Here the College will put information about upcoming events, activities, publications and so on that may be of interest to members. Items are posted as they are received, with the more recently received at the top.

Latest

3/05/2012 AGPN's National Primary Mental Health Care Conference
AGPN is once again coordinating the National Primary Mental Health Care Conference in 2012. The Conference provides delegates with the opportunity to participate in a dynamic and engaging conference program which will look at the context for primary mental health care in Australia and explore the vision for the future. The theme The Changing Landscape of Primary Mental Health Care will be explored throughout the two day event which is being held on 31 May and 1 June 2012 at the Grand Chancellor, Adelaide. With over 200 delegates expected to attend, this conference provides an outstanding opportunity for primary mental health care professionals to identify strategies and solution to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the Australian population.

The Conference program will include plenary sessions as well as streamed workshops in the following areas:

• Consumer participation strategies
• Innovation and technology
• Workforce issues
• Clinical Governance
• Service Development 
• Research and Evaluation

Keynote speakers confirmed so far are Professor Frank Oberklaid, Director, Centre for Community Child Health Research, University of Melbourne, Dr. Gerry Naughtin, CEO, MIND, Ms. Georgie Harman, Deputy CEO, National Mental Health Commission. Other invited speakers include Annabel Crabb, Journalist and Broadcaster, Dr.Timothy Sharp, Head, Happiness Institute, Sydney . Carla Cranny will be the facilitator of the two day event which will also include an interactive panel on the role of Medicare Locals in delivering primary mental health care.

AGPN will also be facilitating pre and post conference workshops. The pre conference workshop will focus on perinatal mental health. The aim of this workshop will be to assist participants in implementing an ATAPS Perinatal Mental Health program within a comprehensive primary mental health care system. It will also provide an overview of a National Framework for Perinatal Mental Health. The workshop will be co-facilitated by AGPN and beyondblue. Key presenters will include Professor Jeanette Milgrom, Professor of Psychology, Director, Clinical and Health Psychology, Parent Infant Research Centre, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Dr. Anne Sved-Williams, Psychiatrist, Head Medical Unit, Helen Mayo House, SA and Dr. Pauline Hall, Clinical Psychologist, Perinatal Project Officer , SA Health.        

The post conference workshop will be on youth mental health and will aim to provide participants with an understanding of how mental health services can be provided to young people in a primary mental health care context. It will include the latest research into effective interventions in youth mental health; innovations in technology and their place in primary care and innovative programs that operate within primary care focussing on youth mental health.  Invited speakers include Professor George Patton from the Centre for Adolescent Health; Associate Professor Lena Sanci from the Department of General Practice at the University of Melbourne; Professor Ian Hickie, Director of Brain and Mind Research Institute and Mental Health Commissioner.  The afternoon session will include input from the newly established Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre which has a focus on young people, technology and wellbeing and we will also hear from programs that are operating within GPNs/Medicare Locals that target youth mental health issues.

To register to attend or to find out more information about the Conference and the pre and post workshops please visit Primary Mental Health Care National Conference: http://www.agpn.com.au/about-us/agpn-events/2012-events/primary-mental-health-care-national-conference

27/04/2012
National Mental Health Recovery Framework Consultations
The First Consultation Draft of the Recovery Framework will be available in early May. Public forums will be conducted in each capital city from18-31 May.

The forums are open to everyone and details of each one can be found here.

27/04/2012 Taking Stock: The Health Hazards of Farming
Taking Stock is a live television panel discussion, produced by the Rural Health Education Foundation, that explores the various factors contributing to poorer physical and emotional health outcomes in farming communities. The program seeks to raise the awareness amongst the health and medical community about farm accidents, injuries and illnesses, and the general health risks faced by farmers and their families. The program will assist health professionals better assess and detect symptoms, emphasising the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach. In addition the program supports the development of effective health promotion, health literacy and prevention programs in farming communities. It showcases the work of organisations such as the Sustainable Farm Families Project to increase awareness of the health status of farming communities.

