QMHC eNews—Issue 47 November 2017

From 1 July 2016, Queensland began transitioning to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The scheme is progressively rolling out across Queensland, with full implementation by 30 June 2019.

The NDIS is a fundamental change to the way mental health services are delivered in this country.

It brings both opportunity and challenge for people with a disability, including psychosocial disability, and for service providers across public, non-government and private sectors.

At the recent National NDIS Mental Health Conference in Sydney, I outlined the improvements to the scheme; and the impacts and benefits to consumers and the mental health system.

Ultimately we must not forget those people who are not eligible for an NDIS package, and address how to meet their ongoing needs, as well as the impacts on carers.

The Commission will keep advocating to improve the scheme on behalf of consumers, carers and service providers, including for those who will miss out.

It’s time to think creatively, laterally and rationally about where we go from here.

• Read on for more insight into this complex and transformational opportunity.

Finally, I urge you all to please take care of yourself, your loved ones and your colleagues as we head into the festive season.

Ivan Frkovic
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner
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Our options paper Improving outcomes from police interactions: A systemic approach proposes eight options for reform to improve outcomes when people having a mental health crisis interact with police and other emergency services.

The options focus on prevention, recognising complexity, and providing first responders with the tools to appropriately respond—including options to improve systemic and integrated responses.

Much work has already been done to implement reform, including:

• expansion of the Police Communications Centre Mental Health Liaison Service
• vulnerable persons training for Police
• development of the Mental Health Support of Police Negotiators Program, providing 24/7 statewide support
• expansion of the co-responder model to Caboolture, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast, as well as original locations in Cairns and Fortitude Valley
• commencement of the Partners in Prevention project to enhance responses in suicide crisis situations, which will work in collaboration with support agencies such as primary health networks.

Read the full paper, Improving outcomes from police interactions: A systemic approach.

Improving service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders

The Queensland Productivity Commission recently released a draft report into service delivery in remote and discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.

The report examines expenditure and the service delivery system involving all three levels of government, numerous agencies, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations.

The report considers how available resources can best be used to achieve healthy, safe and fulfilling lives for people living in these communities and will help inform the Commission’s renewed strategic plan.

Read more about the draft report.

Looking to extend the reach of your mental health, drug or alcohol awareness event, conference or project? 

Sponsorships of up to $10 000 are available for organisations seeking to bring about better mental health outcomes for their communities. The Commission’s current sponsorship funding round closes on 30 November.

Sponsorship application and assessment criteria here.

The two Regional Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub leads, Jan Elston of Logan and Southern Moreton Bay Islands Hub (left) and Victoria Homer of Central Highlands Hub (right) delivered a workshop to attendees at the Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium in Albury, NSW last month. 

Jan and Victoria talked about their respective models of community-driven mental health and wellbeing initiatives under the hub project. Examples of activities used in their community hubs, such as the Wheel of Wellbeing (WoW) were provided to start conversations about good mental health and wellbeing, with engagement and interest in the workshop strong.

The hubs are funded by the Queensland Mental Health Commission.

WOW Yourself or WOW Your Community.

Like and follow the Central Highlands Hub Facebook page.

Head to Health is a new one-stop online portal of 370 mental health services and resources. 

With trusted mental health resources, ranging from free apps, to forums and secure phone and chat services, Head to Health supports people to take control and get the support they need to take care of themselves and others.

With one in five Australian adults experiencing a mental illness each year, this new Australian Government resource has taken the guess work out of finding the right help at the right time.

Head to health here.

Evidence tells us that migrant workers can be some of the most hard to reach people when it comes to workplace wellness programs, often working in industries that don’t have a strong culture of supporting mental health and wellbeing. 

With funding through the Commission’s grant program, the World Wellness Group, a multicultural health organisation targeted industries dominated by migrant women, such as aged care, childcare, disability support, cleaning and house-keeping, hospitality and call centres.

The project set about working with the Islamic Women's Association of Qld and Allianz Global Assistance to develop a suite of wellness sessions and programs that incorporated multicultural approaches to mental and physical wellbeing.

Now complete, the project measured its success through the achievement of: 

• improved understanding by managers about the importance of wellness
• improved employee/employer engagement
• improved access to health information and wellness services among migrant workers 
• improved mental and physical health and wellbeing among migrant workers.

Find out more about the grant program here.

The Queensland Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council’s final meeting for 2017 was held at the Mental Illness Fellowship Queensland, Herston. 

The meeting included:

• an update on the implementation of the Independent Patient Rights Advisers by its statewide coordinator, Scott James
• a presentation by Jeannine Kimber and Katherine Moodie, invited by Health Consumers Queensland, who shared their experiences as consumer and carer representatives on the Barrett Adolescent Centre Commission of Inquiry Implementation Steering Committee
• discussion on the current national strategies addressing Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
• discussion on mental health and national security issues.

After the meeting, council members met with stakeholders from local non-government service providers, local government representatives and community leaders.

The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) maintains a comprehensive list of grants available to community and social service organisations on its website.

• Visit the Queensland Council of Social Service.

• Promoting and measuring children's wellbeing forum: 23 November. The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) Middle Years Forum - Promoting and Measuring Children's Wellbeing will explore how to facilitate children's wellbeing and the positive outcomes that this can have for children and the wider community.

• Townsville Suicide Prevention Network Meeting: 28 November. An opportunity for all community members to get involved, build partnerships, raise awareness and initiate early intervention and awareness programs.
• Mental Health Australia Gathering: 28–29 November. To celebrate a year of mental health reform the Mental Health Australia AGM and a Members & Friends Dinner.
• National Indigenous Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference: **NOTE NEW DATES** 13-15 December. Brings together mental health workers and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander emotional and social wellbeing workers from organisations throughout Australia.