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MMHA project wins National Community Quality Use of Medicines Award: Multicultural Mental Health Australia's No more 'mualagh' project has won the Community Category at the 2006 National QUM Awards...
$10 000 for Mental Health & Neuroscience Research: The Jamie Callachor Eureka Prize for Medical Research, sponsored by the New South Wales Ministry for Science and Medical Research, is now open.
Senate Select Committee on Mental Health release report: The Senate Select Committee delivered its first report on Thursday 30 March 2006 regarding the state of Australia's mental health system.
Federal Government commits $1.8 Billion to mental health services: The Federal Government have unveiled a $1.8 Billion funding boost to mental health services to help address several major gaps.
Mental health therapist appointed to SA town: For the first time, a permanent mental health therapist will be based on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara lands in South Australia's far north.
Community outrage shelves mental health facility: The Mental Health Council says community concern about the location of a care facility, in the Perth suburb of Mount Hawthorn, is unfounded.
Exercise-mental health link probed: Researchers at the Menzies Institute in Hobart, Tasmania, are exploring links between physical activity and emotional wellbeing.
States' cooperation needed to fix mental health, says PM: The Prime Minister is hoping for more cooperation from the states to fix what he calls "ridiculous" blockages in mental health services.
Stanhope urged to speak out in support of mental health services: ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey has called for Chief Minister Jon Stanhope to make a stand in support of mental health services ahead of tomorrow's Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting.
National Mental Health Plan welcomed: The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Christopher Pyne, welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement at the Council of Australian Governments today of a major new focus on Mental Health.
Mental Health Plan a great opportunity, but we must not blow it: HISTORIC opportunities, by definition, don't come around very often. But one is in front of us now. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting last week gives us an opportunity to fix Australia's mental health crisis, but the next three months are critical if we are to see real action to overcome past failures.
Indigenous culture offers mental health lessons: Rural mental health workers have been told Indigenous people with mental illnesses are more likely to recover than non-Indigenous people in remote areas.
More incentives to GPs to help patients with mental health problems: The Australian Government has abolished the annual limit on the number of Service Incentive Payments that can be claimed by a general practitioner for completing the 3 Step Mental Health Process, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Christopher Pyne, announced today.
New respite service helps carers in Italian community: Members of the Italian community in Adelaide’s north who are caring for older relatives or friends and who also want to work will be supported by a new respite service. The Oggi Con Noi (Today with Us) respite service operated by the Italian Benevolent Foundation SA Inc was officially opened by the Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro.
Guide equips SA to provide multicultural care: South Australian aged-care providers would be better equipped to care for older people from different cultural backgrounds with the release of Working Cross Culturally – A Guide.
WA's mental health plan behind target: Western Australia's Government has conceded its two-year plan to improve mental health facilities across the state is behind schedule, but it hopes to have the extra 84 hospital beds available by the end of the year.
Latest ABS data shows a decrease in the national suicide rate: The Australian Bureau of statistics has released the latest data on the national suicide rate. Suicide continues to be a major public health issue. Although death by suicide is a relatively uncommon event (1.6% of all deaths registered in 2004 were attributed to suicide), the human and economic costs are substantial.
Nettle visits detainees in mental health facility: Greens Senator Kerry Nettle has visited the Glenside Psychiatric Hospital in Adelaide to check up on the mental health of immigration detainees at the facility.
$10 000 for Mental Health & Neuroscience Research: The Jamie Callachor Eureka Prize for Medical Research, sponsored by the New South Wales Ministry for Science and Medical Research, is now open.
Federal Governement puts finishing touches on a reported $1.5 billion mental health package: Prime Minister John Howard has warned the states to pull their weight on mental health as the government puts the finishing touches on a reported $1.5 billion package.
Early mental health detection crucial: Mental health should be treated in the same way as breast cancer is in Australia, through early detection and intervention, a leading mental health expert says.
Senate Select Committee on Mental Health release report: The Senate Select Committee delivered its first report on Thursday 30 March 2006 regarding the state of Australia's mental health system.
Federal Government commits $1.8 Billion to mental health services: The Federal Government have unveiled a $1.8 Billion funding boost to mental health services to help address several major gaps.
MMHA project wins National Community Quality Use of Medicines Award: Multicultural Mental Health Australia's No more 'mualagh' project has won the Community Category at the 2006 National QUM Awards...
beyondblue Information Line - 1300 224 636: Get help from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call.
World Mental Health Day (WMHD): Mark 10 October in your diaries.
Rotary’s $3m boost to medical research: A major injection into mental health research.
People Suffering from Depression are Sought for Treatment Study: Flinders University in Adelaide and the Brain Dynamics Centre in Sydney needs you.
Mental Illness and recovery: Special international guest, Dr Steven J. Onken from the University of Hawai‘i in Mÿnoa USA shares his findings.
SANE urges families to speak out: SANE Australia wants to hear from you.
Discontinuation of Thioridazine tablets (Aldazine): Pharmaceutical company, Alphapharm, has announced it will discontinue supply of Aldazine 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets in Australia from August 2007.
Research project into service responses to suicidal men: Specialist Men's Counsellor with Centacare Sydney and PhD student at the University of Sydney, Stephen Kilkeary, is calling for people to participate in his research study into service responses to suicidal men. Stephen's project has been approved by the University's Human Research Ethics Committee and has the potential to make significant changes to mental health services.
Disability Resources for Arabic Communities: The Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association, together with a number of government and non-government disability service providers, is exploring the issue of information provision to people from an Arabic background.
Stigma of mental illness means people reluctant to seek treatment: New research has revealed that people showing early signs of mental illness can be reluctant to seek medical treatment due to a perceived lack of public sympathy.
