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April 27, 2012
Four Studies and a Tribunal

Since October 2011 there have been no less than four significant empirical studies or inquiries (including a Legislative Council inquiry) published reviewing the work of the NSW MHRT.

Combined these provide some remarkable and valuable insights into the functioning of this body, and the dedication of the people working within the Tribunal system. The four studies are,

  • “The NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal - An analysis of clients, matters and determinations”(October 2011);
  • The monograph “Australian Mental Health Tribunals – Space for Fairness, Freedom, Protection and Treatment” (31 October 2011);
  • the Communio ‘Evaluation of the Efficiency and Cost of the Mental Health Inquiry System’ Report (30 January 2012); and
  • The Report of the Law and Justice Standing Committee of the Legislative Council on “Opportunities to consolidate tribunals in NSW” (March 2012).

New South Wales is in a very fortunate position in 2012 as it comes to review the Mental Health Act and specifically the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) which is set up and functions under this Act, because since October 2011 there have been no less than four significant empirical studies or inquiries (including a Legislative Council inquiry) published reviewing the work of the NSW MHRT.

March 20, 2012
Griffith University Mental Health and Community Pharmacy project

Griffith University are looking for people who have experienced mental illness or carers/family members to take part in a study of the evolving role of community pharmacy.  They would like to hear from you.

 

Can You Help?

Griffith University are looking for people who have experienced mental illness or carers/family members to take part in a study of the evolving role of community pharmacy.  They would like to hear from you.

What's it all about?

March 9, 2012
NSW Mental Health Commission Consultation Materials

ARAFMI NSW recently conducted a series of consultation sessions relating to the NSW Mental Health Commission.  You can still have your say regarding the priorities that have been set by the Taskforce for the work of the Commission - check out the materials and surveys here.

 

Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW recently co-ordinated a series of 5 consultation sessions to brief family members, carers and other stakeholders regarding the NSW Mental Health Commission and to seek their feedback regarding the priority issues for the Commission and preferences regarding further input into the work of the Commission.

 

Attendees at these sessions were given a number of handouts.  These were:

 

February 28, 2012
An invitation to participate in a Mental Health Project Consultation

Carers NSW is seeking carers willing to share their experiences of supporting someone with a serious mental health problem to help inform the development of a new Education Package with a specific focus on understanding risks of violent behaviour and its effect on family and carers.

Carers NSW is seeking carers willing to share their experiences of supporting someone with a serious mental health problem to help inform the development of a new Education Package.

The aim of the program is to examine the serious risks of mental illness, with a specific focus on understanding risks of violent behaviour and its effect on family and carers. The final resource will help educate carers to help them understand what is happening to their relative, how to respond, and the importance of effective contact with mental health services.

February 28, 2012
The Triangle of Care - Summary

The Triangle of Care is a guide jointly published in the UK by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers emphasizing the need for better involvement of carers and families in the care planning and treatment of people with mental ill-health.

Here is a summary of the general principles of this guide and links to further information that carers, consumers and clinicians may find of interest.

The Triangle of Care is a guide jointly published by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the National Mental Health Development Unit emphasizing the need for better local strategic involvement of carers and families in the care planning and treatment of people with mental ill-health.

February 5, 2012
Important change to Better Access

Federal minister Mark Butler winds back planned changes to Better Access on a transitional basis.

The federal minister Mark Butler has announced that planned changes to the Better Access scheme which helps people access psychologists when they find the cost difficult.  Most important is the reinstatement of "exceptional circumstances" which permits the granting of additional sessions if the person is experiencing a particularly hard time.

For a Better Access fact sheet:

January 30, 2012
Functions and Priorities of the NSW Mental Health Commission

In spite of the many descriptions available the precise means the new NSW Mental Health Commission should use and the priorities the Commission should have as it goes about its work is still being settled . Commendably, the government is keen to do this in accordance with the views of stakeholders with emphasis on the opinions of consumers and carers. Read more to understand the issues still facing the new Commission and how you can play a part in helping to resolve them.

