Mental Health Coalition

Table of contents:
About Mental Health Coalition
Program Coordinator
Contact Details
Our Vision
Our Mission Statement
Our Goals
What we strive to achieve
Membership
Why Join?
Future directions
Current members
Community Mental Health Australia

 

The Coalition is currently auspiced by NTCOSS

 

Check for new media releases here

 

Download Mental Health Factsheets and Information here

  

What is the Mental Health Coalition?

The NT Mental Health Coalition is the peak body representing the community-based mental health sector in the Northern Territory, organisations who provide services to mental health consumers and their families. Its members are organisations and its role is to promote mental health through representing the interests of members working towards ensuring that Consumers and Carers are provided with quality mental health services.

It has direct access to the Northern Territory Government policy makers via the Department of Health and Families Minister and the Director of Mental Health, as well as through various consultations with the Mental Health Services’ inpatient and outpatient facilities in Darwin and Alice Springs and all the Top End.

The Coalition also has a seat on the Federal Mental Health Peak Body, the Mental Health Council of Australia, through which the Coalition is able to access the Federal Government policy makers and legislators.

Recently the Non-Government Organisations Mental Health state peaks around Australia formed an Alliance and through this combined body we hope to have an impact on policy makers and budgets around the country, including at the federal level.

It is not only the role of the Coalition to represent the interests of non government service providers, it is also its role to promote mental health literacy and reduce stigma as well as coordinate the activities of mental health promotion each year.

 

Program Coordinator

Phil Dempster is the program coordinator for the NT Mental Health Coalition. He has a strong background in community mental health services, coming from the Senior Fieldworker’s position at GROW in the Northern Territory. Previous to that he spent 6 years in the external student support unit at the Charles Darwin University.

He is currently studying part time at the university completing an IT/Business degree. Phil is taking on the challenge to increase membership of the Coalition and improve the work that is done by the Coalition.

Part of the Coalition's brief is to raise awareness of mental health in the Northern Territory. Phil has organised a wide range of awareness raising and stigma reduction activities, including Mental Health Week and other promotional activities.

 

Contact details

Address:	PO Box 1128 Nightcliff NT 0814
Phone:	08 8948 2665
Fax:	08 8948 4590
Mobile:	0400 798 619
Email:	Phil Dempster

 

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Our Vision

To be a dynamic focus for better promotion and advancement of the community mental health sector in the Northern Territory.

 

Our Mission Statement

As a Coalition we will foster partnerships for better mental health services. Promote, strengthen and develop the growth of non-government, community based, recovery oriented responses to the needs of people with mental illness and psychiatric disability in the Northern Territory. Ensure all people are able to access a diverse range of services and resources to support their recovery and well being.

 

Our Goals

• Goal 1 - Promote and influence the development of the non-government mental health sector in the Northern Territory
• Goal 2 - Represent the interests of Northern Territory Non-Government Organisations at local, state and federal levels
• Goal 3 - Develop and implement strategies to raise community awareness and reduce stigma

 

 

Goal 1 - Promote and influence the development of the non-government mental health sector in the Northern Territory

Priorities

• The NT Mental Health Coalition will work towards an appropriate Quality Assurance Plan over the next 3 years, in line with the newly developing National Mental Health Standards for non-government organisat

  

  ions being developed by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC)

• Develop membership of the Coalition to include any organisation committed to promoting the well being of people affected by a mental illness or psychiatric disability and subscribing to the objects of the Coalition

• Identify organisations, consumer and carer groups with which the Coalition should form strategic partnerships

• Consult with the sector to research, develop and then represent the needs of their client groups

• Support member organisations to promote their services and information into the community

• Ensure training and professional development opportunities are available to all member organisations when they are offered

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We will measure success by:

• Successful implementation of Q & A standards

• The percentage of participation and strength of membership by organisations meeting the new membership criteria

• Assistance provided by the Coalition to other organisations and Peak Bodies

 

Goal 2 - Represent the interests of Northern Territory non-government organisations at local, state and federal levels

Priorities

• Research data collection and analysis to satisfy the service needs of the sector

• Lobby for adequate funding and effective service agreements

• Work collaboratively with other organisations to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes

• Develop and distribute information resources for the sector

We will measure success by:

• Reports from the sector on the impact of any changes to funding and service agreements

• Resources created or provided by the Coalition that meet identified needs of the sector

• Conduct a member’s satisfaction survey on the utility of information provided by the coalition

 

Goal 3 - Develop and implement strategies for effective mental health promotion to raise community awareness and reduce stigma.

