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The Board of Directors of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses congratulates Ms Deborah Nelson, Area Nursing Director for South Metropolitan Area Health Service, Mental Health (SMAHS-MH) who has been awarded the prestigious ACMHN Mental Health Nurse of the Year 2010. The award was presented by Ms Heloise Waislitz, CEO of the Pratt Foundation and ACMHN Patron at the College’s annual Oration and Investiture ceremony in Hobart earlier this week during the 36th International Mental Health Nursing Conference. Ms Nelson gave a moving acceptance speech where she thanked colleagues and her family and expressed great pride at receiving such a significant recognition from her profession. This award recognises professional achievement and a contribution to mental health nursing that goes above and beyond the usual role and responsibilities of the individual. Ms Kim Ryan (CEO) said, “Ms Nelson has instigated a number of initiatives to advance the mental health nursing profession and is considered a role model by a great number of mental health nurses in Western Australia. She has established a work environment for nursing staff at SMAHS-MH that fosters innovation and growth, and she is held in high regard by all who work with her.” Mental health nurses are a vital component of an accessible and affordable mental health service and Ms Nelson’s dedication and leadership attest to the importance of the profession to mental health services and to people who experience mental health issues, their families, carers and communities. “Mental health nursing is a fantastic profession, and mental health nurses like Deborah Nelson are inspirational – her many achievements provide tangible evidence of how rewarding and interesting this job can be” said Ms Ryan. Media Enquiries: Kim Ryan This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
What are we working on now?Things are very busy in the ACMHN national office... we have a number of projects on the boil and some exciting plans for the next few months. August 2010 Update (Brief!)
June/July 2010 UpdatePoliticsACMHN has made a number of Media Releases in relation to the recent political events - including Julia Gillard becoming PM and in response to the opposition release of a mental health policy strategy. We are currently working on our election platform which will be released by the first week of August 2010. ACMHN Media Release 24 June 2010: Gillard is PMACMHN Media Release July 2010: Opposition MH strategy released Standards of Practice for Mental Health NursesWe conducted the final consultation process for the Standards of Practice for Mental Health Nurses - an online survey which over 200 people participated in. Feedback has now been incorporated into the Standards and they are awaiting approval by the Board. The new Standards will be launched in Hobart during the Conference by the TAS Minister for Health. 800 Credentialed MHNs!Another landmark today (23 July 2010) with the approval of our 800th Credentialed Mental Health Nurse. The national office continues to be very busy with credentialing applications. Membership SurveyThis was a very interesting exercise with over 600 respondents answering a range of questions about the College, its profile, the benefits to members and seeking feedback about recruitment and communication strategies. The next newsletter (the September-November 2010 edition) will review the survey and respond to the key issues raised by members. Accreditation CommitteeTwo new members have been appointed to the Accreditation Committee - Congratulations and thanks to Julie Porter and Deb Nizette. AmbassadorsWe have a number of new Ambassadors ready to start promoting the College. Contragulations and thanks to micheline Bachler, James Houghton and Tan Kan Ku. Conferences and events. A range of conferences and events, including AGMs have now been held. Kim attended a number of events and hasn't spent much time in Canberra over the past month or so. Here is Kim (left) with Kim Foster and Deb Nizette at the Workshop on Mental Health Undergraduate Curricular Development workshop at Rydges Melbourne.
May 2010 UpdatePolitics politicsWith the recent Rudd Government announcements around 'health reform' Kim, Anne and Peta have been busy with media releases, reviewing the content (or lack thereof) of the comments and documents that have come out of the Department and making responses and submissions to relevant individuals around how these issues will affect mental health nurses.Farewell to Carol in MembershipsThe national office is sad to farewell Carol Taylor who has been our Memberships Officer for some years now. We wish Carol all the best in her new job and value and acknowledge the huge contribution she has made to the growth of the organisation to this point - helping us to keep tabs on where you all are and what you are all up to!
