Noticeboard Archive
News relating to promotion, prevention and early intervention for mental health for this year. The most recent items and links to older archives is available here.
| 2008/12/3 |
Investing in trust and social inclusion a key to mental health
The tragic event of a Sudanese youth being stabbed in Adelaide has prompted this article from UniSA's Associate Professor Nicholas Procter (an advisor to Multicultural Mental Health Australia):
"(This is) a story of social disconnectedness that ended in the death of one young school boy and near fatal injury of another...The Commissioner for Social Inclusion in South Australia, Monsignor David Cappo's ...pledge for social connectedness (after what happened) brings to the fore some of the key requirements to build mental health supports in multicultural Australia.
They include how we ensure there is meaningful participation by non-dominant cultures with mainstream health and human services; how we ensure participation is not tokenistic; and how we make sure that engagement is of an enduring nature and leads to the overall improvement of people's lives on the ground."
To read the complete piece go to SA Policy Online, news and opinion.
| 2008/12/1 |
Tackling mood disorders in the workplace: Black Dog Institute writing competition
The Institute is seeking essays from people in the workplace who have clinical depression or bipolar disorder, also their family, friends, work colleagues etc. to share their experiences and what helped them most. The Insitute is looking to collate these insights and provide a guide for managing mood disorders in the workplace.
Entries need to be received by 31st of January 2009: for more information go to writing competition webpage.
| 2008/12/1 |
COPMI 'gems'
The national Children Of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) initiative is pleased to announce its latest website resource: GEMS (Gateways to Evidence that MatterS). This bi-monthly report will provide a summary of recent, international research concerning children (aged 0-18 years) of parents with a mental illness, their parents and families. These GEMS have been prepared as a resource for those working in the field, and aim to provide a synthesis of available research that might guide and direct practitioners, and highlight current research and practice gaps.
For more information go to COPMI GEMS webpage.
| 2008/12/1 |
Young carers an inspiration to us all
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Ursula Stephens, this week met with a delegation of young carers and said their stories were an inspiration. The young carers were attending the Bring It! Young Carers Forum at Parliament House, Canberra.
Senator Stephens said the caring responsibilities of these young people often meant they faced extra barriers to participating in community life and an increased risk of social isolation. Senator Stephens welcomed yesterday's announcement that the Government would provide $15.7 million to extend the Young Carers Program which provides young carers with the opportunity to access respite care to attend education, training and recreational activities through Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres.
(Source: Media release from the office of Senator Stephens).
| 2008/11/26 |
Aussie men urged to speak up about their health
The Australian Government wants Aussie men to start talking - to help it develop Australia's first ever National Men's Health Policy. Formal consultations on the development of the National Men's Health Policy will begin in early 2009, with discussions to be held in all states and territories. Community groups will also be encouraged to hold their own local discussions about men's health.
It is important to recognise that there are specific health problems that disproportionately affect men. Life expectancy for Australian men, for example, is 4.8 years less than that of women - 78.7 years for men, compared with 83.5 years for women. Men also experience 70 per cent of disease related to injury, and bear the brunt of suicide (78 per cent) and road accidents (73 per cent).
For more information including a detailed information paper and a summary of the major health issues facing Australian men go to National Men's Health Policy.
Source: Minister for Health and Ageing media release 25/11/08.
| 2008/11/14 |
How does freedom of religion and belief affect health and wellbeing?
VicHealth has partnered with the Australian Human Rights Commission to conduct an investigation into the effects that freedom of religion and belief can have on individual health and community wellbeing. A paper has been published to guide discussion on the subject and to provide guidelines for submissions.
VicHealth and the AHR Commission are interested in your responses to any or all of the questions in the discussion paper, as well as any other issues of concern. Closing date for contributions is January 31st. 2009. For more information on the background of this project, and to access the discussion paper go to VicHealth webpage.
| 2008/11/14 |
Indigenous health: tell your story for the Dr Ross Ingram Memorial Essay Competition
The Dr Ross Ingram Memorial Essay Competition is open to any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is working, researching or training in a health-related field. Essays will need to present original and positive ideas aimed at promoting health gains and health equity for Australia's Indigenous peoples.
Winning entries are published in the Journal's Indigenous Health issue (the second issue in May each year), and attract a prize of $5000. Other essays of high merit may also be published. The essays should be no more than 2000 words long, and must be submitted by Friday, 23rd January 2009.
For more information go to Medical Journal of Australia webpage.
| 2008/11/11 |
Towards a national primary health care strategy: a discussion paper from the Australian Government
Primary health care is vital in turning our health care system more towards keeping people well and participating in life and work, rather than just looking after people when they are sick. The discussion paper 'Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy' provides information and a series of questions to assist individuals and organisations to structure their input to development of the Strategy through written submission, by the end of Februrary 2009.
For more information and links to the discussion paper go to Department of Health and Ageing webpage.
| 2008/11/4 |
RHEF broadcast: step by step - Indigenous kids
'Step by step' examines some successful community-based primary healthcare and educational initiatives that have an emphasis on prevention and health promotion in areas of identified need. It looks at programs that are contributing to generational change by providing culturally positive experiences for Indigenous children that build pride and resilience.
