News
Supporting Communities in Responding to Suicide Being Used as a Threat
A resource tackling the issue of people using suicide as a threat has been redeveloped to assist Northern Territory community members and service providers to respond to this difficult issue. ‘’The Little Red Threat Book’’, originally published in 2007, has been revised and further developed by the Central Australian Life Promotion Network (LPN) with input
Productivity Commission Draft Report Into Mental Health
Public comment closed this week to the Australian Productivity Commission Draft Report Into Mental Health. MHACA was broadly supportive of the draft report, however highlighted some key concerns in our submission: The draft report does not consider in depth the very key role of the community managed mental health support sector in assisting people with mental health
Peer Project Worker
MHACA is a specialist psychosocial recovery and mental health promotion organisation with a strong presence and reputation in the community. MHACA is currently seeking a Peer Project Worker. The Promoting Peer Work in the NT Project is funded by the Australian Government Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program. It aims to provide opportunities for people
February Group Activities Calendar
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the February Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA group
January Group Activities Calendar
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the January Calendar To participate in MHACA group activities you
December Group Activities Calendar
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the December Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA group
Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health Draft Report Release
The Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health Draft Report was released 31st October. The Productivity Commission estimated that mental illness costs Australia $180 billion annually. It noted that the rate of mental health presentations at emergency departments has risen by about 70 per cent over the past 15 years. The draft report has “documented long-standing
Group Activities Calendar November
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the Group Activities Calendar November 2019 To participate in
Group Activities Calendar October
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the Group Activities Calendar October 2019 To participate in
Group Activities Calendar September
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the Group Activities Calendar September 2019 To participate in
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MHACA will be having a strong focus on physical health this year as part of our Healthy Bodies Support Healthy Minds health promotion campaign.
People living with mental illness experience much poorer physical health than others for a range of reasons including side effects of medications, silos between physical and mental health services, stigma and discrimination, and ‘diagnostic overshadowing’.
However we all can do things to support our mental health every day - Keeping Active, Eating Well, Sleeping More and Reducing Alcohol, Smoking and Other Drugs.
#mentalhealth #endthestigma
Exciting news. Rosemary Wanganeen from the Australian Institute Of Loss and Grief will be a feature speaker at MHACA's International Women's Day Event 12-1pm Tuesday 10th March. A free event but spaces are limited so make sure you book your place at events.humanitix.com.au/overcoming-adversity
MHACA is working to reduce the stigma of mental ill health this International Women's Day.
#mentalhealth #endthestigma
A resource tackling the issue of people using suicide as a threat has been redeveloped to assist Northern Territory community members and service providers to respond to this difficult issue. ‘’The Little Red Threat Book’’, originally published in 2007, has been revised and further developed by the Central Australian Life Promotion Network (LPN) with input from people who have lived experience of this issue.
The book will be launched on Friday February 21st from 10:00am-11:00am in the Andy McNeill Room, Alice Springs Town Council. All are welcome and people working in the community services sector are highly encouraged to join the LPN and special guests to launch this important community resource. Light refreshments will be provided and all attendees will receive a free copy of The Little Red Threat Book. The launch will be followed by the Central Australia Life Promotion Network Meeting at 11am; all those with an interest in suicide prevention are welcome to stay for the meeting.
“The Little Red Threat Book responds to community concerns about the increase in people threatening suicide and provides useful support suggestions for those involved, “said Peter Devine, Manager Community Safety, MacDonnell Regional Council and LPN Chair/Board Member.
The first edition of the Little Red Threat Book was produced in 2007 after a community workshop was held to explore this emerging issue. The Life Promotion Program, as part of the Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA), coordinated the workshop. The book has been reprinted multiple times and has been a valuable resource for community members and service providers over the last decade.
In 2019, the Central Australian Life Promotion Network received funding from the Northern Territory Government, Department of Health & Minister Natasha Fyles, to organise, host and facilitate a Suicide Prevention Forum in Central Australia that would inform a revised version of the Little Red Threat Book. The LPN was established in 2017 as part of the Wesley Lifeforce networks, and is facilitated by MHACA, MacDonnell Regional Council, Lifeline Central Australia, Australian Red Cross and the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
In August 2019, people from Aboriginal communities, people with lived experience of suicide and representatives from local service organisations came together at the Suicide Prevention Forum to share experiences and explore responses to suicide being used as a threat. The forum heard directly from people who have been impacted by this issue, as well as from successful suicide prevention programs.
“The book tackles a problem that has felt difficult, confusing and dangerous for many people. In the workshops, participants expressed an understanding that people making suicidal threats are often affected by trauma and the frustrations of unmet needs. Responses explored in the book revolve around expressing care, supporting collective safety and finding ways to meet unmet needs without reinforcing unsafe behaviour,” said Peter Devine.
