Focus on the strength

On International Women’s Day (IWD) this week, June Oscar (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner) wrote “To all our women, stand with confidence and be the powerful women you are, holding tens of thousands of years of wisdom in your hands.”

Amongst all the celebrations, articles, images and discussions marking the day, this one stood out.

Why? Because it was a message about strength. It was a message about power and wisdom being passed through many generations of women.

Not sure why we need to be reminded (and we do need to be), but we all know that women and girls are disproportionately impacted by conflicts, disasters and climate change. Their work in keeping households and communities together is vital but often unnoticed and disregarded. For example it is estimated that women provide between 65 and 80% of unpaid and informal mental health care. The Grattan Institute has shown that the global pandemic has impacted disproportionately on Australian women leaving an already economically disadvantaged group with even more of a gap to men.

Examining the problems inherent in this gender injustice is confronting. But it was not where our focus ended this week.

Today Mental Health Australia celebrates the strength of women who are using their power and wisdom to drive positive change in their everyday lives and communities. We affirm and pay our respect to the women of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We acknowledge the women who are leading the response and recovery efforts in their flooded communities. We recognise the women in culturally diverse communities who support and hold families together. We stand with the women of the LGBTIQ community in the face of the inequality they experience in different stages and areas of life. We are inspired by the young women in a new generation standing firm for their right to safe study, safe work, safe lives. And we acknowledge with enormous gratitude the pioneering women now older but as wise as ever who have shown us all what it takes.

We celebrate and support the women leaders, like the group representing the Safety. Respect. Equity campaign, launched this week, who are working together to drive positive change for all women in Australia. We recognise the incredible strength of those who, despite personal attack and trauma seek to rise and fight for better, for everyone.

Have a great weekend,

Leanne Beagley signature

Dr Leanne Beagley

CEO, Mental Health Australia

A message on Australia's flood crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war

The continuing news headlines devastating floods and storms in Queensland and New South Wales as well as from Ukraine have been stressful and frightening. Whether directly affected or watching the toll from afar, it is normal to feel distress. Enduring a disaster and a war at this time can be especially difficult as previous floods, bushfires, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts can compound our sense of unease. Help is available via Lifeline on 13 11 14, Text 0477 13 11 14 or online chat.

Mental Health Australia would also like to acknowledge the hard work of emergency response teams in saving lives and mitigating the damage of the storms and floods.

Next week

My Diary next week

On Tuesday I am looking forward to the headspace opening event at Cowra and then continuing travels for the remainder of the week to Dubbo and Orange – kindly invited by Marathon Health - a member of Mental Health Australia and a leading provider of health and psychosocial services across the region.

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health News

Embrace Project Stakeholder Group

The Embrace Project Stakeholder Group met online on Wednesday 9 March 2022. The Stakeholder Group is a key advisory group for the Embrace Project that brings together experts from across the multicultural and mental health sectors to share their knowledge, expertise and connections with multicultural communities and the mental health workforce.

We were delighted to have the Hon David Coleman MP, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention join us and show support for the Embrace Project.

Some of the key discussions were around the impact of international conflict on multicultural communities and how to influence systemic change. A wide range of stakeholders participated in this meeting and will meet again in September 2022.

For information: Translated RAT resources

The Australian Department of Health has created a selection of resources on rapid antigen tests (RATs) which have been translated into 63 languages.

These resources explain how to use RATs, where to find them, what each RAT result means, and what to do if your RAT is positive.

The following resources on RATs are available on the Department’s website:

· How to use a rapid antigen oral saliva test – social tile

· How to use a nasal swab rapid antigen test – social tile

· Where can I get a rapid antigen test? – social tile

· Free rapid antigen and PCR tests are available – social tile

· What to do if your rapid antigen test is positive – social GIF

· What does my rapid antigen test mean? – poster

· Getting tested for COVID-19 – fact sheet

· Rapid antigen tests (RAT) – handout

The Department is continuing to develop resources on RATs and living with COVID-19, including video animations on both topics. Please continue to check the website regularly for more updates.

Member Benefits, Jobs and Profiles

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Mental Health Australia members are invited to send us news, announcements, job vacancies, events or other notices for inclusion in the Weekly CEO Update newsletter. To do so, simply fill out this form by COB each Wednesday for your notice to appear in the newsletter the following Friday.

