News and resources from the community-managed mental health sector No images? Click here ![]() ACT Mental Health Sector UpdateIn this Sector Update, find:
Our next Sector Update will be on 29 September. Let us know if you have anything you'd like us to include by replying to this email. From the CEO![]() This week, I was delighted to join colleagues from around the country, particularly the CEOs of our fellow State and Territory peaks, in meeting with over 40 parliamentarians between us. The highlight was a roundtable with Ministers Mark Butler, Bill Shorten and Emma McBride with myself and the other Community Mental Health peak CEOs. ![]() Our discussion focused on the current NDIS Review and the need for a significant boost to community mental health funding in order to address unmet psychosocial needs, something that we cannot rely on solely on the NDIS for. It was a great opportunity to raise a number of the key messages in MHCC ACT’s recent NDIS Review Submission. Coming up, we’re in the swing of our preparations for Mental Health Month in October. We’re canvassing people and organisations to nominate an ACT Community Wellbeing hero for our awards. It’s been amazing seeing some of the initiatives happening in Canberra in recent years, I’m in awe of the work people are doing. So much work in the mental health sector goes under the radar – this is a wonderful opportunity to say thanks. This year, we’re partnering with Riotact to tell the stories of our award winners. We want people to know how important community mental health is, and to know how people drive positive change. There are a diverse array of awards open for nomination. Our awards celebrate research excellence, recovery, allyship, carers, lived experience, and more. Find out more information, and nominate someone – nominations close 24 September. We’re also busy planning key Mental Health Month events. There’s a jammed-full calendar, but some important dates include:
We’re looking forward to celebrating mental health in our community. Mental Health Month celebrates the inclusion and care people and organisations throughout the ACT offer, and the insights gleaned from embracing lived experience expertise. We are also looking forward to sharing all of the amazing activities that our members and friends across the community are doing during this month – please reach out to our Communications and Media Manager, Erin Stewart, if we can support you during this time. In our sector![]() Planning and consultationsMental Health Carers ForumDo you care for or support someone with a mental health condition? Your Voice Matters! Join us at the 'Reaching the Peak Together' Strategic Forum hosted by MHCV, the peak body of mental health carers in the ACT. This strategic forum is designed exclusively for mental health carers like you, who understand the challenges and opportunities within the mental health landscape. Be a part of a supportive community dedicated to driving change in a session of collaboration, discussion, and inspiration. Help shape MHCV's policy and advocacy efforts over the next three years. Venue: Abode Belconnen, 3 Grazier Lane, Belconnen ACT 2614 Date: 28 September 2023 Choose a session that's most convenient for you: Session 1: 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM Session 2: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Lunch/dinner will be provided! If you are unable to attend either session and would like to contribute your thoughts, please email mhcarers@carersact.org.au and they will organise alternative arrangements. Consultation on the types of psychosocial supports that need to be available outside the National Disability Insurance SchemeMental Health Australia is inviting you to an online consultation that Mental Health Australia and the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) will host on the types of psychosocial supports that need to be available outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme. As you may already be aware, the Productivity Commission estimated that 154,000 people are not able to access the psychosocial support services they require outside the NDIS. It estimated the funding shortfall for these services to be in the order of $610 million per year. Through the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, Australian governments are currently estimating demand compared to current availability of psychosocial supports outside the NDIS. Mental Health Australia in partnership with the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum intends to provide the Australian Government with advice on the evidence-based and best practice psychosocial support services, initiatives and approaches it should prioritise funding after it completes its analysis. This consultation will inform Mental Health Australia’s advice to governments. Mental Health Australia members and people with lived experience, and carers and family members, will provide feedback on the updated list of psychosocial services. Date: Thursday 26 October 2023 Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm Location: Online via Zoom For more information, to RSVP, or to provide