CoMHWA

Newsletter

28th March 2017

Phone: (08)9258 8911 Fax: (08)9358 2566 Email: admin@comhwa.org.au

Post: PO Box 176 Cannington WA 6987 Office: 31 Manning Road Cannington WA 6107

Web: www.comhwa.org.au Twitter: @CoMHWA_ Facebook: Consumers of Mental Health WA

LATEST CoMHWA NEWS

Recovery Narrators Wanted! CoMHWA is proud to be a co-sponsor with Curtin University’s Valuing Lived Experience Program to positively influence and educate mental health professionals about personal recovery. We are currently looking for speakers to present their recovery narrative to multi-disciplinary health professionals. Armadale Mental Health Service in partnership with Richmond Wellbeing Partner’s in Recovery Bentley Armadale region are seeking expressions of interest from people with a lived experience of mental health recovery to provide education sessions to Armadale Health Service mental health professionals. Please view the full Expression of Interest form on our website (Peer Workforce Opportunities) for further information including the selection criteria and how to apply. Applications must be received by close of business on Friday 21st April.

Scholarships Available for CoMHWA Training Are you interested in CoMHWA’s Consumer Representative training? Do you want to learn about recovery rights, advocacy, consumer representative roles and committee skills? Do you want to learn how to use your lived experience in mental health to help others and influence systems change and gain a better understanding of the responsibilities of consumer representatives, including the National Mental Health Standards? CoMHWA has a limited number of scholarships available for individuals with a lived experience of mental illness to complete our Consumer Representative training, valued at over $250! Please note; this training will be held in the second half of 2017 with the date yet to be confirmed – register your interest today as places will fill quickly! Please contact Rebecca on 9258 8911 or email admin@comhwa.org.au to express your interest and for further information.

NDIS UPDATES

WA NDIS Information Sessions Do you need more information regarding the WA NDIS? The next round of information sessions are being held in North Metro and South East Metro regions. Click to view the suburbs included in these regions, plus dates, times and locations. You can also RSVP for any sessions via the Eventbrite page, here; https://www.eventbrite.com.au/d/australia--perth/wa-ndis/?mode=search If you need any further information regarding the WA NDIS, please visit their website; http://disability.wa.gov.au/wa-ndis/wa-ndis/what-is-the-wa-ndis/wa-ndis-information-sessions/

WA NDIS Roll-Out Schedule From 1st July 2017, the NDIS will roll out across Western Australia. All eligible people will have access to the Scheme by 2020. The fact sheet outlines when each local government area will commence rolling into the Scheme. Please visit the website to view the fact sheet; http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/Global/Publications/WA%20NDIS/Fact%20Sheets/WA-NDIS-Regions.pdf

Prisoners Excluded from the NDIS

This article written by Jesse Young and Stuart Kinner explores the reasoning behind NDIS excluding their services to people in prison. Visit The Conversation website to read the full article; https://theconversation.com/prisoners-are-excluded-from-the-ndis-heres-why-it-matters-73912

NDIS Housing Rules for People with a Disability Could be Life-Changing

The NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation Rules were tabled in federal parliament in mid-March. The new rules offer the possibility of an inclusive Australian society that enables those people with the highest disability-related support needs to have equal access to mainstream services including housing. The rules and explanatory statement detail the National Disability Insurance Agency’s proposed approach to specialist accommodation. The aim is to offer effective and efficient support for the 6% of NDIS participants identified with the most complex needs. An estimated additional 127,000 NDIS participants will have an unmet need for affordable housing. This is seen as the responsibility of the mainstream housing system. NDIS participants who are deemed eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation now have an opportunity to look beyond traditional disability accommodation. Please visit The Conversation website to read the full article; https://theconversation.com/ndis-housing-rules-for-people-with-a-disability-could-be-life-changing-74692

