News
June 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. Currently all MHACA programs, including the Day Program, remain open
Schizophrenia Awareness Week 17-24 May
Schizophrenia is a common mental health condition which affects the way people think, feel and behave. Up to one in a 100 people experience schizophrenia worldwide, and it often develops between the late teenage years until the early 30’s but can occur at any time. There is a lot of stigma associated with schizophrenia which
May 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. Currently all MHACA programs, including the Day Program, remain open
MHACA Services During COVID-19
The Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA) is providing an essential service to people who have severe and complex mental health issues and will continue to support our participants through this difficult time. At this stage all our programs, including the Day Program, remain open with increased hygiene and physical distancing measures in place.
Mental Health Support During COVID-19
If you are feeling anxious or distressed, or are concerned about the mental health of someone else, MHACA can assist you to find the support you need in the local community and beyond. Phone 89504600 between 8am-4pm. Outside of these hours please use phone and online services that are available 24 hours a day. Lifeline
Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic
In recent weeks the global response to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has escalated, making many people feel anxious and stressed. The Mental Health Association of Central Australia offers the following tips to help reduce anxiety during this time: Source information from credible sources Get information from official sources to avoid misinformation. For NT updates
March 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 March Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA group
New MHACA resources encourage help seeking
The Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA) has developed new printed resources to encourage people to seek help early for mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts. 1 in 5 Australians are experiencing mental ill health each year and recent figures (2017-2018 Australian Bureau Statistics) show that 1 in 8 Australians are currently experiencing high
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
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After a broad national search and interviewing a number of very qualified applicants the MHACA Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Dira Horne as the new CEO of MHACA.
Dira will commence in the role on 18 October. She previously was the Regional Operations Manager for Anglicare NT, and prior to that was the CEO of Belconnen Community Services in the Australian Capital Territory for 10 years.
The Board is confident that Dira possesses a broad range of skills, knowledge and experience that will be of great benefit in leading MHACA in the years ahead as we continue our important work in Central Australia.
Comment on Facebook After a broad ...
Great result with a highly motivating appointment congrats and having access to some intriguing parts of the country ..🥂
Wow! Go you! What a fantastic opportunity - and you will be fabulous….where is it based?
Congratulations Dira - a great role for you to utilise all your skills
Congrats Dira, you are such an amazing inspiring woman!
Congratulations gorjy. Couldn’t think of a better candidate xx
Wishing you every success Dira - you appear to be ideal for this important role 👍
Congratulations and all the very best. Xxx
How fabulous! Well done you!
Congratulations, Dira! Very exciting times for you!
Congratulations Dira!
Congratulations Dira 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Congradulations my friend
CONGRATULATIONS, Dira. Best wishes for your new position.
Congratulations Dira Horne what a fantastic appointment for them and for you! Wonderful 👏👏👏
Congratulations Dira!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Congratulations Dira!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Yaaaaayyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How very awesome Dira Horne! Love to you and Congratulations xxxxxx
A perfect choice
Congratulations Dira!
Congratulations Dira!!
Fantastic news Dira Horne, congratulations .
Congratulations Dira. Wonderful news, We will have a drink to celebrate next Weekend.x🥂🍾
Congratulations Dira!!
Well that's damn excellent Dira. Congratulations xx
Congrats Dira Horne
Bevan has been building confidence and skills through boxing lessons recently. Bevan is a Support Coordination participant at MHACA and indicated that he would like to include boxing as part of his NDIS plan. Bevan’s Support Coordinator was able to link Bevan up with a local trainer and now Bevan enjoys a boxing session weekly.
For more information on MHACA NDIS services email ndis@mhaca.org.au or call 89504600
#mentalhealth #NDIS #ndisprovider #alicesprings
Sadly for MHACA we will be saying goodbye to our CEO of 4 years, Merrilee Cox at the end of this week.
“It has been an absolute privilege to work at MHACA and to be part of the wonderful Alice Springs community. There are many challenges to delivering quality, recovery focused services in a remote setting and I am very proud of the dedicated team we have at MHACA, and of the positive and supportive environment we have created.” - Merrilee Cox.
Merrilee joined MHACA in 2017 after a long career in the mental and public health sectors. Merrilee brought with her a breadth of experience that supported her to oversee the challenges of transitioning MHACA to the NDIS funding model.
Merrilee has been strong advocate for people with lived experience of mental illness and has ensured their voices have been heard in MHACA’s submissions and public representations. Merrilee has been a member of numerous boards and committees and has made a significant contribution to the community managed mental health sector across the Territory.
Merrilee is pictured here with Manager, Health Promotion Helen Lambert, receiving the Community Event Of The Year Award for Stress Less in the Park earlier this year.
Comment on Facebook Sadly for MHACA we ...
A huge loss to MHACA & the Alice community. All the best for whatever the future holds Merrilee Cox. I hope to see you in Vic xo
Thank you, Merrilee, for your outstanding contribution as a member of the NT Shelter Board over the last three years. We wish you all the very best into the future.
What a journey for you you will be missed at MHACA and in Alice Spring. Definitely made a huge contribution in Alice Springs and in Mental Health. So happy that you will be closer to your grandchild thats a huge bonus and I’m sure one you are looking forward to. Thank you for all of your help you gave me while I was in Alice Springs thank you for your leadership it was awesome working with you and the team at MHACA. Many fond memories of you all ❤️
Thank you Merrilee for all you have achieved, delivered on behalf of others.. the endless advocacy for the systemic change and individual advocacy on behalf of others.... Central Australia and more broadly, the Northern Territory, will be at a loss without you... however you will leave behind a remarkable legacy for others to build upon.
