Category Archives: News

Excerpts from Mental Health Foundation Weekly Update 30 October 2024

 

Butterfly Foundation’s BodyKind Youth Survey is closing soon!
It’s the last chance for young people aged 12 – 18  to complete the third national online survey on body image. The BodyKind Youth Survey helps Butterfly understand the body image experiences of young Australians and get young peoples’ views on what needs to change to create a more BodyKind Australia.

Participants can win one of 20 gift vouchers.

Further information and a link to the survey is available at the button below.
Learn more

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 Carers Week Film and Lunch

To celebrate Carers Week our group is meeting at the Palace Como Cinema, corner of Toorak Road and Chapel Street South Yarra at 9.45am to see the film THELMA which is rated 98% on Tomatometer.

Thelma is a 93-year-old grandmother who tries to recover her money from a phone scammer in LA. Starring June Squibb, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg and more, this film is inspired by a true story and has a Mission: Impossible vibe.

Following the film we will be lunching  at Blossom Thai close to the cinema.

menu all 4 pages

  1. Choose your meal from the attached menu. ISFAF will pay for upto $30 for food. You are welcome to choose more and to pay the extra into an honesty jar in cash on the day.
  2. deposit $12 pensioners, $24 non-pensioners to Westpac ISFAF Community One Account BSB 033-169  A/c No:258307.
  3. make sure your deposit shows your name, email (not text) judi.burstyner@gmail.com   with:
  • proof of booking,
  • names of all the individuals in your booking,
    expect a confirmation via email on Tuesday 22 October. If you don’t receive a confirmation by 8pm please email judi.burstyner@gmail.com urgently as we may not be able to increase our booking beyond Wednesday morning. 

BOOKINGS CLOSE BY 5PM TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2024

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

Inner South Family and Friends Support Group Meeting and Social Activities

ISFAF MONTHLY MEETING  7pm for 7.30pm TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2024

GUEST SPEAKER:  Alice Ryan, Alfred Mental and Addiction Health,  Physical Health Portfolio

 TOPIC:  The Importance of Physical Health in Mental Health and the Opportunities Offered by AMAH

Individuals with mental health issues have been reported to die 25 years earlier than the general community. Much of this can be attributed to poor systemic and physical health. The AMAH Physical Health Portfolio, led by Alice, received Outstanding Team Effort award in recognition of its achievements in physical and mental health at the Equally Well Forum May 2024. Come to learn of innovations, improvements  and other assistance that is available to help your Loved Ones to live fuller, healthier and longer life.

No need to book for our monthly meeting. It’s free and includes a small light supper provided by our committee from 7.05 pm. However, a small contribution is always extremely welcome.

VENUE:      Level Four, 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 on 0425 723 746 or Eleni on 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.

Parliament House, MelbourneOld Treasury Building, Melbourne

WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER:  10.15AM Tour of Old Treasury Building followed by Lunch at Parliament House
Bookings close at noon Thursday 12 September. This deadline is essential for the parliamentary kitchen.

TO BOOK:

  1. deposit donation ($15 / $30 ) to Westpac ISFAF Community One A/CBSB 033-169    A/c No: 258307,
  2. make sure your booking shows your name and the names of others in your booking
  3. email burstyner@gmail.com
  4. Please make sure that your email shows proof of booking and
  • Your menu choices for each of two courses. The menu is attached. Gluten free and vegetarian dishes are marked. Please ignore the prices – these are what ISFAF will pay, but your total cost for two courses including the tour of Old Treasury Building is $15 / $30. Drinks, including tea and coffee can be ordered on the day. These are at additional cost which you will need to settle on the day.
  • the names of those for whom you have booked and each of the two courses they have chosen.

Confirmatory email will be sent by 5pm Saturday 14 September. If you do not receive the confirmatory email but have paid, email judi.burstyner@gmail.com urgently  by 5pm Sunday 15 September.
If you have questions regarding the bookings, please contact Judi directly on 0425 723 746 or judiburstyner@gmail.com 

 

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