Life-Saving Support is at Risk for Thousands of Australians

This article by Norman Hermant discusses how Advocates fear as many as 200,000 Australians might lose support in transition to NDIS. How will support be provided when the NDIS is fully rolled out? Read the article on the ABC News site; http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-23/fears-life-saving-mental-health-at-risk-for-australians/8377010

5 Reasons Why WA Should Have a “Real” NDIS

The “No Disadvantage” lobby group have released their five reasons why WA should not have their own NDIS. Headings include:

1. There is no evidence that the WA NDIS is better than the Federal NDIS

2. People with disability and their families will be disadvantaged under the WA NDIS

3. We have no certainty under the WA NDIS

4. Taxpayers will be far worse off under the costly, fiscally irresponsible WA NDIS

5. People with disability have been cut out and left in the dark by those with vested interests

Visit the website to read the full details for each heading; http://nodisadvantage.weebly.com/media-cheat-sheet.html

CONSULTATIONS

Transfolk of WA Parent Peer Support Group Are you a parent of a transgender child or know someone who is? Transfolk of WA hold peer support groups for parents of transgender or gender diverse children. Visit their website for more information and to register your interest in attending; http://www.transfolkofwa.org/parents-family

Youth with Disability Forum Midlas is holding a free forum for youth with disability in order to bring youth with disability together to discuss and collaborate on the big issues and how services and organisations can engage with consumers to lead a better life, plus the value and power of self-advocacy. Please register here by the 3rd April; https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/youth-with-disability-forum-tickets-32221705990 DATE: Thursday 6th April TIME: 5.30pm – 7.30pm PLACE: Midland Town Hall, 312 Great Eastern Highway Midland CONTACT: 9250 2123 or megan.butt@midlas.org.au

National Consultation to Develop a National LGBTIQ Disability Strategy The LGBTI Health Alliance, in partnership with the NDIA, is conducting a nationwide consultation that will contribute to the development of an LGBTIQ Strategy. This Strategy will guide the work of the NDIA in the coming years and help to ensure that LGBTIQ people and communities can access and benefit from the NDIS.

Are you an LGBTIQ person living with disability? Are you the intimate partner/carer for an LGBTIQ person living with disability? Would you like to ensure your lived experience contributes to guiding the work of the NDIA into the future? How to get involved: Step One: Click here to complete the online survey before 31st March; http://lgbtihealth.org.au/lgbtiq-strategy-survey/ Step Two: Share the page with your friends! Step Three: Stay tuned for news of next steps in this consultation process; http://lgbtihealth.org.au/disabilitystrategy/

Research Study on the Association between Gratitude and the Level of Burden Experienced by Mental Health Carers Murdoch University invites you to participate in an online survey examining the relationship between gratitude and the levels of burden experienced by unpaid family or friends who care for people with mental illness. The purpose of this study seeks to establish whether a person’s sense of gratitude may influence the burden caregivers experience when helping people with mental illness manage their daily lives. This is a forerunner to the development of a resource that could be designed to lessen the burden that carers of people with mental illness experience. Please visit the website for further information and to access the survey; hAps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KW7PDNV

Trauma and Hearing Voices Many people who report hearing voices also report having a history of trauma or neglect. It is possible that this trauma may play a significant role in the voice hearing experience, and thus warrant psychological treatment to help resolve such underlying issues. Perth Voices Clinic is now offering a psychological therapy named Imagery Rescripting to people who hear voices and report a history of trauma or neglect. Unlike typical trauma therapies, this intervention helps empower the individual without requiring them to relive the highly distressing elements of traumatic memories. The therapy will be delivered by Dr Georgie Paulik-White, a registered clinical psychologist who has extensive experience delivering and developing psychological therapies for voice hearers. The assessment and therapy will be run over 10, fifty-minute sessions. Please visit their website for further information; www.perthvoicesclinic.com.au

National Mental Health Advocacy Day This week, Mental Health Australia hosted a National Mental Health Advocacy Day at Parliament House in Canberra to meet with key decision makers in government. The Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Health Minister and Shadow minister for Ageing and Mental Health were all present, along with 40 other Senators and MP’s were all in attendance to hear the key messages and solutions going on around the country to help fix mental health. In conclusion, it was agreed that a consensus from the mental health sector would be formulated to provide a focus which can be used to further advocate within specific areas. More information to follow.

