Mental Health Community Coalition ACT

We are very excited to be partnering with The Mental Health Services Learning Network - Themhs Conference 2024, which will be held in Canberra from the 27th to the 30th of August.

TheMHS Conference 2024 is accepting applications for student volunteers. This is a great opportunity for students to fulfill course requirements and create valuable connections.

Link in comments.

This morning, Vicky and Rahni attended the launch of ACT Mental Health Consumer Network Inc.'s "The Network Effect - Consumer Digital Stories". It was a wonderful morning, with many friends from the sector in attendance, including Chris (pictured), a member of the MHCN Board.

We sincerely thank those who shared their stories. We know these narratives will serve as inspiration for the next generation of Consumer Representatives.

✨ Vicky and Rahni had an amazing time at the SiTara's Story Gala this past Saturday night! ✨

It was a fantastic evening with laughter, beautiful music, and inspiring stories. MHCC ACT's very own Vicky even hit the decks with Capital Region Community Services' Heidi Prowse.

Next week the ACT Government will release our Territory's 2024-25 budget.

In the lead up to the release, MHCC ACT has been calling on the government to increase funding to better support your Canberra community.

You can access our Pre-Budget Submission through the link in the comments.

Join us in advocating for an inclusive Canberra!

MHCC ACT, in partnership with Disabled Peoples, Advocacy for Inclusion - Incorporating People With Disabilities ACT, ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability, and Women with Disabilities ACT, presents the following priorities for voters and candidates leading up to the ACT Election this October:

Timely & adequate disability supports, including non-NDIS
Quality individual & systemic advocacy
Critical acute, primary & preventative healthcare
Justice system reform
Inclusive education for students with disability
End gender-based violence
Accessible living & mobility
Affordable housing

Link in comments to download our Shared Election Priorities.

Last week, Vicky and Rahni met with Jason McCrae, Founder of our member organisation, Think Mental Health.

Think Mental Health are the proud operators of Canberra Head to Health, a free, commonwealth funded service that is available to all those who live, work, or play within the ACT. The Centre provides both telephone-based and face-to-face support. They can provide individuals with a standardised intake assessment to thoroughly understand your circumstances and needs, then help connect you to the best resources and services to meet your needs.

No Medicare card required!

Link in comments.

Yesterday Vicky and Rahni met with Dr Shamaruh Mirza, Founder of our member organisation, SiTara's Story.

SiTara’s Story is a not-for-profit organisation that believes strong women build strong communities and nations. SiTara’s Story seeks to build the self-esteem and self-worth of women within the community and beyond by changing their outlook on life, broadening their horizons, and helping them to empower themselves.

We're excited to be attending the 2024 SiTara's Story Gala on 22 June. Tickets to this special event are limited so grab your friends and get in quickly!

Link in comments.

About two men are lost every hour to preventable deaths in Australia.

As part of Men's Health Week (10 - 16 June), the Australian Men's Health Forum are running free online lunchtime talks, focusing on key health topics: Moving More, Helping Mates, Sleeping Better, Getting Checked and Drinking Less. Each session starts at 12pm AEST and runs for one hour.

Registration link in comments.

At MHCC ACT, we proudly represent Canberra's community-managed mental health services, which constitute two-thirds of the city's mental health system.

The ACT Disability Aged and Carer Advocacy Service is one of these vital services that we are proud to represent.

Today marks World Environment Day.

According to the Black Dog Institute, between 20 – 50% of people who live through unpredictable and extreme weather events can develop immediate elevated rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep disruption and suicidal ideation. As many as 10-20% may experience post-traumatic stress disorder in the years following the disaster.

That's why we've made Climate Change and Mental Health a Policy Priority for 2024.

Join us for our ACT Budget breakfast analysis, where we will reflect on our shared vision of the ACT as a thriving, inclusive, and healthy community.

Tickets $40 - Link in comments.

Last week, MHCC ACT's Outcomes Development Specialist, Sebastian Rosenberg, met with Ed C***s MLA.

Seb referenced our March 2024 paper, 'Establishing a Vibrant Community Mental Health System in the ACT,' and highlighted the need to expand the vital work of the community-managed mental health sector to benefit all Canberrans.

We thank Mr C***s MLA for his time and look forward to continuing these important discussions.

Link in the comments to access the paper.

We love this initiative by Beyond Blue and Australia Post to connect the community with mental health resources, and with each other.

We're using our our free Beyond Blue Connection Postcard to connect with our members and friends. 📮💖

More information in the comments.

National Reconciliation Week—held every year from 27 May to 3 June—is a time for all
Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore
how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Link in comments to find out more about Reconciliation Week, including ways to get involved.

Link in comments.

