QMHC eNews - Issue 30

Commissioner's Update

Have we been effective?

You have an opportunity to provide your input into an independent review of the Commission’s performance and effectiveness.

The review is being led by Queensland’s Public Service Commission and will be inclusive in its approach, working with our many stakeholders. More about the review here

Have your say and participate in the survey

Asking questions, seeking answers

One of the challenges we face is meeting the expectations of consumers, families and carers to advocate on their behalf when other mechanisms are not seen as effective. Often we can’t help but we can point them in the right direction or raise systemic issues with the relevant authorities.  Recent examples include:

• Navigating Queensland’s mental health, alcohol and other drug complaints systems when the issues overlap the jurisdiction of a number of agencies such as the Health Ombudsman, the State Ombudsman and the Mental Health Review Tribunal.
• Ensuring the physical environment in a hospital fitout affords people with mental illness the same dignity and respect as other people accessing health services.
• Continuing to advocate for strong human rights protection systems so that Queensland does not see repeats of some clear failings in our past.  For instance, read the Queensland Government apology to children who were placed in adult mental health facilities.

Door opened

I was delighted to hear Queensland Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman announce on 10 May the government’s plans to respond to recommendations of the child sexual abuse Royal Commission - including considering scrapping the time limit that prevents thousands of child sex abuse victims suing for damages and a compassionate and consistent approach to civil litigation. More about it here

Budget season

The recent federal budget had good news and bad news.  The good news is a $10.5 million investment over three years to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and $800,000 for an online perinatal depression support tool and smart phone app to help women and reduce crisis situations through early intervention. The bad news is the end of the National Partnership Agreement that funded and supported people in social housing. Congratulations to Queensland Alliance for their recent media release on the impact of this decision in Queensland.

On the local front, I am hopeful that the State budget will bring good news about some of the matters we have advocated for over the last three years.

New faces on the block

This month we welcome some new staff to our team to focus on priority work areas, including:

• Alcohol and other drugs
• Criminal justice
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing
• Consumer, family and carer engagement.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs

Connecting communities

Good mental health and wellbeing is the bedrock for thriving individuals, families and communities.

We’re investing $263,000 in the first year to fund three community Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs across Queensland to nurture flourishing, connected and resilient communities.

The community-led Hubs will service northern and western Queensland, the Central Highlands and Logan/Southern Moreton Bay Islands, being led by SOLAS and the Mental Illness Fellowship NQ, CentacareCQ and Relationships Australia respectively.

This exciting initiative is one of the Actions of the Early Action: Queensland Mental Health Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention Action Plan 2015-17.

The three hubs have commenced consultation with their communities to develop a whole-of-community project plan.

Read more and watch the video about the hubs on our website

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SEWB

Join the conversation

The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing Action Plan 2016-18 will contribute to improved social and emotional wellbeing. It is important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders have a say in the Action Plan’s development.

Don’t miss your opportunity to join the conversation.

Community forums

We are holding community forums across Queensland to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about their experiences and what they believe can be done to support social and emotional wellbeing. So far we have heard from communities in Ipswich, Logan and Townsville – thank you to all who came along. Upcoming forums:

• Toowoomba – 20 May
• Cairns – 24 May
• Rockhampton – 3 June
• Thursday Island – 6 June
• Mount Isa – 13 June
• Brisbane – 30 June

More information on our website

Make a submission

The Discussion Paper Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Queensland is still open for consultation.

Download the Discussion Paper from our website and submit your comments by 30 June 2016

Closing the gap

New statistics show positive changes in recent years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia in a number of areas.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released results from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey 2014-15. Some key findings include:

• Smoking rates continue to decrease, now under 40%
• The amount of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaging in risky drinking (more than four drinks at the one time) has decreased to 30%
• Rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with a birth mother who drank alcohol during pregnancy have halved since 2008
• 53% rate life satisfaction 8 out of 10 or better

There is still a long way to go, particularly in regards to education, employment, incarceration and suicide rates.

More survey findings are on the ABS website or watch their video

We are looking into whether there is data specific to Queensland.

Lived experience

Human Rights legislation

Would a Human Rights Act help Queenslanders living with a mental illness, mental health problems or problematic alcohol and other drug use? We think so. We also think human rights are fundamental for all Queenslanders to maintain good mental health and wellbeing.

We expect our submission to the Queensland Parliament on why Queensland should have a Human Rights Act will be on the Parliamentary website soon.

Thanks to all who shared their views with us on this issue.

Perspectives on treatment and rights

We asked two people with lived experience of mental illness to tell us their views and experiences of treatment for mental illness and rights protection.

Watch the video

Alcohol and other drugs

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

The Australian Government’s three year $10.5 million commitment to continue efforts to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is welcome.

