National Universal Aftercare Co-Design Workshop for Canberra
The Federal Department of Health have engaged Roses in the Ocean and Folk to facilitate a national co-design process to develop National Best Practice Guidelines for the enhancement and establishment of postvention, aftercare and distress brief support services. This co-design supports the significant investment in suicide prevention activities, co-funded by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, as outlined in the each of the bi-lateral agreements. The process will run across the country from March 2023 through to 30 June 2023.
ACT workshop
The ACT face to face Workshop (for Aftercare) will take place on Tuesday 9 May 2023 from 9am-3pm. The venue will soon be confirmed and communicated to those who express their interest. To complete the Expression Of Interest for the ACT Workshop please click here. If you would like to utilise your lived experience of suicide to inform the National Best Practice Guidelines for the enhancement and establishment of aftercare, postvention and distress brief support services click here for further information.
If you are unable to attend the face to face workshop, you are welcome to join the national online sessions or complete the surveys. Further information on dates, locations and times can be found here.
Remuneration
Paid participation for people with a lived experience of suicide is $430 for full day face-to-face sessions (6hrs), and $258 for online sessions (3hrs). Materials to support participation will be shared prior to the sessions. Roses in the Ocean are looking for 15 people in each session, with an opportunity for broader (unpaid) participation through a survey.
For further information, please reach out to Crystal Paniccia, Head of Priority Populations and Partnerships, via email at crystal@rosesintheocean.com.au.
The following links might be useful if you are considering participating in any of the sessions:
ACT 2023-24 Budget Submission from MHCV
MHCV has put in budget submission to the ACT government for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The submission included a proposal for a dual diagnosis ward at the upcoming Northside hospital, as well as a call for increased funding for mental health respite services. Ultimately, MHCV - alongside Carers ACT - are asking that the Treasury consider the principles of the Carers Recognition Act 2021 (ACT) and the impact on carers in all proposed investment packages.
You can read the full budget submission here.
National Mental Health Commission Internal Investigation
The Minister Mark Butler (Health and Aged Care) has emphasised the National Mental Health Commission's crucial role in implementing the Government's mental health and suicide prevention reforms. In order to maintain the Government's and the public's trust in the Commission, an independent investigation has been launched to address the allegations and issues that have recently surfaced in the media. The CEO of the National Mental Health Commission has stepped aside while the investigation occurs.
You can read more in Minister’s Butler’s media release here.
Carer Payment Increase
Following the March indexation, the maximum rate of Carer Payment has increased to $1,064 a fortnight for a single person (including Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement) and $1,604 for a couple. If you receive the Carer Payment, the increase will happen automatically; you do not need to take any action.
However, the Carer Allowance has not changed, as it is indexed on 1 January each year to the Consumer Price Index. The current rate of Carer Allowance remains at $144.80 a fortnight. The next indexation of income support payments is scheduled for 20 September 2023.
For more information please see the Services Australia website.
Increased Employment Assistance Funding for Disability and Mental Health Conditions
The Federal government has announced additional funding for the Employment Assistance Fund. This funding provides financial help to individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions, as well as employers looking to purchase work-related modifications, equipment, Auslan services, and workplace assistance and support services.
Read more about the funding boost here.