Tuesday 8th May 2012
Live television broadcast on Optus Aurora Channel 4 and on NITV
Viewing Times: 8pm, NSW, ACT, TAS, QLD & VIC; 7.30pm SA & NT; 6.00pm WA

For more information on how to view the program visit the program webpage: http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=587

02/04/2012 Sexual violence resource
The expulsion of sexual violence from society is a lofty goal and will be a difficult task, but with concerted effort from those in the healthcare industry, a real difference can be made. To empower people to prevent sexual violence in their communities, a website has been created to provide users with the tools necessary to do so. The website can be accessed at http://www.forensicnursing.org.

19/03/2012 National Survey of mental health research priorities
The Centre for Mental Health Research has been commissioned by the Mental Health and Drug Treatment Division of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to provide information and advice on national research priorities in the field of mental health. One goal of the project is to identify priorities for mental health research as perceived by different groups of stakeholders.  As part of this process we are surveying opinions of various mental health professionals.

The survey is anonymous in that names are not linked to particular questionnaires.  You may choose to complete all or only some of the questions. Return of the questionnaire by all stakeholders will significantly contribute to the validity of the survey. Therefore we would be most grateful if you decide to participate.

If you are willing to participate in the survey could you please click here and complete the questionnaire..

A summary of findings will be published at the completion of the study, which will be available at http://www.ehub.anu.edu.au/research/index.php. If you have any questions about the survey please feel free to contact the following people:

Project Coordinator: Ms Kanupriya Kalia This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  02 6125 8411

Primary Investigator: Professor Helen Christensen This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

If you have any questions about privacy or ethics, please contact the Human Ethics Officer,

Australian National University Human Research Ethics Officer: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  02 6125 3427

15/03/2012 Mental Health Nurse Study Invitation
Are you a Victorian Mental Health Nurse and interested in the psychosocial wellbeing of people and communities in the aftermath of disasters?  

If so, we would like to hear more about your experience and invite you to participate in a short online survey which forms part of a research project that is currently being conducted by the University of Melbourne. The research project aims to examine and better understand the capacity of various professional groups across Victoria to provide mental health support to people affected by disasters.

For further information and to participate in this important study go to: https://university-melbourne.websurvey.net.au/dmh-workforce-capacity/q?o=10

09/03/2012 International Society for ECT and Neurostimulation
Courses, meetings and schedules can be found here.

27/02/2012 National Outcomes and Casemix Collection (NOCC) Strategic Directions 2014-2024
This project, being undertaken by the Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network (AMHOCN) and overseen by the National Mental Health Information Development Expert Advisory Panel, will review the progress on implementation of the NOCC and consider recommendations for further development of the NOCC through to 2024. Details regarding the key aims of the project, progress to date and the plans for consultations across all states and territories over the coming months can be found here.

27/02/2012 Board Member Vacancies
Call for Nominations or Expressions of Interest for appointments to 10 National Boards:

• Chiropractic Board of Australia
• Dental Board of Australia 
• Medical Board of Australia 
• Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia 
• Optometry Board of Australia 
• Osteopathy Board of Australia 
• Pharmacy Board of Australia 
• Physiotherapy Board of Australia 
• Podiatry Board of Australia 
• Psychology Board of Australia

Nominations and expressions of interest are sought in two categories:

• Practitioner Members, and
• Community Members

Current Board members are invited to apply. Submissions close Friday 2 March 5pm. For more information visit : http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Health-Professions.aspx

21/02/2012 National Mental Health Recovery Framework Project - initial consultations
The promotion and adoption of a recovery oriented culture within Australian mental health services, is one of the key actions identified in the Fourth National Mental Health Plan (Action4). This Action Area is being progressed by the Safety and Quality Partnership Subcommittee (SQPS) of the National Mental Health Standing Committee, Chaired by Dr Ruth Vine. Overseeing this project with Rut h is Michael Burge, Judy Bentley, Dr Rowan Davidson, Jenna Bateman and Robin Millthorpe.  Sarah Daffey, the Subcommittee’s Project Officer, is based with the Chair in Melbourne. The central task of this project is to develop a national framework for recovery oriented mental health service provision that spans all levels of service delivery to meet the needs of consumers and the community. The framework is to be suitable for guiding national mental health system change.

During the project, individuals and organisations will be able to provide input via Online Surveys, through written submissions and by attending consultation forae (details to be released). Information about the project, the Discussion Paper and consecutive drafts of the Recovery Framework will be placed on the Project website and will be emailed to those registering with the Project.Where necessary, information can also be forwarded by mail.

Fore more information, click here.

