VMIAC E BULLETIN V2 ISSUE 79

VMIAC Bldg 1, 22 Aintree Street, Brunswick East 3057

Tel: 03 3980 3900 Fax: 03 9388 1445 E-mail: [email protected] www.vmiac.org.au

DATE:15/April/2013 VOLUME: 2 ISSUE:78

VMIAC E-Bulletin VMIAC is an organization for people who have had mental or emotional health problems.

VMIAC is run by people who have had mental or emotional health problems.

VMIAC believes that people with personal experience of mental health problems have a valuable role to play in the developments of mental health services.

VMIAC is committed to active consumer participation at all levels of the mental health system.

In this Edition:

1. Become a Copeland Centre Wrap Facilitator:

2. Glimpses Minds Unleashed:

3. Whats New Nicci Wall:

4. State and Federal Governments: Stop the Privatisation and Dismantling of

Public Housing!

5. Larrisa MacFarlane; ‘Urbanscapes’:

6. National mental health commission update:

7. Treatment of mental health needs a sound app.

8. Legal Aid Brief

9. CALD Issues from a consumer perspective:

10. ACCESS TO SOCIAL HOUSING:

11. National Disability Insurance Scheme Update 39:

The email is sent every week and contains items which may interest mental health consumers, carers and

service providers and which otherwise they may not be able to access. Thank you for subscribing to this

VMIAC email if you wish to unsubscribe please contact [email protected] Bill Moon or Dominic Troughton

Information Officer Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council Tel (03)9380 3900 http://www.vmiac.org.au/

This message is intended for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you are not the

intended recipient, please delete this message and notify the sender. Views expressed are those of the

document initiator/writer, and are not necessarily the views of the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.vmiac.org.au/






VMIAC is an organization for people who have had mental or emotional health problems.


VMIAC believes that people with personal experience omental health problems have a valuable role to play in the developments of mental health services.


1/ BECOME A COPELAND CENTRE WRAP FACILITATOR:

Become a Copeland centre wrap facilitator

The WRAP facilitators course is a life changing experiential learning environment based on

mutuality and self-determination. Over 5 days of intensive workshops this course prepares

participants to facilitate WRAP groups, one to one and further equips individuals with the skills

and materials to facilitate WRAP programs in organisations and your local community. At the end

of the 5-days you can expect to develop a thorough understanding of the values and ethics of

WRAP, facilitation skills, answering difficult questions, presenting WRAP with a co-facilitator,

the power and importance of language, developing a group WRAP and much more. To get the

most out of this training individuals attending should already have a good understanding of

WRAP and how they have used WRAP in their own lives. This training is suitable for anyone

interested in providing alternatives and a holistic framework to support individuals through their

journey towards wellness and recovery.

who we are

We have been trained by the Copeland Centre and deliver training to promote best practices and

standards for delivering and implementing WRAP. We are the only organisation to date in

Australia to deliver this training. We are part of an international network of wellness facilitator’s

who are passionate about people. Our focus is on shifting the systems of mental health to be more

recovery focused.

The pre-requisite to this training includes 1 of the following:

Copeland Center Correspondence course

2 day Seminar 1 - Melbourne May 16th & 17th

8 or 12 week seminar 1 workshops or WRAP group










TO REGISTER:

Contact info@ignitewellness

or call Bianca 0419 247 686

"When it comes to wellness, we all share something in common."

Ignite Wellness

www.ignitewellness.com.au

[email protected]

unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Ignite Wellness East Melbourne

Warm Regards,

Bianca

Ignite Wellness

Mental Health & Wellbeing

www.ignitewellness.com.au

(m) 0419 247 686

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2/ GLIMPSES/ MINDS UNLEASHED:

From ‘Nicci Wall - Mental Health Advocate’ – Facebook Page is

https://www.facebook.com/GlimpsesMindsUnleashed?ref=hl

The attached documents provide a rare and detailed insight into living with a mental illness. Please forward on to your contacts.

For a pdf copy of the most recent documents, please send me an email.

The direct link to the Glimpses downloadable in pdf onsite is

http://www.whatcausesmentalillness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=41

&Itemid=69

Glimpses – A compilation of uncensored real life experiences with Mental Illness

I compile this manuscript of personal experiences with mental illness for free distribution to

Carers, Consumers, Educators and Clinicians, in hope of increasing awareness, understanding and

reducing stigma surrounding mental illness and would benefit greatly from your story. Most

contributors indicate it was a very therapeutic exercise writing about their experiences with mental

illness.

The manuscript is called Glimpses and a free updated version is distributed electronically

quarterly (if new stories have been received). Several Universities use this manuscript as a course

resource, it is posted on websites nationally and internationally. So only submit your story if you

are happy for it to be distributed and forwarded freely.

If you haven’t already done so, I am inviting you to submit your Consumer or Carer story on your

personal experiences with: - Anxiety Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression,

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, PTSD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Anorexia, Post Natal Depression,

Hearing Voices, Any other MI I have overlooked.

