Noticeboard - General PPEI
The latest news in the area of promotion, prevention and early intervention for mental health. Additional news relevant to Consumers and Carers is available here.
A complete list of items for this year is available here. Older noticeboard items from last year are still available for your perusal.
| 2008-05-14 |
Positive psychology and adolescent well-being study seeking research participants
A new Monash University research study on positive psychology and adolescent well-being in people aged 12 to 17 is looking for participants.
The purpose of this study is to identify characteristics that are present in adolescents with high well-being and mental health. The information gained from this study will be used to develop a psychological program or intervention that will aim to help other adolescents improve their well-being and mental health.
Participation would involve completing a set of questionnaires. A small number of participants will be invited to participate in either focus groups or phone interviews. For more information contact:
Jacolyn Norrish or Dr Dianne Vella-Brodrick.
| 2008-05-05 |
Raising awareness and recognition for people with biploar disorder: online survey
This international survey for people with bipolar aims to gain a patient perspective (rather than clinical) on important issues. The survey is being conducted by PatientView, in association with the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) and GAMIAN-Europe, as well as the European family and carer federation, EUFAMI. The survey is part of a new project to create a global website for people living with bipolar depression, designed by people with bipolar themselves.
The brief survey is due to close on Monday 30th June 2008 and is available from online bipolar survey.
| 2008-04-29 |
From Margins to Mainstream: 5th world conference on the promotion of mental health and the prevention of mental and behavioral disorders
Mental health promotion and prevention are concepts which are no longer discussed only within health, but are now being integrated into many conversations including those within education, physical activity, justice, planning, the arts, technology and human rights – to name just a few. The evidence that mental health is determined by a range of socioeconomic factors is also building.
The aim of this conference is to confirm that mental health promotion is no longer at the margins but rather firmly established in the mainstream research, policy and practice arenas.
Detailed information about keynote speakers for the conference (including Rosalynn Carter, Todd Harper, Dr. Carles Muntaner, Kate Gilmore, David Osher, and Dr Morton Beiser) is available on the website at speakers webpage.
Earlybird registration for the conference closes on 28th May 2008.
| 2008-04-23 |
National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy
As a part of the Social Inclusion Agenda, the Australian Government is developing a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy to address the barriers faced by people with disability and/or mental illness that make it harder for them to gain and keep work. The Strategy will be developed in close consultation with consumers, peak bodies, employers, state and territory governments and experts.
The discussion paper provides instructions and examples of how to submit ideas and also outlines the background and purpose of the Strategy. More information can be found at Commonwealth Department of Employment Education and Workplace Relations webpage. Submissions close 30 June.
| 2008-04-21 |
Mission Australia's 2008 national survey of young Australians
Mission Australia is now undertaking its 7th annual youth survey to find out more about the values and issues that concern young Australians. The survey can be found at Mission Australia Youth Survey page until the 27 June 2008. For hard copies email: Anne Hampshire.
| 2008-04-16 |
Australian Youth Forum
The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Youth announced the creation of a new forum for young Australians to have a voice to government, on 17 March 2008. The new Australian Youth Forum replaces the National Youth Roundtable and will offer broader opportunity and scope for young people from across Australia to have your views heard by the Federal Government.
The Australian Youth Forum Discussion Paper is now available and the consultation period for you to have your say on how you want to communicate with Government is open to 30 May 2008. For more information go to The Source.
| 2008-04-10 |
Indigenous AOD workers' wellbeing, stress and burnout
The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) at Flinders University is undertaking national research on the wellbeing of Indigenous and non-Indigenous health workers (who see a high proportion of Indigenous clients) working in the Alcohol and Other Drugs field.
NCETA would like to invite interested parties to submit their views (closing date 16th June 2008). For more information go to NCETA Research Project page.
| 2008-04-09 |
The Oasis: Australia's homeless youth
Documentary about the daily chaos and drama of a group of homeless kids at Oasis youth refuge, followed by a panel discussion hosted by Lateline's Tony Jones about this complex issue.
The documentary and panel discussion turn the spotlight on disadvantaged teenagers through their challenges with drug addiction, mental illness, criminal convictions, domestic abuse and teenage pregnancy.
Screening on ABC TV on 8:30pm Thursday, 10 Apr 2008. For links to reports and additional information go to Oasis website
| 2008-04-01 |
Development of e-learning package: COPMI consultation
The National COPMI Initiative is currently consulting with consumers, carers, mental health professionals, academics and professional colleges and associations from around Australia about the content for an e-learning package. The package will be a free resource available to mental health workers (psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists) and GP’s who interact with children and families where a parent has a mental illness.
COPMI is also hoping to interview people who have developed and/or implemented workforce training programs in the past two years in Australia. Information about the process is available from the COPMI Website or contact Kylie Eddy, Ph:(08) 83670888 Ext 25, Email: Kylie Eddy until April 30th.
| 2008-04-01 |
New research into parent fatigue
According to Associate Professor Jan Matthews, Director of Research and Practice at the Parenting Research Centre (PRC), when parents are coping with fatigue it can have an impact on their ability to raise children. This survey of parent wellbeing will help to determine the level of fatigue that families are coping with on a daily basis, as well as to identify any potential impact on parenting. The research findings will be of real value in developing information and strategies to help support families.
The PRC would like to hear from any parents of children aged 0-6 who would like to participate in the parent fatigue and wellbeing survey: for more information go to Parent Fatigue Survey.
| 2008-03-31 |
Angels and Demons: Andrew Denton looks at the world of mental illness
At the 2007 Annual Mental Health Services Conference in Melbourne Andrew Denton met people from many walks of life who have struggled with severe mental illness. "Angels and Demons" provides a rare insight into the experiences of those with mental illness and finds the possibility of a better life for people often dismissed as beyond hope.