20/02/2012 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training Course
A 5-day course to accredit instructors to deliver the 14-hour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid Course

Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental illness or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves. A 12-hour Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Program was developed by Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm in 2001 to improve the mental health knowledge, skills and attitudes of the Australian community. In 2007, two speciality MHFA courses were launched: a 14-hour Youth MHFA course for adults interacting with adolescents and a 14-hour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA course. 

Further information and essential criteria can be found here.

15/02/2012 AADDM2012 Conference 2012 Program
Conference highlights include:

• Keynotes by eminent International and National speakers on health inequities, psychopharmacology, genetic technologies, obesity, research informed practice and consumer experiences.
• Strong health policy focus throughout including Interactive Health policy forum with Senior DoHA representative.
• Numerous opportunities to hear and contribute to debate about heath service development.
• Well developed programs in mental health, physical health across the lifespan and ID health service development.
• Majority of abstracts in easy English format.

Bursaries are available to support consumer and carer attendance.

For more information please go to www.aaddm2012.com or contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The program can be viewed here.

02/02/2012 Drug and Alcohol Nurses Australasia (DANA) Conference 2012: Call for Abstracts
The DANA Conference 2012 will highlight the issues around drug and alcohol nursing, with the conference guaranteed to identify and examine the current issues and problems facing drug and alcohol nursing.

DANA provides leadership to nurses and midwives with a professional interest in ATOD issues. DANA seeks to provide opportunities for professional development, education, mentoring and support for all nursesand midwives, and non-nursing peers through a variety of activities including a showcase annual conference.

The objectives of the conference are to:ƒƒ

• increase the knowledge of the delegates working in the specialist area of ATODƒƒ
• demonstrate innovative models of drug and alcohol nursingƒƒ
• provide a collegial environment that promotes support and networking.

The 2012 DANA conference, titled In the age of complexity, will be held at the Sebel, Albert Park, Melbourne, 13–15June 2012.

The Abstract Review Committee is calling for abstracts. More information and the official Call for Abstracts can be found here.

02/02/2012 PhD Scholarship, University of the Sunshine Coast
Can Computer Games improve the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Young People?
The PhD candidate will conduct research around the short and long termmental health and wellbeing of computer game players as compared to non-players. Some of the questions that this research aims to answer include:

• Are young people, as players, better able to cope with the challenges of real life if they play computer games?
• Do computer games in which goal achievement and rewards are recognised as personal achievements in that game improve the mental wellbeing of the young player?
• Are social games (such as Farmville) more effective at promoting the mental health of their young players?

For further information click here and here.

23/12/2011 Research Project: What is the role of the mental health nurse in caring with people of diverse sexuality &/or gender?  I want to know what YOU think.  Nurses who participate in the research will have the opportunity to reflect on and gain alternative perspectives and to share their ideas on how institutional settings and organisational environments might usefully be modified to improve the care experience.  To participate in a confidential interview, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Links: Ethics approval, more information, complaints document.

15/12/2011 New Courses at the University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame has an established expertise in Mental Health Nursing offering a mental health major within the Bachelor of Nursing program.

The University also offers a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Nursing.

For further information on these new courses, click here and here.

14/12/2011 Psychs on Bikes
Open to any psychiatrist, psychologist or bona fide mental health professional (including nurses & other therapists) who have a biggish motorbike & a desire for adventure, Psychs on Bikes is a charity motorcyle ride. The ride goes from coast-to-coast, leaving Cottesloe Beach in Perth on Saturday April 14 & arriving at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday April 22. If you’re interested, please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

14/12/2011 Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Nursing: Special Issue November 2012 - CALL FOR PAPERS
Mental health for children and young people has an increasing profile in policy and practice and this special issue aims to explore this important topic in relation to early identification, management, service delivery and policy within the contexts of infants, children and young people. The special issue will be published in November 2012. This special issue is being put together at a time of recognition of the needs of this vulnerable group and their families.

We welcome a broad spectrum of scholarly papers, based on research, systematic review or service evaluation, that extend the knowledge base and are relevant to nursing practice for this group. All papers should be submitted through the Cambridge Manuscript Management System and the standard guidance for authors should be used. Information on topics, along with the standard guidance for authors, can be found at http://www.npchn.com.

The deadline for receipt of papers is 27 April 2012.