Category Archives: Education

theMHS Envisioning 2050

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Submit an abstract for a chance to present at TheMHS Conference 2025 ‘Envisioning 2050: Towards a better Mental Health System’

What will the world be like in 2050 and what will the impact of these changes be on our mental health. This conference will explore how the world might evolve and what we need to do to consolidate the things we already do, and the new things we need to do to reach towards this utopian vision of an ideal mental health system. We invite you to consider this theme when submitting your abstract.

Click here to read the full vision statement for TheMHS Conference 2025.

The abstract submission process through our online portal is simple and easy. Please visit our website for more information about the abstract submission process and requirements or submit directly through the link below.

Abstract submissions close Friday February 28, 2025.

Let’s engage with the bold and improbable ideas needed to move us to action.
SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT HERE

CO-HOST

EVENT SPONSOR

News from Heidi Everett

Northcote Library Author Talk – Thursday 9 January 6PM
My Friend Fox talk/music about mental health, creativity, recovery, disability, optimism in the reality of the mental health system.
Footscray Library Author Talk  – Wednesday 19 February 6PM
(same vibe as Northcote – Footscray Library will add to their What’s On soon)
Bendigo Arts & Lived Experience Collective.
Monthly optimistic creative and advocacy meetup at Bendigo Library with Forest Keegal.
Mojo Festival of Arts 2025! First off the blocks is Rad Cactus comedy. Callout for people with c-MH for creative development workshops and new neurodivergent comedian performances starting soon in Melbourne (free).

Schizy Inc – www.schizy.org

Lost Women film project – callout
Seeking women aged 50+ with schizophrenia in the public mental health system who are re-identifying as autistic to be part of this documentary.
EOI: skybeanz@gmail.com

Mental Health Emergency added to 000.
With over 36,000 signatories from across Australia, we’re not letting this go.

PETITION HERE

Due to a disability affecting my working memory (Apple would say my CPU is ‘vintage’), feel free to hustle me through the year to stay connected and receive invites to more opportunities like these.

Please share with anyone you know in the world of c-MH (complex mental health) who would be interested in this stuff.
Happy new year,
Heidi E
Author, Producer, Creative, Advocate.

Inner South Family and Friends Support Group Meeting and Social Events

ISFAF MONTHLY MEETING:  7pm Tuesday 12 November 2024

GUEST SPEAKER:  Associate Professor Simon Stafrace, Programme Director, Alfred Mental and Addiction Health (AMAH)

TOPIC:  Continuing Implementation of the Royal Commission into Mental Health. Growth of AMAH services and what it means to you  

All carers, family and friends of individuals are welcome to attend, as are members of Staff (Team AMAH).  A light supper provided by our committee is served from 7.05 pm, enabling mingling among individuals. No need to book for our monthly meetings. They are free, however, a small contribution is always extremely welcome.

VENUE:  Level 4, 549 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, a little to the city side of Wesley College, 549 is easily recognisable by white umbrellas in the forecourt. Lots of free parking in the centre lanes of St Kilda Road, with trams stopping at the door. If you are having trouble with transport, seek further information or just need a chat, about ISFAF and/or issues faced by carers please phone Judi on 0425 723 746 or Eleni on 0412 018 722.  For security, we are required to pay a concierge at the door of the building.

Sunday 24 November (subsidised) Lunch and Theatre: 11.30am at Parkers Café 79 Parkers Rd Parkdale (110m from station, free street parking nearby)

DAHLIN! IT’S THE JEANNE LITTLE SHOW at Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd Parkdale

Dahlin! It’s the Jeanne Little Show moves seamlessly between story and song. Jeanne’s humble beginnings, her years in London, successful marriage the many famous people she met along the way and her attempts to be both mother and TV star are all delightfully covered. With a fantastic batch of hit songs from many eras. Shirley Bassey, Marlene Dietrich, Anne Murray, Lulu, the stories are wrapped in warmth and Jeanne’s own brand of zany, irrepressible humour.

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY KIERAN CARROLL   Kieren, son of our beloved member Frank is a prestigious playwright with many international and local productions to his credit:  https://kierancarroll.com/    Starring Caroline Ferguson.

Booking Details: Booking includes the theatre and your choice of up to $25 from the menu of Parkers Café on the day. There will be an ‘honesty jar’ for choices above $25. There is no need to make your menu choice ahead but you must arrive 11.30am sharp to enable the kitchen to have meals ready in time for you to enjoy the food before the show.  The menu is available at: https://parkerscafe.com.au/menu-2

The theatre is small, already heavily booked. Book asap to ensure your seat.

To Book

  1. Deposit donation $18 pensioners, $30 non-pensioners to Westpac ISFAF Community One Account BSB 033-169  A/c No: 258307. 

2.  Make sure your deposit shows your name

3.  Email  judi.burstyner@gmail.com  with proof of booking and names of all individuals in your booking

  1. expect a confirmation via email on Wednesday 20 November. If you don’t receive a confirmation by 8pm please email  judi.burstyner@gmail.com urgently.

Bookings will close when sold out or by 5pm Tuesday 19 November, whichever occurs first.  Seating IS limited.

*We are very grateful to Alfred Mental and Addiction Health for their financial support, making this and other heavily subsidised ISFAF events possible.

Talking Point Free Seminar Series 27 November 2024

Talking Point – 27th November 2024, 1pm – 2pm – ONLINE

Family Drug Treatment Court: Improving outcomes for parents experiencing addiction and their children in child protection proceedings, presented by
Matt Wilson – Statewide Program Manager, Family Drug Treatment Court – Children’s Court of Victoria

This presentation will showcase the Children’s Court of Victoria’s Family Drug Treatment Court (FDTC). The FDTC is a 12 month judicially monitored, solution-focussed court approach that seeks to engage parents whose children have been removed from the care due to parental substance misuse of dependence with the aim of achieving safe and sustainable family reunification.Through an exploration of the Family Drug Treatment Court, the webinar will provide participants with the opportunity to:

  • Understand the operations of the Family Drug Treatment Court in the Children’s Court of Victoria
  • Understand how solution-focused court-based approaches lead to significantly higher and more sustainable rates of family reunification for parents who have experienced addiction.