The average length of stories are 6 to 15 pages. However I do have those that are 4 pages,

(minimum accepted, narrow margins, size 12 Arial font, single line spacing)

People have told of the lead up to diagnosis, dealing with MH Services, medication issues,

identifying triggers, working towards recovery and coping strategies. What and how much you

want to share is up to you. Use your whole name, first name or a pseudonym, the choice is yours;

but please know that your story, however you present it, could make a difference in how the world

sees us. See below for my contact details.

Glimpses & Minds Unleashed are distributed free of charge and encouraged to be printed,




http://www.whatcausesmentalillness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=41&Itemid=69

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forwarded, added to websites, used as a training resource, as long as excerpts and content of the

stories are not changed. If you are not happy for this to happen, I will not be able to include your

submission.

If you would like to be added to or removed from my distribution list, please forward me an

email. Glimpses is not available in hard copy, but feel free to print a copy.

Minds Unleashed – A collection of poetry by people with a Mental Illness & their Carers

http://whatcausesmentalillness.com/MU19912.pdf

I also compile a collection of poetry for distribution in pdf format. So if you have always wanted

to share your talent, now is the time to do so.

Minds Unleashed is distributed for free to Carers, Consumers, Educators and Clinicians, in hope

of increasing awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental illness and it would benefit

greatly from your poetry.

Several Uni’s/training organisations use this manuscript as a course resource. Minds Unleashed

reaches people all over Australia and some other countries. So only submit your poetry if you are

happy for it to be distributed and forwarded freely.

Submissions are welcomed on an ongoing basis, with updates being scheduled for distribution in

approximately every 3 months.

Email or post your submission to:-

Nicci Wall

Mental Health Advocate

c/o 43 Browallia Drive

Rose Park Vic 3214

[email protected] email submissions preferred

Cheers, Nicci Wall

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3/ ‘WHATS NEW’; NICCI WALL:

From ‘Nicci Wall - Mental Health Advocate’ - Facebook Page is


In this What's New: -

COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) - "The Best for Me and My Baby"

Not for profit sector survey - Connecting Up

2013 Mental Health Matters Awards (NSW)

Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria Survey

Kardinia Mental Health PDRSS Activities (April ’13) – Flyer Attached

Australian Guidelines For The Treatment Of Adults With Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD

- Attached

SAFE in Oz –Training Workshop Calendar – 2013 – Flyer Attached

Engaging CALD communities

Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network

COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) - "The Best for Me and My Baby"

Are you pregnant or thinking of becoming a Mum? This free COPMI booklet is for women with a

mental health issue on how to manage during pregnancy and early childhood.

Download "The Best for Me and My Baby" now - it's free! http://bit.ly/M9RIfm

Professionals - you can also order hard copies and have them delivered to their workplace for free:

http://bit.ly/ZhV6O3

To see details of all COMPI resource materials, go to http://www.copmi.net.au/get-info/copmi-

publications.html#Booklets

Not for profit sector survey connecting up

NOT FOR PROFIT SECTOR Survey Connecting Up – 2013

Survey link: http://fs17.formsite.com/24x7data/nfp2013/index.html

2013 Mental Health Matters Awards (NSW)

Nominations for the 2013 Mental Health Matters Awards are now open!

If you know an individual or organisation who you think deserves to be recognised for their work




http://bit.ly/M9RIfm

http://bit.ly/ZhV6O3

http://www.copmi.net.au/get-info/copmi-publications.html#Booklets

http://www.copmi.net.au/get-info/copmi-publications.html#Booklets

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simply fill out and return the nomination form.

The Mental Health Matters Awards recognise the achievements of individuals and organisations

who have worked to improve understanding, awareness, service provision and the general mental

health of our community. They are presented during Mental Health Month in October.

Award Winners receive:

• a prize of $500 or $1000 for the winner in each of the ten award categories

• presentation of their award at the launch of Mental Health Month at NSW Parliament House

Awards Information

The Mental Health Matters Awards are unique awards designed to recognise the achievements of

individuals and organisations who have worked to improve

understanding, awareness, service provision and the general mental health of communities in

NSW over the past 12 months (1 July 2012 — 30 June 2013).

The awards are coordinated by the Mental Health Association NSW and recognise services large

and small doing outstanding work.

Award winners receive

• A prize of $1000 for the winner of each award category and an award plaque. If more than 1

winner is selected in any category the prize money will be shared. Award winners

in the media categories will each receive $500.

• The awards will be presented at the launch of Mental Health Month on October 1st at NSW

Parliament House.

How to complete a nomination

You can make a nomination by completing this form and returning it, and any other supporting

documentation, to [email protected] or

Mental Health Association NSW

Level 5, 80 William St

East Sydney NSW 2011

You will receive confirmation of receipt of your nomination.