Member job vacancy

OzHelp is looking for a Clinician to engage and build value through quality services and programs through the provision of timely, relevant, and contemporary practice in the design of OzHelp’s products, programs, and services.

Featured Members

Speech Pathology Australia

Speech Pathology Australia is the national peak body for speech pathologists in Australia. Speech pathologists are the university-trained allied health professionals who specialise in diagnosing and treating communication and swallowing problems (dysphagia). For many reasons, people living with a mental illness are at a significantly greater risk of experiencing both communication and swallowing difficulties than the general population. Speech pathologists are an important part of the mental health team, assessing and improving a person’s communication and swallowing skills to contribute to the differential diagnostic process and help the individual function physically, socially and mentally at home, in the classroom, in the workplace, in social situations and in mental health treatment programs.

Ruah Community Services

Ruah Community Services: Working in partnership, Ruah Community Services aim to empower and inspire their clients to achieve their personal aspirations. Vision - Flourishing communities through active participation and wellbeing of people with complex needs. Mission - Empowering vulnerable and disadvantaged people to create meaningful change in their lives through provision of quality support services. Values - Respect, Grassroots, Partnerships, Integrity, Creativity.

Mental Health News

Landmark agreement begins a new era for mental health care in NSW

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, and NSW Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health, Bronwyn Taylor, say more than $383 million will be invested into mental health and suicide prevention support and services in New South Wales over the next five years, following the signing of a new bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and NSW governments. This agreement and additional funding will ensure NSW residents are guaranteed the essential services they need and deserve. In addition to these initiatives, the Commonwealth and NSW governments will substantially deepen their partnership in the mental health and suicide prevention system, through greater data sharing and evaluation of services, closer integration of referral pathways, and working together on the regional planning and commissioning of services.

Milestone agreement expands mental health care services in SA

More than $127.8 million will be invested into mental health and suicide prevention support and services in South Australia over the next five years, following the signing of a landmark bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and South Australian governments. The Commonwealth will invest $66.1 million and South Australia will invest $61.8 million to expand mental health care services to where they are needed the most. In addition to these initiatives, the Commonwealth and South Australia governments will substantially deepen their partnership in the mental health and suicide prevention system, through greater data sharing and evaluation of services, closer integration of referral pathways, and working together on the regional planning and commissioning of services.

Beyond Blue reminds communities impacted by flood disaster that support is available

Beyond Blue is reminding people that it is common to be feel overwhelmed by the flooding events impacting the east coast of Australia and that support is available. Beyond Blue Lead Clinical Adviser Dr Grant Blashki said communities were feeling devastated by the floods. "It’s really tough for people in the disaster zones because they’ve been dealing with the pandemic and now they’re enduring a major weather event that is taking lives and destroying properties," Dr Blashki said. "The impact of losing loved ones, evacuations, and homes and businesses being destroyed can leave lasting effects on people’s mental health. We encourage people to seek support as early as possible because this can help us build resilience and stay well."

Let's be clear on the value of carers

The Disability Royal Commission has released an overview of responses to the violence and abuse of people with disability issues paper which highlighted cases in which 'carers' were perpetrators of abuse. Carers Australia Acting CEO Melanie Cantwell said, "Every day, over 2.65 million unpaid family and friend carers provide care and support to people living with disability, chronic or life-limiting illness, those who are frail aged or have a mental illness, alcohol or other drug related condition. The vast majority of carers provide this care and support with empathy, love, and respect. The term 'carer' should not be confused with 'abuser' or used broadly and without context to describe a paid care worker, foster carer or a family member or friend who is not, in fact, a carer as defined by the Carer Recognition Act 2010 (Commonwealth). There are different issues and solutions for paid care workers and unpaid carers, and the Royal Commission needs to recognise this."

Look after your mental health during these tough times says AMA

The AMA says with many Australians feeling heightened levels of anxiety and trauma due to the devastating effects of an increasingly unstable climate, war in Ukraine and the continuing pandemic, it was timely, if possible, to check in with friends, reach out to your GP and take a break from media, including social media. AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid said the media had given us an incredible insight into the suffering and pain being felt by Australians caught up in the flood catastrophe as well as the grief and horror of war. "The media, including social media has connected us very personally with the war in Ukraine and with the flooding tragedies in Queensland and NSW. Witnessing these events is certain to have an impact on most of us, and if it's feeling overwhelming it may be time to have a break from screens and the media."

