Latest MHV Bulletin

Launching 'From Vision to Reality'

Ahead of the release of the Royal Commission’s final report, we are pleased to publish From Vision to Reality: A guide for the successful implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system.

The guide outlines how implementation of the recommendations could be managed by the Victorian Government to ensure that reforms are implemented as intended. With this guide, it is hoped that changes will achieve the outcomes that are needed to enhance individual and community mental health and wellbeing – one of the main aims of Mental Health Victoria. The guide breaks recommendations down into six actions, from the establishment of governance systems through planning into implementation and assessment.

Reflecting Mental Health Victoria’s deep commitment to collaboration within and across sectors, From Vision to Reality was written in partnership with the Victorian Healthcare Association and the following bodies:

Australian Psychological Society
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
Carers Victoria
Mental Health Legal Centre
Orygen
Tandem
Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Thorne Harbour Health
Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association
Victorian Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Organisation
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council
Women’s Health Victoria
Youth Affairs Council Victoria

DOWNLOAD FROM VISION TO REALITY

Mental Health Victoria a signatory - MHA Letter to COAG on NDIS Review

May 2016

Mental Health Victoria has joined Mental Health Australia (MHA) as co-signatory in its letter to the COAG Disability Reform Council on the upcoming NDIS Review, putting to them our recommendations on the terms of reference for the review.

Click here to read the letter.

NDIS Bulletin

Mental Health Victoria's fortnightly NDIS bulletin is aimed at ensuring Mental Health Victoria members, and other community mental health stakeholders, are informed about, and connected to, developments in the implementation period of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

SUBSCRIBE to our NDIS Bulletin

Our latest edition of the NDIS bulletin:NDIS Bulletin Friday 16 February 2018

Past editions:

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 1 February 2018

NDIS Bulletin Friday 19 January 2018

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 21 December 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 08 December 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 24 November 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 10 November 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 27 October 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 13 October 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 28 September 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 15 September 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 31 August 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 18 August 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 3 August 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 20 July 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 6 July 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 23 June 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 8 June 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 25 May 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 11 May 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 28 April 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 13 April 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 30 March 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 17 March 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 2 March 2017

NDIS Bulletin Friday 17 February 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 2 February 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 19 January 2017

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 15 December 2016

NDIS Bulletin Friday 2 December 2016

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 17 November 2016

NDIS Bulletin Friday 4 November 2016

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 20 October 2016

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 6 October 2016

NDIS Bulletin Friday 23 September 2016

NDIS Bulletin Friday 9 September 2016

NDIS Bulletin Friday 26 August 2016

NDIS Bulletin Friday 12 August 2016

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 28 July 2016

NDIS Bulletin Thursday 14 July 2016

Mental Health Victoria submission - Victoria's 10 Year Mental Health Plan

September 2015

Mental Health Victoria held a series of consultation forums to canvass views from providers to inform input to the review of MHCSS, and the development of the State Government's 10-year Mental Health Plan.

Information from these consultations has been collated to contribute to Mental Health Victoria's feedback to the consultants. The submission by Mental Health Victoria is available here.

ABOUT THE 10YR PLAN:

The Andrews Government committed to develop a new 10-year plan for mental health in its first year of office, as part of the Labor Party's election platform.

Subsequent announcements indicated that the 10-year strategy will:

build on the reforms of the past, and guide investment towards creating the conditions for Victorians to experience their best mental health, whatever their level of need and in a life that has meaning and value for them, and
focus on the specialist mental health treatment system and prevention, early intervention, social support and primary care.

Part of this process included public consultations, and a discussion paper that invited input into the develpment of a new strategy with a long-term vision for mental health in Victoria.

The discussion paper is accompanied by a series of technical papers examining key issues and the experience of particular vulnerable groups in more detail:

More information on the Government's priorities for mental health is available on the Department's Click here.

For more information see a media release by the Minster for Mental Health.

2015-16 Federal Budget

What's In Store For Community Mental Health Services?

The 2015-2016 Federal Budget was announced on 12 May with little attention given to mental health, which was, unfortunately, not unexpected. The budget was mostly silent on a plan for long-term mental health reforms, with no definitive response to the National Mental Health Commission's review, nor any involved planning for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Mental Health Victoria welcomes the announcement in the Budget of the Government's intention to collaborate with states and territories over a National Mental Health Plan to integrate the approach to mental health and suicide prevention, and the small measures in relation to mental health, which show a positive regard for improving mental health services.

Disappointingly however, this budget falls short of approximately $34 million in what was forecast for mental health spending last year. In addition, the Government will continue its freeze on indexation across almost 80 government programs, including mental health programs. This act will have flow-on effects for mental health services, the nature of which is still unknown.

Overall, Mental Health Victoria is pleased that the Federal Budget has acknowledged the Government's intention to proceed with a much-needed coordinated National Mental Health Plan, but believes more tangible initiatives addressing long-term mental health reform should be developed. Mental Health Victoria will continue working with its members to ensure that the Federal Government meets its promises and responsibilities to those affected by mental illness, their carers and families.