If you have any questions about the Awards or the nomination process or if for any reason you

would prefer not to complete the form or require any assistance in completing

your nomination, please contact us on (02) 9339 6000 or email [email protected]

For more information you can also visit www.mentalhealth.asn.au

Dates to remember

• Nominations close: Friday August 9, 2013 at 5pm

• All nominees will be notified of the outcome by Friday August 30, 2013

Award Categories





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Cross Sector Collaboration Award - recognising excellence and/or innovation in mental health

programs, projects or initiatives involving collaboration or partnerships between organisations that

contribute to improved wellbeing or quality of life for people living with mental illness.

Family and Carer Involvement and Engagement Award - recognising mental health related

programs, projects or initiatives that demonstrate a high level of involvement or engagement

of families and carers in their planning and implementation and with demonstrated benefits for

families and carers.

Mental Health Promotion, Prevention of Mental Ill-health and Early Intervention Award -

recognising excellence and/or innovation in programs, projects or initiatives that have focused

their efforts within mental health promotion, prevention of mental ill-health or early intervention.

Research and Evaluation Award - recognising individuals or organisations that have completed

ground-breaking mental health related research, or evaluations of programs or initiatives, and

whose findings have significant implications for the mental health field.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities Award - recognising programs,

projects or initiatives whose key aims are to improve the mental health and wellbeing of CALD

communities and facilitate access to culturally appropriate information and services.

Excellence in Service or Program Delivery Award - recognising excellence and/or innovation in

mental health related services, programs or initiatives that enhance the quality of life and

wellbeing of people living with a mental illness.

Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Award - recognising culturally and relevant safe

programs, projects, people or initiatives who/that aspire to foster and enhance the social and

emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal communities.

Consumer involvement and Participation Award - recognising mental health related initiatives that

have significant consumer participation, as well as demonstrated benefits for people with a lived

experience of mental illness. Nominations can be made for projects, programs, as well as

individuals who have made a marked contribution in this area.

Mental Health Promoting Workplace Award - recognising employers who create workplaces that

promote a positive work experience for all employees, remove or minimise psychological hazards

in the work environment, and support employees living with mental health problems.

Media Award – a) National/State-wide b) Local - recognising individuals or organisations who

have produced thoughtful, informative and responsibly reported media that contributes to raised

awareness of mental health or mental illness, and/or a reduction in stigma, and/or the highlighting

of an important issue related to mental health or mental illness.










Terms and conditions

Award Content

• The awards shall be known as "The Mental Health Matters Awards".

• Award recipients in each category will receive a $1000 cash prize and award plaque. If more

than one award is given in a category, the prize money will be shared. Categories 6.a) and 6.b)

have available $500 each in prize money.

• The monetary awards are to support the continuation and development of the program, project or

initiative.

Eligibility

• Projects, programs or initiatives nominated must be accessible to, and have relevance for, the

people of NSW.

• An award may not be given to an individual who is a member of the Mental Health Association

NSW Board or a Standing Committee, a Branch Delegate to the Board, or to Mental Health

Association NSW staff.

• The above individuals are excluded from judging should an organisation in which they have a

direct involvement be nominated.

• Previous award winners are not eligible for three years unless there is a significant change or

development.

• Nominations may be accepted from members of the Mental Health Association NSW and other

interested people/organisations.

Nomination

Judges reserve the right to judge a nomination in a category other than the one in which it was

nominated.

• Individuals or organisations may nominate themselves for an award.

Judging

• Successful nominees may be granted an award on the basis of the defined categories and if their

initiative is in accordance with the aims of the Mental Health Association NSW.

• Awards may not always be granted in every category, in every year.

• Certificates of commendation may be awarded.

• An independent panel nominated by the Mental Health Association NSW will select award

winners. Their decisions are final.

Administration

• Nominations must be received by the closing date and time.

Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria Survey

A link to the survey: http://www.mifellowship.org/

Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria is conducting a community survey in the lead up to the

September Federal election, seeking views and experiences from people affected by mental



http://www.mifellowship.org/








illness.

The online survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete, and the responses will help to inform Mental

Illness Fellowship’s advocacy platform. The survey follows feedback received in community

forums from people living with mental illness and carers.

If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact Kerryn Garner at Mental Illness

Fellowship Victoria on [email protected] or 8486 4200

The survey is available at www.mifellowship.org until 1 May 2013.

Many thanks and kind regards,

Kerryn Garner

Policy & Communications Adviser

Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria

Fairfield Place 276 Heidelberg Road Fairfield Vic 3078

PO Box 359 Clifton Hill Vic 3068

T: 03 8486 4208 M: 0449 508 393

E: [email protected]

www.mifellowship.org

Australian Guidelines For The Treatment Of Adults With Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD

- Attached

This guide provides helpful information for people diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress

Disorder) and ASD (Acute Stress Disorder), their families and carers.

