Deeble Issues Brief No. 50: Supporting Carer Health and Wellbeing
The Deeble Issues Brief No. 50 highlights the adverse impacts on physical, mental, social, and financial status that occur due to significant caring responsibilities and limited community support. The resulting suboptimal health outcomes underscore the need for a transformative shift in healthcare, centering on carers' wellbeing to bolster community care and ease the healthcare burden. The brief advocates for incorporating carers as distinct consumers in healthcare systems, enabling the identification of their specific needs and guiding resource allocation and services, thus fostering a more inclusive and supportive healthcare ecosystem.
To found out more about this important topic, read the full brief here.
NMHCCF & Monash University: Mental Health Carer Experiences of COVID-19
The National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF), supported by the National Mental Health Commission, has collaborated with Monash University's Social Work Innovation, Transformation, and Collaboration in Health (SWITCH) team to develop the Mental Health Family Carer Experiences of COVID-19 in Australia report. This research initiative examines the pandemic's effects on carer experiences, offering vital evidence to inform future mental health interventions and responses. In May 2022, we had the privilege of hosting a consultation for this research, a platform that couldn't have been possible without your valuable input. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the carers who contributed to this endeavour.
Register here to join the report launch on Thursday, 31 August, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm (AEST) via Zoom, where the team delve into the co-design process, underline the significance of this report, and discuss both short and long-term recommendations.
National Mental Health Commission: Draft Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy Feedback Paper
The National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) has recently released the 'What We Heard’ report, shedding light on the insights gathered from public consultations regarding the draft National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy. With a robust engagement of 99 submissions and close to 400 survey responses, the feedback collected offers a substantial basis to strengthen the strategy before its presentation to the Government.
Notably, the NMHC has embraced the significant input provided by MHCV, making adjustments to the language in the feedback document to encompass 'carers', aligning with the suggestion put forth by us. Additionally, the feedback report acknowledges and quotes key points of our discussion, including employment and young carers. For more detailed insights, you can refer to the Draft Stigma Strategy Documents available on the National Mental Health Commission's website.
Women’s Health Matters: ACT Survey on Women’s Health
Women’s Health Matters conducted a comprehensive online survey for women in the ACT between November 2022 and February 2023, yielding 1668 valid responses. This research explored various dimensions of women's well-being, from health services to safety. Carers ACT was a key partner in co-designing this survey, a process that takes on added significance due to the fact that the majority of carers are women. Notably, 17.5% of respondents identified as carers, with those who were carers more likely to report having a disability (32.5%). Individuals with disabilities were also more prone to being carers. These insights shed light on the unique challenges faced by women in the ACT, including those faced by women in caring roles.
You can find out more by reading the full survey report here.
Sax Institute: Suicide Prevention Approaches Research
New research by the Sax Institute underscores the significant potential of community-based interventions in mitigating suicide rates and alleviating the hospital system burden. Using a system dynamics model, the study evaluated various suicide prevention strategies among adults in NSW, revealing that combined interventions could avert 6.8% of suicides and 6.3% of suicide attempts over five years, potentially preventing 295 deaths and 9327 suicide attempts in the region. Notably, community-based suicide prevention outreach teams and peer-led drop-in facilities emerged as the most effective, preventing 2.8% and 3.3% of suicides, respectively.
Read more about the research here, or check out the journal article here.