Disability Groups Stand Together Against Transport Cuts A diverse partnership of over 25 representative organisations of people with disability, disability advocacy organisations, disability services and disability peak bodies have come together to call on Federal Senators to block the Mobility Allowance Bill that is currently before the Senate.

If passed, this Bill will; reduce transport support for people with disability; Increase social isolation and reduce the ability for people with disability to contribute to the community; Create further barriers to economic participation for people with disability, at a time when there are increasing obligations upon them to find and keep work; Exacerbate the already considerable costs involved for people with disability entering or re-entering the workforce. These additional costs can outweigh the economic benefits of having a job, and be a disincentive to looking for work.

Please visit the website to read the full statement from People with Disabilities Australia;

http://pwd.org.au/en/admin/mobility-allowance-cuts.html

Intensive and Secondary Family Support and Family Care Support These services are part of the Building Safe and Strong Families: Earlier Intervention and Family Support Strategy and Building a Better Future Out-of-Home-Care Reform in Western Australia which outlines our continued focus to safely reduce the need for children to enter out of home care.

Aims include:

Provide educational and skill development services to parents and families to support children to remain safely in their home and/or to support the transition of children back home with their parents.

Support, sustain and maintain family care arrangements for children and young people in the care of the CEO.

The Department for Child Protection and Family Support invites you to attend the Family Support Network Service Model Consultations: North Metro DATE: Tuesday 11th April TIME: 9.30am – 12.30pm PLACE: Department for Child Protection and Family Support; Seminar Room 189 Royal Street East Perth RSVP: Strategyandreform@cpfs.wa.gov.au or 9222 2786 South Metro DATE: Tuesday 4th April TIME: 9.30am – 12.30pm PLACE: The Champion Centre, 76 Champion Drive Seville Grove RSVP: Strategyandreform@cpfs.wa.gov.au or 9222 2786

EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

WRAP – Wellness Recovery Action Plan Do you experience anxiety, depression or any other mental health difficulties? Would you like to learn simple skills and strategies to improve your mental health and wellbeing? This edition of WRAP courses is FREE to City of Joondalup residents and only $50 for non-residents. START DATE: Monday 24th April RUNS FOR: 6 consecutive weeks TIME: 10.30am – 1.30pm PLACE: Bramston Park Centre, 5 Mattingleys Approach, Burns Beach RSVP: wrap@ruah.com.au

Recovery Connections and True Blue Peer Support Groups Do you need to build on your wellbeing toolkit? Do you need strategies to stress less and stay positive? If you answered yes, then maybe one of our Peer Support Groups are for you. Our current groups run in Midland and Leederville on a fortnightly basis and are facilitated by people with a lived experience of mental health and recovery. For more information, please visit our website; www.comhwa.org.au/consumer_voice/peer-support Share with your friends and family who may be in need of some peer support!

SafeTalk – Become Suicide Aware This evidence-based workshop prepares people to become a suicide-alert helper and connect people with life-saving intervention resources. It is suitable for community members/parents and people working in Health, Mental Health, Community Services, Education and Peer Support who wish to learn how to notice that someone may be thinking about suicide, how to respond to this and how to connect them to supports for safety. DATE: Monday 8th May TIME: 6pm – 9pm PLACE: The Borromean Centre, Maylands COST: $149 +GST BOOK: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/safetalk-suicide-awareness-training-connection-and-wellbeing-australia-cawa-tickets-32682021807 ENQUIRIES: admin@connectionandwellbeing.com.au

