[MMHA-E-Bulletin] MMHA E-Bulletin March 2006

[Multicultural Mental Health Australia]

Welcome to the Multicultural Mental Health Australia March 2006 E-Bulletin.

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. For
contributions: info at mmha.org.au
Please note: In the last E-Bulletin the web address for the Womens Health
Services was incorrect it should have read http://www.whs.org.au/
This edition in brief: (please scroll down for more information)

What’s New?
1.MMHA training needs survey
2.Latest Synergy available soon – Reducing Stigma
3.A Model for CALD Consumer Participation in Mental Health - QLD
4.WA’s Mental Health Strategy 2004 –2007:  Focus on cultural competency
training for WA Clinicians
5.For Matthew and Others - journeys with schizophrenia

Publications
1."Alone, Together" - a wonderful collection of stories and experiences of
refugees and asylum seekers
2.ABS Year Book Australia 2006

Events and Training
1.2nd WA Transcultural Mental Health Conference
2.VTPU Seminar 29th March – Dr Yvonne Stolks
3.Diversity, Disadvantage, Discrimination: Migrants, Refugees and Racism
in Australia
4.Carers NSW Practical and Fun Training Programs

New additions to the Web
1. New look MMHA website coming soon!
2. Ausinet recovery toolkit now available online
3. Diversity Health Institute Website - Find new additions easier

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WHAT’S NEW?

1. MMHA Training Needs Survey

An MMHA training needs survey can now be completed online or look out for
a copy in the next edition of Synergy. Your feedback will assist MMHA to
deliver a training program that is relevant, and assists you, to deliver
culturally competent mental health care.
Complete the survey by 30 April 2006 and go into the draw to win a MMHA
resource pack, which includes a copy of Reciprocity in Education, Reality
Check, Cultural Awareness Tool, Beyond Words, and Mental Health Care in a
Culturally Diverse Society.
To complete the survey go to www.mmha.org.au and follow the links from the
home page.

2. Synergy - Reducing Stigma Edition

The latest edition of Synergy will soon be available and will focus on
reducing stigma. The aim of this edition is to explore the concept of
stigma and why it is such a burden to people affected by a mental illness
and more so for people from a CALD background.
Look out for your copy in the mail or if you receive it electronically a
further E-Bulletin will be distributed shortly.
If you don’t receive Synergy join the mailing list at
http://www.mmha.org.au/MMHAPublications/Synergy/mailinglist_form

3. Community leaders are key to destigmatising mental illness in
multicultural communities

A recent publication by the Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre
(QTMHC) “A Model for CALD Consumer Participation in Mental Health” details
a consumer participation strategy underpinned by community development and
mental health promotion approaches in order to break down stigma in
multicultural communities.

For further details please contact the QTMHC on 07 32402833

4. WA’S MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY 2004 –2007:  FOCUS ON CULTURAL COMPETENCY
TRAINING FOR WA CLINICIANS

Included as one of the Key Initiatives in Western Australia’s Mental
Health Strategy 2004-2007, is the strategy to promote and implement
Workforce, Safety and National Standards (Key Initiative 5).  As part of
the strategy the Office Mental Health aims to improve the cultural
competency of clinicians working in WA’s mental health services.  It has
recognised that cultural diversity training for WA clinicians to date has
been somewhat ad-hoc and inconsistent. The Cultural Competency in Clinical
Practice training package aims to ensure that a uniform cultural
competency training package is available to WA’s mental health clinicians.

The package is promoted, administered and evaluated by the Office of
Mental Health.  It has been endorsed as a training program to be delivered
on a statewide basis for all WA clinicians.
For further information about the next round of training please call Peter
O’Hara at the Office of Mental Health (08) 9222 4454 or Dr Bernadette
Wright, WA Transcultural Mental Health Centre (08) 9224 1760.

5. For Matthew and Others - journeys with schizophrenia


This will tell, through visual, performing and literary arts the
difficulties and joys experienced by people living with schizophrenia as
well as their families and friends.

This project aims to raise public awareness of one of the most stigmatised
illnesses in contemporary society. There are many Matthews - men and women
of different ages and ethnic backgrounds living - and ending - brave lives
defined by a terrible illness. Their stories deserve to be told.

As part of the exhibition we are creating a tribute to the many people
with schizophrenia who sadly go missing and invite families members and
friends to submit any personal memorabilia, i.e., stories, poems,
photographs, letters, social history material and messages and that will
be displayed in the exhibition, commencing in September 2006.