Violence against women in refugee communities: The Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV), administered by Sydney West Area Health Service, NSW Health, is hosting a special free workshop for health workers, interagency workers, bilingual and ethno-specific workers who provide services to women and children who experienece domestic violence.
Mindframe for Law-Enforcement: In addition to the extensive projects under the Mindfame National Media Initiative a new project was introduced in February 2007.
New counselling service for CALD men: It receives over 3,500 calls a month, but has discovered it hasn't been reaching everyone.
No more blues for mums: beyondblue is developing a national action plan to address depression and related difficulties women experience during pregnancy and early parenthood.
John Brogden breaking down the stigma: Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) urges more high profile Australians living with a mental illness to follow John Brogden’s lead in openly talking about it.
Breaking Down The Medical Language Barrier: Miscommunication between clinicians and patients in hospitals can have serious consequences. But, a unique research project being led by linguists and nursing academics from the University of Technology, Sydney, may resolve this problem.
One line of communication: Auburn Hospital in Sydney is leading the way in building better lines of communication between its staff and patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Personal Helpers and Mentors Program Round 2: The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) is now calling for applications from experienced service providers to deliver Round 2 of its Personal Helpers and Mentors Program.
Depression through Chinese eyes: The School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales in Sydney has invited PhD candidate and MMHA staff member, Bibiana Chan, to address its weekly seminar series.
Aussies with eating disorders double: New research has revealed that the number of Australians with eating disorders has doubled in the past decade.
Community Building - How you can get involved: A national symposium on community building will be held next month in Melbourne.
Are your training needs being fulfilled?: MMHA conducted a training needs survey to identify the professional development needs of those working in the mental health sector. The results from that survey have shown some interesting findings and raises the question about whether these training needs are being fulfilled.
Demi art competition
Mental Health Tribunals: Balancing fairness, freedom, protection and right to treatment?: Have you or someone from your family ever attended or appeared before a Mental Health Tribunal? How would you describe the process? Did you feel your voice and concerns were heard?
National GP CALD Mental Health Needs Survey
Winner of MMHA Movie Giveaway: Congratulations to Jenni Marshall from Queensland. Jenni is the lucky winner of our movie ticket giveaway to see Romulus, My Father.
Romulus My Father
Multiple co-morbidities in people with mental illness: The Global Health Institute has invited the Director of the Mental Health Program at the Carter Center in Atlanta, USA, Dr Thomas Bornemann, to present a special seminar on the international best practice in service planning and delivery for people with multiple co-morbidities, who are also living with a mental illness.
New Mental Health Funding for CALD and ATSI Communities: FaCSIA is now calling for applications from experienced service providers to deliver Round 1 of the Mental Health Community Based Program.
The health and wellbeing of refugees in rural and remote areas: A public seminar on the health and wellbeing of refugees in rural and remote areas will be held in Canberra on the 7th of August at the Australian War Memorial from 1.15 - 5pm.
Attention Carers: Have you been caring for a person living with mental illness and trying to find a job?
Helpline numbers at a glance: The Mental Health Association NSW has developed a promotional resource in partnership with other NGOs, containing a selection of the most popular information and helpline numbers such as Kids Help Line, Salvo Care Line, and Lifeline.
The Mental Health Association NSW Poster
Reachout and celebrate ethnicity in 2008: The organisers of next year's Call to the Nations Conference and Reachout And Celebrate Ethnicity (R.A.C.E) concert are calling for sponsors.
Muslim students unite: The University of Western Sydney is hosting the inaugural national ‘Muslim Students in Australian Universities’ conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Parramatta in Sydney on 3 - 4 September 2007.
Migrant population to change cancer profile in NSW: Common cancers in NSW are predicted to change in the next 20 years to reflect cancers affecting our migrant population, according to a new report by The Cancer Council NSW.
Living in Sydney and needing some support?: If so why not consider joining a support group?
The Bi-Polar Express: The Bi-Polar Express is by Ela Simon and her daughter, Natasha (23), who has suffered from bipolar disorder from a very young age.
Mental Health First Aid for CALD Communities: The Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit (VPTU) in Melbourne is hosting a special training course in Mental Health First Aid for the general public.
Excellence in Mental Health 2007 Awards: Nominations for the Dr Margaret Tobin Awards for Excellence in Mental Health 2007 are about to close.
Proposal for a National Voice for Families: The Centre for Civil Society is now calling for expressions of interest from anyone interested in being part of a national voice for "Consumer Family and Citizen Empowerment".
TranSCRIBE: Young Writers Competition: The NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre in conjunction with the Schizophrenia Fellowship and Mental Illness Education Australia (NSW) are calling for final submissions for the 2007 Young Writers Competition, TranSCRIBE.
Regional Funding in SA Available Now: Funding for small grants is now available to develop effective Mental Health promotion during Mental Health Week for regional areas in South Australia.
New Funding for Respite Services: The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) is calling for eligible non-government organisations (NGOs) to apply for funding to build their capacity for delivering respite services.
Nominate now for the Australian of the Year Awards 2008.: Nominations are now open for the Australian of the Year Awards 2008.
New Resource - Beyond Words Translation Checklist card: Multicultural Mental Health Australia has just released its Beyond Words Translation Checklist card.
Mental Health First Aid in the Workforce: A new self-paced e-learning course in Mental Health First Aid in the Workforce is now available.
Support for Day to Day Living in the Community: The Australian Government has allocated 51 grants, totalling more than $19 million, to a variety of non-govenment organisations to help people with severe mental illness to participate more fully in their communities.
My Recovery - Claudio Silva shares his story at a special consultation in Hobart.: Claudio Silva is a mental health consumer and works at MMHA on the Consumer and Carer Project. Claudio arrived in Australia from Chile in 1990, as a political prisoner after spending 10 years fighting the Pinochet dictatorship. Claudio shared his story of recovery after hitting rock bottom at a special MMHA consultation with consumers, carers, service providers, academics and government officials in Hobart during the recent FECCA conference.
