ACT Mental Health Sector Update: 9 February 2024

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

These past few weeks at MHCC ACT have flown by!

We are making progress on engaging with our members, advocating for the sector, and laying more groundwork for future initiatives.

MHCC's 2024-25 pre-budget submission to the ACT government in January emphasised the importance of increased funding to the community-managed mental health sector to address the growing mental health needs in our community. We indicated how additional funding for prevention, early intervention, hospital alternatives, rehabilitation, and recovery would amount to a cost saving, and opportunities for our community to flourish. We advocate for a humanistic approach to the ACT’s mental health system, allowing for a greater peer workforce and training for providers to support people as they are, and when they need it.

Members are invited to share their budget submissions, via email, so we can further our collective advocacy efforts through a media release and other opportunities.

Our op-ed published in The Canberra Times raised concerns about the treatment of mental health emergencies. We believe that PACER – where a paramedic and mental health worker join police in responding to crisis calls – is a better alternative to police attendance on their own. That said, we share concerns that police themselves have raised, that our response to mental health crises need to be reconsidered. We were excited to share details of the important role our sector plays – and could further play – in reducing the incidence of crisis in the first place.

The Outcomes Advisory Panel selection process is in its final stages. This panel will play a crucial role in guiding the commissioning process, ensuring our efforts align with the diverse needs of the community. We received several Expressions of Interest, and we thank those who invested time and effort to put forward a submission. We will respond to all interested participants within the next few weeks.

Our submission to the Inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT is in progress. By addressing these issues, we aim to foster a sense of community and belonging, which are essential components of mental wellbeing. If you would like to share your story for inclusion in our submission, please reach out. We also encourage members to make their own submission to the Inquiry – submissions close on 23 February.

A Member Advocacy Workshop will be held in March, to help inform our 2024 ACT election strategy. We are gearing up for an impactful campaign to garner commitments from all parties to uphold the mental health and wellbeing needs of Canberrans.

Lastly, did you know about the multitude of fabulous and functional spaces for lease at the Belconnen Community Centre? Whether you’re a small group looking for a meeting space, a creative looking to showcase your work, or your needs require a space to fit the crowds, CRCS has you covered. You can can look through their spaces here.

- Vicky Choice, Director of Engagement and Partnerships MHCC ACT

In the news

Australians to have their say as supermarket price-gouging probe focus on code of conduct | SBS News
CAMHS Southside spreads wings to better address growing demand for therapy | Riotact
Canberra's cultural groups left 'without options' | Riotact
Canberra's rainbow roundabout receives a progressive revamp to also represent people of colour and the trans community | ABC News
Call for ACT Government to double funding for homelessness services | Riotact
‘Historic milestone’: New Bill expanding Paid Parental Leave passes House of Representatives | Women's Agenda
In an increasingly cashless society, some people without housing are being left behind | ABC News
Lack of competition allows supermarkets, banks and airlines to gouge Australians, report finds | The Guardian
Larry was paid $4.20 an hour in Australia. It’s not enough to live on – but it’s completely legal
Pocock wants to boost Centrelink payments using savings from stage-three tax cuts overhaul | The Guardian
Ross has made it to board level. Why are others who live with disability still missing out? | SBS News
Woden Community Service ceases NDIS support services, calls for change to price limits | Riotact
Your boss could be barred from contacting you after hours under a new bill | SBS News
Youth mental health crisis laid bare as new service opened | The Canberra Times

MHCC ACT Policy Participation

Showcase your impact & share your insights on loneliness and social isolation

The ACT government has initiated an Inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT, recognising the profound impact these issues have on our collective wellbeing.

MHCC is actively contributing to this important dialogue. We aim to highlight the crucial role the community-managed mental health sector and grassroots community action plays in addressing loneliness and social isolation.

We encourage all members as well as individuals and community groups to participate in our submission, or make their own.

More information.

Seeking participants

Have your Say: Consciousness and the phenomenology of psychosis survey

Overview of study

Participate in a study exploring how changes in consciousness affect first-person experience of psychosis? Changes in consciousness include changes in a person’s level of wakefulness, the quality of the things a person is aware of, and how well memory and decision-making work. If the difference between experiencing psychosis and not experiencing psychosis is related to such changes then perhaps these changes can help us understand the type of experiences people have when psychotic – such as hearing voices that are not there or having ideas about things that may not be true.

We are looking for people identifying as mental health consumers (that is, people with personal experience of mental health issues) who have experienced at least one psychotic episode. All participants must be at least 18 years old and live in Australia. You will need reliable internet access on a computer or mobile device.

Participants are asked to complete an (anonymous) online survey that will take approximately 20 minutes.

Survey

Australian Mental Health Promotion Practitioner Competency Framework

Mental health promotion is a specialist field of endeavour that focuses on three outcomes:

Promoting mental wellbeing.
Preventing the onset of mental health conditions.
Enhancing mental health literacy to promote self-care, and help-giving and help-seeking for mental ill-health, and suicidal ideation.