This episode of Enough Rope will screen on ABC TV, Monday April 7th at 9.35pm.
| 2008-03-31 |
Mental Health (MH), Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) and MH/AOD Comorbidity Courses: Scoping exercise
The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) has been contracted by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing to undertake a scoping exercise of Mental Health (MH), Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) and MH/AOD Comorbidity courses in Australia.
A list of accredited courses is available for viewing on the NCETA website. If you are involved with, or aware of, any accredited courses suitable for inclusion: please see guidelines and a submission pro-forma for key stakeholders and the general public on same webpage.
The deadline for submissions is Friday 11 April 2008. Electronic submissions are preferred and should be forwarded to nceta@flinders.edu.au.
| 2008-03-26 |
National 'Listening Tour'
Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Commissioner responsible for Age Discrimination, Elizabeth Broderick, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tom Calma, joined with the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission and the NT Legal Aid Commission, in the first 'Listening Tour' consultation yesterday in Darwin. The consultation was part of Commissioner Broderick’s national tour.
"We had a vibrant conversation about the unique challenges in the NT on the three themes of the tour - economic independence for women, work and family balance across the life cycle, and freedom from discrimination, harassment and violence" Ms Broderick said.
The 'Listening Tour' can be found online at Listening Tour Blog.
| 2008-03-25 |
New research into parent fatigue
According to Associate Professor Jan Matthews, Director of Research and Practice at the Parenting Research Centre, “We know that when parents are coping with fatigue it can have an impact on their ability to raise children. Previous international research has shown that fatigue can get in the way of parent-child and partner relationships, which has implications for a child’s emotional, physical and cognitive development, as well as for people’s physical and emotional health. Fatigue may even be a trigger in post-natal depression so there is a major need for resources to help parents address their fatigue”.
The Parenting Research Centre and the Parent Wellbeing team would like to hear from any parents of children aged 0-6, whether they are feeling fatigued or not, who would like to participate in the parent fatigue and wellbeing survey. For more information go to Parenting Research Centre.
| 2008-03-17 |
Racism research tender: request for researchers
The Foundation for Young Australians is seeking Expressions of Interest from experienced researchers interested in conducting qualitative and quantitative research on the experiences and impact of racism on the health and wellbeing of young Australians in 2008.
Expressions of Interest should briefly outline the proposed research methodology for undertaking the research (including details of research tools and analytic frameworks), provide an itemised budget, and indicate availability and timeframe. Expressions of Interest should be received by email or in hardcopy by 5pm Monday 21 April 2008
Further information about the project is available on the Foundation for Young Australians website.
| 2008-03-13 |
National Indigenous Health Equality Summit
More than 100 representatives from peak Indigenous and mainstream health bodies, non-government organisations and the reconciliation movement will partner with the Australian Government in convening a National Indigenous Health Equality Summit from 18-20 March in Canberra. The summit will be led by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma.
The summit will then culminate in a public event at the Great Hall of Parliament House on 20 March with the Minister for Health and Ageing, other members of the government and Opposition, as well as Olympians Catherine Freeman and Ian Thorpe. This event is open to all members of the public: RSVP Brett Harrison .
For more information go to HREOC webpage.
| 2008-03-12 |
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Research Foundation: Funding research into indigenous health and more
The RACGP Research Foundation supports general practice research through the provision of grants, scholarships, fellowships and awards each year. The Foundation especially encourages the provision of high quality health care to Indigenous people. In cooperation with the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) the Foundation will offer three RACGP/APHCRI Indigenous Health Awards in 2008;
Up to 9 alternative awards are also being offered to fund a plan of study or travel, or to undertake research.
Applications are open and all interested RACGP members are invited to apply. Applications close 14 April at 5pm (EST). Grant descriptions, eligibility criteria and application forms can be downloaded online at RACGP grants webpage.
| 2008-03-07 |
Self-injury and eating pathology questionnaire
A student of the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at Deakin University, Melbourne, is seeking females aged 18 years and over to fill out an online questionnaire. This research is looking at how specific personality traits (impulsivity and compulsivity) may or may not be related to certain behaviours (disordered eating and self-harm) in females. This questionnaire will take about half an hour to fill out. The results will be confidential, and can be anonymous (if you opt not to receive the results of the research or to participate in the follow-up study). This research project has Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee approval.
To fill out the questionnaire go to: Deakin University webpage.
| 2008-02-15 |
'Social Alternatives' issue on mental health: call for papers
Social Alternatives is an independent, quarterly refereed journal, committed to the principles of social justice. The journal will publish a special issue focusing on mental health and is seeking relevant papers, personal stories and poetry. The submission deadline is 1st June 2008 with a release date in November 2008.
Guidelines for interested contributors can be found at: Social Alternatives webpage. Or contact guest editor Dr. Victoria Palmer (Research Fellow, Mental Health, Primary Care Research Unit, The University of Melbourne)
E-mail: vpalmer@unimelb.edu.au.
| 2008-02-14 |
Greater focus needed on prevention
The Rudd Government believes prevention should play a far greater role in the health system and has already taken steps in this direction. The government has committed to a National Preventative Health Strategy, to be developed by a National Preventative Health Taskforce and has also announced that the forthcoming Australian Health Care Agreements will include a focus on preventative care.
In a press release Nicola Roxon, Minister for Health and Ageing, stated "We are determined to shift prevention from the margins to the centre of health care – a crucial part of building a health system for a modern Australia".
To read the full release go to 13th Feb. Press Release.