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has conducted an analysis of the Budget, expressing concern that it has left many holes in much needed social services. In particular, cuts to housing and programs to improve ATSI outcomes are seen as an unfair means of pushing savings.

Below are some key measures introduced by the Budget. A further useful summary of the Budget by Mental Health Victoria can be found here.

NDIS

The Budget pledged $143 million over four years for an Information and Communication Technology system for the NDIA. No funding has been allocated for upgrading service-provider IT systems.

Regional And Remote Communities

The need for improved access to mental health support for regional and remote consumers has been recognised in the Budget with the announcement that the Government will fund $20 million towards expanding mental health services into some drought-affected communities.

Carers

Recognising the value of carers in looking after consumers with a disability, including mental health, the Government has also committed $33.7 million over four years to work on a National Carer Gateway, with a view to opening this front door information and referral service by December 2015. This is seen as the first step in the Government's Integrated Plan for Carer Support Services, which will incorporate counselling, respite and employment support for carers.

Youth

The Budget focuses on improving youth unemployment, especially for vulnerable groups such as refugees and those living with mental illness. A sum of $105.7 million over five years will be put towards services engaging with disadvantaged youth around jobs, employment support trials, up-skilling workshops and assistance with job preparedness.

Young people leaving care will also be exempt from having to actively seek work for four weeks before receiving a welfare payment, which will now apply to job-seekers under 25 years of age. Other groups excluded from this measure will be primary carers, participants in Disability Employment Services and those assessed as requiring greater assistance to obtain employment, such as those with serious mental illness.

A VCOSS media release has expressed disappointment over the Government's response to youth and unemployment strategies.

Other Areas

Funding for The National Mental Health Commission has been renewed for a further three years.

The Government has committed $20.7 million over four years to develop a valuation of the lifetime costs to Australia's welfare system. The project will also investigate those most at risk of long-term welfare dependency and the causal factors for this.

RESPONSES AND SUMMARIES

VCOSS has issued a media release in response to the federal budget, stating that 'it leaves the poorest Australians to do the bulk of the heavy lifting', while ACOSS has released a report with a summary of the changes and their impacts.

Another useful summary has been provided by VCOSS, who released a 'snapshot analysis', available here.

To view the summary by Mental Health Victoria click here.

2017-18 Federal Budget

Mental Health Victoria welcomes this year's Federal Budget which seeks to address a key issue for community mental health services - the gap in psychosocial support services for those not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
We call on the Victorian Government to step up and match the Federal Government's commitment to ensure mental health support is provided to people who need it now, in Barwon, and in the recent NDIS roll out areas.
Mental Health Victoria and its members stand ready to work with the Victorian Government to meets its responsibilities to support those affected by mental illness, their carers and families.

Mental Health Victoria, the peak body for community managed mental health services, welcomes the funding announced for mental health in the 2017 budget last night.

Acknowledging the critical concerns expressed by the community mental health sector about the gap in psychosocial support services for those not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the budget includes a total of $80 million additional funding for the States and Territories over four years to maintain community psychosocial services for people with mental illness who do not qualify for assistance through the Scheme.

"Mental Health Victoria welcomes the leadership shown by the Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt, who continues to put a strong focus on mental health and stands firm behind his commitment to improve mental health services for Australians living with mental illness", said Mental Health Victoria CEO, Angus Clelland.

"The funding will result in $7.8m in 2017-18, and approximately $24.0m each year until 2020-21. The Minister has stressed however that the funding is contingent on a matching commitment from the States and Territories.

"For some time, Mental Health Victoria has called on the Victorian Government to address the looming gap in Victoria’s mental health service system, as a significant proportion of the Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) funding is transferred to the NDIS over the next two years.

"However, given that the funding is contingent on the collaboration of all governments, we implore Victorian State Government decision makers to come to the table, match the funding and ensure support is provided to people who need it now, in Barwon, and in the recent NDIS roll out areas", Mr Clelland said.

"Despite the encouraging actions of the Federal Government surrounding mental health, we are concerned by the punitive welfare measures that are proposed around increased activity requirements and a proposed trial to drug test welfare recipients’ Mr Clelland said.

‘We know people with mental illness are likely to be impacted by these proposals and are over represented in these groups and the Government should be supporting them to recover and be a part of their community".

Mental Health Victoria also welcomes these other measures in the budget:

$9.1 million telehealth initiative set to roll-out in 2017 so that people living in rural and remote regions of Australia receive improved access to psychologists.
$11.1 million to prevent suicide in locations where suicide incidents repeatedly occur.
$15.0 million towards research in mental health, including $5.0 million to complete work on Orygen’s National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health in Melbourne.
$33.5 million for expanded access to mental health treatment for current and former members of the Australian Defence Force.

Mental Health Victoria and its members stand ready to work with the Victorian Government to support those affected by mental illness, their carers and families.

