community-managed mental health
Sector Update: May in review
Welcome to our wrap up of May! What a big month of announcements across both the ACT and national landscape, we’ve heard of significant funding changes that will continue to shape the landscape of community mental health, disability supports and the broader service system.
Snapshot of the NGO Mental Health Sector Investment Plan
The final ACT NGO Mental Health Sector Investment Plan provides a clearer framework for the
Commissioning process and desired outcomes. It introduces improved models and measurable
indicators and offers providers greater clarity and support in articulating impact and remaining
competitive in tenders. The majority of our recommendations have been incorporated, reflecting
improved transparency and alignment with sector needs.
2026-27 ACT Budget Submission
This submission outlines an opportunity for the ACT to invest in creating a mental health system that prioritises prevention, early intervention, and recovery – delivered in the community, where holistic, person-centred, lived experience informed and human rights-informed care can thrive.
We propose a series of actions that will deliver better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for the ACT. We ask that these points be considered as Ministers make decisions on the 2026-27 Territory budget.
Training: Community Suicide Awareness
Have you done your suicide prevention training? Everyone can have a role in responding safely to someone at risk of suicide. However, most of us are not confident in talking …
Training: Community Suicide Awareness Read More »
ACT Mental Health Sector Update: 30 September 2024
We hope you had an opportunity for some rest and respite during the end of year holiday period. Following a Christmas shutdown period…
Meet people where they’re at – candidates called to support community-managed mental health services this election
The Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC) have released their 2024 ACT election platform, calling for action on loneliness, perinatal mental health, climate change and justice.
ACT Budget keeps the dollars in-house – more funding needed for community-managed mental health services
The focus on wellbeing in this budget has not translated into new funding for community managed mental health services.
ACT Mental Health Sector Update: 26 July 2024
In this Sector Update, find: Sector News; Upcoming events; Grants, community resources, and other opportunities; and the MHCC ACT blog from Kylie Burnett.
ACT Government 2024–25 Budget Analysis
We welcomed the continued funding for Government-run mental health services in the 2024–25 ACT Budget. However, we were disappointed the focus on wellbeing in this budget has not translated into new funding for community-managed mental health services.
ACT Mental Health Sector Update: 5 July 2024
For those who I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Kylie Burnett and I have been engaged by the MHCC ACT Board to cover the duties of a Chief Operating Officer, reporting through to the board until Melanie returns from parental leave in August…
MHCC ACT Election Platform 2024
The community-managed mental health sector’s account of how to invest for a mentally healthy ACT.
ACT Mental Health Sector Update: 24 May 2024
May has been a big month for the country, and the community managed mental health sector. Following the announcement of the Federal Budget, which fell short by way of mental health commitments and spend, we wait with bated breath for the ACT Budget…
ACT Mental Health Sector Update: 3 May 2024
During the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting more members. I am in awe of their dedication, commitment, and efforts in what can only be described as challenging times.
Canberrans in crisis as cost of living intensifies distress, while community funding dwindles
Demand for mental health services has never been higher, but in the lead up to the ACT 2024-25 Budget, it’s the mental health services who are asking for help.
Crucial mental health services forgotten by government, likely to close
| Joint media release with Woden Community Service. Proven services to help people tackle severe mental health challenges will likely have to close in June 2023 because the Commonwealth Government …
Crucial mental health services forgotten by government, likely to close Read More »
Coming through the other side
| Corinne Dobson, Acting CEO of MHCC ACT | Op ed This article was originally published in The Riotact on 8 October 2022. It is not surprising that rates of …
Coming through the other side Read More »
Acting CEO speech to MHFA Mental Health Month launch event
Acting CEO Corinne Dobson speaks on the importance of Mental Health Month and the community-managed mental health sector.