Commissions are a well-known means of addressing certain types of problems for governments and communities. Therefore it is a good idea to look at some of the reasoning behind Commissions generally when considering the role of the new NSW Mental Health Commission.

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.

January 30, 2012
What’s Happening in Mental Health in 2012?

There are a number of major developments scheduled for the mental health area in 2012. Find out more about what’s on and how you can participate or make your views known about reforms and reviews taking place this year on areas like, the development of the national 10 Year Road Map for Mental Health, the commencement of the new National and NSW Mental Health Commissions and the scheduled review of the NSW Mental Health Act.

There are a number of major developments scheduled for the mental health area in 2012. Find out more about what’s on and how you can participate or make your views known about reforms and reviews taking place this year.

 National Mental Health Commission

 The Australian National Mental Health Commission is scheduled to start operations in 2012, having been allocated a budget of 32 million over 5 years. The role of the National Commission is to:

November 22, 2011
Intangible DVD and Book Launch

On the 17th of October Mental Health Carers ARAFMI CEO Keiran Booth attended the launch of the ‘Intangible’ DVD and book by the Far West Local Health District as key-note speaker.

On the 17th of October Mental Health Carers ARAFMI CEO Keiran Booth attended the launch of the ‘Intangible’ DVD and book by the Far West Local Health District as key-note speaker.

The launch was very successful, being strongly supported by the local community and well attended in Broken Hill.

The Intangible storytelling project is based on the thoughts, emotions and experiences of seven carers who are supporting a family member living with mental illnessin and around Broken Hill in regional New South Wales.

November 22, 2011
The Welfare Rights Centre (WRC)

The Welfare Rights Centre is an independent community legal centre specializing in social security law and issues associated with Centrelink benefit payments etc.  Find out all about Carer Allowance Facts and basic criteria and other issues relevant for carers and the people they help support.

The Welfare Rights Centre, is an independent community legal centre specializing in social security law and issues associated with Centrelink benefit payments etc.  The Centre services all of NSW excluding the Illawarra which has its own separate similar service.

 Essentially there are three key areas that WRC is able to provide advice on:

 Qualification determination meaning  assessment criteria and means to access Carer Payments, Carer allowance, Newstart  etc

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 17, 2011
Update on the development of NSW Mental Health Commission

Current status on the establishment of the NSW Mental Health Commission from Kevin Humphries, NSW Minister for Mental Health. Click  Newsletter - Oct 2011.pdf 

 The Office of the Hon Kevin Humphries, NSW Minister for- Mental Health, Healthy Lifestyle and Western Sydney-released a newletter updating  progress  on the establishment of the NSW Mental Health Commission.

September 2, 2011
Who are Australia’s ‘Hidden’ Carers?

The 2011 Census represented only the second time when questions regarding Carers were included in an effort to capture statistics on how many people look after someone with a disability or illness on an unpaid basis in Australia.  The statistics captured by the Census, whilst noteworthy, only reflect those who have recognised and identified their role as that of a carer.  Accordingly, it is reasonable to expect that there are potentially far more carers in Australia than suggested by statistics. Who are these ‘Hidden Carers’? Are you?

Defining the act of Caring

 The 2011 Census represented only the second time when questions regarding Carers were included in an effort to capture statistics on how many people look after someone with a disability or illness on an unpaid basis in Australia.  Everyday tasks or actions considered “assistance” or support given by a carer were listed in the Census as a means to help classify a carer.  Accordingly, a carer role involves:

September 2, 2011
‘Capacity’ and Consent in Mental Health Treatment

‘Capacity’ is the ability to understand the nature, purpose and consequence of any act or transaction which one enters into. Having sufficient ‘capacity’ is necessary for a person to be able to make almost any legally binding decision, such as entering a contract, giving informed consent to medical treatment or authorising access to confidential medical information. Yet capacity can be seriously affected by mental illness. Learn more about how this issue is handled in the context of mental health treatment.

