News and resources from the community-managed mental health sector
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ACT Mental Health Sector Update
16 April 2023
Hi there. In this edition, we are recruiting for our Media and Communications Manager.
You'll also find information on upcoming training, surveys, submissions, grants and opportunities, news articles, events and other useful mental health resources.
From the CEO
Over the past month, the rights of First Nations people in Australia have been front of mind with the sad passing of trailblazing activist and Gumatj clan leader, Yunipingu, and locally with the loss of Ngunnawal elder Aunty Agnes Shea, a tireless and much-loved advocate for reconciliation, equality and the rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT and across Australia.
Both leaders imagined a better future and took enormous strides to realise it. They also both demonstrated that when we approach advocacy with empathy and kindness, we are more likely to build bridges, find common ground, and inspire others to join our efforts. Connection, compassion and respect are more likely to allow us to come together in support of positive change.
I firmly believe that one of these positive changes is enshrining a Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution. As Australia continues to grapple with the legacy of colonialism and discrimination against Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, the Indigenous Voice to Parliament represents a crucial step towards reconciliation and empowering First Nations communities. Having the Voice enshrined in the Constitution, rather than creating it as an Act of Parliament or by some other mechanism, provides recognition of the sovereign place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold in Australia’s history, and gives the Voice legitimacy, stability and permanency.
There are, of course, a diversity of views among the Australian community about the Voice proposal, and different views should be respected in this debate. The strident and divisive tone of recent political debate, however, is deeply concerning – and it also has real world consequences. The rates of high or very high psychological distress among First nations peoples are already more than twice the rate for the wider population – and this disparity is even higher in the ACT. A divisive and highly politicised debate has the potential to further amplify this psychological distress, creating division and eroding mental health and wellbeing among First Nations peoples.
It is important that the forthcoming debate on the Voice to Parliament is conducted in a respectful and constructive manner, with a focus on building trust and understanding rather than political point scoring. Community and political leaders need to avoid the toxic rhetoric that fosters division and leaves politics polarised. As Aunty Agnes herself reminded us when talking about what is needed to build hope and progress toward positive change: “You must have one simple thing – you must have respect. Respect yourself, respect your history and most of all, respect each other.”
- Corinne Dobson, Acting CEO MHCC ACT
In our sector
NDIS news
NDIA Participant safeguarding policy and implementation plan
The NDIA Participant Safeguarding Policy and Implementation Plan has been released by the NDIA. This policy was co-designed with the disability community and draws upon key points from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, along with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) review. Read the related media release from the Minister.
Repugnant video by One Nation mocks NDIS, SBS News, The Canberra Times, The Guardian, Mirage
The NDIS at ten years: designing an equitable scheme for the next decade
New Procurement and Grant Complaints Procedure
Upcoming planned system outages for:
- myplace participant portal
- myplace provider portal
- my NDIS mobile app
Check out Team DSC's upcoming training.
In the media
Suicide awareness
- Accreditation is critical for suicide prevention, Croaky
‘I Got You’—the three words driving an important mission for mental health in Canberra, HerCanberra
- Most people thinking about suicide don’t tell anyone. Here’s why and what we can do about it, The Guardian
Seven in 10 young Aussies reluctant to seek help from loved ones, ABC News
Silent issue of suicide among older Australian men a growing concern, as advocates urge national conversation, ABC News
Youth
- ACT pilot program to help vulnerable youth reach driving potential, Canberra Weekly
- Around 62 per cent of Australians report being abused and neglected in childhood, major study finds, ABC News
- Eating disorders among teens have more than doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic – here’s what to watch for, The Conversation
Gen stress: Prescriptions surge for children’s anxiety medicines, The Sydney Morning Herald
Open northside home to support young people at risk of homelessness, ACT govt told, The Canberra Times
Preventing child maltreatment: everyone's responsibility, InSight
Climate change and mental health
- Eco-anxiety: climate change affects our mental health – here’s how to cope (from UK), The Conversation
Cost of living
- Geoff is 79. He had to come out of retirement to support his family by mowing lawns, SBS News
- Essential workers being priced out of affordable rentals across Australia, News.com, The Canberra Times, The Canberra Times, Gold Coast Bulletin
ACT government urged to help more Canberrans with cost-of-living pressures, The Canberra Times
Sector demand
- Mental health generalists: an endangered species becoming extinct?, AMPCO
Other
- Curious Kids: what happens if you don’t get enough sleep?, The Conversation
- 'We're still waiting': St John's CBR NightCrew left in the dark on funding future, The RiotACT
The late resignation? One third of Australian workers are considering quitting their jobs, The Guardian
Planning and consultations
Mental Health Workforce Strategy Action Plan - Workshop
You are invited to contribute to the development of the ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy Action Plan. These workshops will address the following priority areas of the Mental Health Workforce Strategy:
- Attraction, recruitment, and retention
- Develop and embed the lived-experience workforce
You are invited to attend one of the following workshop.