Content includes effective treatments, getting help, and how to support your loved one when they

experience the disorder. http://bit.ly/YUK1iF

Engaging CALD communities

Engaging CALD Communities Online Forum: Invitation to Participate

Are you working in the area of mental health providing services or support to people from

culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds?

beyondblue and MHiMA are pleased to invite you to participate in an online forum which will

take place from April 10th - 30th 2013. This forum has been developed as a space to explore

issues

related to engaging people from CALD backgrounds to reduce the impact of mental health issues.

The forum will also provide opportunities for information sharing and collective learning across a







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range of disciplines, workplace settings and locations within Australia.

As an online forum member, you will be invited to participate in various topics relevant to

engaging people from CALD backgrounds in the area of mental health. Questions will be posted

and you can also add your own forum topics. Your experiences, ideas and suggestions of how to

best engage people from CALD backgrounds will be useful to inform future practice for people

working in mental health. It is hoped that the collective wisdom and experiences of forum

members will contribute to improving the wellbeing of people from CALD backgrounds who are

affected by mental health issues.

To register your interest and become a member of this online forum, please click on the 'Forum

Registration' box on the MHiMA homepage at: www.mhima.org.au . If you have any queries,

please contact Amy Baker: [email protected] or (08) 8302 2643.

We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting online forum.

Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network

Children and grief

ACATLGN has released a new resource on the impact of grief on children of different

ages and stages. You can download this resource for free from the our website and use it as a

resource for yourself or the parents and families that you work with. You can also find a brief tip

sheet on childhood grief on our website for parents, carers and families - Trauma and Grief

Network: Supporting Families.

Working with parents who have experienced trauma

The latest addition to the ACATLGN In the Journals webpage is a great article on working with

parents who have unresolved interpersonal trauma. The article discusses the importance of

involving parents in therapy when working with traumatised children, but also the challenges that

arise when the parents also have their own unresolved trauma.

If you would like to be added to or deleted from my distribution list, please forward me an

email.

Cheers,

Nicci Wall

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4/ State and Federal Governments: Stop the Privatisation and Dismantling of Public

Housing!

“It’s not acceptable in a wealthy country like Australia public housing should be dismantled or

privatized.

This election year, let your elected representatives know that you expect them to take action in

addressing the housing crisis by maintaining safe, secure affordable public housing which helps

regulate the private rental market by keeping rents down.

Public Housing availability affects private renters, families, the homeless, the whole community

and will continue to affect future generations.

As the election draws near, members of Parliament and hopeful candidates will pay heed to their

own community, and to voters in their own electorate so let your thoughts on public housing and

the housing shortage crisis be known.

To get action on Public Housing, we need people like you to add their voices to the public

discussion. Your support can make a huge difference to the success of this campaign and ensuring

that not only public housing remains but that private rent remains affordable.

Please sign this petition, write a letter or e/mail members of Parliament voicing your concerns or

join one of the many groups on Facebook supporting Public Housing

1 Friends of Public Housing NSW

2 Friends of Public Housing VIC

3 Friends of Public Housing QLD

4 Save Public Housing in South Australia

5 Kate Borland’s Save Public Housing

6 Defend and Extend Public Housing

7 Unite, fight Back & Stop the Privatisation of Public Housing”

To sign the above petition, please click on this link:

http://www.change.org/petitions/state-and-federal-governments-stop-the-privatisation-and-

dismantling-of-public-housing

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5/ Larrisa MacFarlane ‘Urbanscapes’:

Larissa MacFarlane

‘Urbanscapes’

5 April - 5 May

Cocoa Latte Café

24 Ferguson st, Williamstown

Opening Saturday 6 April 5-7pm

Part of 2013 Art in Public Places, featuring heaps of art across Hobsons Bay during April.

www.artinpublicplaces.com.au

Look forward to seeing you at the opening if you can make it, or we can arrange some other time!

RSVP's appreciated, but not essential. Invite with all details attached.

Cheers Larissa

ps. The venue is also wheelchair accessible...And I am donating 10% of my sales to a fund to

improve disability access at 3CR Community Radio!

http://larissamacfarlane.blogspot.com.au

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6/ National Mental Health Commission Update:

9 April 2013

The 2013 Report Card: where we will shine a light

The Commission announced its focus topics for the 2013 Report Card following its recent

meeting in Cairns.

This year the Commission will shine a light on the following key themes and issues in each

chapter of the 2013 Report Card:

Thriving, not just surviving: One person, diverse needs: living with a mental illness as well as

the challenges from difficulties with alcohol and drug use

Connections with family, friends, culture and community: Strengthening community

understanding

Ensuring effective support, care and treatment:

Approaches that support recovery, including through peer support

Something meaningful to do, something to look forward to:

Transitioning from education to independence

Feeling safe, stable and secure: The justice system and mental health

Preventing suicide: What works in suicide prevention?

In Cairns the Commissioners also agreed that this year’s Report Card will: report back on action



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and progress against the specific recommendations and findings of the 2012 Report Card;

continue the focus and reporting against the five domains of a contributing life and suicide

prevention; and that the emotional health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

peoples will be a focus throughout the report.

