Mental Health Carers Voice

September 2022

MHCV Team Update

Hi valued carers,

We hope you're all enjoying September and embracing spring (despite how cold and wet it seems to be). It's been another busy month here at MHCV. Some of the highlights this month include:

Presenting on carer awareness at the Canberra Hospital's MHJHADS orientation training
Attending the Mental Health Commissions' Parliamentary Advocacy Day. We were able to talk to various Federal MPs and Senator Linda White about several issues of concern for mental health carers like NDIS access, workforce shortages, respite funding, and flexible carers leave.
Contributing to the 'Co-creating Safe Spaces' project workshop, led by the Lived Experience Research Unit at the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research
Taking part in the Child and Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Services Network/Planning day, hosted by the Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Working closely with the Office of Chief Psychiatry on several projects
Providing comments/submissions to the PACER factsheet and draft ACT Health Workforce Strategy
Continuing to attend and contribute to various committees and raise the voice of carers

We have also been lucky enough to welcome Joanna Bartholomaeus as our new ACT carer representative for the National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum. MHCV extends our heartfelt appreciation to Joanna for taking on this important role with our support, We are sure she will do a wonderful job!

In some other exciting news, we're inching closer towards October AKA Mental Health Month - which means we have Mental Health Week (8th-16th) and National Carers Week (16th-22nd) to look forward to! Mental Health Week is coordinated by the Mental Health Community Coalition in collaboration with various community partners (including yours truly). There will be a bunch of interesting events for you to get involved in - find out more details down below. National Carers Week is also a great time to recognise and celebrate all the incredible carers that contribute to our community. Be sure to keep your eye out for all the events that Carers ACT will be hosting/involved in during that week.

As always, your voice is vital to the work we do and if you have anything you wish to share please feel free to contact us via email mhcarers@carersact.org.au.

All the best,

Catherine Joseph and Catherine Vonarx,

The Mental Health Carers Voice Team

Contents:

Carer News & Information
Reports & Research
Carer Feedback & Consultation Opportunities
Carer Services & Resources
COVID-19 Update for Carers
Upcoming Events

Get Involved

Want to be more involved in Mental Health Carers Voice's work? You can:

Sign up for our consultation list by updating your subscription settings here.
Check the consultations page on our website for upcoming opportunities.
Like us on Facebook for regular updates and opportunities.
Join our Advocacy and Policy Advisory Group, a group of mental health carers who draw on their lived experience to drive our work. Learn more.

ACT Mental Health Month

Mental Health Month in the ACT runs throughout the month of October. In 2022, the majority of events will be held during Mental Health Week from 8 to 16 October.

There are many ways you can get involved in Mental Health Month as an organisation or individual. This includes grant program to hold events, awards for people and organisations in the mental health sector, ambassador and supporter programs, and a wide range of events and activities. Be sure to check out the website calendar to keep track of all the wonderful events.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo, from 4 to 7pm on Sunday, 9 October 2022, is a space where the Canberra community can learn practical ways to support their mental wellbeing and that of their community, including where to go when they need support.

There will be a huge range of talks, workshops, activities and entertainment, as well as stalls from organisations across the health and wellbeing sector, and opportunities to virtually meet other Canberrans. With the new online format, you can experience all of this from the comfort of home!

Next of Kin Cards

The ACT Policing Community Engagement Team and Seniors Liaison Officers have developed an easy to use Next Of Kin Card (NOK) designed specifically to assist older and vulnerable community members. The initiative was developed as ACT Policing members respond to a number of incidents involving older, frail and vulnerable members of the community who at times are unable to provide police with details of who to contact on their behalf if the need arises. These cards will assist emergency services to quickly contact a person’s Next of Kin.

The NOK Cards are available at every ACT Police Station Front Office. Find out more about NOK Cards here.

Innovation in Australian Youth Mental Healthcare - headspace

A new study of more than 50,000 young people seeking support at headspace has found the service is making significant, meaningful improvements to the mental health of young Australians.

Read the full study here.

