ACT Mental Health Sector Update: 21 July 2023

In this Sector Update, find:

The CEO blog, from Melanie Poole
Sector News
Upcoming events from the MHCC ACT and in Canberra
Grants, jobs, and other opportunities

Our next Sector Update will be on 4 August. Let us know if you have anything you'd like us to include by replying to this email.

It’s been a whirlwind fortnight since our last Sector Update. It has been wonderful to continue meeting with many of you, and to learn about the priorities for your organisations – including at our members leadership meeting last week. I am also excited to announce that there will be more new MHCC team members keen to meet you soon – we are recruiting! We are looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager and a Business Manager.

More broadly this fortnight, we’ve been appalled at the findings of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme, which reveal the extent to which some members of the Morrison government departed from basic rule of law standards that we all expect in a democracy. The impact robodebt has had on marginalised people in our society, whose basic rights to procedural fairness were violated, is devastating. The bravery of those who fought for justice, often finding themselves ruthlessly targeted by powerful actors as a result, is extraordinary.

This week we ran our Do No Harm training. This is a vital training on how to communicate appropriately and inclusively about mental health conditions, traumatic experiences, suicide, self-harm, and disordered eating. We are pleased to work with our member and neighbour, Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT), in running this program to build the capacity and knowledge base of our sector.

Recently, we hosted our 2023 mid-year forum, Weathering the Storm: Climate Change and Mental Health. We had a record turnout and a very fruitful conversation that covered the intersection between climate change and mental health, and the types of systemic policy reforms necessary. You can view the forum on our YouTube channel and website.

When I think about the connection between our mental health and climate change, I remember the bushfires that we went through in the 2019/2020 summer. I remember waking to the smell of ash in the air, even inside my own house. I remember watching children playing in an inner-city park, near where I lived in Footscray, Melbourne – with heavy ash and smoke clogging their lungs. I remember the fears of people who live with conditions like asthma, for whom breathing in the inescapable air was literally life threatening. And for people living with bipolar disorder, depression and other mental health challenges, heat waves and natural disasters have been linked with a significant exacerbation of symptoms.

I also think of the floods that hit northern NSW only last year. These floods destroyed the homes and livelihoods of some of Australia’s most low income communities. Research has found that marginalised communities – including people who live in poverty, those with disabilities, First Nations peoples and LGBTIQ+ people – are disproportionately likely to be affected by extreme weather events, and are less likely to be able to rebuild. If, after months, or even years, you still find yourself “not at home”, your risk of mental ill-health compounds. People who struggle with the affordability of insurance are much more likely to face difficulties getting back home. And yet, long-term displacement has been allowed to happen following these recent disasters.

As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know all too well, climate change can also lead to cultural loss. Rising sea levels are already threatening the homes of Torres Strait islanders. Losing place, and the knowledge, history, and ancestral connection is devastating to mental health.

Our wonderful forum speakers further articulated these mental health costs of climate change, and the inequitable burdens it is already causing. But they also spoke to the solutions: outlining policy reforms that would make a significant difference, important avenues of advocacy, and ultimately, reasons to have hope in a mentally healthier, more sustainable future.

Coming up we will be delivering social media content capturing some of the data in our Workforce Profile. This profile is a landmark encapsulation of the demographics of the community-managed mental health workforce and points to important issues we will continue to advocate on.

We are also working hard to deliver Mental Health Month throughout October and working with our Advisory Committee and members to enhance mental health in the ACT. Some wonderful community grant applications have come through and we’re looking forward to announcing the recipients shortly.

- Melanie Poole, CEO MHCC ACT

In the news

‘I don’t have the luxury of forgetting’: What the end of Robodebt Royal Commission means for victims and their families | ABC News

'I never read documents,' says nurse sacked over privacy breaches | The Canberra Times

Winter 2023 edition | Canberra Disability Review

Hard Truths: Bruised and angry - how domestic violence is impacting our kids at school | Riotact

New findings show a direct causal relationship between unemployment and suicide | The Conversation

'I can't be my first priority': financial support for young carers | The Canberra Times

'I want blind people to feel less alone': We need more psychologists with disability | ABC Everyday

Planning and consultations

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.