input if you are not available at this time, please email policy@mhaustralia.org. NDIS General Issues InquiryThe 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 participantsBody Kind Youth Survey - Butterfly FoundationButterfly invites all Australians aged 12 to18 years to take part in the Body Kind Youth Survey and to share their experiences and ideas around body image. National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental HealthThis survey is being conducted by the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health (NWC), to better understand the current awareness, knowledge, confidence and practice challenges facing professionals in supporting children’s mental health during their everyday practice. The NWC is funded from the Department of Health, Commonwealth Government to assist health, social and community services workers to have the skills and confidence to identify, assess and support children at risk of mental health difficulties. It is anticipated that the survey will take about 25 minutes of your time. YWCA Canberra | Our Lives: Women in the ACTYWCA Canberra are proud to be running the third iteration of the Our Lives: women in the ACT survey. This biannual survey is your opportunity to share your experiences of living in Canberra and the surrounding region and to help us achieve our vision of girls and women thriving. The 2023 survey is for all women and non-binary people who are aged 16 years and over, and who live, work, or study in the ACT or surrounding NSW regions. The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete depending on your responses. What's on![]() Nominate a Community Wellbeing Hero for a Mental Health Month AwardThere are many exceptional people and initiatives working to promote and improve mental health understanding, awareness, service provision and wellbeing in the Canberra community. The ACT Mental Health Month Awards recognise the achievements of individuals, groups, organisations, businesses and initiatives in the area of mental health in the ACT. The awards are a sector-wide initiative coordinated by the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and implemented by the Mental Health Month ACT Advisory Committee. Awards are now open! You have until midnight 24 September to nominate. Please read the nomination guide and nominate now! End of Year Celebration and Awards NightMHCC ACT would love for you to show your support of the Canberra community by attending our End of Year Celebration and Awards Night. Wednesday, 1 November Speakers include:
…And more to be announced! Live Music will be performed by Ben Drysdale of Ben Drysdale music This is a very special event in the calendar for MHCC and our 48 members - who make up two-thirds of the mental health service sector in the ACT. It's an evening where we reflect on our shared vision of the ACT as a thriving, inclusive and healthy community - a place where all people can experience belonging, connection, safety, healing, and wellbeing, and you are invited to be a part of that. Upcoming eventsTraining and workshops
Conferences and forums
Other
Opportunities![]() Grants2023/2024 Volunteer GrantsVolunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by enabling the inclusion of vulnerable people and promoting awareness to increase participation in volunteering. The 2023–24 Volunteer Grants Opportunity is open for Expressions of Interest (EOI) through Members of Parliament (MPs). Organisations interested in a grant must contact their local MP to submit an EOI and confirm when their EOI closes. Organisations that are nominated by their MP will be invited to apply for a grant in November 2023. ACT Adult and Community Education (ACE) grants programThe ACT ACE grants program provides funding for the delivery of quality foundation skills training in accessible and inclusive community settings, to support Canberrans experiencing barriers to learning, training and work. The program will provide funding of up to $100,000 for successful applicant organisations to deliver foundation skills training in accessible and inclusive community settings. Find out more about the ACE grants program. Other opportunitiesBelco Arts - Moments of ConnectionArt and creativity have an important role to play in supporting our wellbeing, and this Mental Health month, we’re celebrating this with a community exhibition Moments of Connection. Artists of all ages, backgrounds and abilities who are living in the ACT and surrounds are invited to submit artworks responding to the exhibition theme. Whether it’s connection with self, with other people, animals, ideas and the wider world around us, we would love for you to share the connections that sustain you. Voting will be open at the Gungahlin Library Foyer from 31 October – 12 November and winners will be notified on Monday 13 November. Entries close Midnight Sunday 29 October Exhibition runs Tuesday 31 October – Sunday 12 November | Gungahlin Library Foyer. 