Beyond Resilience: Tasmanian CALD communities: Martin Harris from the University of Tasmania was invited to address MMHA's special consultation with consumers, carers, services providers and government officials in Hobart recently. Mr Harris is an academic at the University's Department of Rural Health and has been involved in mental health research since joining the department in 1999. He is the Tasmanian representative for the National Community and Expert Forum on suicide prevention, and Board member for Suicide Prevention Australia as well as a member of the Australian Board of Certified Counsellors. Mr Harris is currently completing his Ph.D. where his research topic is ‘Beyond resilience: thriving in geographically dislocating transitions’. He addressed the consultation about the resilience of Tasmania's CALD communities.
African Refugee Women in Tasmania: Helen Hutchinson spoke to the MMHA consultation in Hobart about her research project ‘Exploring Ideas of Health with African Refugee Women in Tasmania’. A PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania, her work provides a qualitative study which aims to examine the lived experiences of African refugee women in Tasmania and involving these women to help identify strategies for change in the health system. Helen's project focuses on the health experiences of refugee women outside a medical or policy framework.
Sharing Mental Illness Through A Living Library: The Mental Health Association NSW, in conjunction with the City of Sydney Library, is seeking consumers and carers from a culturally and linguistically diverse background as well as those working in the sector to participate in a special living library.
Put ADA on your RADAR!: beyondblue, the national depression initiative, is promoting October as Anxiety and Depression Awareness (ADA) month.
A New Crisis Helpline for Australian Muslims: A new telephone crisis line, designed to meet the cultural and religious needs of the Australian Muslim community is now available.
Symposium: Culture and Mental Health - the new challenge in a changing world: The Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre (QTMHC) is hosting a symposium on Monday 8 October, 2007 that will focus on the impact of culture on mental health. The Culture and Mental Health - the New Challenge in a Changing World Symposium will be held at the Greek Club and Convention Centre in Brisbane.
Understanding Supa: The Australian Taxation Office is now giving you the opportunity to learn more about how you can benefit from the recent changes to superannuation.
Movie Giveaway - Home Song Stories: Multicultural Mental Health Australia has celebrated the release of another great Australian film that tackles the issue of mental illness by sending some MMHA members along to see it.
Be part of the second national mental health survey: Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Brett Mason, has announced that 17-thousand Australian households will be contacted for interviews about their mental health and wellbeing.
Sharing our Stories, Sharing our Strengths Refugee Conference: Did you come to Australia to seek safety? Could another person or a community group from a similar background learn from your experiences? Would you like to showcase talent and strength in your community and share the challenges with those who might be experiencing similar things?
SPARCing up a storm at the Melbourne Fringe Festival: Melbourne theatre company that engages people living with a substance related brain impairment, mental illness or disability will feature at the upcoming Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Armenian Cultural Festival 2007: Join all the fun at the fourth Armenian Cultural Festival on Sunday 16 September 2007 at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour in Sydney.
Tackling comorbidity in CALD communities: CALD consumers living with two or more mental health conditions or a mental health and substance abuse condition will soon be assisted through a new program specifically designed for their needs.
Can emotional awareness predict depression?: Can emotional awareness predict depression? This is a question that's been raised by Honours student in Psychology at the Australian National University in Canberra, Arthi Singh.
August 2007 E-Bulletin: This is MMHA's regular electronic newsletter that aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and information related to the mental health and wellbeing of Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
2007 Sydney MAD Pride Youth Event: Expressions of interest are being sought from individuals, groups or organisations from the youth mental health sector wishing to participate in the 2007 Sydney Mad Pride Youth Event to be held on Wednesday October 10 at The Factory Theatre, Enmore in Sydney.
Recovery Journal: Share your journey your story in a special project called the Recovery Journal.
Mental Health Week Luncheon Lecture: ‘Culture, Diversity and Mental Health’: The ACT Transcultural Mental Health Network, ACT Health and ACT Mental Health Community Coalition are celebrating this year's Mental Health Week with a special lunchtime lecture.
STARTTS Professional Development Program: STARTTS NSW is still rolling out its 2007 Professional Development Program. This program offers a range of specialist workshops aimed at increasing the skills of clinicians, caseworkers, community development workers, teachers, volunteers and students working with survivors of torture and trauma.
Empowering Ethnic Communities: Staff from Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC) presented a powerful paper on Empowering Ethnic Communities: Fostering Inclusive Service Provision Through Relationship Building at the recent FECCA Conference in Hobart.
Mental health issues affecting Arabic speaking communities: The Arabic sub-committee at the NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre is hosting a special information session on the mental health issues affecting Arabic speaking communities during Mental Health Week.
New help for consumers and carers: The Australian Government has developed a new resource to help ensure that people with both a mental health problem and a drug and alcohol problem, and their carers are involved in the treatment process.
Mental Health and Insurance Discrimination: The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) and beyondblue: the national depression initiative have teamed up to explore what mental health consumers and carers experience when trying to obtain insurance.
Tales of Resilience - Transcultural Living Library: On Monday 8 October the NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre (NSW TMHC) is inviting you to attend a free community event to celebrate Mental Health Week.
Review of the Draft Revised National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSMHS): You have until Thursday 18 October 2007 to complete an online survey and share your views on the draft revised National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSMHS).
Global mental health forum - register now: The Centre for International Mental Health, School of Population Health and the Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne are hosting a free public event on Thursday 4 October 2007.
Consumer & Carer Feedback Needed: Self Funded Mental Health Advocate, Nicci Wall from Victoria, will be participating in an advisory committee next year representing mental health consumers. While Nicci will be representing mental health consumers on this advisory committee, she also says she has a strong interest in the role of carers.