ACT Preventive Health Action Plan 2023-2025 workshop

The draft ACT Preventive Health Action Plan 2023-2025 aims to reduce the impacts of chronic disease in our community by supporting people to be healthy. You are invited to an upcoming preventive health workshop to talk about the draft action plan and discuss what other preventive health actions government could take.

Eligibility: If you identify with one or more of the below groups or if you are from an organisation that represents one or more of these groups, you can register your interest in attending by submitting an EOI via YourSay:

Older community members, ages 45+: Thurs 20 July at 10am-12pm
Multicultural community members: Thurs 20 July at 2-4pm
LGBTIQ+ community members: Tues 25 July at 12-2pm
People living with a disability or caring for someone with a disability: Tues 25 July at 3-5pm
Young people, aged 18-30: Thurs 27 July at 10am-12pm

If you cannot attend a workshop, there are a range of other ways to be involved and share your feedback before the consultation ends on 28 July 2023, including: submitting a YourSay survey; holding a group conversation with your community by using our how-to-guide and submitting a group survey; or emailing acthealthphp@act.gov.au.

Opportunity to provide input to MHCC's submission to the ACT Preventive Health Plan 2020-2025.

MHCC has engaged Rodney Holmes, who has an extensive community sector background, to work with us to produce our submission – for which our extended due date is 4 August 2023. We would deeply appreciate your input – in any form you have time for (bullet points in an email is fine) – so that we can use this opportunity to best represent your views. Please send any input by Monday 24 July COB to:

admin@mhccact.org.au and cc rodney_holmes@aapt.net.au

Seeking participants

The CYPC logo survey

The ACT Children and Young People Commissioner is getting a new logo. Some children and young people have told us that our current logo doesn’t really work for different age groups. We want one that does! We have three different logos, with several versions of each. We would like to hear from as many children and young people as possible to find out which is their favourite. One way we are doing this is a very quick survey. It simply asks children and young people to rank the 3 sets of logos and should only take 2 minutes to complete.

The survey is open until 21 July.

Carer Recognition Survey by Carers ACT

The federal government is holding an official inquiry into the recognition of unpaid carers in Australia, with a plan to reform the federal Carer Recognition Act 2010 (Cth).

The survey should only take 5 minutes and will be a huge help in informing Carers ACT’s submission to government. If you have more to say, the survey includes plenty of text boxes for you to provide additional written feedback. Responses can be provided until July 23rd, 2023. Complete the survey.

Share Your Insights

Suicide Prevention Australia are calling for researchers, subject matter experts and members of the suicide prevention and mental health sectors to participate in their State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention survey. Your response will inform the direction of their advocacy and will provide a strong source of intelligence for Australia’s decision-makers. You need 15 minutes to complete the survey. The survey closes on Thursday 27 July at 5pm. Get Involved.

Survey: Co-creating Safe Spaces Project

The Co-Creating Safe Spaces project is led by A/Prof Michelle Banfield and a team of lived experience researchers based at The Australian National University. We are evaluating safe spaces and safe havens in Australia in collaboration with services and communities. The project is funded by a grant from Suicide Prevention Australia.

As a part of our research, we are seeking people from the community to fill in our anonymous online survey, to share their insights on services and support for people experiencing emotional distress and/or suicidal crisis. Anyone over 16 years is welcome to contribute, whether or not they have heard about or used safe spaces.

All questions are optional, the survey will take around 10-30 minutes depending on your choices.

Safer Girls Safer Women National Survey of People with Disability

Be part of co-creating a future where people with disability, inclusive of all identities, experience social and sexual safety everywhere and always. There are 11 questions on this survey. Closes Friday 18 August.

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.

