spring edition 2010 mental health-connect

8/8/2019 Spring Edition 2010 Mental Health-Connect

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SPRING 2010 Edition

mhconnect

Act-Belong-Commit Campaignkicks off in Queensland

Mental Health Week 2010wasofcially launched by The Hon.Paul Lucas, Deputy Premier andMinister for Health, Queenslandon Sunday 10.10.10.

The event kicked off numerousevents held in locations acrossQueensland. Despite heavy

rains leading up to the day,many braved the wet weather to enjoy the Walk ofPride followed by a popular Juice Off sponsored byBoost Juice.

Stars of Masterchef and sporting personalities, joinedforces with professionals from the Mental Healthsector to create some very interesting concoctions.The winner of the generous $500 prize from BoostJuice was the Orange team with Beryl Garrardrepresenting the Aboriginal and Islander CommunityHealth Service.

To see more event photos from the State Launchevent, visit the events page on www.mentalhealth.org.au.

To keep up to date with plans for Mental HealthWeek 2011, be sure to follow the Mental HealthWeek QLD page on Facebook.

Mental Health WeekLaunches for 2010

Juicing off with Boost Juice at the ofcial launch of MHW for 2010,were (L) Dr. Aaron Groves - Exec. Director - Mental Health Directorate,Queensland Health and Geoff Riddell - CEO, Mental Health Association

QLD.

The Mental Health AssociationQLD and the Queensland Alliancewere very pleased to play hostto Professor Rob Donovan onThursday, 16th September. Robvery kindly ew across to Brisbanefrom Perth especially for this event,and provided an overview of howthe Act-Belong-Commit campaign

has developed in Western Australia.

Thank you to everyone whoattended this rst ofcial Community Forum for theAct-Belong-Commit campaign in QLD. Supportedby Ivan Frkovic - Department of Communities, JeffCheverton Queensland Alliance, and Dr DennisYoung Drug ARM Australasia, the positive spirit ofthe proceedings, and the absolutely packed houseoffered important reassurance that the sector isindeed on board with this campaign.

The forum generated a huge amount of interest for

the campaign, with many organisations ready tosign up already. For those of you who were unableto attend the Community Forum in Brisbane on the16th September, and those of you who attended, butwould like to share it with your colleagues, why notset a date to sit around the lunch table and watch the40 minute video (uploaded in 3 parts on our Websiteunder News & Events).

Think about how your organisation can get involvedand give us a call to discuss!

Contact Mentally Healthy QLD on 1300 836 393 or

[email protected].

To nd out the winners of the MHW StoryCompetition - go to Page 2.

Professor Rob Donovan, Mentally Healthy WA shared his experiencesfrom inception to implementation of the Act-Belong-Commit campaignin WA.


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Mental Health Week Mini Grants

Nearly $10,000 in Mental Health Week mini-grantswas distributed amongst 30+ organisations across 7regions in Queensland this year. These modest grantsassist a variety of organisations in running a widerange of local events.

As always, we continue to push for further funding togrow this important program, and in order to achievethis goal, feedback on the value of your local events isinvaluable for our reporting. Feel free to send throughyour good news stories for our newsletters.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas announces the ofcial commencement ofMental Health Week 2010.

Short Story Competition Winners

The winning stories for this years MHW Story Com-petition are inspirational and very moving ... a mustread for all! Congratulations to the following win-ners:

Adult Category First Prize (shared winners):Break Down by Nick Burford-BaynesJump by Justin Coleman

Adult Category Second Prize:Exploring your dreams - living your passions byLorelei J.M. Weir

Secondary School Category First Prize:Passion in disguise by Alexandria Riddell

Secondary School Category Second Prize:The man who never smiled by Joshua Murray

Primary School Category:Special commendation Get Active Sports Pack:

Roberts Dream by Tristan Burford-Baynes

To enjoy these stories, visit the Mental Health Week

page on our website www.mentalhealth.org.au.

Mental Health WeekWrap Up for 2010

MHW Achievement AwardWinners for 2010

L-R Bernard Wilson CEO, Open Minds, Dr Aaron Groves - ExecutiveDirector, Mental Health Directorate Qld Health, Jeff Cheverton CEO,

Qld Alliance, Jessica Rowe and Geoff Riddell - CEO, MHAQ.

In partnership with Open Minds, Queensland Health,through the Mental Health Directorate, hosted thethird annual Mental Health Week Achievement Awards.

The Awards recognise the achievement of individualsand organisations who work tirelessly to increaseunderstanding of mental health issues, enhanceservice provision and improve the mental health ofQueenslanders.