A Kaleidoscope of Activity for Mental Health Week: To coincide with Mental Health Week and Anti Poverty Week, homeless and disadvantaged members of the City of Sydney community are displaying a unique collection of artworks at the Kaleidoscope Art Exhibition.
Facing Us Video Contest: The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA's) is running the Facing Us Video Contest, which gives you the capture to show the real faces of depression and bipolar disorder on film.
Applications for National Youth Roundtable 2008 open: The National Youth Roundtable is the Australian Government's youth consultation mechanism. It brings together young people aged 15 to 24 years.
Additional scholarships in mental health nursing: A further 38 full-time-equivalent postgraduate mental health nursing scholarships will be awarded soon in the second round of an Australian Government scheme which is helping to build Australia’s mental health workforce.
Glimpses: a complilation of uncensored real life mental illness experiences: Glimpses is a series of works about mental illnesses that provides a unique insight into the life of those living with a mental illness. The personal experiences that are depicted are include many personal stories that will help breakdown the stigma attached to mental illness.
UTSpeaks: Mentally Distressed? Who Cares? Who’ll tend Australia’s growing ranks of mentally ill?: Australia is gripped by a nursing shortage, but in the face of an ageing population and increasingly stressful modern world, our need for well-educated and seasoned mental health nurses is equally urgent.
More than $6 million for non-government mental health organisations: The Australian Government is providing more than $6 million for a new grants program to build the capacity of non-government mental health organisations.
Mensline Australia – Supporting CALD, Indigenous and Young Men: To celebrate Mental Health Week, Mensline Australia is launching their Mental Health Week email game along with a host of other activities.
People Engagement in Health Policy Reform: The Australian Health Policy Institute at the University of Sydney and the Centre for Policy Development are pleased to invite you to their forthcoming seminar entitled: Citizen Engagement in Health Policy Reform.
Winners of the MMHA art competition awarded: The winners of MMHA's inaugural national art competition, I Identify - My Identity, were awarded with their prizes at a special ceremony in Canberra on World Mental Health Day.
Scholarship investigating suicide in men: The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF) is offering a PhD Scholarship investigating suicide in men.
Cross Cultural Awareness Training: The Migrant Resource Centre in Hobart is offering a full day Cross Cultural Awareness Training session in November 2007.
Get on the Mental Health Council of Australia's elist: The peak body for mental health in Australia, the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) is developing an email list with information relevant to mental health consumers and carers.
Launch of the Hearing Voices Network of NSW: The Hearing Voices Network of NSW (HVNNSW) is open to people in NSW who are voice hearers, family, carers and mental health workers.
NGO One-off capacity building grants: The Mental Health Council of Australia is implementing a one-off capacity building grants program for not-for-profit organisations (NGOs).
702 ABC Sydney celebrates the World in Sydney: Sydney is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world and to celebrate this, 702 ABC Sydney's Breakfast program with Adam Spencer will be hosting the World in Sydney at the ABC's Ultimo centre on Friday November 9, 2007.
What's in your headspace? campaign: If you are aged between 12-25, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace, wants to hear from you.
Workshops in advanced clinical practice with refugee survivors of torture and trauma: STARTTS NSW is running a 3 day workshop in late November 2007 in the Practical Experiential Approach to Advanced Clinical Practice with Refugee Survivors of Torture and Trauma.
Urgent meeting for Carers in South Australia: Carers SA is inviting you to attend a consultation to discuss the new Mental Health Bill 2007 for South Australia.
March for Multiculturalism: Melbourne will be marching for multiculturalism on Saturday November 17, 2007, to try and heal the relationship with local African communities.
West African Refugee Health in Rural Australia: Complex Cultural Factors that Influence Mental Health: This paper is written by Family Support Counsellor at the Migrant Resource Centre in Northern Tasmania, John Quee Nyagua (M.Ed in PHC), and lecturer at the University of Tasmania's Department of Rural Health, Andrew J. Harris (B.E., Grad Dip Counselling Psychology).
The HOPE awards is on again: The Hope Awards - the short film competition is back.
The Forgotten People Project: The Darfur Australia Network (DAN) recently held an event in Melbourne called The Forgotten People Project.
Public Guardianship and Enduring Guardianship: The Office of the Public Guardian with the Department of NSW is holding an information session for Sydney's Mandarin speaking community.
Personal Helpers & Mentors Program: The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaMs) is a case management team that provides assessment of need, individual recovery plans, links to clinical support, advocacy, peer support, help with family member relationships and referral to other services.
Campbelltown City Council Welcomes All: The Campbelltown City Council in South Australia is hosting a welcome day for people who are new to Australia.
E Bulletin November/December 2007: This free E-Bulletin aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and information related to the mental health and wellbeing of Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Carers NSW Annual General Meeting: Carers NSW's Annual General Meeting falls on Thursday 29 November. 2007. The AGM will be followed by the Clare Stevenson Memorial Lecturer.
Speakers Bureau launched: The Queensland Alliance will be launching the Speakers Bureau on Friday 30 November.
Support for new mums and dads: The Victorian Government has invested over 3-million dollars to expand the Maternal Child Health Line, which targets single mums, dads, newly arrived immigrants and vulnerable families.
MMHA CALD Consumer Reference Group: Multicultural Mental Health Australia has just established its first CALD Consumer Reference Group. The Reference Group aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and increase the participation rates of CALD consumers in the mental health sector.
Have your voices heard on Melbourne's 3CR: Melbourne's Community Radio Station, 3CR, is broadcasting a radio forum next week titled: "Criminalisation of People with Mental Illness".
Welcome Information Booklet for Chinese Mental Health In-Patients: The Chinese Mental Health Association (CMHA) in the UK specializes in providing community based mental health assistance and support to the ever growing Chinese community in the United Kingdom.