While the field has existed for some time, it has not always received the attention it deserves. Prevention United is keen to change this, and encourage more people to work in mental health promotion. We believe that having a Competency Framework is one way to achieve this. To ensure that the Competency Framework accurately captures the core knowledge and skills required to be an effective mental health promotion practitioner, we would like people already working in mental health promotion or related fields like health promotion and public health to provide their feedback on a Consultation Draft we have developed.

MHCC ACT Events and Training

Alcohol Brief Intervention training for community sector workers

Half day Alcohol Brief Intervention Training being conducted online via Zoom by the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) in partnership with the Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT, Youth Coalition of the ACT and ACT Shelter to address harmful alcohol use in the ACT. This training is designed for staff who work with clients who may be using alcohol in a risky manner and would like to learn more about delivering a brief intervention using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).

Register now

Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Information and Harm Reduction training

This one day training, provided by the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA), in conjunction with the Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT, presents community workers with information about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) in the ACT and Australia and will introduce participants to harm reduction approaches to use with clients, as well as information about the ACT ATOD service system including referrals.

Find out more

Upcoming events

Healthy Canberra Grants: Focus on Vaping Cessation and Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm

Healthy Canberra Grants are now open for applications from community organisations. Up to $2 million is available for health promotion programs that reduce alcohol and vaping related harm in the Canberra community.

The funding priorities for this round of grants are:

reducing the number of people who vape in cohorts with a high prevalence of vaping; and
preventing the uptake of e-cigarettes and reducing vaping related harms, especially young people aged 12-24 years.
delaying uptake in alcohol consumption.
reducing the risk of single occasion drinking harm
reducing the risk of alcohol-related harm from preconception, throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Successful programs must run from June 2024 up to December 2026.

Applications close 14 February.

Primary Health Services for Young People Grant

Eligible organisations are invited to apply for the Primary Health Services for Young People (PHSYP) Open Grant. The ACT Government is pleased to release this open grant opportunity to invest in the health and wellbeing of young Canberrans and the PHSYP subsector through a model/s of care focused on young people.

A total of $2.134 million per annum (GST exclusive) over a core period of five years has been allocated for the PHSYP grants program (subject to Community Sector Indexation), with possibility of extension of up to two years. The PHSYP grant will be administered by the ACT Health Directorate.

Young peoples’ voices, lived experience and expertise have been integral to commissioning in this subsector, and it is the Territory's goal that these voices are centred in the delivery of services in the ACT. The ACT Government thanks the young people, PHSYP subsector and community members who have contributed to consultation and collaborative design through this commissioning cycle.

More information and to apply by 26 February.

Care Work and Development Program

If you are struggling to pay ACT traffic, parking and traffic camera infringements, you may be eligible to complete a community work or social development program, which can result in the amount of infringement debt owed being reduced.

Participants, approved for a WDP with Access Canberra, can register to attend Care's Budgeting for Life workshop. Each workshop session runs 2 hours in duration which contributes to reducing your infringement fine by $100.

Workshop sessions are held throughout the year.

More information.

Next Steps Outpatient Program

Next Steps is a virtual, intensive program that can provide you with interim care after inpatient treatment for an eating disorder. The program aims to reduce relapse and readmission after leaving hospital or residential programs to support long term recovery.

The program is free to eligible Australians and provides a minimum of 3 hours support per day, 3 days a week, for 8 weeks via a multidisciplinary team, including:

Weekly individual psychology, dietetic and peer worker sessions
Structured meal support and group programs
Weekly psychoeducational sessions and support groups for carers
Nursing support and regular case conferencing with a GP or psychiatrist to ensure there is continuity in your treatment plan

Next Steps also provides support for carers through education and the introduction of skills to assist in their loved one’s recovery.

You can self-refer to the program or be referred by your GP or psychiatrist via the different forms below. If you are self-referring, your GP or psychiatrist will be required to complete a referral form supporting your application to the program and providing medical clearance.

Once the medical referral has been received and you have been accepted into the program, you will undergo a psychosocial and dietetic assessment with program staff.

Find out more.

The Mental Health Services Awards of Australia and New Zealand Have Opened

The Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand recognise innovation, research excellence, best practice and lived experience leadership in mental health services. They also aim to reduce stigma by acknowledging responsible media reporting of mental health issues and encourage others to promote the importance of mental health and wellbeing.

Award winners are honoured at a prestigious ceremony each year, as part of TheMHS Annual Conference. They also receive a three- day conference registration, financial support to attend an ‘in person’ conference, and recognition on TheMHS website and media materials.

The next Awards will be presented at TheMHS 2024 Canberra Conference.

Award submissions close April 11.

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 Vicky

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