State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention Australia has released their annual State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention report which provides a snapshot of the sector, the community and suicide prevention reform. The report found 88% of the sector have seen increased demand for services over the past 12 months.

Learn more about the report here.

Survey on Young Carer Practice Guidelines

Carer Gateway is working on creating young carer practice guidelines for health professionals, co-designed with young people. They have created a survey for young carers to research their experiences to help guide the practice guidelines.

If you're a young carer please complete the survey here to go in the draw to win a $100 prezzee voucher for self-care.

Mental Health Australia's Submission to Inquiry into NDIA

The Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme will inquire into and report on the capability and culture of the National Disability Insurance Agency with reference to operational processes and procedures, and nature of staff employment; the impacts of NDIA capability and culture on the experiences of people with disability and NDIS participants trying to access information, support and services from the Agency and any other relevant matters. Closing dates for this inquiry are on 12 October 2022 and 16 December 2022.

Mental Health Australia will be drafting a submission and invites members who wish to inform it to email policy@mhaustralia.org with their contact details for follow up.

Participant First: Help Improve the NDIS

Participant First helps us to connect with participants, families, carers and non-participants with disabilities to hear your feedback, so we can work together on improving the Scheme.

The NDIS is looking for a mix of participants, families and carers for a range of future opportunities that may include; online and email feedback, one-on-one or small group discussions or, working directly with project teams to design a product or policy.

Mental Health Trail

As part of ACT Mental Health Month, MHCC ACT have developed a set of simple daily activities that people can do throughout the month to maintain and boost their mental health, called the Mental Health Trail.

The Mental Health Trail is a simple way to boost mental wellbeing. Once someone has completed all the daily activities, they can enter a prize draw for a Wellbeing pack (link to enter will be made available on the Mental Health Month website late October)

The Trail is available in a printed format and will be published on the Mental Health Month Facebook, Instagram and the Mental Health Month ACT app (on Android and iPhone) daily throughout October. The app also includes a variety of resources that will help people all throughout the year, including information on how and where to seek help and how to help others who are struggling with their mental health.

Bipolar Australia e-Learning Course

Bipolar Australia have released their free e-learning course, designed to help both people with bipolar and their carers to learn more about bipolar disorder. The course includes other important resources, including information on how it is different from other illnesses, how to identify the different types of bipolar disorder and their key signs and symptoms, treatments including diagnosis, medications, therapies, mood tracking & wellness plans treatments, as well as the role of carers, family and friends in Bipolar Disorder management.

Click here to start the course.

Summit on Self-Harm

Black Dog Institute will be hosting its Summit on Self-Harm to be held on Thursday 10 November 2022 at Doltone House in Sydney. This full-day event will bring together leading international researchers, clinicians and lived experience experts to provide and share insights about self-harm.

You can register your interest to join the summit here.

National Art for Carers Online

The National Gallery of Australia hosts a free online program for carers exploring works of art in their collection. Take a deep dive into works from the National Gallery's collection with curators, conservators, educators, and invited guests.

You will need your own internet-connected computer, laptop or device with webcam and in-built microphone. Each session is held as a live stream on the first Tuesday of every month, at 1pm.

Book to join the online program here.

Hospital Visitor Restrictions Lifted

Canberra Health Services has lifted several of the COVID-19 restrictions hospital limitations at the Canberra Hospital. Hospital visiting limits were eased this morning at 7AM, allowing more than two visitors each day. It is anticipated that Calvary will also be easing their restrictions later this week.

Read more about the change in restrictions here.

Events Coming Up

Do No Harm Training

MHCV will be hosting DoNOHarm training on the 1st of November (10AM - 1PM). This training helps identify and minimise vulnerabilities and safety risks to both story-teller and listener that can have a negative impact and further reduce learning outcomes.

Spaces are limited so make sure to register your interest now using the button below:

The Role of Being A New Carer

13 October, 5:00 PM

Southern Cross Club Jamison

Bringing Carers Together

26 October, 5:30 PM

Carers ACT Holt

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