QMHC eNews - Issue 31

Commissioner's Update

New Council brings insight and experience

A warm welcome to the new Chair and 10 new members of the Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council.

Queensland is fortunate to have an extremely well-credentialled and experienced Advisory Council that includes strong regional representation, strengthened lived experience, and representation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The Commission will benefit from fresh and diverse thinking as well as experience and continuity from the four continuing members of the Advisory Council.

Read about the new Chair below and the Council Members on our website

Time to tackle smoking rates

On World No Tobacco Day (31 May) I took the opportunity to call for customised efforts to reduce smoking rates among people living with mental illness.

Around one in four Queenslanders living with mental illness continue to smoke daily. This is too many. Despite substantial declines in general population smoking rates during the last 20 years, there is clearly still a long way to go for people with mental illness.

The inequality in health outcomes is unacceptable. We cannot allow this, or the myth that people with mental health issues don’t want to quit, to continue.

Read the media release

Advocating for rights protection

Tomorrow I'll be participating in the Human Rights Inquiry public hearing. Download a copy of our submission to the Inquiry on our website and tune in to the Queensland Parliament live broadcast at 11.45am.

Let’s talk

I had the pleasure of chatting with Amy McQuire on 98.9fm last month to discuss Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing. If you missed it, watch the in-studio video or listen to the podcast.

You can still have your say on the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan – details below.

Care for carers

Congratulations to Arafmi and Aftercare on their Mental Health Carer Retreat in May. It was inspiring to meet so many people who had taken time out to recharge their batteries and support one another as they care for their loved ones who are living with mental health issues.

Our performance

Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on our annual performance and effectiveness survey. The survey is now closed.

Your responses will contribute to the independent review currently being undertaken by the Public Service Commission on the Commission’s effectiveness. The  Public Service Commission plan to provide a report to the Minister for Health, Cameron Dick MP, by the end of June 2016.

Council

Introducing Council Chair Dr Peggy Brown

Dr Peggy Brown has been appointed as Chair of the Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council.

Peggy is a strong advocate for the interests of people with mental health and substance use problems and she brings a wealth of experience to the Advisory Council.

With close to 30 years’ experience in the mental health sector, Peggy has been involved in mental health leadership and advocacy roles at a service, state, territory and national level. Currently the Chief Psychiatrist in the Northern Territory, she has previously been the Chief Psychiatrist and Director of Mental Health in both Queensland and the ACT.

Developed through numerous clinical and administrative roles, Peggy has a deep understanding of the many challenges in meeting the social and health needs of people with mental health problems and alcohol and other drug use issues, and substantial knowledge of the different approaches and interventions used over time.

“Whilst I have seen many improvements in service delivery over the years, including a reorientation to community-based care, an emphasis on human rights, an increasing focus on consumer and carer participation and recovery-based approaches, much remains to be done.

Reshaping available resources to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness and continuing to advocate for additional resources are priorities; as is a focus on supporting consumers and carers to have a strong voice in all aspects of service planning, delivery and evaluation.”

Read more about Peggy and the 10 new members of the Council here

Lived experience

Police interactions

Last week, Queensland Police Assistant Commissioners Bob Gee and Paul Stewart joined the Commission in a conversation with mental health consumers to discuss interactions between police and people with mental health issues.

Five people shared their experience of police interactions in the community. Some stories showed the tremendous positive difference police can make, others did not turn out so out well. There is no doubt that when we hear directly from consumers, their perspective can be a powerful agent of change.

We’ll continue working with the Queensland Police Service over the coming months to consider ways this direct conversation with people living with mental health issues can contribute to ongoing culture change in the police service across the State.

In July we will be having a similar conversation with a number of frontline police to hear their perspectives.

Thanks to Tony Stevenson and staff from MIFQ and senior staff of other government and non-government organisations for joining the conversation.

International Mental Health Leaders

The next International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) Exchange is coming to Australia. Taking place from 27 February to 3 March 2017, the theme will be Contributing Lives, Thriving Communities.

Every Leadership Exchange includes matches (or site visits) and for 2017, QMHC will be supporting two matches in Queensland for lived experience and Indigenous leadership. More information on the IIMHL website by 30 June 2016.

Watch the video prepared by the Mental Health Commission of New South Wales to welcome IIMHL members to Australia.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SEWB

Help shape social and emotional wellbeing in Queensland

It’s not too late to join the conversation on developing a Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing Action Plan.