MMHA Consumer, Claudio Silva, on the ABC's Conversation Hour: MMHA Consumer representative, Claudio Silva, appeared on the Conversation Hour across ABC Local Radio in Queensland and New South Wales last week.
More than Tolerance: Embracing Diversity for Health: VicHealth has released its report: "More than Tolerance - Embracing Diversity for Health", which reveals how many people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds experience discrimination and intolerance, and how this is compromising their health.
The New Mental Health Act for NSW: The Mental Health act 2007 (the Act) was passed by the NSW Parliament earlier in the year and came into effect 16 November 2007.
Research into Cognition in Schizophrenia: Participants are required for research into cognition in schizophrenia.
Call for Abstracts for the Anxiety Disorders Conference in Sydney: The Scientific Committee of the Anxiety Disorders Association NSW is hosting the second Australasian conference on anxiety disorders next year. The conference is titled: "Anxiety Disorders, Exploring the Boundaries".
Night Journeys - the story of a woman caught in the crossfire of her PTSD: "Leaving the theatre, this particular night's journey left one feeling positive, invigorated and refreshed" - Paul Castle, ArtsHub. Just one of the reviews about Take Away Theatre's premier production of Night Journeys.
MMHA and NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre’s Writers Competition: TranSCRIBE: The winners of the NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre’s Writers Competition: TranSCRIBE were recently awarded at a special ceremony in Sydney.
Living Library: move beyond the title page with a human book: Ever wondered what it's like to immigrate to Australia or to live with a mental illness? On Wednesday 12 December you can borrow one of many "human" books and chat with such a book for 30-minutes about their life experience.
An international winning story on bipolar recovery: Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) is proud to announce that local Coburg resident and MMHA Consumer Representative, Diahann Lombardozzi, has won first prize in an international competition for her short–film documentary.
Queensland Intergrated Refugee Community: The Queensland Intergrated Refugee Community Health Clinic (QIRCH) has been set up to to provide culturally sensitive health services to newly arrived refugees living in Queensland.
MMHA's CALD Consumers & Carers Speakers Bureau: Multicultural Mental Health Australia is trying to establish a national Speakers Bureau of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) consumers and carers to ensure CALD voices are heard.
Privacy and Confidentiality for Consumers and Carers: The National Mental Health Consumer and Carers Forum (NMHCCF) is dedicated to providing a combined national voice for consumers and carers in the Australian mental health sector.
Smoking and Mental Illness: The Costs: New research shows nearly 40% of smokers have a mental illness - and it's costing them dearly.
Migrant Data Matrices: The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its new Migrant Data Matrices, which provides a useful way to find and access ABS data on immigrants and ethnicity.
2008 NSW Premier's Chinese Community Service Awards: Nominations are now open for the 2008 NSW Premier's Chinese Community Service Awards.
Remembering Goodna: Stories from a Queensland mental hospital: Remembering Goodna: Stories from a Queensland mental hospital is a new exhibition on display at the Museum of Brisbane.
NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre's Chinese Sub-Committee: The NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre's Chinese Sub-Committee is seeking new members.
5th World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental Disorders: The call for papers for the 5th World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental Disorders is now open.
Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships: Scholarships in Comorbidity Professional Development are now open to alcohol and other drug and mental health workers.
Supporting Palliative Care in the Chinese Community: CASS Personal Development and Counselling Team has a new service called, ‘Supporting Palliative Care in the Chinese Community’.
Volunteers needed to assist Chinese Palliative Care Service: The CASS Personal Development and Counselling Team started its ‘Supporting Palliative Care in the Chinese Community’ service in March 2006 and now needs more volunteers.
MSG - Maxine Support Group: As you may already know, a group called MSG (or Maxine Support Group) played an important role in creating history by taking the seat of Bennelong in Sydney away from the Prime Minister.
Depressed over Christmas? Some tips to pull you through: The CEO of beyondblue has acknowledged that Christmas can be a very stressful time of year. While many people look forward to this time of year, others are hit with an anticlimax when their hopes aren’t fulfilled.
Multicultural Art Competition 2008 - Everyone is Welcome: Artists and illustrators are invited to submit any artwork that highlights the City of Sydney’s vision to support and build an inclusive community.
Sydney's Cultural Diversity Strategy: A draft of the City of Sydney's Cultural Diversity Strategy 2008-2011 is now open to public comment.
Young Australian Muslim Leaders Exchange: Applications are invited from young Australian Muslim leaders to travel to Indonesia next year under the Australia-Indonesia Muslim Leaders Exchange program.
Big boost to Home and Community Care across the country: Older people, people with disabilities and their carers will benefit from an extensive allocation of funds to expand and support Home and Community Care (HACC) services across the country.
Shared Lives Lived - Museum of Brisbane and Queensland Alliance presents a series of conversations: The Queensland Alliance and the Museum of Brisbane are hosting a series of conversations throughout February featuring members from the Alliance's new Speakers Bureau.
New website for those living with depression and bipolar disorder: America's Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has launched a new website with innovative and interactive features that will enable those living with depression and bipolar disorder to create their own personal wellness tools to aid them on their road to recovery.
Further study: Cross-cultural mental health care for GPs: The NSW Institute of Psychiatry and NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre are offering a unit of study in Cross-cultural Mental Health Care in General Practice for GPs or GP registrars from February 25, 2008.
Award for research into traumatic stress: The Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS) is offering an award of $1000 and one year's membership for academic excellence in research into traumatic stress.
Celebrate Queensland's cultural diversity: MMHA is encouraging Queensland's ethnic communities to apply for the second round of community funding for Queensland's 150th Celebrations.
Workshop on the contemporary approaches to depression and trauma: The Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS) is hosting a workshop with an international clinical psychologist into the contemporary approaches to depression and trauma.
WA's CALD consumer/carer movement encouraged to share their stories: Our friends in Western Australia have alerted us to a special radio broadcast coming up on 29 January 2008.
