Noticeboard - General PPEI
The latest news in the area of promotion, prevention and early intervention for mental health.
A complete list of items for this year is available here. Older noticeboard items from last year are still available for your perusal.
| 2009/6/30 |
Fathers' alcohol use and substance use among adolescents
Alcohol dependence or abuse - and even moderate alcohol use - among fathers living with adolescents (youths aged 12 to 17) may increase the risk of substance use among those children. (U.S.) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
| 2009/6/30 |
Young minds: online training in treating depression and anxiety in young people
beyondblue, the national depression initiative, has partnered with the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) to develop an online interactive training program in the identification, diagnosis and treatment of high prevalence mental health disorders commonly occurring in young people between the ages of 12 and 24. The training package is free and aimed at GPs, Practice Nurses, allied health and primary care workers who have an interest in youth mental health prevention and early intervention. Registration details
| 2009/6/25 |
Community engagement and social connection programs for young Indigenous people
To supplement the two recents reports, 'Keeping up' and 'How young Indigenous people are faring', the Dusseldorf Skills Forum has compiled a list of good practice examples. With high attendance rates and strong community connection and support, these programs are offering educational pathways and social connectedness to disenfranchised young people. To view the programs go to Dusseldorp Skills Forum.
| 2009/6/23 |
New funding for Raising Children teen years
The Raising Children Network has been granted $4.3 million by the Australian Government to include parenting information on pre-teen and teenage years. Announced by the Minister for Families, Housing, Communities and Indigenous Affairs, the funding will support the development of innovative visual-based and interactive information resources. Parenting Research Centre
| 2009/6/23 |
New intervention strategy to target underage drinkers In Victoria
As part of the $53.5 million National Binge Drinking Strategy announced last year, the Australian Government has signed a funding agreement with the Victorian Government to operate a pilot program in the City of Wyndham to teach young people about the risks associated with underage drinking. Press release
| 2009/6/23 |
Internet tool box for rural GPs to access mental health services information
Rural GPs play a significant role in the mental health care of their patients... This article outlines a recent project initiated by the Australian rural Ballarat and District Division of General Practice (BDDGP) to develop and implement an online resource to facilitate local implementation and delivery of the 'Better Access to Mental Health Care' (BAMHC) program. Rural and Remote Health
| 2009/6/11 |
More us than them: positive depictions of mental illness on Australian television news
'The aim of this study was to review television news coverage of mental illness including self-depictions from people with mental illness, and views expressed by mental health experts and politicians in all 538 news and current affairs items related to mental illness broadcast on free-to-air Sydney television, May 2005-October 2007' for stigma bias. Informa
| 2009/6/9 |
Historic mental health legislation passes Parliament
A brief review of the changes included in the South Australian legislation to overhaul the State's mental health system. Funding of $250 million has been approved for mental health reforms. The legislative reform is in line with recommendations from the Social Inclusion Board's 'Stepping Up' report to provide better treatment and support for South Australians with a mental illness. It will transform the way in which people with mental illness will access treatment. Press Release
| 2009/6/9 |
$16.7 million for mental health respite and carer support services
The Australian Government is providing an additional $16.7 million over three years for community mental health carer respite and increased family support services for people with a mental illness. Sixteen National Respite Development Fund (NRDF) organisations across Australia will receive new funding to help develop and deliver coordinated, flexible and responsive respite, carer and family support services for people with a mental illness. This funding will contribute to addressing unmet demand for respite and support services for carers of people with a mental illness in targeted areas of high need and for vulnerable groups, including Indigenous Australians. Press release
| 2009/6/9 |
Neuroscience, molecular biology, and the childhood roots of health disparities
'From both basic research and policy perspectives, confronting the origins of disparities in physical and mental health early in life may produce greater effects than attempting to modify health-related behaviors or improve access to health care in adulthood.' JAMA
| 2009/6/9 |
Prevention of depression in at-risk adolescents
'Adolescent offspring of depressed parents are at markedly increased risk of developing depressive disorders.... The CB prevention program had a significant prevention effect through the 9-month follow-up period based on both clinical diagnoses and self-reported depressive symptoms, but this effect was not evident for adolescents with a currently depressed parent.' JAMA
| 2009/6/2 |
Health Workforce Australia Bill 2009 - second reading speech
'HWA will be established as a statutory authority under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. It will be governed by a board comprising a nominee from each state and territory and an independent chair and may also include up to three other members selected by health ministers. A chief executive officer will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of Health Workforce Australia, and expert committees and consultants will be engaged to assist with functions as required.