All tributes can be sent to the Researcher - For Matthew and Others -
Journeys with Schizophrenia - Campbelltown Arts Centre, PO Box 57,
Campbelltown NSW 2560. Or email:geraldine.quin at campbelltown.nsw.gov.au

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PUBLICATIONS

1.  "Alone Together"

The Refugee Claimants Support Centre has published a new book called
"Alone, Together" - a wonderful collection of stories and experiences of
refugees and asylum seekers The book is the product of a wide-reaching
project funded by a QUT Community Service Grant.
"Alone, Together" is being launched at a lunchtime celebration on Harmony
Day, 21 March, at the Gardens Theatre at QUT Gardens Point Campus.   For
details please contact Helen Wilkinson via e-mail at
h.wilkinson at qut.edu.au

2.Year Book Australia 2006

Looking for the facts about Australia? The Year Book Australia 2006
contains objective and reliable information about contemporary Australia.
Year Book Australia provides a detailed coverage of our nation and its
people. It gives a comprehensive picture of Australia’s economic and
social conditions with topics such as population, crime and justice,
service industries, tourism, the financial systems, communications and
more.
Price: $92.00
More information at www.abs.gov.au

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EVENTS AND TRAINING

1.2nd WA Transcultural Mental Health Conference – Incorporating the
Convention for Mental Health Carers.

When: 16 – 17 November 2006
Where: Duxton Hotel, Perth, WA


The popular "Thinking through lanaguage and the interpretation of meaning"
workshop by Greg Turner QLD Transcultural Mental Health Centre will be run
in conjuction with the conference. Further details will be available soon.

When: Wednesday 15th November 2006 (afternoon)
Where: Duxton Hotel, Perth, WA


More information about the conference and the workshop will be available
soon at www.broadenhorizon.health.wa.gov.au

2. VTPU Seminar Series - Are we reaching the aged in ethnic communities?
Trends in access and equity in mental health service delivery over a
decade by Dr Yvonne Stolk

At the September 2005 VTPU seminar, Dr Yvonne Stolk brought to attention
the newly analysed data showing continuing disparities in access and
equity in mental health service provision for adults in Victoria's ethnic
communities. In a forthcoming seminar on March 29 2006, attention is
focused on the aged in those same ethnic communities: Research & Education
Consultant, Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit.

Go to  http://www.vtpu.org.au/programs/education/seminars.php#details for
more information

3. Diversity, Disadvantage, Discrimination: Migrants, Refugees and Racism
in Australia
This special seminar on resiting racism will endevour to bring together
key people, religious and ethnic community leaders to explore how to
achieve respect for diversity and sustain harmony in society.
When: Friday 31 March 2006
Time: 8.30am - 12.30pm
Where: NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Contact SAVE Austrlia for further infromation
Phone: 02 9266 0766
Email: director at save.org.au


4.Carers NSW Carer Training Program


Teaching Relatives the 14 Principles of Coping

If you care for someone effected by a mental illness and would like to
learn a more effective method of coping, Carers NSW are running a course
by Ken Alexander titled “Teaching Relatives the 14 Principles of Coping”.
The course is based on the observation that relatives who learn the
principles of coping will evolve, and successfully apply, their own
problem solving procedures for coping.

When: Sat 29th and Sunday 30th April 2006 (2days)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Where: Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club, 24 John St, Lidcombe 2141


Smiles Program – Simplified Mental Illness plus Life Enhancement Skills

This program is designed for 8 – 12 year old young people who have a
mother, father, brother or sister experiencing a mental health problem.
The program is designed to increase the ability to cope effectively,
reduce isolation and increase self-esteem.

When: Tuesday 18 April – Thursday 20 April 2006
Time: 9am – 3pm daily
Where: Woodstock Community Centre, 2 Conder Street, Burwood NSW 2134


For further information about the above training programs contact NSW
Carers. Phone: 9280 4744Fax: 9280 4755
Email: lorna at carersnsw.asn.au or geoff at carersnsw.asn.au

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NEW ADDITIONS TO THE WEB

1. MMHA New Look Website - Coming Soon!

MMHA will soon have a new look website. After reading end user feedback
through our online survey and monitoring site statistics it became evident
that we needed to update the site and make navigation and getting around
the site easier.
Further information will be available closer to the official launch of the
new site.

2. Ausinet Recovery Toolkit
A series of consultations in 2004 uncovered the need for practical
resources to support an increasing understanding of recovery. These
consultations (carried out by Auseinet and Debra Rickwood) were based on
the discussion paper 'Pathways to Recovery' commissioned by the Promotion
and Prevention Working Party.
As a result of feedback, Auseinet has developed an online toolkit
containing examples of recovery based activities, resources, practical
tools, protocols and an online discussion forum. Go to 
http://www.auseinet.com/toolkit for more information.

3. Diversity Health Institute (DHI) Website

The DHI has now added to the website an easy way to find the most recently
added information.
Go to http://www.dhi.gov.au/clearinghouse/new.aspx to check whats new at
the Diversity Health Institute.


Multicultural Mental Health Australia has extensive listings on mental
health resources and services. Available at: www.mmha.org.au. For more
information please contact us on: Tel: +61 2 9840 3333Fax: +61 2 9840 3388
Email: admin at mmha.org.au
Website: www.mmha.org.au