News from the CEO: 2021
CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Wishing you all the best for the festive season
16 December 2021
What a big year it has been! Thank you to all of those who have sent such encouraging and positive feedback as we celebrate last week’s events – the Annual General Meeting and the 2021 Grace Groom Memorial Oration featuring the Hon Julia Gillard AC – both at the National Gallery of Australia; plus the Members Policy Forum at Old Parliament House – it’s also a good time to reflect on 2021.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Wrapping up a big week
10 December 2021
At our AGM and annual Grace Groom Memorial Oration on Wednesday this week, there were a hundred guests. All in the same room at the National Gallery. It was such a welcome, warming opportunity to catch up with friendly faces and meet some new ones.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Matt Berriman will bring youth, vision and lived experience to the role of Chair
3 December 2021
What a week it’s been, and next week will only get better for Mental Health Australia. For those who missed it, on Wednesday we announced that Mr Matt Berriman will take over from Ms Robyn Kruk AO as the new Chair of Mental Health Australia following the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 8 December in Canberra.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Celebrating International Day of People with Disability
26 November 2021
International Day of People with Disability is next week, on Friday 3 December. It’s an important day to celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disability.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Equity of access to vaccines – lessons from COVID-19
19 November 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed pre-existing inequities in Australia’s health system. People living with mental illness have increased risks of hospitalisation and long-term effects from COVID-19, but vaccination rates for people with mental illness have lagged behind the general population.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: We’re here, we see you
12 November 2021
When I was a new mum, the most important person to me outside my little family was Judy. She was the local maternal and child health nurse. She was wise and experienced. She was busy. She saw lots of babies, toddlers and parents every day.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Select Committee’s final report further evidence to build system reform
5 November 2021
This week the next piece of the reform puzzle was made public. The Select Committee for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention released their final report. Mental Health Australia welcomes this final report and congratulates the Committee on finalising its recommendations.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: From one big month to another…
29 October 2021
It’s almost November, that time we tend to ask ourselves, “where did the year go?”
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Why climate action in Australia matters for mental health
22 October 2021
With the Glasgow Climate Change Conference set to begin next week, its great to see climate change action is high on the global, and national agenda.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Celebrating a Big Week
15 October 2021
National Carers Week is in the middle of Mental Health Month. This year’s theme for National Carers Week is ‘Millions of Reason to Care’, aiming to highlight the continuous work of more than 2.65 million carers around the country.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Guest Blog - Embarking on an era of Co-design, Co-production, advice, support and collaboration
8 October 2021
Ahead of World Mental Health Day on Sunday 10 October, we asked Keir Saltmarsh, Co-Chair of the National Mental Health Consumer Carer Forum, to write a guest blog from a lived experience perspective. Thank you to Keir and all the members of NMHCCF for their continued drive and passion to provide a national voice to create a system that is truly person-led.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Looking forward to Mental Health Month – and true systemic reform
1 October 2021
As today marks the start of Mental Health Month, with World Mental Health Day just around the corner on Sunday 10 October, our theme this year is to look forward, look up, and look out for each other - all with the aim to “Look after our mental health, Australia”.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Unacceptable
24 September 2021
Abusive action this week from understandably frustrated and angry people in the context of public health imposed restrictions triggers a new level of concern in our community.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Community mental health services – for every family in every community
17 September 2021
We are currently marking time in new ways – how many new cases today? When and how restrictions will be eased is linked to how many are vaccinated… single dose, double dose, jabs, masks and more.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: “You don’t need to be amazing to start, but you need to start to be amazing…”
10 September 2021
For those who watched the Paralympic Games from Tokyo over the last few weeks, you would have heard this quote a lot during the ads.
Read moreCEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Attitudes and impact
27 August 2021
Attitudes and impact. In the ‘90s and 2000’s I worked in child and adolescent mental health settings as an occupational therapist and family therapist.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Spring and sunshine brings hope and a message of thanks
27 August 2021
As spring beckons here in Canberra and the daffodils start to do their thing – a symbol of new beginnings and rebirth – our challenge in the mental health ecosystem at the moment continues to grow, and we need to keep going.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: How will history help us deal with this latest humanitarian crisis?
20 August 2021
IMany of us will never forget the image of a lone protester standing in front of tanks outside of Tiananmen Square in Beijing on June 5 1989. It is a photo that is etched into our minds forever and sadly the devastating videos and images from Kabul airport this week have become just as iconic.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Our Advice to Governments – we must continue to prioritise mental health reform
13 August 2021
In recent days we have written to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and will be writing joint letters with state peaks to state and territory First Ministers outlining our Advice to Governments in relation to the impending National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: The Mental Health Olympics - just what we needed!
30 July 2021
When Peter Bol finished a gallant fourth in the 800m final at the Olympics on Wednesday night I had goose bumps. When the TV coverage crossed to his 70 plus family members watching on from a crowded lounge room in Perth I had more.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Is there a vacuum right now in the reform process for the mental health system?
30 July 2021
Yesterday was the last meeting of the Mental Health Information Strategy Standing Committee (MHISSC). Originally chaired by Dr Aaron Groves and then by Dr Grant Sara MHISSC has been a collaborative forum that successfully brought together data experts with state government, PHNs, people with lived experience, carers and peak mental health organisations to inform and drive improvements to mental health information and data collection initiatives. Losing this meeting will be a loss to the sector, unless...