Wednesday 26 April from 11 am- 1 pm at Nara Centre, 2 Constitution Ave, City or online.
If you want to attend in person, please register via Eventbrite.
If you want to attend online, please register for the Webex meeting.
(If you have already booked in for this earlier session and will now not be able to attend, please cancel and register for the alternative date).
Inquiry into Penalties for Minor Offences and Vulnerable People
The ACT Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety is undertaking an inquiry into the impact of penalties for minor offences on vulnerable people including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, detainees, welfare recipients, people who are homeless, and people with disabilities and/or mental health issues.
Consultation on Department of Veteran Affairs’ mental health and wellbeing services
DVA is developing a future model of mental health and wellbeing service delivery to guide how it provides support to current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and families. To enable Australian veterans and families to have a voice in the development of the future model, the DVA is conducting a survey, individual interviews, and co-design activities.
If you have questions about the survey or eligibility criteria, or would like to provide feedback, please email mhwsd.strategic.development@dva.gov.au
National Autism Strategy
In 2022 the Australian Government announced the development of a National Autism Strategy.
Autism CRC is doing a survey to hear from the autistic and autism community with early advice to inform the National Autism Strategy.
Views and experiences shared in the survey will help identify key themes and issues that should be considered in the development of the Strategy.
The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete and closes at midnight (AEST) on 30 April.
NDIS General Issues Inquiry
The Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS is seeking information about the implementation, performance, governance, administration and expenditure of the NDIS. In particular, the committee invites input from participants, their carers and family members, service providers, and representative organisations.
Seeking participants
Parents' issues survey
Do you care for a teenager or young person? ReachOut is surveying parents and carers so that they can learn about the concerns and challenges you face around the mental health and wellbeing of young people in your care. This research will help services learn more about what matters to you. It will also help ReachOut and other services to provide better help and support to young people and their parents/carers. If you take part in this survey, you will also have the chance to win one of 25 $100 gift vouchers.
Help enhance access to digital volunteer management resources
The Volunteering Peak Bodies (VPBs) across Australia are exploring how online resources can be developed to build the capacity of volunteer involving organisations.
To prevent digital exclusion and ensure online resources are accessible to volunteer involving organisations, research is underway to investigate the digital capacity and capability of volunteer involving organisations, and to identify barriers to online access and technology use.
Contribute by completing the survey by 5pm on 21 April.
Public Advocate and Children and Young People Commissioner annual satisfaction survey
The Public Advocate and Children and Young People Commissioner is committed to pursuing a supportive and caring community where the rights and interests of people experiencing vulnerability are protected. The Commissioner invites you to participate in their annual survey to improve their services.
Consciousness and the phenomenology of psychosis survey
ANU is seeking participants for a study exploring how changes in consciousness affect first-person experience of psychosis.
Investment in parents with disabilities
The ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS) and Advocacy for Inclusion are seeking the views of parents with disabilities about their experiences and what could be done to address any problems or barriers they face.
Other opportunities
Recruitment for a new Chair of the Official Visitors Board for the ACT Visitor Scheme
The Scheme provides independent oversight of services for people in government institutions and community facilities who are dependent on service providers. The objective of the Scheme is to identify and address systemic service issues in those facilities.
The Chair of the Board ensures the effective exercise of the Board’s functions. In addition to the Board’s statutory functions, the Chair’s role includes:
- overseeing governance of the Scheme;
- supporting the work of the Official Visitors Executive Officer;
- resolving and referring complaints or issues regarding Official Visitors or the operation of the scheme;
- arranging and chairing Board meetings four times a year; and
- overseeing the preparation of the Annual Report for the Official Visitor Scheme.
The successful appointee will have the experience or expertise necessary to exercise the functions of the role, including:
- Extensive expertise in and dedication to promoting and protecting the interests of vulnerable people in institutions and facilities covered by the Scheme.
- Demonstrated competency in delivering on statutory, compliance and reporting requirements to a high standard.
- Proven ability to advise government, service providers or other organisations on systemic public interest issues.
- Demonstrated ability to foster and lead a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, inclusion and respect.
- Facilitate relationships, cooperation and partnerships with public sector, private sector and community sector stakeholders.
- Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to the highest standards of integrity, excellence, leadership and accountability.
- Previous board or committee experience is highly desirable.
The ACT Government is committed to a Board that is reflective of the broader community that it serves. Expressions of interest are sought from all areas of the community including the public sector, private sector, and community sector. Women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Please direct any general inquiries to Gabrielle at Gabrielle.McKinnon@act.gov.au
Ph: 6205 3158.