Read the Discussion Paper Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Queensland and tell us what you think. We’re accepting comments until 30 June 2016.

Download the Discussion Paper

Thanks to those who came along to a consultation forum and shared their views with us. There are two more forums coming up in Mount Isa and Brisbane.

More information on our website

Alcohol and other drugs

Alcohol attitudes and behaviours

Results are out from FARE’s Annual Alcohol Poll 2016. The nationwide poll provides trend data and insights into community perspectives of alcohol. Some interesting findings are:

Read more results from the Annual Alcohol Poll 2016

Act on Alcohol’s Queensland-specific survey has supported some of these findings. The five issues most people expressed concern about in this survey were domestic violence, binge drinking, drink driving, mental ill-health and physical violence. More about the Act on Alcohol Survey 2016

Action in Queensland

The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drug Action Plan 2015-17 outlines 54 actions to prevent and reduce the adverse impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Queensland. The Action Plan adopts a coordinated whole-of-government approach that supports community action and outlines actions under three priority areas — demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction.

Download the Action Plan to read about the actions being undertaken in Queensland.

Stigma and discrimination

It is well known that stigma and discrimination can have harmful impacts on individuals, families and communities. What is less well known is how to effectively reduce stigma and discrimination impacting people experiencing problematic alcohol and other drug use in Queensland.

As an action from the Queensland Alcohol and Other Drug Action Plan 2015-17, the Commission has commenced a project with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre to research:

• how and in what settings stigma and discrimination is occurring in Queensland
• the impacts on mental health and wellbeing, particularly recovery and connection to community
• any similarities or differences across types of drug use or population groups
• what works best to address stigma and discrimination.

The research will include in-depth interviews with people with a lived experience of problematic alcohol and/or other drug use.

The final research report will identify focus areas to reduce stigma and discrimination, and potential actions for Queensland to take.

Suicide prevention

Supporting multicultural communities

People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, particularly the most recently arrived and refugees, are at greater risk of suicide and are less likely to access services and support.

The Commission has commenced a project with Health Outcomes International to develop tailored suicide prevention training and materials to support CALD communities. The project is an action from the Queensland Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2015-17, with the aim of empowering community members to recognise and support a fellow community member who is at risk of suicide. The project will be completed by the end of the year.

Support for people bereaved by suicide

Delivering on another action from the Queensland Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2015-17, the Commission is now working with Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health to improve resources to support people bereaved by suicide, or with a lived experience of suicide. A review is being undertaken of the quality, availability and accessibility of services, and is expected to be finalised by October 2016.

Community

Launching QMHW

Have you thought about what you’ll be doing for Queensland Mental Health Week this year? Why not hold your own event? The time is now to start planning.

This year QMHW takes place 9-15 October 2016. The theme is value mental health.

The Commission hosted the sector launch last month, bringing sector partners together to unmask the new website, participant kit and merchandise for 2016 QMHW. Thanks to MIFQ for the fantastic venue – their annual art exhibition in King George Square.

Keep informed and up-to-date on new resources, events and opportunities at www.qldmentalhealthweek.org.au

A glimpse into the realities of homelessness

On one cold winter night in June, Advisory Council member and Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles will walk in the shoes of the 105,000 Australians experiencing homelessness. By spending the night outside under the Story Bridge, Mitchell will experience first-hand just a fragment of what it is like to be homeless.

Every dollar raised through the Vinnies CEO Sleepout will provide direct assistance to the men, women and children experiencing homelessness every night. Mitchell aims to raise $5,000, which translates to:

• 10 nights of emergency accommodation for families
• 100 hearty meals for people who would otherwise go without food, or
• 200 personal care packs (including everyday essentials such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner etc.) for people facing homelessness.

If you would like to help Mitchell make a difference, visit his page and donate.

System reform

Understand your rights

Watch a suite of videos released by Queensland Health to help understand the Mental Health Act 2016. The videos cover a range of topics, including:

• Introduction to the Act
• Objects and principles, and administering the Act
• Examinations and assessments
• Provisions regarding the criminal justice system
• Responsibilities and rights
• Seclusion, mechanical restraint and other restrictive practices.

For those who prefer to read, there are factsheets and a guide available for download here

Implementation updates

Don’t forget to keep up-to-date with news from the Queensland Health Mental Health Act Implementation Team. Read their latest newsletter

Sector news

Call for abstracts

The 12th Biennial Asia Pacific (AsPac) International Mental Health Conference is calling for abstract submissions that explore the conference theme 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.

