Tandem eNews 19 November 2021

November 19th 2021

Dear members and supporters, We’ve been receiving some really exciting nominations for the Tandem Awards this year.

We’ve decided to extend the deadline for nominations until 5pm next Thursday 25 November.

This is the absolute latest date that we can extend nominations until, so do all you can to get your nominations in!

If you work in mental health or with NDIS participants, we’ve also updated our Tandem Awards poster with the new date, so please print it and put it up in your workplace if you can.

If you know someone who may want to nominate but isn’t yet a Tandem member, forward them your copy of eNews!
To nominate, simply download the nomination form from our website, complete it and return it to info@tandemcarers.org.au before 5pm on Thursday.

We encourage you to nominate those who have made an exceptional contribution in the areas of NDIS support, working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people over 65 years of age, LGBTIAQ+ people, multicultural communities, children and young people, and in regional areas.

Nominations must be received before 5pm on Thursday November 2021.

In this eNews edition

  • Introduction: Tandem Awards deadline extended!
  • Do you support a young person who has stayed in (or tried to access) a Youth PARC service?
  • November Tandem Time our last for 2021
  • Place-based consultations for the first six Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services
  • The Victorian Government’s roadmap for the next 18 months of mental health reforms
  • Food support during lockdown
  • Tandem Support & Referral Line
  • Other Mental Health Helplines and Webchats
  • Join the Tandem Family

Do you support a young person who has stayed in (or tried to access) a Youth PARC service?

We are looking for family members who have supported a 16-25 year old who has been admitted into one of Victoria’s three Youth Prevention and Recovery Care Services (YPARCS) to join the Participation Register.

The Department of Health is seeking to engage with families to develop a new statewide model of care for YPARCS. Participants will be invited to take part in an online focus group, and will be paid for their time.

A YPARCS for young people aged from 16-25 is being established in every region of the state as part of one of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. As part of recommendation 21, ‘Redesigning bed-based services for young people’, these must be “supported through a common and consistent model of care.”

Register or find out more at mhcregister@tandemcarers.org.au

November Tandem Time our last for 2021

Our last Tandem Time for 2021 is planned for Thursday 25 November 10am -11am. 

  • Day: Thursday 25 November
  • Time: 10am-11am
  • Where: online via Zoom.

Our guest speaker will be Robyn Aitken, Family Relationships Support for Carers program coordinator at EACH.

Place-based consultations for the first six Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

The first six Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services (Local Services) recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System will open by the end of next year in Benalla, Brimbank, Frankston, Greater Geelong, Latrobe Valley and Whittlesea.

People and services in these communities are now invited to register to participate in place-based engagement forums to provide input on how to make each of the Local Services relevant to their local community.

Place based consultations will be facilitated by Capire Consulting and take place via Zoom at the following times and dates:

  • Benalla (including Wangaratta and Mansfield Shire): 22 November 2021 3-5.30 pm
  • Greater Geelong and borough of Queenscliffe: 23 November 2021 3-5.30 pm
  • Latrobe Valley: 24 November 2021 10am-12.30 pm
  • Frankston: 24 November 2021 3-5.30 pm
  • Brimbank: 25 November 2021 10am-12.30 pm
  • Whittlesea: 25 November 2021 3-5.30 pm

Please register via the Local Services Engage Victoria website.

The Victorian Government releases its roadmap for the next 18 months of mental health reforms

To help Victorians learn more about mental health reforms and how they will be delivered, the Department of Health’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Division has produced a digital publication called Mental Health and Wellbeing in Victoria: Our priorities and progress in system reform and delivery.

This document provides an overview of the initial priorities that will be addressed over the next 12 to 18 months, and includes a summary of what has been delivered so far.

It provides a roadmap of how the Victorian Government is approaching reforms and how Victorians will be engaged in the design, development and delivery of the new mental health and wellbeing system.

It also includes details of some upcoming opportunities for Victorians to contribute to the design and delivery of the new system.

Food support during lockdown
If you or your family need food support, there are over 700 organisations across Victoria who are providing food relief and other support.

Find one near you at askizzy.org.au.

Tandem Support and Referral LineCall Tandem on our FREE Support and Referral Line at 1800 314 325 on Mondays-Fridays between 9am-5pm. We offer free interpreting through the Language Loop telephone translation service.Tandem can support you with:

  • Navigating the mental health system
  • Individual advocacy with the mental health system
  • Accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
  • Someone to talk to who cares and understands

Please leave us a telephone message or send us an email with:

    • Your name
    • Your mobile phone number
    • How we can support you
Your story is powerful. Join Tandem’s community of family and friends to advocate for a safe, inclusive, fair and funded mental health system in Victoria.