Suicide to Hope: A Recovery and Growth Workshop

This is a one-day workshop primarily designed for clinicians and other professional helpers who work with persons previously at risk of and currently safe from suicide. It provides tools to help these professionals and persons with experiences of suicide to work together to develop achievable and significant recovery and growth goals. DATE: Friday 16th June TIME: 9am – 5pm PLACE: 22 Flinders Lane, Rockingham COST: subsidised by the MHC (valued at $350) RSVP: to Joyce Vidot on 9237 8900 or joyce.vidot@mifwa.org.au

Art for Hope, presented by Sands WA

Sands WA is a support group for those dealing with miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support. Please join them for the exhibition opening night (or general viewing thereafter) in Kalamunda. Part proceeds of sales goes back to Sands WA to enable them to continue the great work they do. OPENING: Friday 5th May at 6.30pm EXHIBITON: Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th May, 10am – 4pm PLACE: Hayward Studio, 96 Cotherstone Road Kalamunda COST: FREE

Lorikeet Centre’s Open Your Mind Poetry Competition This year the poetry theme for Schizophrenia Awareness Week (SAW) 14th-21st May is the value of community and inclusion as a foundation for recovery. How has community and inclusion helped you as an individual with your journey to recovery? Write a poem about any of the following headings; Community, Inclusion or Recovery. Entrants must have a lived experience of mental illness. DELIVER TO: 104 Cambridge Street, West Leederville 6007 SEND TO: PO Box 1006, West Leederville 6901 EMAIL TO: ernie.hansen@mifwa.org.au CLOSING: Friday 12th May Poets may read their poems on the Lorikeet Open Day - Friday 19th May, 10am-3pm, held at the Lorikeet Centre; 104 Cambridge Street West Leederville.

Paper Bag Lunch Series – Physiotherapy and Women’s Health Midland Women’s Health Care Place invite you to their Paper Bag Lunch Series, this week with the topic of Physiotherapy and Women’s Health. Learn about the role of breathing, muscle rehab, anxiety, pain and stress management to achieve continence and wellbeing. Guest speaker – Fran Wastell. DATE: Friday 31st March TIME: 12pm – 1pm PLACE: 4 The Avenue, Midland RSVP: 9250 2221 or info@mwhcp.org.au COST: FREE

Providing Quality Support in a Changing Environment – Regional Workshops This workshop is for people who provide support; support workers, coordinators, managers and local coordinators. This workshop will help you understand and develop skills in; the elements of self-direction and how you can facilitate these; robustly supporting the person’s decision making; person-centred practice and how it’s foundational to self-direction and how all this relates to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. For further information please contact Mary on 9485 1997 or m.butterworth@waindividualisedservices.org.au Port Hedland 16th – 17th May Broome 30th – 31st May Geraldton 13th – 14th June Albany 27th – 28th June

In Focus 2017 DADAA presents In Focus 2017 – an exhibition of work created by students over the past year. DADAA provides access to arts and culture for people with a disability or lived experience of mental illness. OPENING NIGHT: Thursday 6th April at 5pm GALLERY TIMES: Mon-Fri, 11am – 3pm (open until 13th April) PLACE: Midland Junction Arts Centre, 276 Great Eastern Highway, Midland RSVP: 9250 7633 or focus@dadaa.org.au

Telling Our Stories Women with Disabilities WA invites you to the ‘Telling Our Stories’ exhibition - an exhibition with a difference. Telling Our Stories showcases the past, present and future experiences of women with disabilities. Auslan interpreters will be available and WWDWA can arrange transport for women with disabilities to attend. OPENING NIGHT: Tuesday 28th March at 6pm GALLERY TIMES: 28th March – 4th April PLACE: Kidogo Arthouse, Bathers Beach, Mews Road Fremantle CONTACT: Rayna on 9244 7463 for further information and assistance.