Mental Health Opportunities

Celebrate International Women’s Day, Support First Nations Gender Justice

Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) is a ground-breaking report and project, driven by First Nations Women and Girls across the nation. Now in its implementation stage, Wiyi Yani U Thangani is building towards a national summit and framework to advance First Nations gender justice and equality. To recognise this International Women’s Day, Tuesday March 8, the Australian Human Rights Commission invites you to listen to and celebrate First Nation’s women by watching and sharing their animation.

Cultural safety in the mental health system

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has long been advocating for developing a mental health system which is person-centred and responsive to community need.

Illustrating the RANZCP commitment to advocating for universal cultural safety in mental health systems, services, and care for all consumers, the RANZCP has developed Position Statement 105: Cultural safety and completed a major update of Position Statement 37: Principles for mental health systems.

This has occurred in close consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee and the Community Collaboration Committee:

Position Statement 105: Cultural safety (new)
Position Statement 37: Principles for mental health systems (major update)

Within both Position Statement 105: Cultural safety and Position Statement 37: Principles for mental health systems the RANZCP recognises that cultural safety underpins achieving equitable health outcomes. This applies to all people across culturally and linguistically diverse communities, beliefs, values, ethnic groups, religion or faith, age, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Position Statement 37: Principles for mental health systems includes key principles of optimal mental health systems to inform governments and funders.

For more information, please see:

Position Statement 42: Acknowledging the Stolen generations
Position Statement 50: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers
Position Statement 68: Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution
Position Statement 83: Recognising and addressing the mental health needs of the LGBTIQ+ population

If you have any queries, please email policy@ranzcp.org.

National Network of Mental Health Promotion Practitioners

Prevention United is pleased to announce the launch of a National Network of Mental Health Promotion Practitioners.

This network is open to anyone working on the promotion of mental wellbeing, the prevention of mental health conditions or building of mental health literacy regardless of their discipline.

Join other professionals working in mental health promotion in a professional community of practice.
Network, share ideas and information, and participate in professional development opportunities.
Learn from others in the field, and help develop mental health promotion as a career pathway for others.

Free to anyone working in mental health promotion and no membership fee!

Join our Inaugural Meeting

When: Wednesday 30 March 2022
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm AEDST
Where: Zoom (link TBC)

World Bipolar Day - 30 March

In recognition of World Bipolar Day on 30 March, Impact Trials with Deakin University are hosting a free online Q&A session with a panel of experts, including Mental Health Australia CEO, Dr Leanne Beagley. All are welcome to discuss bipolar disorder. This event is supported by: the Australasian Society for Bipolar & Depressive Disorders Ltd, Bipolar Life, World Bipolar Day and the Community and Research Network (CARN).

COVID-19 Advice from the Department of Health

The Department of Health has issued its next COVID-19 vaccination disability Provider Alert - 9 March 2022.

In this update you will find the latest ATAGI recommendations on booster doses, information about vaccinations after testing positive to COVID-19, the booster in-reach program nearing completion, updates from NDIA and other useful links and resources.

This provider alert along with other resources and information about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is available from a dedicated web page for disability service providers on the Department of Health website. This page will be updated regularly.

Regularly updated information is also available on the following Department of Health webpages:

Information for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccine information for disability workers

Social Work Registration: Changes, Challenges and Opportunities

This public lecture, held on 15 March and presented by the Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS) at Flinders University in South Australia, and the Centre for Social Work Innovation and Research (CSWIR) at the University of Sussex in the UK, will be an ‘in conversation with’ style event, where academics, practitioners and service users will discuss the registration of social work. Register for the lecture.

2022 Frontline Mental Health Conference

The Frontline Mental Health Conference is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of first responders in leadership positions, so that you can actively promote positive mental health within your organisation. Secure your registration (either in-person or virtually) to discover strategies, research, and practical ways to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our first responders.

The Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand now open

The Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand are now open for submissions. This is a great opportunity to showcase the breadth and depth of the work you and your organisation are doing in mental health. Check out the key dates here and start your submission here today!

Winners are recognised at a Special Awards Ceremony at TheMHS Conference in October, so save the date now:

TheMHS Sydney, The Wesley Conference Centre,
11 - 14 October 2022

CEO Update from Mental Health Australia: Focus on the strength