The first Report Card, in establishing a framework for our ongoing annual reporting, had to rely

heavily on existing data. In the next and future Report Cards we will use new and unreported data,

including research and data we commission, to help reporting on the current situation, on action

and on what needs to change.

We would be pleased to receive any key data to support the 2013 Report Card chapters.

What is COAG?

Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is made up of the Prime Minister, State Premiers,

Territory Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association.

COAG’s role is to initiate and monitor the implementation of nationally significant policy reforms

that require cooperative action by all Australian governments.

Find out more

COAG Expert Reference Group meets

Last December the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) welcomed the first Report Card

and agreed to provide a response to the Report Card that would “include national indicators and

targets for mental health reform”. COAG set up a new Ministerial Working Group on Mental

Health Reform, chaired by Minister Butler and Minister Wooldridge, to develop this new set of

national indicators and targets and to provide advice to COAG on reform, data sharing and other

matters.

COAG also asked the Commission to chair a new Expert Reference Group (ERG) to support the

Ministerial Working Group. With Australian governments finalising membership of the ERG last

week, Professor Allan Fels will chair the first meeting of the ERG tomorrow, 10 April.

ERG members, nominated by the Commonwealth and states and territories, are:

Professor Allan Fels (Chair), National Mental Health Commission

Consumer and Carer Representatives nominated by the National Mental Health Consumer and

Carer Forum, Ms Ailsa Rayner, Consumer representative, Ms Judy Bentley, Carer

representative (Ms Margaret Springgay, Proxy Carer representative if Ms Bentley is

unavailable)

Commonwealth

Mr Frank Quinlan Mental Health Council of Australia



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Victoria

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre

Western Australia

Mrs Danuta Pawelek WA Mental Health Commission

Tasmania

Mr Darren Carr Mental Health Council of Tasmania

Northern Territory

Mr Graeme Purcell NT Department of Health

Queensland

Professor Harvey Whiteford University of Queensland and Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research

South Australia

Dr Peter Tyllis SA Department for Health and Ageing

Australian Capital Territory

Dr Peter Norrie ACT Health Directorate

New South Wales

Mr John Feneley NSW Mental Health Commissioner

Minister Butler has indicated to the Commission that he expects that the ERG will provide frank

and fearless advice to governments on a set of aspirational and achievable whole of life, outcome

based national indicators and targets that will set a ‘destination’ for Australia. Nevertheless the

Commission will continue its own independent view on the measures of success it reports in the

annual National Report Card.

We will also be pushing hard for the ERG to develop advice on indicators and targets that will be

supported by the community. To do so we have asked the Mental Health Council of Australia

to consult people with lived experience, families and supporters, service providers and the broader

academic fraternity to support the ERG’s task.

A call to COAG on National Close the Gap Day

On National Close the Gap Day, the Commission called on COAG to prioritise improving the

mental wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by including mental health as



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an additional target in the ‘Closing the Gap’ program.

This reinforced the recommendation made by the Commission in last year’s Report Card; for

targets to be included to reduce early deaths and improve wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander communities.

Chair Professor Allan Fels repeated the need for a strong commitment from COAG to ensure

mental health is the urgent priority it should be.

“Mental illness is second only to cardiovascular disease as the leading driver for the observed

health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. It must be made a priority if we

are to truly combat the vicious cycles of disadvantage that exist in too many Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander communities,”

“This must be done through the development and implementation of an Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Mental and Social Emotional Wellbeing Plan this year,” Prof Allan Fels said.

The announcement coincided with the release of a supplementary paper to the 2012 National

Report Card feature chapter on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The paper titled;

Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Peoples, Families and Communities, provides detail behind the wider story of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander peoples and how this impacts and influences their mental health and

wellbeing.

Read the supplementary report

Visit to Cairns and Yarrabah, QLD

The recent meeting in Queensland was the Commission’s second meeting focused on Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander mental health and social and emotional wellbeing.

During the two day meeting the Commission travelled to the community of Yarrabah located

50km east of Cairns. Commissioners visited local services including the Gindaja Treatment and

Healing Indigenous Corporation, Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service and Queensland Health

Service.

At a lunch hosted by the community, Mayor Errol Neal offered his insights and recommendations

on what was most important for the Commissioners to take away from their visit to Yarrabah.

Mayor Neal spoke of the long history of resilience and problem solving amongst the people of

Yarrabah and urged the Commissioners to ensure the voice of people in rural and remote

communities, is heard and considered in the Commission’s actions in 2013.



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The Commission was pleased to have several guests accompany them on the visit to Yarrabah

who provided further guidance and expertise on local and national issues affecting Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander peoples. A warm thank you to the people of Yarrabah and to everyone who

shared their experiences, insights and suggestions.

Read the communique from the meeting

Partnership with Canada

Members from leading mental health organisations and Commissions from around the world met

in Sydney last month for a two day meeting hosted by the Commission.

The meeting of National and International Mental Health Commissions focused on sharing best

practices and experiences, providing the represented organisations with opportunities for

collaboration. A communique from the meeting is being developed and will be available soon on

our website.