This program will be broadcast on the Rural Health Education Foundation's satellite network on the 11th and 14th of November: full details from RHEF website.
| 2008/10/22 |
Sleep and health: RHEF broadcast
Sleep is as important to the human body as food and water, but most of us don't get enough. Lack of it has a detrimental effect on our physical and mental health. The next Rural Health Education Foundation broadcast provides information on the latest research: it discusses the range of sleep disorders, the importance of early detection and diagnosis and outlines the latest treatment options. It draws attention to the medical, behavioural and social consequences of sleep disturbance, and considers strategies designed both to increase awareness of sleep disorders in the general community and to promote good sleep health.
The broadcast is scheduled for 28th and 31st of October. For more details go to RHEF website.
| 2008/10/15 |
Cognitive therapy just a click away
The use of 'e-therapy' could become more widespread with the Federal Government's decision to fund a National e-Therapy Centre for Anxiety Disorders (NetCAD) at Swinburne University of Technology. Following a decade of research, Dr Klein and Dr Austin have demonstrated that e-therapy services can be as effective as face-to-face therapy: rigorous evaluation and randomised controlled clinical trials have shown that about 70 to 90 per cent of people who worked their way through the Panic Online program, for example, were alleviated of their clinical panic disorder.
For more information go to Swin-PsyCHE e Therapy Unit.
From Swinburne Magazine, September 08.
| 2008/10/2 |
Kids help force bad billboards off the road
Kids across Australia have had a major victory over offensive billboards following representations on their behalf by the NSW Commission for Children and Young People. More than 100 of the large billboards around Australia that feature a 'blatant message about a sexual act' will be removed following a ruling by the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) in response to a Commission submission that had raised the young people's concerns.
The Commission took this issue up in its submission to the 'Sexualisation of children in the contemporary media' inquiry being conducted by the Australian Parliaments Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts.
(From the NSW Commission for Children and Young People eNews, 4th September 08. For more information go to the Commission's web page.)
| 2008/9/26 |
Putting LIFE into Practice: Suicide prevention forums
The LIFE forums held on 9th September 2008 are now available online. The sessions included a panel discussion of 'What is the role of primary care in suicide prevention?', seminars on all of the LIFE action areas and a final discussion on 'What have we learnt about Putting LIFE Into Practice?'.
Podcasts and Powerpoint presentations may be downloaded from the Living Is For Everyone site.
| 2008/9/5 |
'Drugs: education, prevention and policy' special Issue on drugs, alcohol and indigenous peoples: call for papers
'Drugs: education, prevention and policy' is UK-based, with an international audience. It is refereed (peer-reviewed) and original articles from all parts of the world are welcome on issues relating to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. A special Issue on 'Drugs, Alcohol and Indigenous Peoples' will be published in 2009 and submissions are invited from researchers, professionals or volunteers working with these communities - as well as members of indigenous communities.
If you would like to discuss a possible submission, or ask a question, please contact the editor for the special issue Richard Ives. More information about the journal can be found at 'Drugs: education, prevention and policy'.
| 2008/8/20 |
Profiles of family relationships practices
The Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse (AFRC) is developing a collection of profiles on family relationships practices. Profiles may relate to programs and/or practices conducted throughout Australia that would be of interest to other service providers or practitioners. This may include past and present training initiatives, community awareness strategies, services that target particular groups or any other examples of interesting or innovative practice.
Further information, including the process for submissions, can be found at Family Relationships Practice Profiles. (from AFRC alert)
| 2008/8/12 |
Vietnam veterans' family study
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) is seeking Vietnam veterans and their families to take part in a study into their health and wellbeing. The study will look at what effect veterans' service in Vietnam may have had on veterans' families.
The first focus will be on Vietnam veterans and their families, while later studies will look at the families of veterans from more recent deployments. The research includes children, partners, siblings, nieces and nephews. The study aims to identify any common risk factors for veterans and their families, as well as factors that protect families' health and wellbeing. The entire study is expected to take 8 years. It will be completed by 2016.
For more information go to the DVA Family Study webpage.
| 2008/8/6 |
LIFE News: suicide prevention online
Crisis Support Services has just released the first edition of LIFE News as part of the new LIFE Communications: an innovative project that facilitates suicide and self-harm prevention expertise on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing for the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS).
The updated LIFE website contains the newsletter, links to the latest LIFE documents plus an online professional development discussion forum. For more information go to: Living is for everyone
| 2008/7/24 |
Indigenous AOD workers' wellbeing, stress and burnout survey
The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) at Flinders University has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to undertake national research on the wellbeing of Indigenous and non-Indigenous health workers (who see a high proportion of Indigenous clients) working in the Alcohol and Other Drugs field.
NCETA would like to invite relevant Indigenous and non-Indigenous health workers working in the Alcohol and Other Drugs field to share their views on the level of stress and wellbeing that they experience by completing the survey. The results will be incorporated into a final report (due in 2009) for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and will be available on the NCETA website. To participate go to
| 2008/7/22 |
It takes a community: preventing child abuse and neglect (RHEF satellite television broadcast)
This program explores a shift to a preventive focus, looking at the development of services that emphasise protective factors, and which aim to support families and children before abuse or neglect occurs. The program illustrates the belief that a strong community underpins the effective functioning of families, and examines how traditional child health and welfare professionals are re-orienting themselves in the light of this perspective.