Creative Arts Approach to Narrative Work Working to Recovery Australasia presents a one-day workshop on how to find the story when words won’t work. This workshop is suitable for consumers and workers to practice fun and insightful creative arts approaches that may be useful to include in the toolbox of life! Join us for a day of exploration, fun and surprises. No art skills are required to join this workshop! Contact Karen on the details below for further information. DATE: Friday 12th May PLACE: A Place To Be, 4 Preston Point Road, East Fremantle COST: $200 or $125 concession RSVP: karentaylorwtr@gmail.com or workingtorecoveryaus.com.au PHONE: 0406 416 621

WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES

Rockingham Peel Group (RKPG) Mental Health Service

Expressions of Interest for Consumer (client/patient) Representatives

Are you passionate about improving mental health services in your area? Would you like to represent the views of consumers at a service planning level? RKPG Mental Health Service values the opinion of the community and strives to provide the best service possible to our clients and their families. We provide services to people in both community and hospital settings. RKPG Mental Health Service is looking for people with a lived experience as a consumer of mental illness on a number of committees. There are currently 7 positions available within the Consumer Advisory Group. A pool of suitable applicants will then be selected for Current and future vacancies. Training and ongoing local support will be provided. Committee positions are voluntary, but reimbursement of costs is offered.

To apply please send a cover letter, including details of your skills, and lived experience in mental health to: Email michelle.sadlier@health.wa.gov.au Post Michelle Sadlier

Peel and Rockingham Kwinana Mental Health Service P.O. Box 288 Rockingham WA 6968

Applications close 28th April 2017.

Borderline Personality Disorder Model of Support Lifeline WA is looking for people with a lived experience of Borderline Personality Disorder to co-design a model of support. Ellie Carr is a mental health nurse has extensive experience in the UK as well as here in WA assisting people with BPD in their recovery journey. Ellie is looking at the week starting the 24th April to discuss with people a model of support that she has started drafting. If you are interested, contact Ellie Carr at EllieCarr@lifelinewa.org.au or 9261 4453 for time, venue and further information.

Carer Peer Worker with Outcare Outcare is seeking a Carer Peer Worker. The role is for 10 hours per week but is flexible over the fortnight in terms of hours, with an hourly rate of $40. This role will require you to; support clients carer’s to identify short and long term goals; utilise principles of recovery orientated practice support and assist clients to develop skills and encourage positive relationships and support networks through role modelling, peer support and implementation of peer support programs; establish community partnerships and work collaboratively with key stakeholders for the purpose of group program planning and service delivery; and support Outcare’s Mental Health teams (initially) in program planning and support services to clients/carer’s. Visit our website to view the full application including selection criteria, plus how to apply (Peer Workforce Opportunities). Please contact Bridget Harvey for more information on 6263 8693. Applications close on 2nd April 2017.

OF INTEREST

MyTherapy: App and Blog MyTherapy is a UK-based organisation whose mission is to simplify treatment plans (no matter the complexity) and to make it possible for you to take control of your own health. When faced with mental health, knowing what you can do and where to find help is important. Many people discuss the benefits of such things as fitness and support, though, a topic that’s relatively new is digital health. With young adults averaging five hours a day on their smartphones, why not integrate this technology into another level of support for therapy?

MyTherapy (FREE on iOS and Android) has done just that – check out their website to find out more information on this great app; www.mytherapyapp.com

MyTherapy have also created an infographic labelled “Understand and Overcome Depression in the UK” with an aim to destigmatize mental health, outline the facts and provide information on where people can find support. You can take a look, plus read their latest blogs here; https://www.mytherapyapp.com/blog/overcome-depression-uk-infographic-2017 Please note: The helplines listed are UK-based. If you are struggling and need someone to talk to, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Talking about Trauma Can be Challenging This month Blue Knot Foundation released a publication called: “Talking About Trauma, Guide to Everyday Conversations About Trauma.” Written by Blue Knot Foundation President Dr Cathy Kezelman AM and Head of Research Pam Stavropoulos PhD. It is the first of a ‘Talking about Trauma’ series which will include publications for different audiences. The guide includes vital information for having effective everyday conversations and providing sensitive social support to those affected by trauma. For further information please read Blue Knot Foundation’s latest newsletter, here; http://www.blueknot.org.au/ABOUT-US/Our-Documents/Newsletters/Breaking-Free/CurrentNewsletter#Article5