During the two day meeting, ex-officio Commissioner and CEO, Robyn Kruk and the Mental

Health Commission of Canada President and CEO, Louise Bradley, signed a formal

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to share knowledge and successful practices in mental

health research.

The MOU outlines how the two Commissions will seek opportunities to work together in areas

such as mental health and the workplace, international knowledge exchange and stigma, with

cross-promotion of work informed by the lived experience of those experiencing mental health

issues, their families and support people, and the mental health sector.

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7/ Treatment of mental health needs a sound application:

Treatment of mental health needs a sound application

Date

April 7, 2013

Patrick Begley.

Age newspaper

As more people turn to smartphones to solve their problems, experts warn of untested products.

Sarah Faithfull recorded hundreds of meals with her smartphone last year. But she wasn't

bragging on social media about the deliciousness of her food. She was fighting anorexia.

Faithfull used the mobile app Recovery Record to note what she ate and how she felt, whether she

had restricted her intake, and if she wanted to purge or binge. These details, and many more, were

sent automatically to her psychologist.

''Every time you put in your data after a meal, the screen comes up with a positive affirmation,''

says Faithfull, a 21-year-old Victorian studying arts and health science. ''Each time you record a

meal, you earn puzzle pieces and rewards,'' she says. ''It also offers a whole lot of different coping

strategies.''

Created by Australian PhD student Jenna Tregarthen, Recovery Record is one of hundreds of new

mental health programs designed for mobiles and tablets, targeting disorders from social anxiety

to schizophrenia.

Experts say apps can enhance face-to-face therapy and prevent mental illnesses from developing.

The therapies are free or cheap, widely available and constantly on hand for the 3 million

Australians who suffer some form of mental disorder each year.

But as more and more apps hit the market, professionals warn that most mobile services have not

been properly tested to show they are effective, or even safe.

A Sydney psychologist and associate professor, Dr Judy Proudfoot, reviewed the options in an

article published this year in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, titled ''The

future is in our hands''.

''We found just in the Apple app store there were 700 for mental health conditions, which is

astounding,'' Proudfoot said.

There are apps reminding people to take medications, distracting them from thoughts of self-harm

and delivering cognitive behavioural therapy. Australian troops suffering post-traumatic stress can

access PTSD Coach Australia, launched in February.

For young people facing depression, homophobia or bullying, there is The Fifth Army, a new app

from the Australian youth group Headspace.

Proudfoot, a director of e-health at the Black Dog Institute, led the development of myCompass, a










free web program aimed at stress, anxiety and depression.

She says mobile-internet programs encourage people to regularly track their mood across different

situations.

''One of the really clever things about myCompass is that it also asks the person: 'Where are you?

Who are you with? What are you doing?' So users can look for patterns.''

Clinicians have warned in recent years, however, that an overreliance on internet technology can

cause mental health problems such as attention-deficit disorder, narcissism, anxiety and even

internet addiction. But other research suggests the right technology allows people to better

connect with their thoughts and feelings.

An Australian study published last year in the Journal of Medical Internet Research claims

electronic self-monitoring can boost emotional self-awareness and decrease depression in

adolescents. And as mobile users rarely part from their phones, patients and therapists can better

chart the effects of new medications with information recorded in an app.

Professor Helen Christensen, executive director of the Black Dog Institute, says: ''The mobile

phone is a perfect way of doing monitoring. It's anonymous - nobody knows what you're doing.''

Christensen, whose own free web therapy MoodGYM has more than 600,000 users, believes

internet-connected treatments are not just for treating existing mental health problems.

Her research has found that the right programs can prevent up to a quarter of all depression cases,

and for not much money.

''Previously it would have been very difficult to deliver [cognitive behavioural therapy] to every

kid in every school,'' Christensen says. ''But with internet technologies, you actually can do that

cost effectively.''

One app with a strong focus on prevention is Smiling Mind, a mindfulness meditation program

co-founded by James Tutton, a property developer and daily meditator. He describes it as ''a pre-

emptive tool'' for everyone to use against stress.

''The costs of trying to address things once they've become a problem is outrageously higher than

undertaking pre-emptive programs,'' he says.

Smiling Mind, which has been downloaded 30,000 times since last October and trialled in 20

schools, will undergo thorough testing by Monash University. But Tutton warns that ''there are

lots of programs out there, particularly going into schools'', that aren't being subjected to testing.

A University of Sydney psychologist, Dr Andrew Campbell, is worried that ''very, very few'' of

the apps in online stores have been adequately tested to ensure they are effective and safe.

''Any piece of technology that delivers mental health information needs to be checked by a mental

health clinician,'' Campbell says. ''You've got to make sure that no harm is coming to the client.''

An untested program could misdiagnose users or provide the wrong information, causing further










stress and feelings of isolation, he says. ''It would be concerning if a mood app measured you to be

depressed, but gave you no resource to seek immediate help …''

Campbell reviewed e-mental health products as the lead author of a recent report for the federal

government's Young and Well Co-operative Research Centre, which links young people and the

mental health sector.