One-off grants of up to $40,000: The Department of Health and Ageing has provided the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) with $6 million to assist in the development of the capacity of non-government mental health organisations and other organisations delivering services relating to mental health.
Enough Rope: Angels and Demons: ABC TV's Enough Rope with Andrew Denton returns in 2008 with a special program on mental illness.
Human Rights in Mental Health: The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has kicked off the new year with a new project and the appointment of two new project officers.
Grants for Refugee Week 2008: Through the support of the NSW Community Relations Commission, organisations can now apply for small grants to host an activity during this year's Refugee Week.
Imperfectly Sane Too - have your stories told on stage: The Mental Health Foundation (ACT) invites you to share your story in its upcoming play, Imperfectly Sane Too. Stories, monologues, songs or short plays are welcome.
2008 Australia Refugee Film Festival: Are you passionate about refugee issues? Are you an emerging refugee/non-refugee film maker willing to showcase your talent to a diverse audience? Would you like to volunteer for Australia's second annual Refugee Film Festival?
Reaching out to those in detention: In addition to the AMAL Helpline, Mission of Hope (MoH) is reaching out and embarking on a new project for the local community.
Call for abstracts for the 9th International Mental Health Conference: The closing date for abstracts for the 9th International Mental Health Conference in Queensland is approaching.
The Travelling Toolshed: St Lukes Innovative Resources in Western Australia is hosting a two-day practical and interactive conversation building workshop next month for teachers, counsellors, pastoral care leaders, education psychologists, managers, team leaders and welfare co-ordinators working with young people who have disengaged with learning.
Order new mental health fact sheets now: Multicultural Mental Health Australia is moving forward to ensure people with a print disability and those from non-English speaking backgrounds have better access to information about mental health and wellbeing.
beyondblue and Multicultural Mental Health Australia team up: beyondblue Chairman, Jeff Kennett, and Patron of the beyondblue Perinatal Mental Health Program, Mary Kostakidis, launched a new series of multilingual resources with Vicki Katsifis from Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) at the Diversity In Health conference in Sydney last week.
Auseinet national train-the-trainer workshop: Auseinet is calling for applications for its national train-the-trainer workshop that commences at the end of May 08.
2008-2009 Community Development Grants: The Community Relations Commission for a multicultural NSW is invites expressions of interest from non profit sharing incorporated organisations for funding from its 2008-2009 Community Development Grants Program.
Clinicians supporting the Consumer journey: The Mental Health Unit in South Australia is hosting the Mental Health National Outcomes Forum next month.
Building Resilience - 1st Annual Digital & Photographic Art Competition: If you're an avid photographer you definitely will need to know about the Mental Health Association NSW Inc's latest competition.
Self-Help for Depressive Symptoms: Information Sheet for Consumers: You are invited to participate in the above research project, which is being conducted by ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne.
Identifying the Carer Project – final report and recommendation for the Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing:: The Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing has released the final report and recommendations from the Identifying the Carer Project.
Mental health forum in South Australia with Anthony Marsella: Multicultural Mental Health Australia recently held a special mental health forum in South Australia to provide an opportunity for mental health stakeholders from that state to come together.
Multicultural Mental Health Australia E-Bulletin April 2008: Welcome to the April edition of the MMHA E-Bulletin. This newsletter aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and information related to the mental health and wellbeing of Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Rotary’s Mental Health Forum for CALD communities: The Granville Rotary Club is holding a Mental Health Forum for CALD communities in Sydney on Wednesday 14th May. Rotary approached MMHA to nominate a couple of people to speak at the event.
New beyondblue Online Directory of Mental Health Professionals: beyondblue has collated an online national directory of medical and allied health practitioners working in mental health.
Improving Mental Health Services: The following is a copy of a media release from the Minister for Health and Ageing, The Hon Nicola Roxon MP.
Anthony Marsella's presentation slides available for download: At the Adelaide Diversity in Health Conference in March 2008, Professor Anthony Marsella conducted a workshop on Ethnocultural Aspects of Psychopathology, Therapy, and Mental Health Service Delivery Systems. The slides from the workshop are now available for download from this website. (You will need Microsoft Powerpoint or OpenOffice Impress to view the slides).
Red Cross Bridging Support Program: The Bridging Support Program (BSP) is a pilot program developed by the International Tracing, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Services of Red Cross in South Australia.
Workshop and Forum on mental health issues for people from CALD backgrounds in the NT: MMHA recently hosted a forum on mental health issues for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds living in the Northern Territory.
Community consultation: the Horn of Africa Communities' contribution to Australian society: A community consultation examining the social, economic, political and documentation of the contribution made to Australian society by the Horn of Africa Communities is being held on Saturday 3 May 2008 in Sydney.
Online survey for people living with bipolar disorder (and their advocates/carers): UK-based publishing and research organisation, PatientView, in association with the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) and GAMIAN-Europe, as well as the European family and carer federation, EUFAMI, is inviting you to participate in an online survey.
FECCA and NEDA Welcome Convention on Disability Rights: The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) have welcomed the commitment from the Rudd Government to support the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Parliamentary Inquiry into Carer needs: MMHA is urging carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are looking after people living with a mental illness to make a submission to a new parliamentary inquiry into the needs of carers.
Special Retreat for CALD Carers of people with a mental health disorder or illness: The NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre’s CALD Carer Support Program is hosting a free retreat for carers from CALD backgrounds for people living with a mental health disorder of illness.
Multicultural Mental Health Australia’s E-Bulletin May 2008: This is a free electronic newsletter that aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and information related to the mental health and wellbeing of Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. If you wish to receive this and other publications such as our magazine, Synergy, please consider joining our mailing list.
Positive Living in Aged Care Awards: Multicultural Mental Health Australia is encouraging aged care service providers in NSW that are helping people from non-English speaking backgrounds to enter the Positive Living in Aged Care Awards.