MHCC job opportunities

MHCC ACT is recruiting!

Policy and Advocacy Manager - No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

Business Manager - No due date. Please apply as soon as possible.

For more information, please contact:
Mikey Richardson
0435935412
mikey@elliottgray.com.au

Upcoming events

Grants and Opportunities

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. Applications are currently open for the LGBTIQ+ Leadership stream until 3 September.

2023 Audrey Fagan Enrichment Grants

The Audrey Fagan Enrichment Grants give girls, young women, non-binary and gender diverse young people aged 12 to 18 years extra support to develop a project that will assist them achieve their goals. Up to $2,000 is available for successful applicants. The grant can contribute to costs like equipment, forums, courses and travel expenses to activities. The application deadline is 3 August 2023.

Out From the Mist

Out From The Mist is a photography, short movie and music competition. This competition hopes to capture the breadth of diversity, from the experiences of pain and suffering, caring and empathy for loved ones, through to the elation of conquering obstacles.
You don’t need to be a professional or hold any qualifications to enter. All stories are valid and welcome.

Competition closes 1 September, with the awards night on World Mental Health Day on 10 October. Find out more.

Resources

Bringing Up Great Kids

The Bringing Up Great Kids program is a mindful, reflective, and respectful parenting program with a focus on building loving and nurturing relationships between parents/carers and their children. The program supports parents and carers to:

Learn more about the origins of their own parenting style and how it can be more effective.
Consider the relationship between a child's stage of neurological development and their behavior.
Identify important messages they want to convey to their child and how to achieve this.
Understand the messages that children communicate to their parents and how they do this.
Discover how to overcome some of the obstacles that are getting in the way of being the kind of parent they would like to be.
Discover ways for parents to take care of themselves and to find support when they need it.

8 Aug to 12 Sept 2023 (Every Tuesday from 10:00 to 12:30)

UnitingCare Kippax, Cnr Luke St and Hardwick Cres, Holt, ACT

Cost: Supported by UnitingCare Kippax

Contact: 0451 314 195 - Please text to register.

The Sanctuary Aus Women's Carer Support Group

Do you know any women who cares for/support a child or adult with a disability, or with other high support needs? The Women's Carer Support Group is the perfect place to unwind, have some fun and meet some new friends in a relaxed and supportive environment. Groups run at no charge to participants.

Anyone who identifies as a woman and as a carer is welcome. Whether the care is for a child or adult, diagnosed disability or extra support needs - come join us.

We usually have lunch and a chat to see how everyone is. Then we may have a discussion point, activity, craft, movie or other topic of interest the group have decided on.

12 till 1.30pm, Thursdays during school terms

Djaru Room, Grant Cameron Community Centre, 27 Mulley Street, HOLDER. Floor 2B

We'd love you to join us. Give Deborah a call on 0431 449 822 or email info@sanctuaryaus.org.au

Bereaved by Suicide Support Group

Lifeline Canberra facilitates a Support Group for those Bereaved by Suicide. This support group provides a forum for emotional support. The next group starts Tuesday 22 August 2023. There are six meetings on a fortnightly basis from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.

The program will accommodate adults over the age of 18 who are between three months and three years bereaved. Central to the program is the provision of a safe and validating environment to enable connections, normalising grief and healthy coping. The cost of the program is a one-off $26 donation to Lifeline Canberra.

Free, confidential gambling harm support group

The ACT Gambling Support Service (run by Relationships Australia) holds a drop-in group to support people concerned about how their gambling may be affecting their life and relationships.

The drop-in group is a safe space to share stories, listen to others, and work towards overcoming the feelings of guilt and stigma experienced around gambling harms in the community.

Groups run on the first Tuesday of each month.

Location: 15 Napier Close, Deakin (Relationships Australia office)

Time: 5.30pm to 7pm

No registration required.

For more information call 02 6122 7182 or email agss@racr.org.au

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.

ACT Mental Health Sector Update

From the CEO

In our sector