CEO Update - Bravery in all its forms

Speaking frankly...                                       

Bravery in all its forms

Although busy, this week has also been refreshing, an opportunity to engage deeply with lived experience in manner that continues to teach and motivate me.

At the beginning of the week, under the fig trees in Mullumbimby, I had the privilege of watching a diverse and talented group of individuals share their stories – their unique experiences of mental illness – on stage in front of a live audience at the Renew Fest This is My Brave show.

Bravery comes in many forms. But the courage with which these individuals took to the stage to celebrate, not to confess or reveal their issues, was palpable. In various forms of artistic expression – poetry, music, storytelling and dance – they brought their experiences to life in what was a stark reframing of conditions conventionally thought of as ‘illnesses’, ‘problems’, or ‘afflictions’.  

It was refreshing to see this convention turned on its head, and to see people embracing the many ways their mental health issues had shaped them.

One cannot deny that it takes sheer bravery to stand up and perform in front of any crowd, but to do so conveying one’s true self with such unreserved passion, audacity and vigour is an inspiration. And it was the passion, audacity and vigour, as well as the bravery behind these performances that connected with the audience, prompting recognition and understanding of the strength that is born out of experiences of mental ill-health.

I ended the week with mental health consumer and carer representatives at the Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop – a gathering for members of the National Register and the National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum (NMHCCF). This event brought together another diverse and passionate group of individuals to share ideas and resources, and to use their lived experience as a kind of leverage to advocate for reform.

The Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, gave generously of his own time and energy to engage with the delegates, hearing people's concerns and passion for reform. He also shared some of their journey, and my sense was that this left the entire group encouraged and invigorated.

Throughout workshop sessions, participants did not shy away from addressing the issues that present the biggest challenges: How do we reconcile diverse views across the sector and across stakeholder groups? How do we maintain momentum of energy and purpose in the face of such slow progress? And how do we show respect for those who disparage or fail to understand our experiences, keeping us on the margins of influence?...

Indeed the challenges we face together as a sector are enormous, and our resources are limited. To face this reality and continue to stand up to challenges takes strength, resilience and bravery. But it takes a great deal more bravery when existing challenges are compounded by difficulties associated with stigma and exclusion.

This brings me to another form of bravery…

The continued fight for reconciliation, justice and equality for Australia’s first peoples comes to the fore next week as we commemorate the 1967 referendum with National Reconciliation Week. With this comes the bravery of countless Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have dedicated their life’s work to the reconciliation movement, and to ensuring all Australians value our indigenous cultures, history and achievements.

Mental Health Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan outlines our commitment to create meaningful relationships, enhance respect and promote opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians within our organisation. But the buck doesn’t stop here…  

Reconciliation of any kind takes an ability not just to tolerate but to embrace difference. Reconciliation, not just between diverse ethnicities or cultures, but between any peoples with discordant views, comes when we learn to embrace and seek to better understand the unique lived experiences of others.

There is always common ground. And when we look hard to find that common ground with others, it can be channelled into a kind of collective power to overcome vast challenges.

As I watched the brave performers at Mullumbimby dispelling misconceptions with courage and integrity; as I listened to carers and consumers recount their diverse experiences while identifying common challenges; and as we are all called to come together to forge relationships based on trust and respect this National Reconciliation Week; there is irony in the fact that it often takes a great deal more bravery to highlight our similarities than to identify our differences.

Warm regards.

Frank Quinlan
Chief Executive Officer

Optimising support for psychosocial disability: webinars for service providers

Mental Health Australia Member Profiles

Dementia Australia, formerly Alzheimer’s Australia, represents the 413,106 Australians living with dementia and the estimated 291,163 Australians involved in their care. They advocate for the needs of people living with dementia, and their families and carers, and provide support services, education and information. 
Website - www.dementia.org.au(link is external) Facebook - www.facebook.com/DementiaAustralia(link is external) Twitter - @DementiaAus Instagram - www.instagram.com/Dementia_Australia/


Care Connect is an independent not-for-profit home care services organisation that has been providing aged care services at home, for over 20 years. Their expertise is providing the right advice and guidance for home care, finding and managing the right services to help people at home with day-to-day activities.  Care Connect have the largest network of trusted service providers nationally.
Website - www.careconnect.org.au Facebook - www.facebook.com/careconnectaustralia(link is external) Twitter - www.twitter.com/Care_Connect 

News

Empowering health workforce to drive improvements in patient care

Australian clinical digital health leaders are being invited to join a new national network to champion digital health throughout hospitals and healthcare organisations. The network will provide forums and channels for knowledge sharing that supports improved patient care.