MHCC ACT's Director of Engagement and Partnerships, Vicky, and our Outcomes Development Specialist, Seb, were at the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday for the Inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT. They were joined by our friends at the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network Inc.

They both referred to our March 2024 submission; Inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT Submission (link in comments).

You can find a recording of the hearing on the Legislative Assembly’s page (link in comments). They kick off 2:46:00

Last Thursday Vicky and Rahni attended Mental Health Australia's Members Policy Forum.

It was wonderful to be joined by so many local and interstate colleagues, as well as Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Su***de Prevention, the Hon Emma McBride MP.

🏳️‍🌈Happy ! - International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia.

At MHCC ACT we're proud to represent two wonderful LGBTQIA+ organisations, Meridian ACT and A Gender Agenda Today we thank them for the vital work they do for the Canberra community. 💖

On Tuesday, Vicky and Rahni met with Vik Fraser, CEO of our member organisation A Gender Agenda (AGA).

AGA aims to support the goals and needs of the intersex, transgender and gender diverse communities of Canberra and the surrounding region. Through education, advocacy, peer support and professional networks they connect people to each other and build off the wisdom of collective experiences. For over fifteen years, AGA has represented a gold standard of TGD+I support that is unique in Australia.

We are loving meeting with our member organisations and discussing ways in which MHCC ACT and the Canberra community can best support their vital work!

MHCC ACT welcomes the recommendations from the Inquiry into the Disability Inclusion Bill 2024.

We are particularly pleased with the inclusion of recommendations 1 and 2, both of which mirror the recommendations in MHCC ACT’s March submission.

Yesterday, our Director of Engagement and Partnerships, Vicky, met with Leanne Castley MLA and Ed C***s MLA. Vicky referenced MHCC ACT’s 2024 Advocacy Pillars, which reflect issues that are critical to our members.

As we head into the October election, MHCC ACT remains committed to actively engaging with Ministers, MLAs, and Candidates to ensure that supporting community managed mental health services is an election priority.

We're proud to endorse this shared election platform
for disability.

Fantastic Friday:

We love working with other groups as we build community and momentum for all our streets, crossings, paths and public places to be and feel safe, comfortable and convenient for everyone.

Last night's community forum saw the launch of a key election policy platform. The local disability community groups' Shared Election Platform for Disability in regard to Planning, Climate and Transport. This platform offers non-partisan priorities for the information of voters and candidates in the coming ACT election. It covers many of the issues we cover, and that is why we were amongst the community groups to endorse it. Thanks for your work Advocacy for Inclusion - Incorporating People With Disabilities ACT, ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and Women with Disabilities ACT!

The document says:

'We offer non-partisan priorities for the information of voters and
candidates in the coming ACT election.

'These represent our shared priorities for the election and candidates are also encouraged to speak to individual Disabled Peoples Organisations and representative bodies about our specific and detailed priorities.'

The key asks open with 'In the coming ACT election, we ask candidates to commit to the following actions, decisions and investments to ensure Canberra is a well-planned and accessible city where people with disability can comfortably navigate a changing urban realm amidst responses to climate change that mitigate risks and ensure a just transition.'

Full document is athttps://www.advocacyforinclusion.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Planning-Climate-Transport-Election-Platform-FINAL-FOR-PUBLICATION.pdf

👉 Please read, share and discuss with your family, friends and candidates.





ACT Greens
ACT Labor
Canberra Liberals
Independents For Canberra
Transport Canberra
PTCBR Public Transport Association of Canberra
AEVA ACT
SEE-Change
Conservation Council ACT Region

On Wednesday, we held an online meeting for our wonderful members and introduced Dr Sarah Miller, the new Deputy Coordinator General at the Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Working with Dr Elizabeth Moore, Dr Miller has extensive experience in and a deep passion for mental health, and we are delighted to have someone of her expertise on side.

May 1 marks World Maternal Mental Health Day.

Perinatal mental ill-health impacts around 100,000 Australian families per year. That's why we have made perinatal mental health an election priority for MHCC ACT.

Our Policy, Advocacy and Media Manager, Erin, back at the Legislative Assembly. This time speaking at the Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity. Erin referred to our January 2024 submission; Inquiry into Climate change and a just transition (link in comments).

You can find a recording of the hearing on the Legislative Assembly’s page (link in comments). Erin kicks off at the 3:27 mark.

We are in the Canberra Times.

Link in comments.

Stay up-to-date with your community sector.

Join our mailing list https://mhccact.org.au/news/

Two weeks ago our Policy, Advocacy and Media Manager, Erin, spoke at the Public Hearing - ECI - Inquiry into the Disability Inclusion Bill 2024. Erin referred to our submission; Inquiry into Disability Inclusion Bill 2024 (link in comments)

You can find a recording of the hearing on the Legislative Assembly’s page (link in comments). Erin kicks off at the 1:27 mark.