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Lockdown through the eyes of some of our Embrace consumers and carers
23 July 2021
Guest blog from Embrace Multicultural Mental Health consumers and carers about experiences of lockdown.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Helping and hearing from those who provide the care
16 July 2021
Guest blog from NMHCCF Carer Co-Chair, Hayley Solich about the needs of carers and their inclusion in our reform agenda.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Healing Country and mental health reform
9 July 2021
Guest blog from the CEO of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, Tom Brideson about the NAIDOC week theme, Healing Country, and mental health reform.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Australia’s response to the mental health challenges of COVID-19
25 June 2021
Guest blog from Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ruth Vine: I recently took part in making a video for WHO on Australia’s response to Covid-19 so far.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Reflecting on culturally and trauma-informed services for Refugee Week
25 June 2021
At a time when connection is becoming more and more important it was great to be able to celebrate Refugee Week with a staff lunch – in person this week – to honour the 70.8 million refugees around the world.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Is it ‘mental health’ or ‘mental illness’
18 June 2021
Each week this piece goes out to more than 5,000 people and I invariably receive welcome feedback. In fact this week I received a handwritten letter from a consumer passing on his thanks to the mental health workforce for the support he has received. Feedback can also include commentary on the issues raised, thanks for the message, and challenges and ideas to consider. It is a great privilege to be able to connect and prompt thinking and dialogue with so many on a weekly basis.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Looking out for the youngest of the young people
11 June 2021
Understanding and advocating for mental health reform across the lifespan is a huge challenge for us all, especially when it comes to data and evidence.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: It’s ‘a marathon, not a sprint’ and there will be a ‘long tail’
4 June 2021
At Mental Health Australia we have been saying in submissions and public statements that we need to think about managing ourselves through the pandemic by approaching it as a marathon, not a sprint.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Budget Analysis - Details will be crucial to the National Agreement
28 May 2021
When you look at the origins of the old idiom, “The devil is in the detail” it’s actually more of positive sentiment than one would think. It encapsulates the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Mental health in Australia is top of mind and ready for systemic change
21 May 2021
This week we are proud to launch the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan for Mental Health Australia, and I acknowledge our Board for their leadership, drive and collaboration in developing this new direction at such a critical time for mental health reform.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Supporting children and families where a parent has a mental illness
14 May 2021
There was a brilliant moment for me this week – and it did not involve discussions about the Federal Budget, although they were very positive too.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Mental health reform has become a key budget priority… and rightly so.
7 May 2021
As we await next week’s Federal Budget and the anticipated announcements of future funding and program development for our mental health ecosystem, we do so with the recommendations and reports all complete.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Housing is key to belonging, mental health and wellbeing
30 April 2021
In order to thrive, we need shelter. Like food, water, clean air, and sufficient sleep, shelter is a cornerstone of health and wellbeing.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Anzac Day can inspire the spirit in many with lived experience
23 April 2021
Glenda Weston from Charters Towers in Queensland has bravely told her story many times over the last two years and has been a key voice in the campaign for a Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide after losing her son to suicide on Anzac Day in 2019.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: We cannot wait another generation or more, for action
9 April 2021
Already this year we’ve seen two key Royal Commission Reports handed down that have the ability to impact the future of mental health reform and service delivery and the lives of Australians
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Outreach and connecting the community to the NDIS is a must
9 April 2021
In amongst the ongoing debate and discussion around Independent Assessments in the NDIS, as well as a change in Minister, the silent success of the National Community Connectors Program (NCCP) and its huge potential nationally, seems to have gone unnoticed.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Coming up for air after a busy start to the year
1 April 2021
Amongst all the important things taking all the air time, we also need to make sure we don’t miss things. Discussions that are important for the future of mental health reform and the ecosystem we’re all part of.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Embracing all that is good about Harmony Week and feeling at home
26 March 2021
It took me some time to feel ‘at home’. Australia had not been my home (unlike my parents who were ‘coming home’) and I often think about this personal transition, and what makes people feel at ‘home’ when working on our Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Project.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Close the Gap
19 March 2021
A nation is only as strong as the health of its people…
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Finding balance from the boundary
12 March 2021
It was the end of a season that had been interrupted by lockdowns, and new regulations on shining a cricket ball due to COVID-19. But finally, we could have a traditional ceremony celebrated in person by players, family and friends.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Sustaining hope
5 March 2021
“The shared humanity of our community can be measured by the way we treat one another — including the kindness, compassion, dignity and respect we show."
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: It’s understanding and communicating the ‘WHY?’ that really matters in the workplace
26 February 2021
As we near the 12-month mark of the disruption and change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and look to learn from those subsequent changes and challenges across many workplaces, I had the chance to reflect on and discuss these issues.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: Responding to trauma — Do no further harm
12 February 2021
Last year through the challenges of responding to the global pandemic, we were confronted in a new way by the intersecting challenges of working across levels of government. A new National Cabinet was formed and former governance structures were dissolved and are in process of being reformed.
Read moreWeekly CEO Update: A focus on wellbeing for a better future for children's mental health
12 February 2021
Last year through the challenges of responding to the global pandemic, we were confronted in a new way by the intersecting challenges of working across levels of government. A new National Cabinet was formed and former governance structures were dissolved and are in process of being reformed.
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