Mental Health Australia has been engaged by the Department of Health to manage the MHiMA Project until 31 December 2016. Key tasks during this timeframe include analysing the activities, arrangements and outputs of the most recent Project (to 30 June 2015, managed by another entity), and making recommendations to the Australian Government Department of Health about future directions for the MHiMA Project. In late March 2016 Mental Health Australia submitted a recommendations report to the Department of Health about the future of the Project. Government is currently considering the findings from this report. From July 2016 the Project will enter an interim maintenance phase that only allows for limited project activities.  

Regular MHiMA Project updates are provided through the Mental Health Australia CEO Weekly Update (free subscription). 

Latest update from Frank Quinlan, CEO Mental Health Australia:

Members of the National CaLD Consumer and Carer Working Group (NCCCWG) gave presentations to consumer and carer delegates and guests at the National Register and NMHCCF Annual Workshop on 10 May. Presenters provided insights from their lived experience and knowledge of the current issues and experiences affecting CaLD consumers and carers and their families when accessing the mental health system. The topics included human rights, meaningful engagement for CaLD in mental health reforms, men’s mental health and wellbeing, parenting, fostering and adoption, and the CaLD perspective on recovery from mental illness. The presentation was well received and sparked discussion amongst National Register and NMHCCF members. Photos and information about the presentation will be uploaded to the website in the next week.

Latest update from Frank Quinlan, CEO Mental Health Australia:

As you know, Mental Health Australia submitted recommendations to the Department of Health about the future of the MHiMA Project on schedule in late March. The Government has not yet made a decision about these recommendations and it is not clear when they will, though clearly this will not be during caretaker period.

I can advise the Department has extended the MHiMA Project to 31 December 2016 while Government considers the findings from the Future Recommendations report. The six-month extension is not business as usual – it is an interim measure and a reduced version of the project. With significantly reduced project activities, we are unfortunately unable to continue current project staffing arrangements past 30 June (when existing MHiMA Project staff contracts end).

To ensure the minimal activities identified by the Department are progressed, from 1 July the Project will be supported by a single project officer position only. I would like to acknowledge and thank the current project staff for their hard work and commitment in challenging and uncertain circumstances.

We will continue to receive information and updates and support participation in national policy and initiatives, as required.

While we too are disappointed with this interim stage, we hope that by supporting the NCCCWG and Project Advisory Group, and by continuing to try and inject CaLD issues into the national policy agenda, we have the best chance of securing a longer term future for the MHiMA Project. 

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any queries or feedback.

Latest update from Frank Quinlan, CEO Mental Health Australia:

The MHiMA National CaLD Consumer and Carer Working Group (NCCCWG) met this week to discuss their presentation for the National Register and NMHCCF Annual Workshop in May. NCCCWG members are looking forward to sharing multicultural mental health perspectives and discussing national mental health issues and opportunities with other national-level consumer and carer representatives at the Workshop.

The NCCCWG Meaningful Engagement Consensus Statement is now available on the Mental Health Australia website. The Consensus statement was developed in May 2014, and is based upon NCCCWG members' understanding and experiences of meaningful engagement. It is a living document that provides six guiding principles the NCCCWG consider form the foundation for genuine and meaningful engagement of mental health consumers, carers and communities from CaLD backgrounds.

The NCCCWG works through a co-design process to develop submissions and advice to government on national mental health reform, including the development of the 5th National Mental Health Plan and Primary Health Networks. 

Latest update from Frank Quinlan, CEO Mental Health Australia:

Late last week we completed and submitted the Recommendations for Future Directions Report to the Department of Health. The report’s recommendations were developed in consultation with mental health and multicultural stakeholders – thank you to everyone who provided feedback through the public consultation and the Framework Review, and to the National CALD Consumer and Carer Working Group (NCCCWG) and Project Advisory Group for their contributions. We are now eagerly waiting for feedback from the Department and the Government on the report. I look forward to updating you further in the coming weeks.