MHAQ extend our sincere congratulations to thefollowing winners for 2010:

Non-Government / Community OrganisationCategory:

Richmond Fellowship QLD - Transition SupportService,

Government Service / Program Category:Prof. David Kavanagh - QUT for OnTrack

information website

Carer / Carer Organisation Category:

Lynn ForsterVolunteer, Mental Health Unit at Cairns Base Hospital

Consumer / Consumer Organisation Category:Michael Burge

Individual Category:Nadia Beer OAM,

Advocate at The Park - Centre for Mental Health

Media Category:Lexy Hamilton-Smith Channel 10 News

Mates in Construction Program

Earle Duus Award:Nadia Beer OAM

Highly Commended:MATES in Construction Program, OzHelp QLD


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There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes toensure we make a big splash in early 2011 with theAct-Belong-Commit message. To further this cause,we are in the process of establishing the QLD Hub forthe campaign Mentally Healthy QLD. The role ofthe hub is to manage the campaign delivery in QLD,and source further campaign funding to spread theword!

With signicant funding in Western Australia being

conrmed today by Healthway for 2010-2013 ($1.545million), and the quick progress in Victoria, thepopularity and strong outcomes of the campaign aredifcult to ignore.

There is a fantastic buzz around this collaborativecampaign, and the momentum is building very quick-ly. We have received many expressions of interest tonot only sign up, but to join the steering committee,and to volunteer. Both the Mental Health AssociationQLD and the Queensland Alliance have been delightedto see this kind of support generated so quickly.

We are currently meeting with organisations to ex-plain how the campaign can work for them. There aremany different ways you can be involved.....it is onlylimited by your imagination!

If you have expressed interest in signing up, youwill be contacted shortly with the QLD agreementyou require to ofcially sign-up. Also, if you haveput your hand up to join the steering committee,representatives will be selected and notied beforethe end of October 2010. To all volunteers who have

jumped on board to help us with the campaign launch,wed like to pay you an extra special tribute. We trulyvalue your commitment to this important campaign!

Solid foundations are being laid in Queensland to en-able this campaign to really take off in 2011! If youhavent already, be sure to express your interest bycalling 1300 836 393 or emailing us on

[email protected].

DONT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITYFOR A GRANT OR SCHOLARSHIP

THROUGH THE COMMUNITYSKILLING PLAN

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS ROUND

CLOSE 29 OCTOBER, 2010

GET YOUR APPLICATION IN NOW!visit www.accs.qld.edu.au for

details

Mentally Healthy QLDbeing established as the

QLD Hub for Act-Belong-Commit

ACCS releases newCertifcate IV in Mental Health

The Australian Collegeof Community Services(ACCS), under theguidance of its 50 yearold parent, MHAQ, hasbuilt its solid reputationon the provision of highquality accredited andnon-accredited trainingto the mental healthand community servicessectors.

ACCS has recentlyannounced the releaseof the new Certicate IV

in Mental Health offering a truly exible, supported,self-paced learning opportunity for people working inthe mental health sector. Already, student enquiryand registrations are rolling in fast for this valuablecourse.

Highly educated and qualied trainers possessingyears of experience working within the mental healthsector, deliver this accredited training.

Curriculum content is based on current best practiceand has undertaken extensive development toincorporate the Queensland Government approvedRecovery model approach to mental health.

ACCS pride themselves on the provision of genuine,dedicated support to students and offer this course toboth metropolitan and regional Queensland.

This is an opportunity for you to take your interest orspeciality in mental health to a nationally recognisedqualication by completing the new Certicate IV inMental Health.

We invite you to fnd out more by visiting the ACCSwebsite - www.accs.qld.edu.au or call our ACCS staffon 1300 833 328.

Celebrating the move into Queensland of the Act-Belong-Commit healthpromotion campaign, were L-R Geoff Riddell - MHAQ, Prof. Rob Donovan- Mentally Healthy WA, Terry Hamilton - MHAQ, Jeff Cheverton - Qld

Alliance and Dr Dennis Young - Drug ARM.


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Participate in Prosperity Programwelcomed in Logan

The MHAQ PIP team of experienced caseworkers havebeen welcomed with open arms since they commencedoperating in the Logan region in late August.

Many organisations such as Multilink, YFS, Futures in

Focus, Ryans Place, PCYC Beenleigh, CASV and theBenevolent Society have been generous in sharingtheir local knowledge and understanding of the needsof the community.

With diversity so rich in the Logan area, the PIP teamare privileged to work in collaboration with communitynavigators of a number of cultural communitiesto deliver knowledge about optimal mental healthpractices, information and practical assistance toenable their communities to link with both professionaland community driven health services.

According to the CEO of MHAQ, Geoff Riddell, it iscollaborations like this that reect MHAQs holisticapproach towards optimal mental health which resultsin many life changing outcomes.

Employment alone assists the individual in so manyways - nancially, a rise in condence, self belief andinclusion in their local community Geoff said.

A Logan participant recently said their greatestwish was to gain employment and learn how tosmile again.