FASD is brain damage caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy and is irreversible. The condition is preventable though, with research showing the only safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy is zero.

Watch the video by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education on the story of alcohol use in pregnancy and FASD. The video is a ‘must watch’ for anyone involved in the care and education of children and provides an invaluable overview of FASD – its characteristics, diagnosis and prevention.

Measuring outcomes

Last month the QMHC attended the Queensland Symposium on Outcomes in Alcohol and other Drug Treatment hosted by QNADA.

The Symposium was the first step in developing a Queensland Alcohol and Other Drug Sector Outcomes Framework, which will complement the Treatment Service Delivery Framework released in March 2015. Ideas generated at the Symposium will be used as a blueprint for more discussion at a Convention later in 2016 to finalise the Outcomes Framework.

System reform

Willing to Work

Last year we made a joint submission with the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland to the Australian Human Rights Commission Inquiry into employment discrimination against older Australians and Australians with a disability. Our submission looked at the barriers people with disability, including mental illness, experience in getting and keeping a job, and possible solutions to these barriers.

Earlier this month the Willing to Work Inquiry report was publicly released. Key recommendations of the report include:

• Establishing a Minister for Longevity
• Developing national action plans to address employment discrimination and lift the labour force participation of older people and people with disability
• Expanding the role of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency to become the Workplace Gender Equality and Diversity Agency
• Introducing national education campaigns to dispel myths and stereotypes about older people and people with disability
• Adopting targets for employment and retention of older people and people with disability in the public service.

Read the media release or download the report

Community

WSPD Event Host Kit

Last month we partnered with Roses in the Ocean to help guide individuals, community groups and organisations in holding a safe and successful World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) event on 10 September.

The workshop launched a WSPD event host kit to more than 20 organisations and groups across Queensland, to help their event engage communities on the issue of suicide and to encourage help-seeking behaviour.

Developed in partnership with the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention and Roses in the Ocean, the event kit is a free resource to help anyone plan and organise a WSPD event.

Download the kit

Sector News

Not now, not ever

Take up the challenge to put an end to domestic and family violence.  

Every one of us has a role to play in changing the culture, attitudes and systems that underpin violence in our community.

The Queensland Government has launched the Not Now, Not Ever campaign to raise community awareness and encourage community participation during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in May. You can support the campaign in a number of ways, from holding an event, displaying campaign posters or making a short video explaining what you are doing in your school, workplace, club, neighbourhood or community.

Take up the challenge

AsPac International Mental Health Conference

The 12th Biennial Asia Pacific (AsPac) International Mental Health Conference is calling for abstract submissions that explore the conference theme of Recovered Futures: People, Practice, Partnership, Policy from the perspective of people with lived experience, clinical and rehabilitation services, primary health and human services, research and evaluation, public and social policy and workplace wellbeing initiatives.

This year the conference returns to its inaugural location of Brisbane, having emerged over two decades as the region’s most significant mental health event. Super early bird registrations are now available.

Find out more at www.aspacmentalhealth16.com.au

Grants

• Aurizon Community Giving Fund – Grants opportunity for charities or community groups working in the areas of health and wellbeing, community safety, environment or education. Applications close 13 May. Apply
• Paul Newman's Own Charity – Up to $50,000 available to support organisations and programs that give and create opportunities for long-term impact. The focus of this funding round is ‘Children’. More information
• Churchill Fellowship – A Churchill Fellowship offers ordinary Australians the opportunity to travel to the far edges of the globe to conduct valuable research in their field and bring back knowledge, experience, ideas and innovation for the betterment of their industry, community and Australia. Find out more
• Suez Community Grants – Grants of up to $15,000 are available to community groups that encourage local participation in social and environmental projects to help create a more sustainable future. Apply by 16 May. More information
• Home Assist Secure (HAS) Mackay – Seeking providers to deliver the Home Assist Secure (HAS) program service within the Mackay and Isaac Regional Council areas. Home Assist Secure (HAS)  is a State Government program which provides low-cost, targeted assistance to help eligible clients unable to undertake or pay for critical maintenance services to maintain their existing housing arrangements. Find out more
• Camp Australia Foundation – The Not for Profit arm of after school care provider Camp Australia is offering charity partnerships with organisations working to improve the lives of primary school children. Partnership proposals of up to $25,000 per annum will be considered. Find out more
• Indigenous Governance Awards – The awards publicly recognise and celebrate outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations and projects that make extraordinary contributions to communities and the nation. Winners in each of the two categories will receive $20,000, and highly commended organisations in each category will each be awarded $10,000. More information
• IKEA Living Local Community Grants – The IKEA Living Local Community Grants are about combining products and home furnishing expertise and co-worker volunteer leave days to ‘makeover’ a room or a space in a local not-for-profit or charity organisation. Apply
• Social Investment Grants Program – The program funds not-for-profit projects or programs working to improve social outcomes. Each year, the Grants Committee determines an area in which the Grants will generate the most impact. In 2016 it will be reducing homelessness. Find out more
• Gambling Community Benefit Fund – Queensland Government grants up to $35,000 are available to not-for-profit community groups throughout Queensland. Applications close 31 May. More information