The program will be broadcast on Tuesday 29th July 2008. For more details go to Rural Health Education Foundation webpage.
| 2008/7/9 |
Changes to Auseinet site
Work is underway to create a new 'search by topic' page on the Auseinet site which will give quicker and easier access to resources across all of our collections. The new page will allow for browsing through publications, activities, notices, and sitelinks via one comprehensive listing of subject headings.
Whilst this re-structure is taking place you may find that some resources have been moved: our priority is to ensure minimum disruption to accessing information. If you are having problems finding resources please contact the Information Officer.
| 2008/6/26 |
Latest suicide statistics: updated overview available
Auseinet has updated its information paper "Australian Suicide Statistics 2006 - Key Findings", based on data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in March 2008. The paper provides a summary which highlights the levels of, and trends in, suicide in Australia.
To access the paper go to the Suicide Prevention Statistics page of the Auseinet website.
| 2008/6/17 |
Developing a men's health policy for Australia: setting the scene
The Rudd Government is about to start developing Australia's first ever National Men's Health Policy - in recognition of the fact that men often have poorer health than women, are likely to die earlier, and are at greater risk of suicide.
Over the next twelve months, the Government will be developing a comprehensive policy: they want to know what men consider to be the priorities for their health, and how to build up the evidence base in this area, including opportunities for research over the long term. Consultations will be held throughout Australia, including a forum to be held in Canberra towards the end of 2008.
More information can be found on the National Men's Health Policy page of the Department of Health and Ageing website.
| 2008/5/26 |
'From Margins to Mainstream' conference: early bird registration date extended
Due to the large number of abstracts received for the 'Margins to Mainstream: 5th World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders', organisers have had to delay notification of presenters by a fortnight. Because of this, 'early bird' registrations will now close on 16 June 2008.
For more information go to Margins to Mainstream conference website.
| 2008/5/14 |
Positive psychology and adolescent well-being study seeking research participants
A new Monash University research study on positive psychology and adolescent well-being is looking for participants aged 12 to 17.
The purpose of this study is to identify characteristics that are present in adolescents with high well-being. The information gained from this study will be used to develop a psychological program or intervention that will aim to help other adolescents improve their well-being and mental health.
Participation would involve completing a set of questionnaires. A small number of participants will be invited to participate in either focus groups or phone interviews. For more information contact:
Jacolyn Norrish or Dr Dianne Vella-Brodrick.
| 2008/4/16 |
Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) Carers Engagement Project
MHCA is currently organising and delivering a series of nationwide workshops that will provide opportunities for family members and carers of a person with a mental illness to further develop their coping and management skills.
There will be specific workshops for carers who are Indigenous, from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, and young carers.
Mental health carers will not only have the opportunity to share and learn but also provide the MHCA with information of relevance to advance the issue and needs of mental health carers in Australia at the national level. For more information about the workshops and where they will be held go to Mental Health Council of Australia website.
| 2008/4/9 |
The Oasis: Australia's homeless youth
Documentary about the daily chaos and drama of a group of homeless kids at Oasis youth refuge, followed by a panel discussion hosted by Lateline's Tony Jones about this complex issue.
The documentary and panel discussion turn the spotlight on disadvantaged teenagers through their challenges with drug addiction, mental illness, criminal convictions, domestic abuse and teenage pregnancy.
Screening on ABC TV on 8:30pm Thursday, 10 Apr 2008. For links to reports and additional information go to Oasis website
| 2008/2/4 |
Workshops and grants for small non-government organisations
The Department of Health and Ageing has provided the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) with $6 million to assist in the development of the capacity of non-government mental health organisations and other organisations delivering services relating to mental health. The MHCA will be providing 14 free, full day workshops around the country (designed to build stronger not for profit organisations and projects) and one-off grants of up to $40,000.
The MHCA is keen to hear from organisations working in: drug and alcohol rehabilitation, counseling, telephone help lines, family support services, men's services, asylum seeker support, eating disorders, suicide prevention and addiction.
For more information please contact Rachelle Irving, or go to the MHCA website.
| 2008/1/29 |
Launch of the National Register of Mental Health Consumer and Carer Representatives
The National Register of Mental Health Consumer and Carer Representatives is set to be launched in April 2008 following the National Register workshop (31 March-1 April) that will further develop the skills of 60 mental health consumer and carer representatives. The workshop will strengthen the skills of participants to successfully promote the interests of consumers and carers at a national level. The workshop will focus on leadership, advocacy, training, policy development, mentoring and a range of other relevant topics.
Those seeking a mental health consumer and/or carer representative should contact the Project Manager, Emma de Tassanyi, (Project Manager, Consumer and Carer Mentoring Project) Mental Health Council of Australia on (02) 6285 3100 or at emma.detassanyi@mhca.org.au.