April Newsletter - Mental Health Community Coalition ACT

Dear friends of MHCC ACT,

2026 is showing little sign of easing. Between global instability and the ongoing fuel crisis, many of us are continuing to navigate stressful and uncertain times. In light of this, we are resharing a resource from the Australian Red Cross, After a distressing event has happened. It offers practical guidance on common emotional and physical reactions following distressing events, along with simple steps to support wellbeing and recovery, and advice on when to seek extra help.

It also includes helpful tips for supporting children during periods of heightened stress. Easter is now behind us, daylight savings has ended and ANZAC Day is just around the corner. Many families are right in the middle of the school holiday period. While this time of year is often framed as a break, for some it can be anything but, as regular routines are disrupted, this can be a particularly challenging time. For parents and carers juggling work commitments alongside caring responsibilities, the pressure does not ease quickly. Longer days, fewer childcare options, and the ongoing task of holding everything together can take a toll.

Access to free and low cost community programs remains critical, offering children connection and activity, and giving parents some much needed breathing space as households continue to adjust. Across the ACT, Woden Community Service, Belconnen Youth Centre, Northside Community Services and YWCA are continuing to offer free activities for families during the school holidays. We also found this list of free or low-cost activities Free or Low-Cost Activities For Families These School Holidays – Healthy Schools Network ACT.

World Autism Day on 2 April, was a reminder of the work we remain deeply committed to: strengthening community managed services, supporting neurodiversity affirming practice, and advocating for systems that uphold dignity and reduce barriers remains essential. That means ensuring autistic voices are centred in policy, commissioning, and service design. On 31 March, the ACT Government announced its three-stage plan for delivering the Thriving Kids Program in Canberra. This marks an important step in how early supports for children with developmental delay and autism will be delivered locally.
We’ve developed an MHCC ACT snapshot of the federal government guidelines to help make sense of what is coming and what it may mean for families and services.

The stakes are significant. 2024 Research from the University of Queensland found that autistic people are almost three times more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic people. Reflecting on this, the research article Community Priorities for Preventing Suicide in Autistic People: An Approach to Guide Policy and Practice reinforces that effective prevention must be grounded in autistic leadership, community safety, and systemic change, not individual deficit. Locally the picture reflects the similar tension, the wait time for an autism assessment through the ACT Government is approximately two years. To help bridge the gap, our member organisations Marymead CatholicCare & Capital Region Community Services offer assessments and support services for adults and children.

Our “What got us thinking” section below isn’t accidental. A two year wait, research pointing to systemic change, a new program rolling out in stages – these all ask the same underlying question: are our systems shaped around people or are people being shaped to fit our systems? Regards, MHCC ACT team