Home

Content about Sociology

May 2, 2012
National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: YOUR input sought by 8th May 2012!

Australians wishing to have their say as part of the National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention should complete the online survey before Tuesday 8th May 2012.  The survey is available in multiple languages. Please access online survey through the mental health commission website link. www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/report_card

Then, click on Report Card Survey box.

Online survey for National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

The National Mental Health Commission is preparing the The National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. 

Vital input is being sought from all Australians on what information should be included in the Report Card to drive change and help improve the lives of people experiencing mental health issues or who are at risk of suicide, and the lives of their families and carers.

January 30, 2012
ARAFMI NSW CEO Keiran Booth accredited as a Master Trainer for Mental Health First Aid

NSW’s CEO-Keiran Booth has just been accredited as a  ‘Master Mental Health First Aid Trainer’ by Official Mental Health First Aid authorities.  Mental Health First aid is a 12-hour course designed to give members of the public some skills to identify and assist someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis situation.

January 30, 2012
Summary of the NSW Mental Health Commission Bill 2011

The NSW Parliament will soon be debating and passing legislation to set up a new Mental Health Commission for New South Wales. Here is a summary of the Bill.

As most carers and consumers of mental health services will be aware, the NSW Parliament will soon be debating and passing legislation to set up a new Mental Health Commission for New South Wales. The Commission has been put forward as a means of allowing the NSW government to listen better to the experiences of consumers and carers as a means of improving mental health services. However, many issues about what it is to do and how have still to be completely resolved.

October 31, 2011
New Mental Health Commission Legislation

In honour of Mental Health Month the Minister for Mental Health, Hon Kevin Humphries has released a guide to the proposed NSW Mental Health Commission entitled, “DELIVERING REFORM to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the NSW community Legislation to establish the NSW Mental Health Commission”. Read our summary or download the guide to this legislation below.

In honour of Mental Health Month the Minister for Mental Health, Hon Kevin Humphries has released a document entitled, “DELIVERING REFORM to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the NSW community Legislation to establish the NSW Mental Health Commission”.

October 31, 2011
Walks of Pride 2011

Community walks against the stigma of mental illness have been staged for Mental Health Month. The 'Walk of Pride' idea has now been picked up throughout NSW by ARAFMI Branches as well as in other states in Australia.

This year Mental Health Week 2011 ran from October 9 till 15th and there was no better way to kick off the week than to participate in the ‘Walk of Pride’!

The ‘Walk of Pride’ began at the ARAFMI (Hunter) branch and started out as a community anti-stigma event promoting visibility of mental illness and encouraging community participation in mental health issues.

August 22, 2011
Mental health reform agenda presented at COAG

 Experts present Mental Health reform roadmap at COAG!

Mental Health experts, Frank Quinlan, Patrick McGorry and David Cappo provided a special briefing to the Prime Minister, State and Territory Premiers and Chief Ministers, on the challenges of mental health issues facing all state governments at COAG last week.

June 30, 2011
Judging Judges Judgement

SYDNEY Magistrate, Brian Maloney, has attracted widespread community support following a judicial commission report which deemed him permanently incapacitated due to his recent diagnosis of a bipolar II disorder.

However, particular issues apply to Magistrates and Judges due to the nature of the role they fill in our government system.  The ability to supervise judicial officers on the discharge of their duties is limited because of the need to preserve judicial independence; an issue which will not apply in most other workplaces. This article explores this issue in more depth.

SYDNEY Magistrate, Brian Maloney, has attracted widespread community support following a judicial commission report which deemed him permanently incapacitated due to his recent diagnosis of a bipolar II disorder.

June 30, 2011
Stigma: the silent epidemic

I attended Blokes Day a few Sundays ago  at Clarendon showground.  The event had a lot of drawcards aimed to attract men – vintage engines, motorcycles, trucks, tools and more.  The underlying point was to draw men and their families in and bring them into contact with information and services around the issue of men’s health. However it seems that even in this day and age there are still some 'taboos' in our society.

May 20, 2011
Study examines impact of suicide on families

Families that have lost a loved one through suicide are encouraged to participate in a study by Dr Kath Peters of UWS which explores the experiences of the bereaved when dealing with government and other agencies.

Families that have lost a loved one through suicide are encouraged to participate in a study which explores the experiences of the bereaved when dealing with government and other agencies.

November 23, 2010
MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMER AND CARER STIGMA SURVEY

The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) is undertaking a consumer and carer survey about the behaviour of health professionals towards people with mental illness.

As the peak national body for mental health the MCHA is committed to ensuring fair and equitable mental health services for all Australians.  We understand that feelings of discrimination, victimisation, or negative judgement create a real barrier to effective engagement in mental health treatment. 

October 26, 2010
Tracking Tragedy: a report on homicide, serious injury and suicide, 2008

This review looks at suspected suicides reported by NSW Mental Health Services between 2003 and 2006, where the person was an inpatient of a NSW public mental health unit.

October 12, 2010
IN THE MEDIA: Teens overestimate mental health stigma

A study by the Australian National University's Centre for Mental Health Research has found adolescents tend to overestimate the extent of the stigma surrounding depression.

The following article from www.smh.com.au reveals the results of a recent study of more than 1000 teenagers by the Australian National University's Centre for Mental Health Research.

The research found adolescents tend to overestimate the extent of the stigma surrounding depression. This is problematic as it reduces the inclination to seek help.

Read the full article.