The centre wants to create a set of basic standards for program designers and to index mobile-

internet programs according to effectiveness.

Campbell hopes the extra information will help the average clinician, who he says ''does not

receive any technological training whatsoever'' across a minimum of six years' study.

''These traditional clinicians are unfortunately behind the eight ball when they get out to practise.''

Leading adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg agrees that most mental health workers

don't know nearly enough about mobile therapies. ''If you're fumbling around with an app - and

you're not familiar with it - it doesn't work at all, because the clients think you're an idiot,'' he

says. ''You do have to be incredibly comfortable with it.''

On the other hand, Carr-Gregg believes some therapists risk overusing technology. ''I think there's

a tendency for people to go, 'Oh, I'll just throw an app at them and they'll be OK,' '' he says.

''You've got to be very, very careful not to see this as a cure-all. It has its limitations.''

Sarah Faithfull, who has now recovered from anorexia, says any means of help should be

explored. ''With any body disorder, attack it from every possible angle,'' she says. ''Use absolutely

every resource that you can.''

■For a list of tested mental health tools for mobiles, tablets and computers, see the

Australian government website mindhealthconnect.org.au.

■For urgent help, call Lifeline on 131 114.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/health/treatment-of-mental-health-needs-a-sound-

application-20130406-2hdp8.html#ixzz2QD9T3mIp

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8/ LEGAL AID BRIEF:

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10 April 2013 – Volume 30

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News from VLA

Making the link with social and economic policy - challenges for legal aid

Managing Director Bevan Warner spoke about the need to recognise the link between legal and

non-legal problems at the recent National Access to Justice and Pro Bono conference.

Holistic approach helps teenager get her life back on track

A vulnerable 15-year-old offender is on a good behaviour bond after our lawyers took a holistic

approach to helping her resolve her issues in two different legal jurisdictions.

VLA people

Judy Small appointed Federal Magistrate

Victoria Legal Aid’s Director Family, Youth and Children’s Law Judy Small was recently

appointed to the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia.

Panel practitioner updates



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New eligibility guidelines now operational

Changes to eligibility guidelines announced in December last year aimed at maintaining services

at a sustainable level came into effect on Monday 8 April.

Improve your ATLAS skills

Practitioners are encouraged to access the ATLAS user guide and April training sessions to

improve their ATLAS skills.

Legal resources

Your day in court

This booklet provides information to people who have been charged with a criminal offence and

are representing themselves in the Magistrates' Court.

The latest from our Public Law Library

Find out about the Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s new online case search tool, how defence

lawyers can better assess potential jurors, and criminal responsibility for the non-disclosure of

HIV positive status.

Media updates

VLA in the media to 10 April

The media covered our High Court test case on backdated welfare fraud laws, as well as new

funding for three Victorian community legal centres.

Community news

Family Law Intensive Melbourne – Saturday 4 May

The Family Law section of the Law Council of Australia is holding a conference focusing on

solutions to everyday problems family law practitioners encounter.

Castan Centre Human Rights Law Conference – Friday 26 July

Held by the Castan Centre, this conference will discuss current human rights issues locally and

internationally. A discounted early bird registration fee is available to those who register by

Tuesday 30 April.

If you have any community news that you would like included in this eNewsletter email

[email protected]. Items will be published at the editor's discretion.

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9/ CALD Issues from a consumer perspective:

VTPU Seminar and Case Presentation

WEDNESDAY 17TH

APRIL 2013

CALD Issues from a consumer's perspective:

Are CALD needs being met within mental health systems of today?

Venue: VTPU Seminar Room, Level 2, Bolte Wing, St Vincent's Hospital, 14 Nicholson St,

Fitzroy

Date: Wednesday 17th

April 2013

Time: Seminar - 3.00-4.00 pm

Cost: free of charge RSVP: By Monday 15th

April 2013

Click here for more information and registration

Disclaimer : The contents of this e-mail including any attachments are intended only for the

person or entity to which this e-mail is addressed and may contain confidential, privileged and/or

commercially sensitive material. If you are not, or believe you may not be, the intended recipient,

please advise the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this e-mail and destroy any copies.

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10/ ACCESS TO SOCIAL HOUSING:

Audits of access to social housing for people

with a disability or mental illness.

Consumers required for paid focus group to

be held at VMIAC

VMIAC has been asked to assist the government and host a focus group for people with the

lived experience of mental illness to have their say and input into the quality of access to

social housing.

Social housing is provided by the government directly and through a range of agencies.

Some social housing is targeted for people with a disability and mental illness who are

receiving treatment or care/support for their disability/ mental illness.

The government is interested in hearing from people with a mental illness who have tried to

access social housing through mental health services and their experience of access to social

housing.

The Minister for Mental Health has requested that your comments and experiences are

included in a report about access to social housing and form part of the planning and policy

development for social housing.