... The bill is required to establish Health Workforce Australia by July 2009 to ensure it is operational within the time frames agreed to in the COAG national partnership agreement.' (- p.2) Hansard
| 2009/6/2 |
Understanding the therapeutic process of mother-infant psychotherapy
Postpartum depression has been documented to have detrimental effects on infants and the mother-infant relationship. In a focus group study to evaluate the effectiveness of an agency-based mother-infant treatment program, nine experienced therapists talked about their practices. Their findings 'Mother-Infant Psychotherapy: Examining the Therapeutic Process of Change,' are published in 'Infant Mental Health Journal'. Mental Health Foundation
| 2009/6/2 |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation Workshops
May to December 2009. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation Development Team is working with the Government to consult with key organisations and individuals as well as conduct community workshops across Australia to listen to community ideas for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation. The Development Team Terms of Reference and Membership are available on the Development Team's website as is a draft schedule of workshop dates and a Discussion Paper prepared by the Development Team.
| 2009/5/26 |
Closing the Gap - Indigenous Healing Foundation
Press Release from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. The Australian Government will provide $26.6 million over four years for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation. The Foundation will target the need for healing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with a strong focus on the unique needs of Stolen Generations. The Foundation will have the capacity to provide grants for healing programs; build the evidence base through research and evaluation for effective prevention, treatment and aftercare initiatives which address healing; and provide education and promotion of healing practices with communities and providers. Press release
| 2009/5/21 |
South Australian Mental Health Sharing Excellence 2009
June 17th 2009, Lakes Resort, West Lakes. The Statewide Clinical Network Steering Committee and the Department of Health's Mental Health Unit are hosting a day of sharing excellence in mental health throughout South Australia. It will provide an opportunity for staff, consumers, carers and non-government organisations to share their success, new initiatives, research or challenges for people with a mental illness. Phone 0447 426 006 or email Darryl Branford
| 2009/5/14 |
Bullied Kids More Likely to Become Psychotic Preteens
By Janis Kelly, in Medscape Medical News. Results of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) on adolescents. 'Investigators at the University of Warwick, in Coventry, the United Kingdom, found the risk for psychotic symptoms nearly doubled among children who were victims of bullying at age 8 or 10 years, independent of other psychiatric illness, family adversity, or the child's IQ, and increased nearly 4-fold when victimization was chronic or severe.' Medscape Medical News
| 2009/5/5 |
Foundations
Wollongong, NSW. Thursdays 14th and 21st May, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm. A free 2-day education program for family members and friends of people with mental health problems. The course provides information and skills to assist in helping young people in mental health crisis situations and / or the early stages of mental health problems. Run in partnership by Carers NSW Family and Carer Mental Health Program and Area Health. For further information please call 4285 0155 or 0488 770 127 or email Erika Day
| 2009/4/30 |
Reducing Suicide in Men through General Practice
Dr Grant Blashki of The University of Melbourne has developed a training program for GPs called Reducing Suicide in Men through General Practice. The training was delivered to 93 GPs and 13 agreed to be videotaped in simulated consultations. That group, compared to a control group, showed overall improvement in their attitude to the management of suicide risk. The training materials include a DVD, a resource pack and a CD-Rom. The DVD is available to health practitioners by emailing Grant Blashki.
(source: beyondblue update Autumn 2009)
| 2009/4/30 |
National survivors of suicide day
On Saturday, November 21, 2009, simultaneous conferences for survivors of suicide loss will take place throughout the U.S. and internationally. This unique network of healing conferences, along with an online broadcast, helps survivors connect with others who have survived the tragedy of suicide loss, and express and understand the powerful emotions they experience. National Survivors of Suicide Day
| 2009/4/15 |
Mental health promotion tools: database and field trials
The ProMenPol project (based in Europe) sets out to identify useful and practical approaches to the promotion and protection of mental health amongst a wide diversity of theories, models and methods. The project is currently developing an online database of mental health promotion tools and is seeking organisations willing to carry out field trials.
The trials will involve testing health promotion tools from the database against activities and documenting the toolset's utility, functionality and practicality. Or the organisation may wish to report on a tool already in use in the course of an existing initiative.
Although ProMenPol is European based they have stated that Australian knowledge and experiences would be very welcome. For more information go to ProMenPol field trials page.
| 2009/4/8 |
Loss and grief: combined resources
Australia is going through a period of some turmoil, with bushfires, droughts, floods, economic uncertainty and the real prospect of job losses. Eight of Australia's helpline support service providers and peak bodies concerned with mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention have joined forces to issue a consensus statement.
The statement urges all those touched by the range of natural and economic disasters to realise that help is available. The group is also encouraging the media to place the most appropriate agencies for referral at the end of their stories, to assist the public in finding the most relevant help fast.
For more information and links go to SANE website Joint statement on loss.