Matt Wilson is the Statewide Program Manager of the Family Drug Treatment Court in the Children’s Court of Victoria and led the court to be awarded the 2019 Victorian Protecting Children Awards prestigious Robin Clark ‘Making A Difference’ Award. Matt has an almost 30 year history working in a range of statutory, clinical, leadership and managerial roles across the children, youth and families sector. Matt’s academic qualifications lie in Social Work, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health, Child and Family Practice Leadership, and Addiction science.Matt is 2020 Churchill Fellow, and a 2023 Policy Impact Fellow through the University of Queensland’s Centre for Policy Futures and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

Date: Wednesday 27th November 2024
Venue: Online
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST
Cost: Free
Register: click here to register
If you have enquiries regarding registration please call (03) 8413 8413.

Inner South Family and Friends Support Group Meeting and World Mental Health Day Social Function

ISFAF MONTHLY MEETING  7pm for 7.30 pm TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2024

GUEST SPEAKER  Robbert Roos, Victorian Legal Aid
TOPIC  Effective Legal Help and how to Get It
All Carers, family and friends of individuals are welcome to attend , as are all members of Staff (Team AMAH).  A light supper provided by our committee is served from 7.05 pm, enabling chatting and mingling.  Learn from individuals sharing similar challenging journeys.  No need to book for our monthly meetings. They are free.  However, a small contribution is always extremely welcome.
VENUE  Level 4, 549 St Kilda Road, Melbourne  a little to the city side of Wesley College, 549 is easily recognisable by white umbrellas in the forecourt. Lots of free parking in the centre lanes of St Kilda Road, with many trams stopping at the door. If you are having trouble with transport, seek further information or just need a chat, about ISFAF and/or issues faced by carers please phone: Judi 0425 723 746 or Eleni 0412 018 722

Please come early to chat and to enjoy delicious snacks which will be available from 7.05pm

For security, we are required to pay a concierge at the door of the building. Latecomers may not be able to enter.

World Mental Health Day Lunch Thursday 10 October 2024

There is something called a ‘Free Lunch’  (though it comes after  much hard work) In appreciation of the work by team members of AMAH, please join Inner South Family and Friends at a buffet lunch on World Mental Health Day Thursday 10 October 12.30pm – 2.30pm  at 549 St Kilda Rd Melbourne.

For catering purposes, please RSVP to isfaf@alfred.org.au  by Monday 7 October.  You are very welcome to assist by bringing a plate, but please do not feel obliged to do so

If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact Judi directly on 0425 723 746 or judi.burstyner@gmail.com

Articles from Mental Health Australia CEO Update 25 September 2024

Federal Government invests in future psychologists, fast tracking workforce expansion

The Albanese Government says it will increase the number of postgraduate psychology places at universities and provide more psychology internships and supervisors so Australians can access a psychologist when needed. Despite strong demand and interest from students, currently only 10 per cent will complete the required postgraduate course to become a registered psychologist due to the limited number of university places.

Read more

Scholarships to support a strong mental health workforce (VIC)

The Allan Labor Government says is continuing to build a strong and skilled mental health workforce with nearly 300 scholarships and grants through the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Scholarship Program. The program is available to mental health nurses, allied health professionals, alcohol and other drug (AOD) practitioners and lived and living experience workers to upskill and further their careers.
Read more

2024 Australian Mental Health Prize winners announced

The winners of the 2024 Australian Mental Health Prize have been unveiled at UNSW Sydney, celebrating individuals who have made significant strides in mental health research, advocacy and support. Four Australians have been recognised, including a researcher who’s created an equine therapy program for Aboriginal youth and an academic who’s reshaped the treatment of psychiatric disorders globally.

Mental Health Australia congratulates each of the winners.

Read more

Talking Point Free Seminar Series

Family Drug Treatment Court: Improving outcomes for parents experiencing addiction and their children in child protection proceedings, presented by
Matt Wilson – Statewide Program Manager, Family Drug Treatment Court – Children’s Court of Victoria

This presentation will showcase the Children’s Court of Victoria’s Family Drug Treatment Court (FDTC). The FDTC is a 12 month judicially monitored, solution-focussed court approach that seeks to engage parents whose children have been removed from the care due to parental substance misuse of dependence with the aim of achieving safe and sustainable family reunification.

Through an exploration of the Family Drug Treatment Court, the webinar will provide participants with the opportunity to:

  • Understand the operations of the Family Drug Treatment Court in the Children’s Court of Victoria
  • Understand how solution-focused court-based approaches lead to significantly higher and more sustainable rates of family reunification for parents who have experienced addiction.

Matt Wilson is the Statewide Program Manager of the Family Drug Treatment Court in the Children’s Court of Victoria and led the court to be awarded the 2019 Victorian Protecting Children Awards prestigious Robin Clark ‘Making A Difference’ Award. Matt has an almost 30 year history working in a range of statutory, clinical, leadership and managerial roles across the children, youth and families sector. Matt’s academic qualifications lie in Social Work, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health, Child and Family Practice Leadership, and Addiction science.

Matt is 2020 Churchill Fellow, and a 2023 Policy Impact Fellow through the University of Queensland’s Centre for Policy Futures and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

Date: Wednesday 27th November 2024
Venue: Online
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST
Cost: Free
Register: click here to register