Hope to catch you somewhere in Victoria sometime Merrilee! All the best xx
All the Very Best Merrilee Cox ! You've been fabulous for MHACA and the Alice Community. Congratulations on a job well done!
Best wishes for your new roles Mer🤗
Thank you Merrilee ! we will miss you. Xo
Well done Merrilee. I'm sure you'll be greatly missed, however it'll be great to have you back home👏
Hope you are coming home?
Well done Merrilee Cox. Alice’s loss is Victoria’s gain
You will be missed!
Best CEO ever!!
All the best for the future Merrilee Cox. You will be missed.
Margaret Fox
Thanks for all your contributions Merrilee Cox. Safe travels.
What's next Merrilee Cox ?
The Girl on the Bridge Film Screening
6 pm Wednesday 13 October - Alice Springs Cinema
Free Mental Health Week screening but RSVP's essential: events.humanitix.com/tgotbscreening
The story of a young woman with the weight of a generation on her shoulders. Having survived her own suicidal struggles Jazz Thornton is a mental health activist, fighting to change how society and the system are dealing with young people like her. Ultimately this is a film about hope. It’s a film about redemption. It’s a challenge to all of us to try to understand.
RSVP's essential: events.humanitix.com/tgotbscreening
Please note: this film explores the issue of young people and suicidal ideation. Support will be available at the screening for anyone who requires it. Find more information at www.thegirlonthebridgefilm.com.au/
More than 300 people attended the Creating Hope Through Action - World Suicide Prevention Day event on the Council Chamber Lawns today. It was important to come together and acknowledge the impacts of suicide in our community and learn about suicide prevention initiatives.
There were great speakers, a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, a flower ceremony, music by Paul Ah Chee, stalls and a BBQ.
Thankyou to the Central Australian Life Promotion Network members who supported the organisation of the event and stallholders including Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia NT, Children's Ground, Gap Youth and Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Alcohol and Others Drugs Services Central Australia, Akeyulerre, headspace Alice Springs, LifeLine Alice Springs, 8CCC Community Radio 102.1fm - Alice Springs & Tennant Creek
Thankyou to Alice Springs Town Council and Lhere Aterpe Aboriginal Corporation for your support of the event.
If you require support or need to talk to someone please call:
• Lifeline 131 144
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
If it's an emergency, please call 000.
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #mentalhealth #alicesprings #mpwarnte
It's World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow Friday 10 September. If you are in Alice Springs come down to the Council Chamber Lawns at 11am for a Welcome To Country, Smoking Ceremony, speakers, stalls, kids activities, music and free BBQ
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #mentalhealth
We had a lovely Women's Health Week morning tea in Alice Springs today. Thankyou to the services supporting women in the Centre that came and shared information - Central Australian Women's Legal Service Inc., Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit - CAAFLU, Women's Safety Services of Central Australia and Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
People enjoyed free hand massages thanks to the Plaza Wellbeing Centre, cupcakes and tea and coffee by Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia NT.
Thankyou to Diana from 8CCC Community Radio 102.1fm - Alice Springs & Tennant Creek for coming down and documenting it.
#WomensHealthWeek #mentalhealth
Comment on Facebook 242081659565651_1257407161366424
Big thanks you so much more okay My name is Devona Palmer merry Christmas and happy New year God bless you
Check out MHACA's September 'Mental Health Matters' with latest news, events, and job vacancies - mailchi.mp/a9dea4a918a9/mental-health-matters-news-events-vacancies
Central Australians will be demonstrating how we are working together to create hope though action for World Suicide Prevention Day, 11am Friday 10 September on the Alice Springs Town Council Chamber Lawns.
‘Creating Hope Through Action’ is the theme for this year's event. It acknowledges that many individuals and organisations are working on suicide prevention initiatives in our communities and providing support to people to overcome their challenges.
The event is being organised by the Mental Health Association of Central Australia and the Central Australia Life Promotion Network (LPN). The LPN is formed from a range of community members and organisations committed to suicide prevention.
"Suicide has touched all of us here at Children's Ground, and we're keen to play our part in creating hope through action. We see that hope and action is in our culture. Our culture is intrinsically connected to our identity of who we are as First Nations people, whether you live in a city, town or remote,” said Tyson Mpetyane Carmody, Children's Ground.
“We want our children and young people to know that they are not alone, that they are loved and that we work together for their future. We want to acknowledge all of the work being done in this community, Mparntwe, to support those impacted by suicide. We look forward to being a part of that action with everyone here to continue to create hope," said Tyson Mpetyane Carmody.
"We have the highest rates of suicide on the continent in the Northern Territory. Suicide impacts all of us. World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity to gather and honour those we have lost, acknowledge those that have experienced suicidality and bereavement, and demonstrate the care and support that is available in our community," said Helen Lambert, Manager Health Promotion, Mental Health Association Central Australia.
This free whole of community event will be held 11 am-1 pm Friday 10 September on the Alice Springs Town Council Chamber lawns.
There will be music from local singer songwriter Paul Ah Chee, stalls and activities from community organisations, a smoking ceremony, welcome to country, speakers from the community, a free BBQ lunch and a flower ceremony.
If you require support or need to talk to someone please call:
• Lifeline 131 144
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
If it's an emergency, please call 000.
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #mentalhealth
Comment on Facebook Central Australians ...
A smoking ceremony is a real turn off for me tbh good for some not for others .
Here's some happy faces from the MHACA camp last week held at Hamilton Downs Youth Camp. Participants and staff enjoyed walks, cooking food, games, good discussions and being out nature.
#mentalhealth #healthylifestyle
Comment on Facebook 242081659565651_1254059075034566
Looks awesome!! Miss you guys x