativityCon

Mura Lanyon Youth & Community Centre is hosting markets stalls for young people by young people. See creations by local young artists and participate in fun (free) workshops.

23 April & 14 May: Care’s 'home energy tune-up' webinars

23 April: For frontline community sector workers
14 May: For workers supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities

Care is hosting two webinars to help you gain:

• practical strategies to help clients reduce energy bills and improve home comfort
• insights into energy efficiency programs and financial support options
• guidance on referring clients to Care, Vinnies and other relevant services and support
• real-world case study to enhance your understanding.

28 April: ACTCOSS Information Session: The Sector Sustainability Program Knowledge Hub

ACTCOSS is holding a free online info session to explore its new resource designed to build stronger, more sustainable community services across the ACT. Hear from Susan Helyar, Project Lead of the Sector Sustainability Project, about:

• what's in the Knowledge Hub and how it can support your work
• how the Hub's resources can inform your advocacy and policy development
• practical tools for improving communication and understanding between funders and community organisations
• campaigns and materials to support your organisation's sustainability

15 May: ACTCOSS & MARSS Cultural Competency Training

Working effectively with diverse communities requires cultural understanding and inclusive communication. ACTCOSS, in partnership with MARSS, invites you to a Cultural Competency Training session to enhance your ability to support and engage with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

What you'll gain:

• An introduction to cultural competence in community development
• Practical skills for engaging effectively with CALD communities
• A deeper understanding of the multicultural landscape in Canberra

Facilitated by MARSS professionals with lived experience, this training is ideal for community sector professionals and those working in grassroots initiatives.

Rebus Theatre Presents: Stages of Empathy

Rebus Theatre's latest project, Stages of Empathy, is a transformative, interactive training program designed to help community groups (including sports clubs, arts collectives, hobbyist organisations and special interest groups) become more accessible for autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities, and psychosocial disabilities. The project will also look at the intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ identities.

Rebus is seeking community groups and organisations across the ACT, NSW and Vic to take advantage of this amazing free inclusion training opportunity. Stages of Empathy is tailored for all types of community groups. Free sessions will commence on 10 May 2025. We can come to your organisation, or small groups can team up with groups for a session.

Got something you want us to include in our next update? Reply to this email to let us know about it. 

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.