Resources

• Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2014-15 – In 2014-15, around 850 alcohol and other drug treatment services provided just over 170,000 treatment episodes to around 115,000 clients. Read more
• Mental health services in Australia – Updates to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website in the areas of Medicare-subsidised mental health-related services, mental health workforce, access to Allied Psychological Services, state and territory summary tables, key performance indicators for Australian public mental health services. Go to the website
• Queensland’s Wellbeing 2016 – A new report released by QCOSS looks at Queensland’s wellbeing and highlights the interrelated nature of poverty and disadvantage and key areas of concern. Download the report
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations – The seventh national report on organisations funded by the Australian Government to provide health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Read the media release or download the report

Events

• May-June 2016 Insight Methamphetamine Training for Workers – A series of free one-day workshops for practitioners who provide direct treatment and support to people who use meth/amphetamine and their families. Various locations statewide. Find a workshop
• 13 May 2016 Walk on the Wild Side Annual Symposium – For clinicians working in the field of alcohol and drugs. Early bird registrations are available until 30 April. More information
• 16-18 May 2016 10^th Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy – Manly, NSW. This year the conference themes will showcase the Australian and New Zealand regions. Register
• 17-19 May 2016 Consumer and Carer Workshops – The Launching Pad workshops aim to help mental health consumers and carers to build up skills for effective participation, self-advocacy and peer-work. Download the flyer
• 18-20 May 2016 The Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference – Gold Coast. The Conference will include workshops, presentations and forums dedicated to sharing skills and understanding in the treatment of all addictive disorders. More information
• 19 May 2016 Health Consumers Queensland 2016 Forum – A forum for health consumers, carers, community organisations, Queensland Health staff and stakeholders to promote, discuss and showcase best practices on health consumer and carer engagement strategies. Find out more
• 27 May 2016 Generation Next Mental Health and Wellbeing of Young People Seminar – A variety of topics will be explored, including respectful relationships education, building resilience skills, the latest drug trends, self-harm, racism and mental health, radicalisation and more. Register online
• 31 May 2016 Carers Link NDIS Forum & Expo – Understand what the NDIS will mean for you and your family, and how you can prepare. Download the flyer
• 1 June 2016 Metro North Health Forum – Learn first-hand how Metro North HHS and Brisbane North PHN are working together with a focus on integrated care. The forum will provide up to date information in the areas of: National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), mental health and better connected services for accessing the right care at the right time in the right place. More information
• 10-17 June 2016 Ks for Carers – Dust off your walking shoes and join fellow Queenslanders to to help raise awareness and funds to support our state’s 484,000 unpaid family carers.Find out more
• 19 June 2016 ‘Comprehensive’ DBT Training with Professor Alan Fruzzetti – Melbourne. 12 days of intensive, comprehensive training in four parts over 12 months, plus practice for individuals and teams between training. More information
• 29 June 2016 Sunshine Coast Mental Health Nursing Forum – Nambour General Hospital. Open to all nurses on the Sunshine Coast. The theme is ‘What is Mental Health Nursing?’ Find out more
• 18-19 July 2016 CAMS latest theory, clinical and research findings workshop with Prof David Jobes –This 1.5 day workshop for mental health workers, clinicians and therapists aims to facilitate the adherent use of CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) via supportive training. Register here
• 23-24 July 2016 Family Connections Leaders Training – Sydney. Family Connections is an evidence-based program for family/friends of people with borderline personality disorder that provides peer support, psychoeducation and skills anchored in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Flight and accommodation packages are available for interstate attendees. Register your interest
• 24-27 July 2016 National Suicide Prevention Conference – Canberra. Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) presents the annual conference to benefit those who are working in, and supported by, suicide prevention programs. Find out more

Surveys

• Exposure and impact of suicide in Australia – Take part in a national research project investigating the exposure to, and impact of, suicide in Australia. People who have been impacted by suicide are particularly encouraged to share their views. Complete the survey
• Preventing alcohol and drug impaired driving – QUT are looking for primary care practitioners who are the first point of care for clients who may present with any level of substance use or related issues to participate in their research regarding impaired driving. Participation is through a 15 minute online questionnaire. More information or participate here