As this participant tackles each barrier, the caseworker is noticing subtle, yet consistent change. Asmile is more often present and importantly, theparticipants motivation toward achieving her goals isgathering momentum. Her caseworker has no doubtthat she will achieve her greatest wish in the not toodistant future.

Another participant stated that he didnt really expectto smile again for some time. However, he felt that ifhe could get a job and send some more money backto his family in Pakistan, he would perhaps be able tosleep better. He last saw his family when the children

were 2,4,6 and 8 ... that was nine years ago.

The team are seeing some great results already withone employment outcome and many participants ontrack towards training.

The Participate in Prosperity Program is funded by theDepartment of Employment, Economic Developmentand Innovations (DEEDI) Skilling Queenslanders for

Work initiative.

To nd out more about the Participate in ProserityProgram, call Vicky on (07) 3209 5252.

Gold Coast graduates of the Work n Place program celebrated in styleat Robina Golf Club with the Member for Burleigh Christine Smith.

MHAQ to receive $1Million grant toconduct Work n Place Program

The State Government has announced a $1milliongrant to MHAQ to help more than 100 Queensland

jobseekers who are dealing with mental health issuesmove into the workforce.

Treasurer and Minister for Employment and EcomomicDevelopment Andrew Fraser said people with a mentalillness are among the most socially and economicallymarginalised in the community, experiencing highlevels of unemployment.

Yet employment is critical for their wellbeing becausejobs provide purpose, structure, status and a sense ofidentity.

In its 50 years of existence, the Mental HealthAssociation QLD has had signicant relevantexperience in working with people with mental health

issues, and with that comes knowledge and awarenessof the impacts and barriers they face when trying tond meaningful employment.

Mr Fraser said the $1million funding to MHAQ for2010/11 would benet people in the Gold Coast,Logan, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast-Caboolture, HerveyBay-Bundaberg and Cairns regions.

CEO of MHAQ, Geoff Riddell said MHAQs Work nPlace program uses a exible and holistic approachto help ensure each participant has the best possiblechance of improving their lives and gaining meaningful

employment.

Recent graduation ceremonies at the Gold Coast andSunshine Coast resulted in 18 people graduatingfrom the Work n Place program achieving positiveemployment and training outcomes.

The Work n Place team is currently focusing onparticipants in the Ipswich and Logan areas andanticipate 17 people will graduate from the programearly in 2011.


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SPRING 2010 PHOTO GALLERY

L-R Kristy Hammant, Rebecca Harris - PCYC, Nerang, Judy Puna -PCYC, Nerang and Chris Tattersall

L-R Joanne Waldrin and Suzy Dunn - CRS Australia.

L-R Mary Hardwick, Spiritus, Shana Challenor - MHAQ and Leigh Beres-ford, Dovetail

L-R Tracey Schutz - Salvation Army, Steve Dowker - Ozcare, ShanaChallenor - MHAQ, Kerry Buchholz - Relationships Australia and MarnieWent, - Ozcare.

Queensland Compact Intersectorial Forum - 13th October, 2010

MHW Achievement Awards Luncheon15th October, 2010

Gold Coast Work n Place Graduation8th September, 2010

L-R Geoff Riddell - MHAQ, Terry Hamilton - MHAQ, Prof. John Mendoza-ConNetica and Shana Challenor - MHAQ.

L-R Huon Crellin - MHAQ Board Member and Dr Dennis Young - ChairMHAQ


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DISCLAIMER - MHAQ is not a clinical health service or a crisis service, we are an information and education service. Our organisation is devoted to increasing awareness andunderstanding of mental health issues in the community. We do not have doctors, counsellors or health professionals available to respond to specic requirements. If in needof urgent medical or mental health assistance, we advise enquirers to contact their local doctor, the emergency department of their local hospital, a specialist mental health

provider or other health professional. Please refer to our website www.mentalhealth.org.au for additional information. Also note, whilst all care has been taken to ensure theaccuracy of information within this publication, MHAQ accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions therein.

L-R The team from Open Minds with Kylie Cobb, KC Marketing & Design.

L-R, Lorraine Pacey, Bronwyn Buckley and Kathy Falkner from WomensHeath Queensland Wide.

SPRING 2010 PHOTO GALLERY

Enjoying a cuppa after the ABC Community Forum were Kathleen Cam-marata, CBT Resources & Dianne Dizon, Department of Communities.

MHW Launch - the Juice Off Winning team received a helping hand frompopular Master Chef contestant Skye.

MHW Launch - The Green Team get creatively juicy for MHW 2010

MHAQs Terry Hamilton enjoyed a chat about ABC and of course, gour-met food tips with Master Chef contestants Skye & Sharnee.

Mental Health Week Launch10th October, 2010

Act-Belong-Commit Community Forum16 October, 2010

spring edition 2010 mental health-connect

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