Priorities

• Produce and implement a three year plan of strategies for Mental Health Promotion and get it signed off by DHCS by August 30 2007
  
• Organise an effective steering committee to oversee the development of mental health promotion in the Northern Territory
  
• Engage the support of organisations outside the mental health sector
  
• Engage the support of the media wherever possible
  
• Offer public education and training programs

 

We will measure success by:

• Approval of plan from DHCS
  
• The participation of organisations in the steering committee meetings.
  
• The number of activities throughout the year and the participation rate in those activities, the coalition will survey participants as a measure of success
  

 

Some Coalition members hard at work during planning day 2009

               

 

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With the implementation of this strategic plan the NT Mental Health Coalition will strive to achieve the following:

Identify and promote the needs and rights of people with mental illness, psychiatric disability and mental health support needs, and their carers in the NT.

Monitor, analyse and inform the sector on the changes in national mental health policy development and resource allocation to ensure that the needs of people with mental illness, psychiatric disabilities and mental health needs, and their carers, in the NT are met.

Promote and maximise the acquisition and dissemination of information, and processes of consultation and collaboration, in matters relating to mental illness, psychiatric disability and mental health in the NT

Promote and maximise consumer, carer and community empowerment and participation in all matters relating to mental illness and psychiatric disability including treatment and policy development.

Facilitate strong relationships, cooperation and coordination between consumers, carers, non government and government service providers within the mental health sector in the NT.

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Membership Criteria

Membership of the Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition will be extended to any organisation or individual who has an interest in community mental health in the Northern Territory.

The membership of the Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition elects a Committee of Management responsible to the membership for managing the affairs of the Coalition.

Nominations for positions on the committee of management are restricted to organisations that fulfill the following criteria:

• Non – Government Organisation

• Providing services in the Northern Territory specifically targeted at assisting mental health consumers and/or carers

• Demonstrated effective consumer/carer participation practices within their organisation in the Northern Territory

• Committed to promoting the wellbeing of people affected by mental illness or psychiatric disability

Organisations who nominate for a position on the Committee of Management agree that the representative they provide will be able to make a meaningful contribution to the outcomes being sought by the Committee of Management.

 

Why join the Coalition:

• The NT Mental Health Coalition provides a representative voice for its members on mental health issues
• In becoming a Coalition member your organisation can make a difference by participating in policy development, project development and research and training
• The Coalition represents the interests of all non-government mental health organisations in the Northern Territory
• You will have the opportunity to influence government policy on mental health throughout Australia
• You will receive regular mental health news, notice of events and training
• Stay connected with other mental health service providers across the Northern Territory and in the national scene
• Be represented at the national level through membership of the Mental Health Council of Australia and membership of the Australian Mental Health Community Services national alliance of peak bodies
   

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 Future Directions for the Mental Health Coalition for 2009/2010

Please check here for our findings and reports on the priorities for 2008/2009

The following are the five prioritiy areas for the Coalition for 2009/2010:

1. Accountability
Strategies: Establish a sub committee to define terms of reference for project Employ project worker to investigate and evaluate the process of the current Mental Health system of accountability and make recommendations for future improvement **Final terms of reference will be sent to all members	Working group member: Beverley (Mental Health Carers NT) Claudia (MHACA) Sally (Headspace Top End) Garry (Carers NT) Phil (Coalition)	Time frame: Dec 2009
2. Incorporation
Strategies: Establishment of a transition to incorporation committee to investigate: Discover how other mental health peaks operate Determine the role of the coalition Determine what will be included in the constitution Who would make up the committee/board? Cost and process associated with incorporation Risk management	Working group members: Robbie (Headspace CA) Lorraine (DCLS) Beverley (Mental Health Carers NT) Wendy (NTCOSS)  Dawn (TEMHCO) Phil (Coalition)	Time frame: June 2010
3. Housing
Strategies: Identify the needs Affordable rentals Tell the “housing” story Liaise with other sectors and NT shelter Costing and savings Use existing resources from coalition members eg: MHACA Needs and gaps analysis Safe and appropriate options	Working group members: Claudia (MHACA) (Melaleuca) Mike (Vincentcare) Tony (TEAMHealth) Phil (Coalition)	Time frame: Feb 2010
4. Stigma
Strategies: Positive Stories Clear & concise messages Work in a realistic environment by getting professional to admin to and talk about weakness and vulnerabilities Sharing information Audit of what is available Submission to NTG for promotions worker Mental Health week	Working group members: Michele (KidsMatter) Sally (Headspace Top End) Bev (GROW) Dawn (TEMHCO) Phil (Coalition)	Time frame: ongoing
5. Collaboration
Strategies: How do we work effectively together and with other sectors Communication What tools to use Magnify impact of what we are doing Co morbidity project NTCOSS & Division Shared professional development Seek resources Looking out for collaborative opportunities Assisting organisations to work together and identifying links and crossover Developing partnerships Information sharing	Working group members: Robbie (Headspace CA) Kath (GPNNT) Michele (KidsMatter) Mike (Vincentcare) AOD Project (NTCOSS) Hiltrud (Carers NT) Phil (Coalition)	Time frame: ongoing

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The current members of the NT Mental Health Coalition are as follows: Member Organisation and their representatives

Committee of Management

1. Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA) - Claudia Manu-Preston - visit their website
2. Top End Association of Mental Health Inc (TEAMhealth) - Anthony Smith - visit their website
3. GROW - Bev Wells - visit their website
4. Top End Mental Health Consumers Organisation (TEMHCO) - Dawn Brown and (Bev Carter for General Membership)
5. Mental Health Carers NT (ARAFMI) - Beverley Grimm - visit their website
6. Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc (NTCOSS) - Wendy Morton - visit their website

General Membership

7. Mission Australia (PHaM Program) - Sharon Wilson - visit their website
8. Lifeline Central Australia - Rob Loane - visit their website
9. Carers NT - Gary Halliday - visit their website
10. NT Legal Aid Commission - Bethany Lohmeyer - visit their website
11. General Practice Network NT Central Australia - TBA - visit their website
12. Somerville Family Services - TBA - visit their website
13. Salvation Army Hostel - TBA - visit their website
14. Darwin Community Legal Service - Lorraine Gibbs
15. Lifeline Top End - Jane Johnson
16. Vincentcare Darwin (NT) - Mike Byrne
17. Centacare Family Supports Program - Chris Grant
18. Red Cross PHaM - to be announced
19. General Practice Network NT Topend - Kath Haradine
20. COTA - Lyn Ritchie
21. Veterans affairs - Sue Filovich
22. NMHCCF Rerpresentative - Greg Johnson
23. Community Visitor Program - Judy Clisby
24. CDU equity and support service - Kerrie Coulter
25. NTCAG Representative - Michelle Masters
26. Headspace Top End - Sally Weir
27. Headspace CA - Robbie Lloyd
28. Melaleuca Refugee Centre - TBA
29. Danila Dilba - Rebecca Orr
30. Kidsmatters - Michelle Oliphant
31. Life Without Barriers - Liz Peard
32. Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) capacity building project NPY Women's Council - Chris Warren
33. MindMatters - Karina Stevenson
34. NT Correctional Services - David Williams

 

 Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA)

 

• Develop a better national understanding of community mental health and recovery services
• Coordinate the development of the community mental health industry/sector across all states and territories
• Proactively pursue involvement within national mental health policy and service development arenas
• Establish partnerships with national stakeholders to achieve shared mental health reform goals

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