Communicating with Families: MMHA Consortium member and carer, Kaliope Paxinos, is coordinating a national project investigating the level of involvement carers have in mental health treatment plans.
Onsite Mental Health Interpreting: A Workshop for Professional Interpreters from MMHA's NT forum: MMHA recently hosted another mental health forum for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, but this time for people living in the Northern Territory.
Improving the lives through shared experiences of young mental health carers: The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) is holding a workshop on 19 August 2008 to hear and record the real life experiences of young mental health carers (aged 13-25 years) who care for a parent living with a mental illness.
$50 million to strengthen mental health: This is a Ministerial media release for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
June E-Bulletin - MMHA's electronic newsletter: This publication aims to keep you intouch with all the latest news and information surrounding multicultural mental health matters. If you wish to have your event or latest resource featured in the next edition, please email details to: admin@mmha.org.au
Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships for Alcohol & Other Drug & Mental health Workers: The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) is about to offer the third round of its Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships.
Mental Health Matters Awards 2008 - Recognising excellence in mental health: The Mental Health Matters Awards aims to recognise the hardwork and dedication of individuals and organisations who have demonstrated a commitment towards addressing key mental health issues on a local, regional or statewide level over the past 12 months from September 07 – August 08.
Small Grants Program for Mental Health Week 2008: Small grants are now available to assist organisations to stage mental health promotional activities and events during this year's Mental Health Week.
August 2008 E-Bulletin: The E-Bulletin aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and information related to the mental health and wellbeing of Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Please alert your colleagues and friends about this publication and encourage them to sign up to the MMHA mailing list.
headspace - allowing you to ask the experts for advice about bullying: Are you one of the thousands of young Australians who has or is experiencing a form of bullying? Not sure who to talk to or where to go? The good news is you are not alone and you can get help.
Carers Virtual 2020: Carers Virtual 2020 has just reached its half-way mark and has already generated some thought-provoking ideas and insights.
Fourth National Mental Health Plan welcomed: Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) strongly welcomes the decision to develop a fourth National Mental Health Plan and is looking forward to assisting the Government with its ongoing commitment.
Research into mental health: Multicultural Mental Health Australia is encouraging people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to participate in a series of studies being conducted by the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute into mental health including schizophrenia.
Help celebrate World Mental Health Day & Mental Health Week: The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is: “Making Mental Health a Global Priority: Scaling Up Services Through Citizen Advocacy and Action”.
Clinical Psychology Scholarships: Clinical Psychology Scholarships available to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
NAATI Annual Interpreting Testing Program 2009: The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) has just released information about its Annual Interpreting Program for 2009 including languages and levels available for testing.
Nominations now open for the CRC Volunteer Awards: The Exodus Foundation's Reverend Bill Crews is encouraging culturally diverse communities to considering nominating people for the 2008 CRC Awards for Volunteering.
AICAFMHA calling for director nominations: The Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Assoc. (AICAFMHA) is calling for nominations for new directors to sit on its board.
E-Bulletin September 2008
What do think about mental health services?: Mental Health Advocate, Nicci Wall, is keen to hear from mental health consumers and carers about their thoughts on mental health services.
MMHA celebrates World Mental Health Day: Multicultural Mental Health Australia Advocate, Diahann Lombardozzi, was invited on Friday 10 October 2008 to help launch World Mental Health Day in Canberra.
NEW REPORT- How to engage young people from diverse backgrounds: New research has found formal participation processes fail to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds.
Improved access to life and risk products continues: Today's signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Life Insurance Industry and Mental Health Sector at Old Parliament House in Canberra is a historic event.
Over 900,000 Australians now have mental health plans: A new report has found Australians are accessing mental health care at unprecedented levels with the cost of the new Medicare Items for mental health services now three times higher than the initial budget estimate.
More Support for Multicultural Mental Health: Tasmania Health Minister, Lara Giddings, has announced more State Government funding to support migrants and refugee families who are survivors of torture and trauma.
Assisting people with eating disorders: The Rudd Government has announced it will invest $500,000 to help develop a comprehensive, coordinated national approach to eating disorders.
Call for Expressions of Interest: 2010 Sydney Conference Committee: TheMHS - The Mental Health Services Conference Inc is looking for people to form a local conference committee to organise its 20th Annual Conference for 14-17 September 2010.
One in five Australians have a mental illness: ABS: One in five Australians, aged 16–85 years, had a mental disorder in 2007, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Community Consultation on the National Disability Strategy: The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations and the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) are inviting you to participate in a Community Consultation on the National Disability Strategy.
Building Australia’s Health Workforce – Scholarships for Nurse Practitioners: The Australian Government is investing $2.1 million to help build the nation’s nurse practitioner workforce.
Prevalence of mental illness amongst CALD Australia still unknown: Multicultural Mental Health Australia says while the results from the second National Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey are a wake up call for all Australians and the health system, it doesn’t say anything about the prevalence of mental illness in multicultural Australia.
MMHA E-Bulletin November 2008: This is Multicultural Mental Health Australia's regular electronic newsletter. If you wish to receive free copies of all MMHA's publications - please contact 02 9840 3333.
Key Step Towards Better Primary Health Care: Federal Health Minister, the Hon. Nicola Roxon, has called for public submissions to respond to the new discussion paper on Australia’s first ever National Primary Health Care Strategy.
MMHA Chair grows mo for Movember: MMHA Chair, A/Prof Abd Malak, is growing a mo for Movember.
Mental Health Carer Workshops for 2009: The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) will be holding a second round of Mental Health Carer Workshops in 2009.
Report shows more is needed to support bilingual staff: A new report identifies the need for employers to make a greater effort to recruit and retain staff with bilingual skills.