2023 Volunteering Awards - VolunteeringACTIt’s been an important year for the volunteering sector and, of course, for volunteers. To acknowledge these efforts and recognise outstanding individuals and teams, VolunteeringACT invites you to celebrate with us the vital contribution of local volunteers by making a nomination and participating in our 2023 Volunteering Awards, Canberra region. Submit nominations by 30 October. Storytelling Event for People Living with Disability - Expressions of InterestThe Disability Royal Commission finished taking submissions in December but the impact of the Commission is ongoing and people still have stories to tell. Relationships Australia Canberra & Region Disability Royal Commission counselling and Support Service (DRCCS) have joined This is my Brave Australia (TIMBA) to invite you to join us in a creative storytelling event for people living with disability, their families, supporters and workers. We look forward to learning about others lived experiences through storytelling, art, poetry, music, or any way you wish to share! If you have a story to share through words, dance, art, comedy or any other medium, let us know! Please contact Miah or Bex at Relationships Australia on disabilitysupport@racr.org.au or call (02) 6923 9100 for any questions, ideas, or further information. EOI: Sponsorship to attend Voices Shaping the Future - Wiyi Yani U ThanganiWe have an exciting opportunity for young First Nations women (including cis, trans women, gender diverse and non-binary people) who are passionate about shaping the future of our Nation. We are inviting Expressions of Interest from First Nations women aged 18-30 to attend Voices Shaping the Future – a celebration of conversations, performances and workshops by and for young women and those interested in their views on gender inequality and intersecting injustices in the world today. As part of your attendance, you will also participate in a one-day Wiyi Yani U Thangani Youth Focus group. Following the overwhelming endorsement from delegates at the 2023 Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit, Commissioner June Oscar AO and her team are in the process of designing Australia’s first ever National Framework for Action and Institute for First Nations Gender Justice and Equality. It is critical that the voices of young women inform the development of both, and we invite you to be a key contributor! EOIs close 22 September YOGIES 2023 - The Youth Coalition of the ACTThe YOGIES highlight the exceptional commitment, talent and innovation that exist in the youth sector. ACT Women's AwardsThe ACT Women's Awards are presented to women who improve the status and lives of women and girls in the ACT. Each year, the awards recognise a woman of the year, a young woman of the year and a senior woman of the year. The Women's Honour Roll showcases the achievements of women in the ACT and those who are excelling in their field. Their work may be in the ACT or more broadly across Australia or the world. Nominations close 23 October Community ResourcesThe Health Care Consumers Association of the ACT is pleased to offer a range of free talks for community groups to help people understand and use the health system. These sessions are 45-90 minutes and can be run online or in-person. Presentations can be tailored to the needs of your group. Capacity is limited so contact us now to book a date for the rest of 2023! Email c.moore@hcca.org.au or call 6230 7800. Systems and Sanity After a sell out live season and online streaming season in June, Rebus are bringing back their groundbreaking original theatre show about the Mental Health system ‘Systems and Sanity’ for another online streaming season for Mental Health Month. Systems and Sanity is a devised theatre exploration that comes out of nearly two years of discussion, workshopping, writing, and rehearsal by people with mental health challenges. It travels through lands of trauma and distress, navigates social systems that can be rigid and disempowering, and arrives in the powerful resilience of survivors and the unique bonds between them. It is a journey travelled with pathos, poetry, music and laughter. Oct 3-31, 2023 Streaming Online - $10 general admission/$5 concession/Free The Confidence Clarity Care Program offers 8 FREE workshops for women who want to build their confidence and take that next step towards getting a job. Learn in a safe, supportive, and caring environment and feel ready to apply for a job and go for an interview! Options of one to one coaching and mentoring session available. Please email ccc@ywca-canberra.org.au or call 6185 2000 for more information or to book! Let's get creative for kindness The Kindness Factory are launching a Design a Mascot competition with the aim of bringing the 12 attributes of kindness to life in the form of mascots. This could be a stick figure, a cartoon character, a sketch or emoji. We’d like to invite kids aged 4 to 13 to participate and be in the running to win a $3,500 prize pack for their nominated school. Every Chance The Every Chance initiative supports kids to get involved in organised sport and physical activities by providing vouchers of up to $250 to help eligible families cover the cost of sports registration fees for junior community sport. Editorial policy Acknowledgement of Country |