“Suicide as a threat is a complex issue and this book does not have all the answers, but the LPN has developed this resource in the hope that it will help people be more confident to provide the appropriate support in these difficult situations,” said Peter Devine.
The book can be downloaded at mhaca.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/Little-Red-Threat-Book.pdf
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14.
#mentalhealth #endthestigma
SANE Australia's Topic Tuesday Lived Experience Forum is about The Pet Effect: Animals are good for our wellbeing! Tune in this Tuesday 18th February 5.30-7.30pm NT Time at mhaca.saneforums.org/t5/Special-Events/Topic-Tuesday-The-pet-effect-animals-are-good-for-our-well...
#endthestigma #mentalhealth
Eating healthy food has been a focus this week at MHACA as part of Smart Eating Week. We've had fresh fruit and veges available every day for participants, a special healthy cooking class followed by a shared participant and staff lunch, and we have shared information by emails and social media.
When it comes to supporting good mental health, our diet plays a critical role. Beyond the physical health impacts, diets high in saturated fats and refined sugars impact how we feel. We need to avoid processed food and incorporate a diet which includes drinking plenty of water and enjoying a wide variety of foods from the five food groups (vegetables, fruit, grains, meat/alternatives and dairy/alternatives) every day.
Find more information at daa.asn.au/smart-eating-for-you/smart-eating-fast-facts/
#healthyeating #mentalhealth
Three important food facts from ReachOut.com Australia -
1. Drink water. Water constitutes up to 60% of the human body, so when you feel thirsty, your hands-down best choice is water. Treat soft drinks, energy drinks and even juices as an occasional treat.
2. Don’t fear fats. Fats are part of a healthy diet. But not all fats are the same. Unsaturated fats, like those found in avocados, nuts and olive oil, should play an important part in your diet. Avoid saturated and trans-fats – found in butter, fried food, pastries and cakes – as much as possible.
3. Cut down on sugar. In 2015, the World Health Organization made a strong recommendation that adults reduce their sugar intake to less than 10% of their total daily calories. As a rough guide, this means fewer than ten teaspoons of sugar per day. Just one can of soft drink contains this amount of sugar, so you can see that you’ve got to keep a close eye on the sweet stuff.
If you need some support to make some healthier food choices check out more tips at:
au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-make-healthy-food-choices
#healthyeating #mentalhealth
How to make healthy food choices
au.reachout.com
Learn the benefits of eating well and get a step-by-step guide to making healthy food choices.It's Smart Eating Week at MHACA because we know a healthy diet supports a healthy mind.
Studies are showing that the Mediterranean Diet is having good results with improving depression symptoms and mood. But what is it?
The Mediterranean Diet is a mostly plant-based diet which also encourages regular exercise, eating 3 main meals a day and enjoying meals with friends and family. Food encouraged in the diet includes:
A daily intake of…
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Legumes/beans
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Free range eggs
A moderate amount of…
- Fish/seafood (at least two servings each week)
- Lean white meat (at least two servings each week)
- Low fat milk, cheese, yoghurt and alternatives
And not so much…
- - Red meat (less than 2 servings per week)
- - Processed meat (limit intake)
- - Discretionary foods such as processed sweets, lollies, pastries, juice, soft drinks (limit to special occasions)
You can find some more information in this article: www.healthline.com/nutrition/mediterranean-diet-meal-plan#foods-to-avoid
#eatinghealthy #mentalhealth
A healthy diet supports good mental health. The Australian Dietary Guidelines offer an approach to eating to promote health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of diet-related conditions and chronic diseases.
The Guidelines include:
1.To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and choose amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs.
2. Drink plenty of water and enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups (vegetables, fruit, grains/cereals, meats/alternative and dairy/alternatives) every day.
3. Limit intake of foods containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol.
4. Encourage, support and promote breastfeeding.
5. Care for your food; prepare and store it safely.
The Guidelines are intended as a framework for healthy eating among the general population. They may not be exactly right for every individual as we’re all unique with differing health challenges, goals, and lifestyles. If you have specific needs talk to your doctor or get tailored nutrition advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
#healthyeating #mentalhealth
It's Smart Eating Week; a week facilitated by the Dieticians of Central Australia to encourage Territorians to make healthier food choices.
Eating well is important to support good mental health, but where do you get information to assist making good food choices? These days it seems that everyone is a nutrition expert from TV celebrities to Instagram sensations to qualified health professionals.
It's important you get information from reputable sources like the Dieticians Association of Australia daa.asn.au/ and The Heart Foundation www.heartfoundation.org.au/ You can find the Australian Dietary Guidelines at www.eatforhealth.gov.au/
#food #eathealthy #mentalhealth
www.eatforhealth.gov.au
The Australian Dietary Guidelines (the Guidelines) provide up-to-date advice about the amount and kinds of foods that we need to eat for health and wellbeing. The recommendations are based on scientif...