Latest News
2024 Annual General Meeting
The Network will be holding our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 19 November 2024 from 11am to 1pm.
Formal notification has been sent to members, however a webpage for the 2024 AGM has been provided where new and current members can access the meeting documents and register.
IMPORTANT: Nomination forms are due by 3pm Monday 18 November 2024 and Proxy Forms are due before 11am Tuesday 19 November 2024.
Rhythm ‘n Tea in the Park Drumming recordings
Thank you to everyone who came to our Mental Health Month event on October 23, we hope you all had a great day.
Britt from Safe Space Counselling has provided us with recordings of the group drumming circles for listening. We hope to make the 10.45am group recording available soon.
One Drum at a Time 9.30am Group
One Drum at a Time 10.45am Group
Important Update on My Rights, My Decisions forms and the Digital Health Record system
As reported in our recent newsletter, the Network can confirm that consumers My Rights, My Decisions forms were not included in the transfer of information to the new Digital Health Record system, which went live in November 2022.
For consumers who have previously lodged a MRMD form, you do not have to complete a new form, just re-lodge your existing form using the following email address:
Network News Autumn 2024 now available
The latest edition of Network News (Autumn 2024) is now available for reading.
Click on the image to open.
New Submission responses available
Now available are two new policy submissions regarding operational processes at the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit.
These submissions focus on visitors and prohibited items at Dhulwa under the Mental Health (Secure Facilities) Act 2016 (ACT) and Operational Procedure.
Both of these submissions, as well as previous ones, are available from our Submissions page.
Site updates and End of Year closure
The latest edition of Network News (Summer 2023) is now available for reading.
Click on the image to open.
Our latest submission response to the Dhulwa Model of Care is now available for reading via the Submissions page.
The Network will be closed from 1pm Wednesday 20 December 2023 and reopen at 9am on Monday 8 January 2023.
We wish consumers a safe and restful Holiday season. If you require assistance throughout this period, Volunteering ACT has compiled the 2023-24 Community Services Holiday Season Guides.
Introducing the 2023-2024 Board of the Network
Following the Network’s recent Annual General Meeting, I am pleased to introduce the 2023-24 ACT Mental Health Consumer Network Board:
Executive Committee
- Chair: Paul Thompson (elected)
- Deputy Chair: Lachlan Atyeo (continuing)
- Secretary: Kathryn Dwan (elected)
- Treasurer: Assunta Arioli (continuing)
Ordinary Members:
- Jenny Adams (continuing)
- Bridget Berry (continuing)
- Zac Chu (elected)
- Chris Corcoran (continuing)
- Lucas Spensberger (continuing)
- Thi Nha Tran (elected)
This year’s elections saw a roughly even split of returning and new Board members elected, which is a great result for both continuity and bringing fresh ideas.
The ‘Our Board‘ page has been updated with these changes and will updated with new Board member profile pictures soon.
Canberra Times article on the importance of mental health peer workers
A recent article in the Canberra Times (Lanie Tindale, October 23 2023), featuring our own Paul Thompson, has been printed that highlights the value of mental health peer workers in a person’s recovery journey.
You can read this article via our Facebook page. or by clicking on the image to open in a new window tab.
Site updates
The latest edition of our quarterly newsletter (Network News Winter/Spring 2023) is now available. Click on the image to read.
Submissions page has been updated with submissions produced throughout August and September.
Network News Autumn 2023 now available
The latest edition of our quarterly newsletter is now available. Click on the image to read.
Submission page updated
New submissions for the second quarter of 2023 are now available on the Submissions page.
Summary of Northside Hospital Briefing meeting
In mid-May 2023, Healthcare Consumers ACT (HCCA ACT) and Canberra Health Services (CHS) held a meeting with stakeholders to present on the transition of Calvary Hospital management to CHS, with respect to service continuity and how the transition impacts on consumers and staff.
A summary of the presentation can be found via the HCCA ACT website.
Media Release
CHS Data Breaches
Joint response to the introduction of independent assessments to the NDIS
The Network, in conjunction with numerous other community organisations, recently submitted a joint response to the Minister for Disability, Justice Health and Mental Health, Emma Davidson MLA, highlighting shared concerns regarding the introduction of independent assessments to the NDIS.
You can read this response by clicking on the link below