June 30, 2011
Access to Mental Health Services through You GP

People with certain types of common or ‘high prevalence’ mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression may be able to seek psychological assistance for their mental health through their General Practitioners (GPs). It is important for carers to know how to access such services not just to assist the people they care for but because carers suffer from much higher rates of anxiety and depression than the general community.

 Find out how to access psychologists, psychiatrists and other ‘allied health professionals’ through the primary care system through the ‘Better Access’ and ATAPS’ programs and how this has been changed by the 2011 federal budget.

People with certain types of common or ‘high prevalence’ mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression may be able to seek psychological assistance for their mental health through their General Practitioners (GPs). It is important for carers to know how to access such services not just to assist the people they care for but because carers suffer from much higher rates of anxiety and depression than the general community.

May 27, 2011
ADHC HADS Quick Reference Guide for Disability & HACC funded service providers

ADHC HADS Quick Reference Guide for Disability & HACC funded service providers now available for download from Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC)’s website

ADHC HADS Quick Reference Guide for Disability & HACC funded service providers now available for download from Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC)’s website

 http://www.cnet.ngo.net.au/component/option,com_/Itemid,0/option,content/task,view/id,53607/

May 27, 2011
TRI Community Exchange Inc (TRI)

TRI Community Exchange is an unfunded nonprofit organisation which provides IT training and information, including the CommunityNet email service.

TRI Community Exchange is an unfunded nonprofit organisation which provides IT training, resources and information, including the CommunityNet email service which is an invaluable tool for keeping abreast of developments and events in the community sector.

http://www.cnet.ngo.net.au/

 

May 25, 2011
Partners in Mental Health Resource Centre

These resources are available to the public and can be borrowed by students or other people with an interest in these topics for their education and/ or personal use. The Resource Centre Library Catalogue is attached below for the information of people who might like to use this service.

Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW’s Sydney office is co-located with the Mental Health Association of NSW and the NSW Consumer Advisory Group (the ‘Partners in Mental Health’) in Suite 501, Level 5 at 80 William Street in Woolloomooloo.

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.

May 4, 2011
Changes at the Top

Since the election in March a new Ministry for the NSW State government has been appointed by Premier Barry O’Farrell. This includes a very prominent role for health and mental health in particular.

Welcoming the New Ministers of Health and Mental Health and the new Director General

Since the election in March a new Ministry for the NSW State government has been appointed by Premier Barry O’Farrell.  This includes a very prominent role for health and mental health in particular.

April 15, 2011
Seeking stories from consumers and carers – improving the mental health of children

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) are collecting stories of Consumer and Carer Participation where the outcome is improved mental health for children of parents with a mental illness.

 

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) are collecting stories of Consumer and Carer Participation where the outcome is improved mental health for children of parents with a mental illness.

April 6, 2011
When the lines are blurred - A story of Friendship and Caring

Read an honest and open entry from a carer / consumer who cares for her dear friend whilst both of them battle their own illness.

When I first meet Jeff we were just sixteen and we became instant friends. We shared the same interest in quirky films, we both loved Red Hot Chilli Peppers and we were bonded by the fact that we both came from tough backgrounds. We meet at a Youth Crisis Refuge and after escaping a pretty scary situation with his father, Jeff was in need of a friend and after years of being part of the system myself, so was I.

March 22, 2011
Pen poised? Let’s write to make the MHA's 'Way Ahead' available free-of-charge!

ARAFMI NSW is supporting the Mental health Association's campaign to make its directory of  NSW mental health services freely available. Will you?

The Way Ahead, is a comprehensive listing of mental health services that assist the people of NSW, is a useful guide for any allied health professional, community worker, or GP seeking to make a referral for their client.

March 16, 2011
Speech and Tips for Carers before the Mental Health Review Tribunal by the Tribunal President.

The Hon Greg James QC was guest speaker to the ARAFMI NSW Annual General meeting and his interesting speech included some useful tips for carers with loved ones appearing before the Tribunal.

The Hon Greg James QC was guest speaker to the ARAFMI NSW Annual General meeting and his interesting speech included some useful tips for carers with loved ones appearing before the Tribunal.