What's on
Upcoming MHCC ACT events
Co-design workshop with Leanne Craze
When: 10am to 3pm Thursday 20 April
Where: Online - Zoom link will be provided prior to the workshop
Cost:
$100 Members
$180 Non-members
$42.50 Identified Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person or organisation
Co-design workshop with Leanne Craze seeks to increase understanding of co-production & co-design, its imperative, and how it might be embedded in all we do in our roles and work.
Leanne Craze has a long involvement with the MHCC ACT, having been involved with its establishment and the early days of its operation. She has been providing mental health consultancy services since 1990. Some key projects include the National Framework for Recovery Oriented Mental Health Services and the Peer Work Hub. Leanne is passionate about co-design, believing that people are the best creators of their own solutions and understand best what is needed. Leanne endeavors to live this philosophy in her practice and in all consultancies conducted.
This course will be delivered online, via Zoom. A link will be provided via email prior to the workshop.
Final opportunities: Walk on Country training for our members
MHCC ACT is supporting our members to have a greater understanding and cultural awareness of the local traditional owners of our land, by providing free three-hour Walk on Country training sessions.
We have announced new training sessions including one on 19 April. The final training sessions will be taking place in May and June, dates will be announced on MHCC ACT channels.
Note: This training is only available to staff employed by MHCC member organisations. To allow for smaller organisations to send staff, we are limiting registrations to five employees per organisation for each training session.
Other upcoming events
Training and workshops
Round the world breakfast, Canberra, 4 May, hosted by YWCA.
Body Image Training for Educators (suitable for educators, youth workers and community professionals working with young people of all genders aged 8 to 18), webinar, 1:00pm 16 May, 10:00am 7 June, hosted by Butterfly Foundation.
Consumer representation training, 11am to 2pm on Wednesdays from 19 April to 17 May, hosted by the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network. Email education@actmhcn.org.au for more information.
SiTara's Story Gala 2023, 6:30pm on 13 May, hosted by SiTara's Story.
Grant Writing Workshop for the ACT Community Sector, 1 June, hosted by ACTCOSS.
"Break the Barrier" - an intergenerational learning circle, 25 June and 10 September, hosted by SiTara's Story.
Conferences and forums
National Suicide Prevention Conference, Canberra, 1 to 4 May, hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia.
Disability Services Digital and Technology Transformation Forum, 23 and 24 May, hosted by Aventedge.
Annual NDIS Conference, Sydney (hybrid), 1 and 2 June, hosted by DSC.
Annual International Mental Health Conference, 7 to 9 June, Gold Coast, hosted by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.
3rd International Indigenous Health & Wellbeing Conference, Cairns, 14 to 16 June, hosted by The Lowitja Institute.
9th Rural and Remote Heath Scientific Symposium, Canberra, 20 and 21 June, hosted by Australian Rural Health Education Network, the Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators, the Lowitja Institute and the National Rural Health Alliance.
33rd Annual Mental Health Services Conference, Adelaide, 15 to 18 August, hosted by the MHS Learning Network.
Australian Psychosis Conference 2023, hosted by Psychosis Australia, Sydney, 11 to 13 September.
Indigenous Wellbeing Conference, Darwin, 30 to 31 October, hosted by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.
Other
Climate Cafe, online, 23 April, hosted by Psychology for a Safe Climate.
Being Human: Exploring humane responses to distress, Woodcock Public Lecture, Melbourne (hybrid), 25 May, hosted by Wellways.
Suicide Awareness Ball, Canberra, 3 June, hosted by OzHelp.
Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June.
Member spotlight
OzHelp
OzHelp is a national leader in providing health and wellbeing programs for workers in high-risk, hard-to-reach industries.
OzHelp’s outreach approach takes support to workplaces and communities across Australia, with a specific focus on building and construction, transport and farming and agriculture industries.
OzHelp’s evidence-informed health and wellbeing programs help individuals build awareness of risk and protective factors for mental health and suicide, adopt self-management strategies and seek help if required; build the capacity of individuals to notice the signs of distress in others, offer support and connect them to help; and provide early intervention health screening and access to personal support and counselling.
Opportunities
Grants
Australian Institute of Company Directors – Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors 2023/2024
The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) is pleased to open their annual Not-for-Profit Scholarship Program for 2023/24, offering 200 fully funded scholarships.
Since 2017, the AICD has supported Not-for-Profit sector leaders to access foundational governance education to build capabilities and govern their organisations more effectively.
In conjunction with their facilitating partner, the Australian Scholarships Foundation, we invite applications from directors, executives and emerging directors of NFP organisations across Australia with an annual income of less than $2m to attend the AICD’s Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors program.
Applications close 23 April.