The AsPac Conference is designed to challenge our thinking through inclusive dialogue and debate as we discuss what works and develop hopeful and effective recovery solutions.

In 2016, AsPac returns to Brisbane, having emerged over two decades as the region’s most significant mental health event. Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ) is hosting the conference in partnership with the Queensland Mental Health Commission.

Find out more at www.aspacmentalhealth16.com.au

Grants

• Lowood integrated early years service provider – Recurrent funding of $161,000 is available to deliver an integrated service to support families with children in the Lowood community. Applications close 13 June. Find out more
• Lions Clubs Community 100 program – $1,000 grants are available to more than 100 Australian community projects in the areas of youth, vision, hunger and environment. Apply here
• Transurban Community Grants – Grants up to $3,000 available. More information
• ANZ Staff Foundation – Grants to community projects that relate to education and employment, urban and rural economic and social divides, financial capability and/or urban sustainability. Find out more

Resources

• Improving the physical health of people with mental health problems: Actions for mental health nurses – Published by the UK Department of Health, this guide is intended to assist mental health nurses in improving the physical health and wellbeing of people living with mental health problems. Download the document
• Australian Clinical Trials – New website launched to assist consumers search for and make informed choices about clinical trials. Go to australianclinicaltrials.gov.au
• Intellectual Disability Mental Health Core Competency Framework – This manual for mental health professionals describes the specific skills and attributes required for the provision of quality services to people with an intellectual disability. Learn more or download here
• Supporting CALD communities to talk about suicide – A practical resource for professionals when discussing suicide with culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, families and communities. Read more
• The SMILES program information and downloads – Free resources for professionals working with children and young people (8-12 year olds) who have a mum, dad or sibling experiencing a mental illness or mental health problem. Download the resources
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Web Report: Primary Health Care – An overview of the primary health care system and the delivery of health care services in Australia. Go to the website
• Housing Assistance in Australia – New report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on trends and issues in housing policy, housing affordability and housing assistance provided to populations with special needs.Go to the web report

Events

• 13 June 2016 Workshop: Supporting people with intellectual disability experiencing mental health issues/disorders – A training workshop for professionals and university students to improve understanding of the lived experience of intellectual and learning disabilities and mental health disorders/issues and appropriate support. More information
• 15 June 2016 Mental Health in the Workplace – A free event to help business owners and managers identify mental illness in the workplace, what they can do to support employees and strategies to proactively prevent it.  Register
• 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
• 20 June 2016 The Accidental Counsellor Training – This program is designed for individuals working with people who require support where they are not employed in the role of a trained counsellor.Download the flyer
• 20 June 2016 Mental Health and Housing Webinar Series: Hoarding and squalor – As part of an eight session webinar series on mental health and housing. Register
• 21-23 June 2016 Launching Pad Workshops – Free workshops offering mental health consumers and their carers the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills; building confidence for participation in the mental health sector and beyond. Download the flyer
• 23-24 June 2016 Interpersonal Psychotherapy for adolescents and adults: An attachment-based intervention for depression and related disorders – Sydney. Register
• 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
• 30 June 2016 Thinking Out Loud Mental Health Conference 2016 – A conference to bring together innovative thinkers, workers and consumers and carers from the mental health sectors to contribute to 2 days of open discussion and development of recovery ideas on mental health issues. 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. An evidence-based program for family and 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. More information
• 23-26 August 2016 World First Nations Traditional Knowledge Conference – South Brisbane. The conference will be centred on six key themes: Lore, Knowledge, Culture, Medicine, Spirit and Law. More information
• 25-26 August 2016 Interpersonal Psychotherapy for adolescents and adults: An attachment-based intervention for depression and related disorders – Brisbane. An intensive skill development workshop for Interpersonal Psychotherapy, an engaging and evidence-based therapy. Register

Other

• Hearing Voices Support Group – Gold Coast. This regular support group aims to be a safe environment that encourages interdependency, the intrinsic value of a shared lived experience and self-empowerment within individuals. Find out more
• Queensland Pharmacotherapy Advice and Mediation Service (QPAMS) – A peer based service providing information and support to people who are receiving opiate treatment in Queensland. QPAMS is free and confidential. Find out more
• Mud Maps – A free, friendly and confidential group that offers peer support and education to people who are making or contemplating changes to their drug and alcohol use. Workshops are in Brisbane and Cairns. For more information call 3620 8111.