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Advocates & Allies: sector development series

Helping mental health workers better understand the complexities of the mental health system in New South Wales.

Welcome to this series of informative sector development webinars, developed by Mental Health Coordinating Council to help mental health workers better understand the agencies, programs and practices that make up the mental health and broader human services system.

This information is for anyone working in mental health in NSW who wants to build advocacy skills to support people as they navigate a complex service system.

Webinar 9

Advocates & Allies: stigma and discrimination – maximising human rights

Learn more about work being done to maximise human rights and reduce barriers for people in NSW, including those living with mental health and coexisting conditions.

Speakers
Karyn Bartholomew – Manager of Enquiries & Conciliation, Anti-Discrimination NSW, Department of Communities and Justice
Dr Michelle Blanchard – Executive Director of Strategic Projects, National Mental Health Commission
Tim Heffernan – Deputy Commissioner, Mental Health Commission of New South Wales

Webinar 8

Advocates & Allies: Homelessness and Mental Health – Systemic Change for a better future

Hear about how organisations and communities are working towards meeting the needs of people with lived experience of mental health and homelessness.

Speakers
Trina Jones – CEO, Homelessness NSW. Presentation slides
Shane Jakupec – Senior Operations Manager, Neami National
John Mason – Lived Experience Consumer

Webinar 7

Advocates & Allies: Realising rights and the voices of older people with lived experience

Hear how organisations and communities can meet the needs and aspirations of older people with lived experiences of mental health and disability through collaboration, capacity building, supported decision making and recovery.

Speakers
Robert Fitzgerald AM – Commissioner, NSW Ageing and Disability Commission
Elizabeth Abbott – Acting Director, Older People’s Mental Health Policy Unit, Mental Health Branch, NSW Ministry of Health. Presentation slides
Bryan Hoolahan – Senior Policy Officer, Older Persons Mental Health Policy Unit, Mental Health Branch, NSW Ministry of Health. Presentation slides
Bharat Nepal – Senior Peer Worker with Pathways to Community Living /OPMH, Western Sydney Local Health District

Webinar 6

Advocates & Allies: working in the digital space

Hear from community organisations about the diversity of services they provide to people living with mental health and psychosocial disability in the constantly changing digital environment.

To support the delivery of digital services for community organisations, view our Digital Service Delivery Guide.

Speakers
Corinne Henderson – Principal Policy Advisor, Mental Health Coordinating Council
Jo Young – Online Program Worker, GROW. Presentation slides
Phoebe Connors – Operations Manager for Psychosocial Services, Uniting NSW/ACT. Presentation slides
Sigrid Staender-Challender – Grower & Chair of the Branch Program Team NSW/ACT, GROW

Webinar 5

Advocates & Allies: INclusive Practice with LGBTIQ+ People

Hear about how service culture can help LGBTIQ+ people take control of their mental health and how it can support better outcomes for them and their communities. Become more aware of LGBTIQ+ experience in some services and the difficulties people have when services do not pay attention to their perspectives and particular needs.

For a directory of LGBTIQ+ community groups and services in NSW, visit Rainbow Cultures.

Speakers
Chris Keyes – Drug Health Manager, Central & Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network. Presentation slides
Genevieve Whitlam – Associate Director, Client and Clinical Services, ACON. Presentation slides
Georgie Hartigan – Mental Health Peer Worker, Community Health Promotion Officer Suicide Prevention Programs ACON

Webinar 4

Advocates & Allies: nsw mental Health review tribunal

Decisions made by the Mental Health Review Tribunal can impact significantly on the lives of the people detained in mental health facilities, and in the community. Learn more about the Tribunal and how it considers complex evidence, and balances competing rights and interests at a webinar with Deputy President Maria Bisgoni and Tribunal colleagues.

Speakers
Maria Bisgoni – Deputy President, NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal
Dr Charles Doutney – Consultant Psychiatrist, NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal Member
Corinne Henderson – Principal Policy Advisor, Mental Health Coordinating Council, Mental Health Review Tribunal Member
Athena Field – Peer Community Education Program & Workforce Practice Advisor, Wellways
Darren Wagner – Manager Peer Support Team, Eastern Suburbs Mental Health Service

Webinar 3

Advocates & Allies: Towards Zero Suicides Initiative

In this webinar we explore the Towards Zero Suicides Initiative to gain a better understanding of its interface with the community-managed sector and how to access Towards Zero Suicides services.

Speakers
Deb Hoban – Senior Policy Officer, Towards Zero Suicides Initiative, NSW Ministry of Health. Presentation slides
Ella Fyfe – Suicide Prevention Services Manager, Wellways. Presentation slides
Sarah Reynolds – Acting Coordinating, Towards Zero Suicides, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Presentation slides

WEBINAR 2

ADVOCATES & ALLIES: the role of Primary health networks in recovery

In this webinar, hear how Primary Health Networks operate, learn about their role in suicide prevention planning, and find out more about how they commission services.

WEBINAR 1

ADVOCATES & ALLIES: Health Care Complaints Commission

Learn about the role of the Health Care Complaints Commission, the complaints process and how workers can support people who have concerns about their health care.