Self-Care Resources from Blue Knot Foundation The Blue Knot Foundation has a number of resources collected by their counselling team. This month’s newsletter features; All in the Mind – Dissociation and Coping with Trauma (Podcast) http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/dissociation-and-coping-with-trauma/8290294 Dissociative identity disorder is a condition which can develop as a protective mechanism against trauma, and we hear the compelling account of a woman who, after a childhood of family abuse, lived with identities too numerous to count—and how she eventually became integrated.

8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery – Take Charge Strategies to Empower Your Healing (Book) by Babette Rothschild, 2010

The 8 Keys To Safe Trauma Recovery is a very practical book, filled with common sense ideas steeped in clinically proven methods. Rothschild's approach is very much "try it and see if it works - if it doesn't then stop!” It isn't dogmatic or prescriptive, which is important for trauma recovery self-help ideas. This is brief book and therefore accessible to a wide audience. The book directly targets safe, successful recovery in a way that compels and convinces the reader to give her ‘keys’ a try.

A Colouring Book of Healing Imaging for Adults Survivors of Child Abuse (Book) http://colortoheal.com/ This book was created to help bring healing to anyone who was abused as a child. The authors hope that the messages and images will promote and encourage healing. They provide ideas, directions, and inspiration to help readers pave a personal healing path – this is a hopeful, fun colouring- in book.

WA No Interest Loan Scheme (WA NILs) WA NILs recently relaunched their website and online loans application platform. This new website and loans platform has been designed as a mobile device friendly site which is hoped will create greater access to NILS Loans from all members of the community. Visit the new website for more information; www.wanils.com.au

World Health Day – 7th April There are many reasons why we need to take depression seriously: it is the largest cause of disability worldwide; the economic costs are staggering; and the treatment gap is much, much higher than it should be. Perhaps the most compelling reason, however, is the immense suffering that depression causes to the individuals who are affected and to their families. It is for all these reasons that this year’s World Health Day, on 7th April, is dedicated to depression. You can follow the social media campaign on the World Health Organisation’s Twitter https://twitter.com/WHO or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WHO/ and by using the hashtag #LetsTalk when posting your own content.

WA Electoral Commission Thanks You for the Support with iVote At the recent WA State Election, the WA Electoral Commission introduced technology assisted voting (online and IVR phone) for eligible electors for the first time. The Commission introduced iVote so that eligible electors could cast their vote unassisted and in secret from home or wherever they are comfortable. The iVote system, introduced for the first time in WA, proved highly successful with a greater than expected take-up response by eligible electors using iVote. All iVotes cast were successfully processed and all iVotes were included into the election count. The Commission greatly appreciates the endorsement, advocate support and consultation provided by the many WA Disability support groups and representative bodies. Without this support and the creation of an effective iVote awareness campaign, the iVote project would not have been a success. If you would like to provide iVote feedback, please feel free to forward any comments to: WAEC Election Feedback: feedback@waec.wa.gov.au

Mental Health Taskforce Announced to Review Major Services The government will announce a new mental health taskforce to undertake a major review of its primary health networks across the country, in a bid to better target services for all Australians. Health Minister Greg Hunt will today establish the mental health advisory group, to be co-chaired by Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan and National Mental Health Commission CEO Peggy Brown, following the Mental Health Advocacy Day at Parliament House earlier this week which advocated for policy changes. Called the Primary Health Network Advisory Panel on Mental Health, it will for the first time look at how the government’s 31 PHNs are commissioning and planning mental health services, more than two years after they were rolled out and replaced Labor’s Medicare Local system. Please click here to read the full article written by Rosie Lewis; http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/mental-health-taskforce-announced-in-major-review-of-services/news-story/0a20346641707b2af0edd150fcea1580

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