The Black Dog Institute Writing Competition: The Black Dog Institute has announced its 2008 Writing Competition - Tackling Mood Disorders in the Workplace.
Study of the therapeutic role of the mental health nurse in NSW: Researchers are seeking five to ten mental health consumers to participate in a project that aims to examine how to improve the therapeutic role of the mental health nurse through the use of psychological therapies.
National perinatal depression screening program: The Federal, State and Territory Governments have all committed funding to support a national perinatal mental health initiative, which will include a world-first universal depression-screening and care program.
NSW Multicultural Mental Health Plan 2008-2012: The NSW Government has released a five year state-wide mental health strategy designed to reduce rates on mental illness amongst people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
MMHA's E-Bulletin: December 2008: Welcome to Multicultural Mental Health Australia’s December 2008 E-Bulletin. This free electronic newsletter, The E-Bulletin, aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and information related to the mental health and wellbeing of Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
HomeReach: new weekly segment from SBS Radio: SBS Radio has been running a new series that provides practical information for the frail aged, people with a disability and their carers.
Barnardos Mother of the Year Awards 2009: Do you know a great mum? Multicultural Mental Health Australia is encouraging people from CALD communities to nominate their mum in this year's Barnardos Mother of the Year Awards 2009.
FECCA and NEDA celebrate International Day of People with Disability: The Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) have celebrated International Day of people with Disability calling on governments and the community to increase their efforts to recognise the rights of people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Minds Unleashed - A Collection of Poetry by People with a Mental Illness: Mental Health Advocate, Nicci Wall, who brought us Glimpses - a series of stories by people with a mental illness is now compiling a collection of poetry by people living with a mental illness.
Research into Respite Services for Families Affected by Mental Illness: The Respite Services Program at Schizophrenia Fellowship NSW in Ashfield, NSW is conducting a qualitative research project into Chinese-speaking families and carers.
The Future of Disability Employment Services in Australia: The Federal Government has released the discussion paper for the Future of Disability Employment Services in Australia. The Minister for Employment Participation, the Hon Brendan O'Connor, released the paper just before Christmas last year.
FECCA welcomes Australian Multicultural Advisory Council and releases its own Multicultural Policy: The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) has welcomed the appointment of the Federal Government's Australian Multicultural Advisory Council. In addition to this, FECCA has also released its new multicultural policy: A New Australian Multicultural Agenda to assist the Council in its early work.
New Website on good practice in healthcare for migrants and minority groups: The Queen Mary University of London has been working on an European project on good practice in healthcare for migrants and minorities, and is now launching a new website to mark its hardwork.
Mental Health Grants Available in Regional South Australia: The Country Health SA Mental Health Program is offering grants that will contribute to Consumer and Carer Participation in projects and programs.
Generic medicines messages targeting Chinese and Italian communities: The third phase of the National Prescribing Service's (NPS) medicines awareness campaign, targeting seniors in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, begins on 1 February 2009.
Post Natal Depression in CALD communities: The Post and Ante Natal Depression Association, PANDA, is undertaking research to identify agencies that work with women from CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds living with post natal depression.
The Integration of Mental Health in Primary Care: A joint report by the World Health Organization and the World Organization of Family Doctors on the integration of mental health in primary care is now available.
Update on the Multicultural Community Quality Use of Medicines (MCQUM): The Multicultural Community QUM Program is a combined initiative of the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) and the National Prescribing Service, NPS. This is an overview of the progress of the project.
Mental Health Service Achievement Awards 2009: Multicultural Mental Health Australia is encouraging those working in transcultural mental health to nominate themselves in this year's Mental Health Service Achievement Awards.
Workshops on the Foundations of Mental Health Work: The New South Wales Institute of Psychiatry is offering a new workshop series developed for community workers.
New study finds those with a mental illness live a lonely life: ALMOST half of people with a mental illness have no close relationship in their lives, according to findings from a study.
Online research by the Black Dog Institute: Have you ever receieved psychological therapy?
MMHA's new funding and resources: Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) today accepted $2.7 million in funding from the Department of Health and Ageing to continue enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s culturally diverse communities over the next three years.
Seeking consumers and carers to attend workshop: Country Health SA is seeking people with a lived experience of mental illness and carers to attend a two day workshop on Consumer and Carer Participation to develop the CHSA Mental Health Participation Framework.
National Mental Health Policy: Australian Health Ministers met at the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference held in Melbourne on 5 March 2009.
MMHA's E-Bulletin: March 2009: Welcome to Multicultural Mental Health Australia’s March 2009 E-Bulletin. This free electronic newsletter, The E-Bulletin, aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and information related to the mental health and wellbeing of Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Does Ethnicity and Culture Affect Health and Wellbeing?: Researchers at Deakin University in Melbourne are investigating the impact ethnic identity and acculturation has on the health and wellbeing of young people in Australia.
New Resource for the Mental Health Sector: The Mental Health Coordinating Council of NSW has produced a workforce development guide as a response for a more strategic and coordinated approach to the growing community mental health sector.
Seeking Potential Stars for Mental Health Documentary: Camilo Haley used to be a consumer advocate with the Inner West Area Mental Health Centre in NSW. He is now undertaking a diploma of film and television. Camilo is conducting an independent project about living with mental health issues and is hoping to produce a mini documentary to be shown at various short film festivals and possibly even television.
Volunteers needed for international study on depression
Beyond Blue the national depression initiative now has a number of newly-translated depression and anxiety related information materials in Greek and Italian.
COTA Bilingual Peer Educators: COTA is pleased to be able to offer bilingual peer educators to come to speak with seniors groups and clubs on depression and older people. Italian speaking peer educators are now available with Chinese, Greek and Vietnamese becoming available in 2010.
Pharmacies access phone interpreters: Free telephone interpreting services extended to pharmacies across Australia.

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