View this email in your browser December 2023 Hi valued carers, It’s our last update for the year - and what an year it’s been! Together, we've journeyed through some significant changes in the ACT mental health sector, including proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act 2015 (ACT), co
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December 2023


Hi valued carers, 


It’s our last update for the year - and what an year it’s been! Together, we've journeyed through some significant changes in the ACT mental health sector, including proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act 2015 (ACT), commissioning for future service delivery in the mental health subsector, and the implementation of new models of care and service delivery within the Canberra Health Services and beyond. We’ve developed a carer awareness training package that works for the ACT, and delivered several training sessions to public hospital mental health staff already. We’ve met with our lived-experience Advocacy and Policy Group regularly (and got to witness them winning an award for their great work) and learnt more about carer experiences attending the new Carer Collective events. We were extensively involved in the landmark national inquiry into unpaid carer recognition and look forward to seeing that work unfold further in the new year. We’ve been front and centre in the spaces that create change, from Senate committees to Lived Experience Director interview panels. From us at Mental Health Carers Voice, thank you for journeying with us throughout the year and for lending your voice to help us bring about change in the ACT.


Going into the new year we hope to continue the good work in policy and advocacy, guided by your voices. As we come up to the holiday season, we also wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for all that you do to support, advocate, and care in our community. Whether you're celebrating with loved ones in Canberra or elsewhere, we hope you're able to make the most of this special time of year.


Before we sign off, we want to share a little change we're making: starting in 2024, our newsletter will be sent in the first week of the following month instead of the last week of the current month. So, you can expect the first exciting voicemail update in February. As always, your voice is important to us, and we welcome your feedback. Please don't hesitate to contact us during this little break at mhcarers@carersact.org.au. We look forward to popping into your inbox in February!


All the best,


Catherine Joseph and Catherine Vonarx,


The Mental Health Carers Voice Team




 

In this newsletter: 

  • Get involved: Learn how you can be part of our work
  • What's new: The latest news and updates
  • Insights: Reports and research on issues affecting you 
  • Have your say: Consultations and surveys to make your voice heard
  • Tools for you: Resources to help care for yourself and others

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.

 


NDIS Review final report released

The independent review of the NDIS released its final report on December 7th, presenting 26 recommendations and 139 actions to reform the system that supports individuals with disabilities. The review suggests a new approach to psychosocial disabilities. Over the coming weeks we will be delving deeper into the report and what this means for carers. 


You can read a summary of the NDIS Review’s recommendations on psychosocial support via this link, or access the full final report here. If you have any opinions or feedback about the recommendations, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us at carer.advocacy@carersact.org.au.


ACT Disability Health Strategy launched

The ACT Government has launched their Disability Health Strategy 2024-2033 and the First Action Plan 2024-2026. The Disability Health Strategy is a decade-long plan aimed at enhancing access and equity for people with disabilities using health care in the ACT. The focus areas captured in the strategy include ‘health information and literacy’, ‘service access, design, and delivery’, ‘emergency planning, preparedness, and management’, ‘workforce’, and ‘data and research.’


Visit this link to access the complete Disability Health Strategy, or you can read the First Action Plan here.

 


University of Sydney: Generational Trends in Australia's Mental Health

A study led by the University of Sydney has found that Australians' mental health has been declining since around 2010, a trend observed in earlier generations, not just in 'Gen Z' youths. Using data from the HILDA survey, a nationally representative survey of 9000 households, researchers evaluated changes in the mental health of birth cohorts as they aged and compared the mental health status of each cohort (those born in each decade from 1940 to 1990) at the same age.


If you would like to learn more, check out the media release here or read the full journal article.


 


Carer representative on ACT Mental Health Commissioning Advisory Group

The ACT Mental Health Commissioning Group is looking for a representative with lived experience as a carer to join its committee. The committee meets monthly to guide and lead the Mental Health Commissioning Project up until January 2025. This is a chance to shape how NGO mental health services are provided in the ACT. The successful candidate will receive remuneration.


If you're interested or would like more information, please contact mhcarers@carersact.org.au by the Friday, 12th of January.


ACT Legislative Assembly Loneliness and Social Isolation Inquiry

The ACT Government is conducting an inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation. The Terms of Reference include a focus on the experiences of loneliness and social isolation among carers. You can contribute directly by sending your input to LAcommitteeECI@parliament.act.gov.au. Please submit your input by Friday, 23 February 2024.


Carers ACT will be putting in a submission to the Inquiry, looking at the impacts of loneliness and social isolation on carers. If you want to provide comments to our submission, please get in touch via the carer.adovacy@carersact.org.au email by Friday 2nd of February.


Consultations now on our website!

Hey, we get it, you're going to miss us until February. But not to worry! You can stay in the loop with all the new consultations that pop up by checking out our website: Open Consultations | Mental Health Carers Voice.


 


Wayahead - Ten tips to reduce stress in the holidays

The holiday season can be a stressful time for many Australians. This factsheet from Wayahead provides tips to help reduce stress in a variety of seasonal situations.


Access the factsheet via this link.  


Lifeline - Managing intrusive thoughts

Dealing with overwhelming and distressing thoughts can be difficult, but knowing how to handle them can make a big difference to how you feel. Lifeline has compiled an online resource to learn why you might be experiencing intrusive thoughts and strategies that can help you manage them.


Check out Lifeline’s website for more information.


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