In this Sector Update, find:

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

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.

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:

• Our Mental Health Month Launch on Tuesday 3 October, 9.30-10.30am at the Salthouse Community Centre in Braddon. The launch will include speeches from the ACT Minister for Mental Health, Emma Davidson, and members of our community.
• On 4 and 5 October, I am inviting senior leaders of all community mental health organisations in the ACT to join myself and several experts in outcomes measurement for two focused half day workshops, designed to set us in good stead for the remainder of the Commissioning process (now extended to December 2025. Calendar invites for this have gone out, so get in touch with us if these did not reach you for any reason.
• Our End of Year Celebration and Awards Night on Wednesday 1 November, 5-8pm in the  Juliet room (upstairs) in Verity Lane. Mark this one in your diaries! We do have a limit on the number of spaces – you can sign up here to ensure that you don’t miss out. Minister Davidson will be joining us again, as well as Federal Charities Minister, Dr Andrew Leigh, who will speak about his work tackling the loneliness epidemic. We will also hear from other important leaders in the ACT community, including Sustainability Commissioner Dr Sophie Lewis, who will speak about the link between our wellbeing and our environment. We will be celebrating the Mental Health Month award winners.

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.

- Melanie Poole, CEO MHCC ACT

In the news

'Well-rooted in misogyny': Canberra women not taken seriously in medical profession | The Canberra Times

Redesigning mental healthcare to reduce number of people falling through the cracks | Croakey

Being a new dad can be a rollercoaster, but new research aims to find ways to make it easier | ABC News

A haven for ‘drug tourism’ or beacon of hope? The rhetoric around decriminalisation in the ACT | The Guardian

Top Legal Issues in Managing Volunteers - Online Workshop - VolunteeringACT

The federal government has just released a national eating disorder strategy. Here's what that means | ABC News

Community organisations call for change to ACT's 'dire' rental situation | Riotact

Calls for Radical NDIS Redesign | DSC

Planning and consultations

Mental Health Carers Forum

Do 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 Scheme

Mental 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 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

Body Kind Youth Survey - Butterfly Foundation

Butterfly 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 Health

This 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 ACT

YWCA 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.

Nominate a Community Wellbeing Hero for a Mental Health Month Award

End of Year Celebration and Awards Night

MHCC 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
5-8pm
Juliet, the upstairs room at Verity Lane Market
50 Northborne Ave, Canberra City

Speakers include:

• Opening by MC Genevieve Jacobs
• Address by the Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh, Federal Charities Minister
• Address by Emma Davidson, ACT Minister for Mental Health
• Sophie Lewis, ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment
• MHCC CEO Melanie Poole
• Award winners

…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.

Book your tickets

Upcoming events

Training and workshops 

• Volunteer Leaders Seminar 2023 - VolunteeringACT A capability-building event for volunteer managers and coordinators, 2 November, 9.30am - 2.30pm

• Lifeline Canberra - Dealing with People in Difficult Situations 3 November, 30 January

• Introduction to Grant Writing Workshop for the ACT Community Sector | ACTCOSS 20 September

• Cross Sector Networking Forum People exiting incarceration face many barriers and are the some of the most disadvantaged people in the Canberra community. Come and find out what services are available and how other services can assist people in this situation. 20 September, 10am - 12pm

• Accidental Counsellor Training - Lifeline Canberra 28 September, 11 October, or 21 November

• The Growth Program: Find your voice Understand a positive mindset, career, business, and life elements together in this program. 23 September 10am - 1.45pm.

• Wesley LifeForce First Nations Suicide Prevention Training 3 October, 9.30am - 4pm.

• Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Education Program - ACTCOSS 9 November, 9.30am-4.30pm.
• 15th Annual Professional Conference Organisers Association Conference & Exhibition 202310-12 December, Adelaide

• Mindful Meditation Course The mindful meditation course has an emphasis on learning through shared experiences, laughter and being gentle with ourselves, it will cover: Mindfulness of the body, feelings, and thoughts. 6 week course, starts 27 September.

• Lifeline Canberra - ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training 21 September or 7 December

• Using the NDIS - Workshop for people with intellectual disability 22 November, 6.30-8.30pm

• PERKS Parenting: Adolescents on the spectrum with mental health concerns 18 September 4-6pm. Seminar on parenting an adolescent on the spectrum and how that intersects with mental health

Conferences and forums  

• Seniors Expo – COTA ACT 21 September, Canberra

• Women in Leadership Summit 2023, Sydney, 23-26 October.

• Indigenous Wellbeing Conference, Darwin, 30 to 31 October, hosted by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.

• 2023 Rural Mental Health Conference Albury, 8-10 November

• The Australian Association of Social Workers Health Symposium 16 November, Online.

• Third annual Australian Disability Service Conference, Melbourne, 23 November   hosted by One Community. 

• 2023 STOP Domestic Violence Conference, Hobart, 27-29 November.

• 2024 Frontline Mental Health Conference Gold Coast, 4-5 March.

• AddictionZ 2024, Breaking the Barriers Conference 29 April - 1 May, Gold Coast

• 17th National Rural Health Conference, Perth, 16-18 September 2024. (Save the date, link to come)

Other 

• Lake Rattle & Roll Support Lifeline and help break the world twist record. 8 October, 9-10am

• YWCA Canberra: LGBTQIA+ & Allies Prom 2023 Young people are invited to attend; or you can sponsor a ticket for a young person to have the night of their life. 29 September 6-10pm

• MIEACT Fundraising Gala 2023 13 October, 7-11pm

• Menslink Business Breakfast Fundraiser 26 September, 7.30am

• African Australian Awards, Art, & Cultural Showcase, Phillip, 30 September 5-11.30PM

• Prevent, Empower, Support - Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2023 Forum The Gambling and Racing Commission invites you to participate in Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2023 to discuss how all stakeholders can ‘Prevent, Empower, Support’ to address gambling harm in the ACT. 19 October, 8.30am-12.45pm

Grants

2023/2024 Volunteer Grants

Volunteer 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 program

The 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 opportunities

Belco Arts - Moments of Connection 

Art 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 - VolunteeringACT

It’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 Interest

The 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 Thangani

We 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 ACT

The YOGIES highlight the exceptional commitment, talent and innovation that exist in the youth sector.

ACT Women's Awards

The 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 Resources

The 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
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.