The audit of access to social housing for people with a mental illness is part of the

government’s election commitment and the objective in the election plan being: “…more

must be done to ensure that people with a mental illness have stable housing and in

particular are not being discharged into homelessness. Housing instability compounded

with an inability to access treatment and services can exacerbate mental illness.”

(The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Plan for Mental Health (p. 20)

The focus group will comprise no more than 10 people over 2 hours.

Refreshments will be provided.

Your public transport expenses will be covered.

If you are able to assist and attend you will be reimbursed for your effort.

When: Tuesday, 23 April, 2013

Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: VMIAC Conference Room

Building 2/ 22 Aintree Street, Brunswick East

Enquiries and RSVP’s Call VMIAC reception on (03) 9380 3900

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11/ National Disability Insurance Scheme Update 39:

National Disability Insurance Scheme Update 39

Dear Friends,

We’re counting down to the launch of DisabilityCare Australia, the national disability insurance

scheme, which will start in launch sites across the country in less than three months’ time.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to Senator the Hon Jan

McLucas and acknowledge the outstanding contribution she made as Parliamentary Secretary for

Disabilities and Carers. Jan’s hard work was critical in helping design the scheme and get ready

for the launch of DisabilityCare Australia.

I congratulate Jan on her promotion to the position of Minister for Human Services and I wish her

all the best in her new role. I know she will continue to be a strong advocate for disability reform.

Jan’s outgoing message to you can be read below.

It is also with pleasure that I welcome the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP as our new Parliamentary

Secretary for Disabilities and Carers.

Amanda has always had a strong focus on community, social and disability reform. Before

entering parliament, she practiced as a psychologist focused on delivering mental health care to

the community.

Amanda has already been out talking to communities about DisabilityCare Australia, last week

she met with Lismore locals with disabilities, their families, carers and service providers about the

scheme.

I am sure that Amanda will continue Jan’s fantastic work as we move closer to making

DisabilityCare Australia a reality.

Jenny Macklin



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A message from Jan McLucas

Dear Friends

This will be my final NDIS update.

You may be aware that Prime Minister Julia Gillard recently appointed me the Minister for

Human Services.

My colleague Amanda Rishworth is now the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers. I

know Amanda is looking forward to continuing the reform agenda with Minister for Disability

Reform, Jenny Macklin in partnership with the disability and carers community.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your engagement and support over the

past two and half years during my time as Parliamentary Secretary.

Together we have achieved an incredible amount and we should be proud that this culminated in

the passing through Parliament of legislation establishing a national disability insurance scheme

We have made the national disability insurance scheme, now called DisabilityCare Australia, a

reality and from July this year people with disability will begin to benefit.

This has been the goal of so many people over so many years and I am truly privileged to have

played a role in this historic reform with you.

Australians with disability, their families and carers have fought for years to receive the support

they need and deserve.

You have made a significant contribution in designing the DisabilityCare Australia and it shows.

Your continued advocacy to build a truly inclusive community and your generosity and openness

to work so collaboratively has helped us reach this point.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the disability, carers and service sectors for your

hard work and commitment towards establishing the scheme.










There are many who have played a critical role in this long journey, including:

o members of the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council;

o the Productivity Commission, including Commissioner Patricia Scott and Associate

Commissioner John Walsh;

o the National Disability Insurance Scheme Advisory Group;

o the members of the four expert working groups;

o the National Disability and Carer Alliance;

o all our peak disability and carers bodies.

Thank you to Every Australian Counts, including the state bodies, the community campaigners

and of course the 154,811 (and growing) Australians who have signed up to this campaign.To all

the people who have had their say online via ndis.gov.au forums and to all those people with

disability, their family members and carers, and their service providers and advocates who have

attended any one of the 70-plus forums that I have held across the country, I thank you for your

involvement.

I delivered a speech in Parliament as the legislation went before the Senate which you can read

here.

I also want to recognise the efforts of staff at the Department of Families, Housing, Community

Services and Indigenous Affairs as we’ve worked to not only establish DisabilityCare Australia,

but as we continue to deliver a range of programs and services to support people with disability in

our community.

I also thank officials from other Australian, State and Territory departments for your

collaboration. To wrap up, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as the Parliamentary Secretary for

Disabilities and Carers and appreciate the strong relationships and enormous of work we’ve

achieved together.

There is a lot more work to do - I encourage you to continue your efforts as we transform the way

people with disability are included and supported in our country.

Thank you. Senator Jan McLucas

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The email is sent every week and contains items which may interest mental health consumers, carers and service providers and which otherwise they may not be able to access. Thank you for subscribing to this VMIAC email if you wish to unsubscribe please contact [email protected] Bill Moon or Dominic Troughton Information Officer Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council Tel (03)9380 3900 http://www.vmiac.org.au/This message is intended for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message and notify the sender. Views expressed are those of the document initiator/writer, and are not necessarily the views of the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council.





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VMIAC E BULLETIN V2 ISSUE 79