Homelessness and mental health: connected and both failed by government inaction
| Media release As Homelessness Week comes to an end, we need to remember the link between homelessness and mental health conditions: that each can result in and exacerbate the …
Homelessness and mental health: connected and both failed by government inaction Read More »
ACT Budget investments in mental health are welcome, but mainly for bandaid solutions
| Media release The Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC ACT) welcomes increased funding for suicide prevention and mental health services in the 2022–23 ACT Budget. However, the funding commitments …
ACT Budget investments in mental health are welcome, but mainly for bandaid solutions Read More »
The data is in; now we need action on mental health
| Media release Mental health conditions are the most common long-term health concern in Australia and the ACT. Yet funding for community-managed mental health services continues to be insufficient and …
The data is in; now we need action on mental health Read More »
Working on our workforce: 2022 Mid-year forum wrap-up
Thanks to everyone who came to our 2022 Mid-year forum on 21 July! We had an excellent time discussing mental health workforce strategies, networking, catching up and celebrating the achievements …
Working on our workforce: 2022 Mid-year forum wrap-up Read More »
Lack of funding to leave Canberrans with mental health conditions without support
| Joint media release with the ACT Council of Social Services (ACTCOSS). With half of the ACT’s community sector organisations expecting worsening financial situations and no federal funding for psychosocial …
Lack of funding to leave Canberrans with mental health conditions without support Read More »
Election focus on NDIS ignores needs of majority of people with mental illness
| Media release Election policy announcements about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have so far failed to recognise the desperate need for funding for psychosocial supports outside of the …
Election focus on NDIS ignores needs of majority of people with mental illness Read More »
Greens election focus on mental health welcome, but not enough for the community-based workforce
| Media release The Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC ACT) welcomes the Australian Greens making mental health a priority in the upcoming Federal Election campaign, and that the Greens’ …
Longer-term investment needed in recommendations for COVID-19 response report
| Media release The Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT (MHCC ACT) welcomes the recommendations made by the Select Committee on the COVID-19 2021 pandemic response in the report …
Longer-term investment needed in recommendations for COVID-19 response report Read More »
MHCC ACT Sector Outreach Initiative
Ben Matthews, Sector Development Officer Hi to all our MHCC ACT members, friends and well-wishers. First, happy mental month to all. I would like to thank our team here at …
MHCC ACT Sector Outreach Initiative Read More »
ACT Budget: Mental health supports
| Media release The Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT (MHCC ACT) welcomes the ACT Budget and the additional funding for the community mental health sector. Bec Cody, MHCC …
ACT Budget: Mental health supports Read More »
The Community welcome Government support for the mental health of Canberrans
| Media release The Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT (MHCC ACT) commend the joint funding boost from the Federal and ACT Governments for the community mental health sector in …
The Community welcome Government support for the mental health of Canberrans Read More »
Funding for community mental health services a welcome relief under lockdown
| Media release The Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT (MHCC ACT) welcomes the announcement from the ACT Government to provide additional funding to the community sector for the mental …
Funding for community mental health services a welcome relief under lockdown Read More »
Increased funding needed to ensure the mental health and wellbeing of the Canberra community are met
| Media release The Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT (MHCC ACT) welcomes the announcement from the ACT Government regarding extended funding for community sector programs to ensure continuation …
Reconciliation and Trauma
Ben Matthews, Sector Development Officer I recently attended a training event in Sydney last week to discover more about Aboriginal trauma Informed Care and I was fortunate enough to have …
Reconciliation and Trauma Read More »
Lived Experience Committee Help Guide MHCC ACT Decision Making and Advocacy
MHCC strives to ensure lived experience is at the heart of service development and provision in the ACT community mental health sector. To help guide this, in 2020 the MHCC …
Lived Experience Committee Help Guide MHCC ACT Decision Making and Advocacy Read More »
Investment in mental health services welcomed by community sector
| Joint media release with the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) The Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC ACT) and the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) have welcomed …
Investment in mental health services welcomed by community sector Read More »
Enhanced Communication for NFPs
As part of MHCC ACT’s professional development, I recently attended messaging and communication training: · Strategic Communications and Messaging, delivered by For Purpose · Easy English training, delivered by Access …
Enhanced Communication for NFPs Read More »
EO Musings: July 2020
Reflections on 2020 These last few months have been tremendously challenging for all of us in different ways. I would like to acknowledge that people who are vulnerable – financially, …
EO Musings: July 2020 Read More »
The Science of Wellbeing
Recently, I came across a link to The Science of Wellbeing, a course offered by Yale University via Coursera. I signed up for it because I was interested in the …
The Science of Wellbeing Read More »
“Peer work in Australia: A New Future for Mental Health” A reflection by Erin Cargill
“Peer work in Australia: A New Future for Mental Health” provides readers with an in-depth insight into being a peer worker and the importance of their role. The contribution by …
“Peer work in Australia: A New Future for Mental Health” A reflection by Erin Cargill Read More »
EO Musings: August 2019
I am attending the TheMHS conference this week and I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on one of the presentations I have watched so far. The presentation …
EO Musings: August 2019 Read More »
When the NDIS came to the ACT
A story of Hope and Disruption in the Mental
Health Sector