 

 

Establishment of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission 

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is a new independent body responsible for oversight of the delivery of quality supports and services under the NDIS. The Commission will roll-out in stages from 1 July beginning in NSW and SA with Graham Head as the inaugural Commissioner. The Commission will implement the new NDIS Quality and Practice Standards; a national approach to safeguarding quality and best practice among NDIS service providers.

SA mental health sector experiences historic job losses

Up to 150 jobs in the community mental health sector in South Australia will disappear from 1 July. This is the first substantial job loss under the new Marshall Government and the biggest in the mental health sector's history. Highly skilled and qualified mental health support workers are being told they will not have a job beyond this financial year as crucial Commonwealth funding is being pulled. .

Reminders

Mental Health Month grants now available

Have you got an idea to promote wellbeing in your community?... Applications are now open for Mental Health Month grants programs in NSW and the ACT. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for community groups and organisations to host an event during Mental Health Month in October. The scope of Mental Health Month events is limited only by applicants' imagination and enthusiasm! ​

If you're in NSW, visit the Small Grants Program webpage for more information. In the ACT, visit the ACT Mental Health Month website and download the Program Guidelines.

 

 

Regional Community Coordinator position with batyr

batyr currently have a full-time Regional Community Coordinator position available in NSW for someone who is passionate and driven to create change in the community. This person will be responsible for the continued development and implementation of Batyr programs and events across regional NSW. Batyr is a preventative mental health organisation for young people that aims to reduce stigma and empower young people to reach out for support.

2nd Annual NDIS & Mental Health Conference: Call for content

You are invited to submit content to present at the 2nd Annual NDIS & Mental Health Conference 2018 hosted by CMHA and Mental Health Victoria. The conference theme is ‘Mental health policy, practice & reform: Getting it right in a time of change'. Submissions focused on the key concepts are welcomed. All proposals will be considered which fulfil the criteria outlined in the Application Form. Submissions close 15 June 2018.

Programme outline for AADDM 2018 Conference 

The upcoming Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine (AADDM) conference is shaping up to offer a diverse and stimulating programme for AADDM members, allied health workers, and other with an interest in improving the health and wellbeing of people with developmental disabilities. View the interim conference programme on the AADDM website (PDF). The conference will be held 6-7 September 2018 in Sydney.  

Launch of the Recovery Oriented Language Guide 2nd edition

The Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) of NSW have recently launched the 2nd edition of the Recovery Oriented Language Guide. This free download (PDF)is an essential resource guiding the use of language for people working in mental health and human services. The Guide promotes the use of person-centred, trauma-informed, empowering language around concepts of illness, disability and mental health to promote recovery...

Royal Flying Doctor Service mental health literacy survey

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) together with Australian Catholic University (ACU) are conducting a survey to find out more about Australia’s mental health literacy. This research will assist in understanding how much Australians know about mental health conditions and provide insight into what needs to be done to improve services. They would like to hear from people who live in all areas of Australia, including major cities, inner and outer regional areas, and remote and very remote areas.

Register for Foundations for Trauma-Informed Care training

This training workshop in Canberra on 26 October 2018 enhances participants' understanding of the impact of trauma on the brain, highlighting principles of trauma-informed care along with the benefits of operating a trauma-informed workplace. This training is hosted by the Blue Knot Foundation. Register via the link below:

Register as an exhibitor at the World Suicide Prevention Day Expo

The World Suicide Prevention Day Expo will take place in Cairns on 10 September 2017. This event aims to raise awareness, provide education, disseminate information and reduce stigma around to suicide. To register, follow the link below:

Registration now open for the International Trauma Summit

Online registrations are now open for the First International Trauma Summit hosted by the World Federation for Mental Health. The event, held in Houston, Texas USA on November 28-30 2018, will raise awareness, develop a Call to Action and begin the conversation of change for Governments around the world. Register below: