Noticeboard - General PPEI
The latest news in the area of promotion, prevention and early intervention for mental health. Additional news relevant to Consumers and Carers is available here.
A complete list of items for this year is available here. Older noticeboard items from last year are still available for your perusal.
| 2008/7/1 |
Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships.
The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) is pleased to announce the third round of Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships. The Scholarships are open to Alcohol and Other Drug and Mental Health workers employed in non-government organisations. The initiative aims to enhance workers professional skills and knowledge across the comorbidities of AOD and Mental Health by providing funding to support eligible workers to undertake relevant professional development and/or training.
Application details, guidelines and related information can be found at: NCETA webpage.
| 2008/7/1 |
National Child Protection Week
NAPCAN (the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) are part of a national social change campaign – to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect. NAPCAN’s 'Children See, Children Do' advertisement presents a strong message that we all carry this responsibility. If you would like to download this advertisement or receive an information kit for Child Protection Week (7-13 September) go to Children See, Children Do website.
| 2008/6/26 |
Latest suicide statistics: updated overview available
Auseinet has updated its information paper "Australian Suicide Statistics 2006 - Key Findings", based on data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in March 2008. The paper provides a summary which highlights the levels of, and trends in, suicide in Australia.
To access the paper go to the Suicide Prevention Statistics page of the Auseinet website.
| 2008/6/17 |
Evaluation of mental health first aid educational materials
The University of Melbourne, with the support of an Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, will be evaluating the impact of mental health first aid educational materials on participant's knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards people with mental health problems. They are looking to recruit between 300 - 500 adult members of the general public (18 years and over) who have access to a computer with a CD drive and the internet. Participants will be randomly assigned into one of the following groups: 1) receive an e-learning CD-ROM; 2) receive a hard-copy manual or 3) be added to a waiting list to receive educational materials.
Paticipants will be asked to fill in three online surveys over a seven month period. For more information email Julie-Anne Fischer at ORYGEN Research Centre (ph: 03 9342 3768 or mob: 0401 772 648).
| 2008/6/17 |
Investigating the effects of social exclusion: research participants wanted
An MPsych/PhD student is currently investigating the nature and experience of social exclusion. As part of this research, she has set up an online questionnaire (until 31st of October) to investigate the consequences individuals may experience when they are socially excluded. This research aims to assess the adverse consequences (such as suicide and aggression) of low levels of belonging on an individual and subsequently highlight areas where intervention and support would be useful for the individual's psychological well-being.
For more information go to Investigating the Effects of Social Exclusion.
| 2008/6/17 |
Developing a men's health policy for Australia: setting the scene
The Rudd Government is about to start developing Australia's first ever National Men's Health Policy - in recognition of the fact that men often have poorer health than women, are likely to die earlier, and are at greater risk of suicide.
Over the next twelve months, the Government will be developing a comprehensive policy: they want to know what men consider to be the priorities for their health, and how to build up the evidence base in this area, including opportunities for research over the long term. Consultations will be held throughout Australia, including a forum to be held in Canberra towards the end of 2008.
More information can be found on the National Men's Health Policy page of the Department of Health and Ageing website.
| 2008/5/26 |
'From Margins to Mainstream' conference: early bird registration date extended
Due to the large number of abstracts received for the 'Margins to Mainstream: 5th World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders', organisers have had to delay notification of presenters by a fortnight. Because of this, 'early bird' registrations will now close on 16 June 2008.
For more information go to Margins to Mainstream conference website.
| 2008/5/23 |
'Which way home? A new approach to homelessness': green paper and public discussions.
The 'Which way home?' Green Paper aims to promote public discussion on homelessness, highlight the challenges faced by people who are homeless and suggest ways forward.
The Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek invites your participation in the public discussion on homelessness. Your contribution will inform the development of the White Paper to be released in September 2008. The White Paper will set out the Government's plan of action for the next 10 years.
For more information about the paper, public forums and submissions: go to FaHCSIA webpage.
| 2008/5/21 |
Australian Rotary Health Research Fund: mental health research grants
The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF) invites applications from individuals or research teams for grants in support of research projects. Extra funding for carer support services The Australian Government is providing certainty and extra funding for carer organisations through $6.9 million in national one-off grants for community-based respite and carer support services through the National Respite for Carers Program and Commonwealth Carelink Program. one-off grants will be distributed through the National Respite for Carers Program and Commonwealth Carelink Program.
Closing date for all applications is Friday, 8 August, 2008. Application forms can be downloaded from
2008/5/21
It is estimated that nearly 130,000 carers use the National Respite for Carers Program and Commonwealth Carelink Programs a year - accessing respite care, counselling, carer information and support services and planning.
To view the full media release click here.
| 2008/5/20 |
Inquiry into better support for carers
The Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth will conduct an inquiry to determine how to better meet the needs of carers.
In announcing the inquiry Committee Chair Annette Ellis said "Carers are often the hidden and unsung heroes who tirelessly look after family members and friends who cannot look after themselves. The demands placed on these carers often mean that they are exhausted, socially isolated and under extreme financial pressure. Not surprisingly, carers have been found to have significantly worse physical health and psychological wellbeing than the general population."
The Committee embraces this opportunity to hear first-hand through a formal inquiry from carers about their day-to-day experiences and to learn more about the social, economic and physical costs of being a carer. Interested persons and organisations are invited to make submissions addressing the terms of reference by Friday 4 July 2008. For more information click here.
| 2008/5/20 |
Recovery: multicultural story project
The NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC) is collecting personal recovery stories from people from people of CALD backgrounds who have a mental illness. The TMHC plans to produce a book from this collection to be launched during Multicultural Health Week in July. If you have a story that you would like to share with this project please contact 02 9840 3800.
| 2008/5/14 |
Positive psychology and adolescent well-being study seeking research participants
A new Monash University research study on positive psychology and adolescent well-being is looking for participants aged 12 to 17.
The purpose of this study is to identify characteristics that are present in adolescents with high well-being. The information gained from this study will be used to develop a psychological program or intervention that will aim to help other adolescents improve their well-being and mental health.
Participation would involve completing a set of questionnaires. A small number of participants will be invited to participate in either focus groups or phone interviews. For more information contact:
Jacolyn Norrish or Dr Dianne Vella-Brodrick.
| 2008/5/5 |
Raising awareness and recognition for people with biploar disorder: online survey
This international survey for people with bipolar aims to gain a patient perspective (rather than clinical) on important issues. The survey is being conducted by PatientView, in association with the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) and GAMIAN-Europe, as well as the European family and carer federation, EUFAMI. The survey is part of a new project to create a global website for people living with bipolar depression, designed by people with bipolar themselves.
The brief survey is due to close on Monday 30th June 2008 and is available from online bipolar survey.
| 2008/4/16 |
Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) Carers Engagement Project
MHCA is currently organising and delivering a series of nationwide workshops that will provide opportunities for family members and carers of a person with a mental illness to further develop their coping and management skills.
There will be specific workshops for carers who are Indigenous, from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, and young carers.
Mental health carers will not only have the opportunity to share and learn but also provide the MHCA with information of relevance to advance the issue and needs of mental health carers in Australia at the national level. For more information about the workshops and where they will be held go to Mental Health Council of Australia website.
| 2008/4/9 |
The Oasis: Australia's homeless youth
Documentary about the daily chaos and drama of a group of homeless kids at Oasis youth refuge, followed by a panel discussion hosted by Lateline's Tony Jones about this complex issue.
The documentary and panel discussion turn the spotlight on disadvantaged teenagers through their challenges with drug addiction, mental illness, criminal convictions, domestic abuse and teenage pregnancy.
Screening on ABC TV on 8:30pm Thursday, 10 Apr 2008. For links to reports and additional information go to Oasis website
| 2008/4/7 |
Carers research project
A clinical psychology PhD student at the University of Wollongong is undertaking research with families or people who care for someone with a serious mental illness:"Paving the way: can identity, relationships & perceived control help map the caregiving journey?"
If you are a carer or relative (sibling, partner, parent, adult child or friend), are 18 years or older and would like to paricipate, please phone 0404 159 379, or email Cathy Bentley.