10 May 2017
Media contact – Debra Parnell, Policy & Communications Manager – (03) 9519 7000
Twitter @Mental Health Victoria

Read the CMHA media release from Community Mental Health Victoria

Budget Papers

Federal Budget 2017-18

Health Portfolio Budget Statements

Mental Health Budget Breifing - Minister Greg Hunt

Media Releases and Budget Analyses

Minister Hunt

Mental Health Victoria

ACOSS

Sane Australia

ProBono Not-for-Profit Winners & Losers

News outlets

Croakey - collation of media

ABC Life Matters Radio Program - Budget 2017: Moderate steps on housing affordability and funding for the NDIS

ABC AM with Sabra Lane - NDIS welcomed but harsher welfare conditions an un-Australian break from universal service

Health sector backs lifting of Medicare rebate, mental health spending

newparadigm Summer 2018-19

Integration and Collaboration: Best practice and lessons learned

The need for intersectoral, collaborative approaches to both governance and service delivery have been on the social policy agenda for decades. However, as practitioners are well aware, cutting across knowledge areas and social networks is an incredibly challenging task.

This edition of newparadigm gathers together the lessons learned from practitioners and organisations who have attempted to reorganise policy and practice in this way to better address the needs of mental health service users.

newparadigm Summer 2018-19 showcases various examples of mental health policy and practice from along the collaboration continuum: from individual care coordination to the co-location services to integrated governance and policy initiatives.

The government and non-government organisations from across Australia who have contributed to this addition offer invaluable insights that will improve the prospects of future attempts at collaboration and integration.

Download newparadigm Summer 2018-19 (FULL VERSION)

Download individual chapters below:

01. Cover and contents

02. Editorial - Angus Clelland

03. Cracking the collaboration code - John Butcher

04. Supporting recovery through integration at every level - Lyndal Sherwin

05. Inclusive and collaborative practice: the key to accessible mental health services for people with an intellectual disability and co-occurring mental ill health - Professor Julian N Troller, Janelle Weise

06. Client Services Team approach to case management: integrated service delivery at the Neighborhood Justice Centre - Scott Nelson, Matthew Cocomazzo

07. Victoria's strategies toward integrated service delivery for people with mental health-substance use concerns - Gary Croton, Gavin Foster

08. Curing hepatitis C has an important role in improving mental illness - Dr Jacqueline Richmond, Jodie Waltson, Wendy Anderson, Kevin Marriott

09. Lived experiences of Australian with mental health and AOD comorbidity and their perspectives on integrated treatement - Emma Barrett, Lauchland Dudley, Chloe Conroy, Frances Kay-Lambkin, Pete Kelly, Katherine Mills, Maree Teesson.

10. Outcomes measurement of community and mental health services: best practice and lessons learned - Dr Jasmine MY Loo, Dr Johana Susanto

Partnerships

Strong partnerships are integral to success in the reformed environment.

Client - centered service delivery redefines the relationship between services, consumers and their carers/families.

Client-centred service delivery also requires collaborative partnerships with other organisations. At the core of an area based service system is the expectation that services can work together to deliver a seamless service response to a consumer's need. You will need referral mechanisms that work and knowledge of what other services can provide to be able to assist your clients meet their goals. For people with a mental illness the partnership between the clinical service provider and the disability support provider is fundamental.

Key partnerships outlined in the in the Reform Framework are:

catchment based planning - to be developed with key health and community services, with all MCHSS providers in a given catchment required to actively participate.
intake and assessment - to be delivered as a core partnership between a MHCSS provider on behalf of other MHCSS providers in the catchment, an area mental health service and a primary health service.
responding to client diversity - partnerships with a range of providers and community groups, such as Aboriginal community controlled health organisations, homelessness providers and refugee organisations and communities to ensure people requiring MHCC are identified and supported.

Real collaboration and partnership is hard work which is why there has been lots of resources and effort put into this area over the last ten years.

How strong are my partnerships?

Use these tools to assess the strength of your partnerships and how far along the partnership continuum you really are. They can also help you think through what to do to improve the partnership.

Partnership Evaluation Tools

VicHealth Partnership Analysis Tool

This tool was developed to support organisations strengthen their partnerships in relation to health promotion. However, it is also relevant for analysing and understanding partnerships for the purpose of service delivery and collaboration. It was updated in 2011 and includes information on managing change in organisations

Partnership Self-Assessment Tool

This tool was developed by the Center for the Advancement of Collaborative Strategies in Health in the US. It is provides a questionnaire for the members of the partnership to complete and a system for preparing a report. It is suitable for partnerships which already exist, have started to implement partnered activity and of which there are at least five members.

Assessing Strategic Partnership: The Partnership Assessment Tool

This UK developed tool provides a simple, quick and cost-effective way of assessing the effectiveness of partnership working. It enables a rapid appraisal which graphically identifies problem areas and allows partners to focus remedial action and resources. For those just setting up partnerships the tool provides a checklist of what to ensure and what to avoid.

Resources to help you make the changes

VCOSS Partnership Practice Guides

Developed by VCOSS this series of guides are designed to assist any organisation through the partnership process. Guide 1 covers preparing to partner; Guide 2 commencing the partnership and Guide 3 sustaining the partnership.

The Partnership Toolkit: Tools For Building And Sustaining Partnerships

A very comprehensive kit developed in Vancouver. It starts at the very beginning, asking pertinent questions about motivation and readiness to partner at the individual agency level through to the processes and practices you need in place to make the partnership work.