2010 ConferenceThe call for abstracts for both the conference proper and the Researh Symposium are now closed and we are very close to having a final program drawn up. We had a record number of abstracts submitted this year, so competition will be fierce and we are guaranteed of a top notch program. It's all happening! The 2010 conference in Hobart is going to be fantastic!! Join Us - Register Now!Accreditation CommitteeEOI has been extended for committee membership until the end of June 2010. Non-Directive Pregnancy Counselling Online ProgramIs currently being re-vamped and will be available again online 1 June 2010. e-news first editionThe first edition of the e-news went out earlier this month. Did you get yours? What did you think?!?!?!? All feedback welcome: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Mental Health Nurse of the Year 2010The 2010 Application pack is now available...get your nominations in by May 21st 2010. Winners will be announced at the Annual Oration & Investiture on 30 August 2010 in Hobart. Click here for a Nomination Pack.CEO BlogSome of you have noticed that Kim now has a blog - (accessible from the homepage of the website, just above the College conference link in the centre of the screen). This provides a forum for Kim to comment on current happenings and an opportunity for members to make comment. Clinical SupervisionOver 100 college members put up their hand to be on the Clinical Supervision position statement revision committee. Of course, this is way too many participants in one committee, so a small group of members will soon be contacted by Bernie, who is a Board member and will chair the committee. However, can we say that we have been thrilled with the respnse from members and it is obvious that people have a lot to say on this issue, so your input will be sought through the committee. Stay tuned! 'news' magazine Winter EditionThe winter edition of 'news' has been sent to the printer this week and should be in your mailbox by the first week in June. MHNIP ManualWe are busy developing a manual for the MHNIP which includes templates and suggestions about establishing a business under the program. Want to contribute? Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view itThis is just a snippet of some of the things we are working on... but there is so much more. Please check back for regular updates of work in the national office. April 2010 UpdateThe work plan for April 2010 has been done and includes: 2010 Conference
It's all happening! The 2010 conference in Hobart is going to be fantastic!! Accreditation Committee
Ambassadors Program
e-News First Edition
Mental Health Nurse of the Year 2010
Non-Directive Pregnancy Program Review
Primary Mental Health Care Special Interest Group
Primary Mental Health Care Conference
Indigenous Mental Health Special Interest Group
Database Update and Integration
Funding Opportunites - Small Grants
MHNIP Manual
This is just a snippet of some of the things we are working on... but there is so much more. Please check back for regular updates of work in the national office. Donna does it again!ACMHN Mental Health Nurse of the Year 2009 Donna Hodgson has won The University of Canberra’s Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence for a Sessional Tutor/Demonstrator. A hearty congratulations to Donna from the Membership, the Board and the staff in the national office. Obituary: Dr Brian HennessyDr Brian Hennessy who was the Director of Psychiatry in the ACT in the 1960’s through to 1974 has passed away. Dr Hennessy developed a major plan for psychiatric services for the Australian Capital Territory in 1969 and then in a more extensive manner in 1972. With respect to the provision of services for the people with mental illness, Dr Hennessy was a man well ahead of his time. In the early 1960’s he was a senior psychiatrist at Fraser House which was the first therapeutic community in Australia, then located at what was known as the North Ryde Psychiatric Centre (now Macquarie Hospital). Dr Hennessy was very focused at that time on treatment of patients using the least restrictive care and encouraging the development of independence and fulfilment of potential in all of his patients. He was, in fact, an early proponent of the recovery model of care that Mental Health ACT follows today. In 1974 Dr Hennessy moved to the then Commonwealth Department of Heath as one of the major advisors on mental health issues. He, along with Dr Sidney Sax, was a prime mover of not only mental health services but also community health services in general. His emphasis was always on community treatment and treatment of the family and his chief concerns were for the principles of prevention, a positive approach to recovery and the need for full participation by the community and by many different professions. He was an early proponent of the Multi-Disciplinary Team. Dr Hennessy saw the promotion of good mental health as an essential component of any efforts to improve the quality of life of all members of our society. Dr Hennessy became Director of the Commonwealth Department of Social Security. Dr Hennessy was an active participant in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists where he was held in high esteem by every one of his colleagues. The ACT Branch of the College joins with all concerned with mental health issues in the ACT in expressing our deepest sadness and sympathy both for his passing and his long period of disability. However, we also wish to remember his massive contribution to mental health in Australia and to celebrate the life of a man so dedicated to the care of others. It is a tribute to the pioneering work of Dr Hennessy that our mental health rehabilitation centre bears his name. The entire ACT community has much to thank Dr Hennessy for in laying the foundations for a mental health service that is at the forefront of care in the least restrictive manner and has its emphasis on recovery and not simply removal of symptoms. In lieu of flowers the Dr Hennessy’s family has requested donations for the Brian Hennessy Rehabilitation Centre.
Obituary: Dr David Clark
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