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 14 June. Let us know if you have anything you'd like us to include by replying to this email.

Dear friends,  
 
May has been a big month for the country, and the community managed mental health sector. Following the announcement of the Federal Budget, which fell short by way of mental health commitments and spend, we wait with bated breath for the ACT Budget, which will be released on Tuesday the 25th of June. In the meantime, we and other sector and peak leaders will continue advocating with the relevant Ministers and MLAs, for better outcomes for our members and the broader community.  

With this in mind, we have formulated a draft of our Election Platform. Developed by the team following our member advocacy workshop, we have sprinkled in other asks to provide further support and recognition of our members in the community-managed mental health space. We’d love you to read the document and are open to advice, so feel free to contact us at admin@mhccact.org.au by 31 May please. We will then incorporate the finalised asks in the upcoming Ministerial and MLA meetings that have been scheduled.  
 
Last week, Rahni, Sebastian and I attended Mental Health Australia's Members Policy Forum. It was good to be joined by local and interstate colleagues, as well as the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Hon Emma McBride MP. 

Rahni and Vicky at Mental Health Australia's Members Policy Forum.

On Tuesday, Sebastian and I attended the Inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT hearing, where we talked to key recommendations in our March 2024 Submission alongside our friends at the Mental Health Consumer Network. We look forward to continuing to partner with government to overcome loneliness in the ACT.  

Sebastian and Vicky at the Inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT hearing.

We are excited to announce our Post Budget Breakfast on Thursday the 27th of June at the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion at the Arboretum. Minister Davidson will be in attendance, as well as other speakers who will provide thoughts and analysis on the ACT budget released two days’ prior. Breakfast, tea and coffee will be served, and it will be an excellent opportunity to connect with other members and sector colleagues. It’ll likely be a cold morning but don your winter woollies and join us – we'd love to see you. Tickets are $40 via Humanitixs.  

Till next time... 

- Vicky Choice, Director of Engagement and Partnerships MHCC ACT

In the news

ACT Greens pitch free, government-run GPs | Canberra Times
'At breaking point': Much-loved Canberra charity could be forced to close | Canberra Times
Brothers' passion project spurs growth for fight against suicide | Riotact
Former PCYC hub to be converted into affordable rental units Riotact
Inside the world of hoarding | Riotact
'Not a long-term solution': ACT Government gives 'one-off boost' to Kidsafe | Canberra Times
One-off boost for ACT health NGOs | Canberra Daily
'Life-saving': Pocock backs Kidsafe ACT's pleas for more funding | Canberra Times
The $19 reason renters like Naomi are 'angry' | SBS News
This budget's winners and losers | Canberra Times
The value of volunteering to the ACT | Canberra Times
When the ambition for mental health reform exceeds the Federal Budget’s funding allocation, how to respond? | Croaky Health Media 
'Women don't feel safe': PM's gender champion calls for action | Canberra Times

Seeking participants

MHCC ACT Election Platform

MHCC ACT have formulated a draft of our Election Platform. Developed by the team following our member advocacy workshop, we have sprinkled in other asks to provide further support and recognition of our members in the community-managed mental health space. We’d love you to read the document and are open to advice, so feel free to contact us at admin@mhccact.org.au by 31 May please. We will then incorporate the finalised asks in the upcoming Ministerial and MLA meetings that have been scheduled.  

Review and provide feedback

Help make Canberra the world’s age-friendliest city

Community consultation has begun on a 10-year plan to make Canberra a great place to grow older.

The ACT Government will develop the next Age-Friendly City Plan 2025–2035 to set the direction and priorities to make Canberra a place where everyone can age well.

Canberrans are being asked to share their thoughts and vision for an inclusive, accessible and welcoming city where people are celebrated as they grow older.

The consultation will cover five focus areas, including:

• health
• employment and financial security
• housing
• access and connection
• respect, inclusion and belonging.

There are a number of ways Canberrans can share their views:

• complete the YourSay survey
• upload a submission on the YourSay website
• attend an in-person facilitated discussion at a library – there are discussions scheduled at Belconnen, Dickson, Tuggeranong and Kippax libraries
• host a discussion with friends or community groups using a discussion guide designed to draw out feedback that can be shared with the government.

Consultation closes Friday 28 June 2024.

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. 

MHCC ACT Post Budget Breakfast 

We're proud to represent an inspirational, dedicated sector. That's why we're excited to see you at our 2024-2025 Post Budget Breakfast.

Agenda will be shared closer to the event. At a high level we will be presenting a budget analysis and inviting key speakers to present their views. This will also provide a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a sector and reflect on our shared vision of the ACT as a thriving, inclusive and healthy community.

We hope to see you there. 

Tickets $40. Register now. 

Upcoming events

Training and workshops 

• Get heard. Make impact - The art and science of strategic communication, 28 May, Elm Communications Canberra, Ainslie Arts Centre  

• Multicultural Training 30 May, ACTCOSS 

• MIEACT's Community Sector DoNOHarm Training 31 May, Online 

• MIEACT's Community Sector DoNOHarm Training 4 June, Online

• Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Information and Harm Reduction Training, 5 June and 6 June, ATODA,  Youth Coalition ACT Lyneham  

• Information Session: The ACT Budget Process for the Community Sector 12 June, 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  

• RISE UP! 2024 She Leads Conference 2 August, 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 

• Reconciliation Day 27 May, Commonwealth Park

• Rebus Theatre Presents: THE ART OF DISRUPTION 30 May and 1 June, Kingston

• SiTara's Story Gala 2024 22 June, The Abbey by Daana

• Confidence in Conversations: Training for all Venue & Club Staff Various dates, Canberra

ABC Canberra Community Spirit Award

The 2024 ABC Canberra Community Spirit Award aims to celebrate the power, strength and diversity of vibrant communities in the region and to recognise those who are making a real difference.

There is a change to the awards in 2024, with a single, prestigious award for Canberra's 'Community All-Star'. Now it’s your chance to celebrate our local legends by nominating via the form below. Nominations close on Friday, 24 May 2024 at midnight.

Nominate now

Healthcare Sector women’s leadership scholarship

Partial scholarships of $1,000-$5,000 are available to help women in select industries participate in world-class leadership courses.

Find out more.

My Rights My Decisions Workshops

Delivered by the Mental Health Consumer Network, My Rights, My Decisions (MRMD) workshops help you to think about the things that are important to you if you become unwell in the future.  You will learn how to complete your Form Kit, including when you can complete it, what you can write in it, how to lodge it for future use and more.

By the end of the workshop, you will:

• Have a basic understanding of your rights, decision-making capacity and supported decision making under the Mental Health Act 2015 (ACT);
• Know the difference between a carer, a Nominated Person and other types of support people and know how to appoint a Nominated Person;
• Understand what an Advance Consent Direction and Advance Agreement can be used for and how to complete them; and
• Know how to finish and lodge your Form Kit.

More information. 

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.