Capital of Equality Grants Program
The Capital of Equality Grants Program has been redesigned to better respond to community needs. The program aims to support and strengthen Canberra’s LGBTIQ+ communities. $700,000 has been allocated to the 2023 and 2024 grant rounds. Funding is available across three streams:
- Connection Fund
- Partnerships and Capacity Building
- LGBTIQ+ Leadership
Further information available here.
Other opportunities
Exhibition space: Volunteering Expo Canberra Region 2023
This year's Volunteering Expo will occur on 20 May, and planning is well underway. Your organisation can book an exhibition space, costing $110 for Volunteering ACT members and $220 for non-members. Book your space.
Recent findings
Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW) releases
Ambulance attendances: Suicidal ideation, and suicidal and self-harm behaviours - update
Behavioural risk factor burden for suicide and self-inflicted injuries
Continued decline in the number of young people under youth justice supervision
Other releases
- Addressing Child Mental Health Inequities Through Parental Mental Health and Preschool Attendance, Pediatrics
A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Facilitators to Accessing and Utilising Mental Health Services amongst Sri Lankan Australians, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- A needs assessment for self-management services for adults awaiting community-based mental health services, BMC Public Health
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Australia: A descriptive analysis between 2015–16 and 2019–20, Australasian Psychiatry
- Differences and Similarities Between Consumer- and Caregiver- or Family-Informed Peer Roles in Mental Health, Psychiatric Services
- Effect of nature prescriptions on cardiometabolic and mental health, and physical activity: a systematic review, The Lancet (Planetary Health)
- Mental and general health at the edges of owner occupation [analysis of how housing status and housing affordability has affected wellbeing over in time in UK and Australia], International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis
- Mental deterioration of refugees and asylum seekers with uncertain legal status in Australia: Perceptions and responses of legal representatives, International Journal of Social Psychiatry
- Psychosocial hazards affecting mental health in the construction industry: a qualitative study in Australia, Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
- Self-harm and suicidal ideation in children and adolescents in contact with child protection services, Medical Journal of Australia
- The prevalence and impact of child maltreatment in Australia: Findings from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study: 2023 Brief Report, Queensland University of Technology
Veteran homelessness in Australia: What do we know? What has been done? What do we need to do? Australasian Psychiatry
Upcoming AIHW data releases
14 April: Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia - early insights
20 April: National opioid pharmacotherapy statistics annual data collection 2022
26 April: Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in Australia
26 April: GEN 2021-22 update (providers, services and places in aged care, people using aged care, spending on aged care and pathways in aged care)
26 April: Pathways in aged care 2020 technical guide
27 April: Mental health - tranche 2 update
Resources
For front-line workers
Supporting resilience and preventing burnout in nonprofits
To help consumers
ACT Women’s Return to Work grant
The ACT Women’s Return to Work grant is an ACT Government initiative that assists women to achieve increased financial independence by helping them prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. The grant is targeted at supporting ACT women looking to re-enter the workplace who face additional barriers to employment and training opportunities.
More information.
5 books for kids and teens that positively portray trans and gender-diverse lives
Job opportunities
Our members are recruiting. You can also see a weekly summary of member job opportunities each Friday on our LinkedIn channel.
Media and Communications Manager, Mental Health Community Coalition. Applications close 28 April.
Marketing and Communications Officer, YWCA. Applications close 16 April.
Manager, Homelessness Programs, St Vincent de Paul Society. Applications close 17 April.
Commissioned Activities Coordinator, Capital Health Network. Applications close 19 April.
Case Manager, Barnados. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Cert III Educators - Early Childhood Education and Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Chief Operating Officer, Carers ACT. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Coach Driver, Capital Region Community Services. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Diploma Qualified Educators - Early Childhood Education and Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Disability Support Worker - Complex Care, Access Lifecare. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Early Childhood Teachers, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Educational Leaders - Early Childhood Education and Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Engagement Facilitator (CHSP), Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Out of School Hours Care Educator, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Partnerships & Engagement Manager, OzHelp. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Payroll Officer, Capital Region Community Services. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
People and Culture Advisor, Capital Region Community Services. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Program Worker, Wellways. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Senior Program Coordinator - Out of School Hours Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Support Worker, Mental Health Foundation. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Trainee in Administration, The Quest Group. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
2IC - Out of School Hours Care, Communities@Work. No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.
Ending on a positive
In this section, we want to include fun, uplifting or light-hearted stories linked to mental health. If you have an idea for an article to include, please email it to communications@mhccact.org.au.
Walk from Strathnairn to Shepherds Lookout with a self-guided audio tour
The Ginninderry Tracks app and audio tour has been created by the Ginninderry Conservation Trust to enhance placemaking and storytelling in the area. The app leads users through an hour-long walk with options to either start at The Link or from Shepherds Lookout, and pause at designated areas of importance to listen to stories about the cultural and natural values of the area.
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.
