Annual Conference Archives

Title: NAVIGATING COMPLEXITY: embedding integration that makes a difference
Sydney Conference
11-14 October 2022

2022 Conference Handbook

Consumer Forum: Be open and be heard, in a complex world.
Conference Consumer Lived Experience & Carer Forum
Tuesday 11 October 2022

The consumer forum at the TheMHS Conference 2022 is an opportunity for you to meet others and have your say about what is important to you and other people with mental health challenges.

Through an open forum, we invite you to share your ideas and opinions on contemporary mental health challenges/recovery that are impacting people today.

The program will include highlights from Australia and New Zealand, do a‘ deep dive’ into consumer issues and priorities and host a Mad Pride event where we celebrate our creativity.

Carer Forum : Using our power to make a difference in a complex world.
Tuesday 11 October 2022

TheMHS Carer Forum 2022 is for those with the lived experience of caring as family, friends, kin and others to learn from each other, be inspired, equipped, re-energised, resourced and re-charged. This will support us to navigate the complexity of caring and use the power of our carer lived experience to make the differences we need.

Mental health carers, families and friends have extraordinary abilities to be involved in every aspect of how mental health supports and services are designed, delivered and transformed in an increasingly complex world. This Forum harnesses the power of carers to bring positive changes in all aspects of concept development and design through to implementation and evaluation– “Co -everything” is our guiding vision.

This stimulating, thought-provoking and empowering program will share inspiring experiences, methods, research and insights about how and where carer lived experience is heard and used – inspiring the changes we need. It will ask questions about what needs to come next, where are the gaps we need to fill? We will hear from many leading speakers and attendees from across diverse age groups and cultures, all with different carer experiences and backgrounds. We will connect with each other as we also join in the warmth and nurturing of wellbeing, self-care and refreshing creative activities together on this special TheMHS Carer Forum day.

Seven Bilingual Carer Support Group Leaders from NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre are attending to provide support to carers who speak Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Dari (Afghani), Persian/Iranian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Featured Symposia:

Keynote Speakers:
Prof. Dr. Adalberto De Paula Barreto - "Brazil’s Approach to A Global Mental Health Crisis: Integrative Community Therapy."
Dr. Eleanor Longden - "Hearing Voices: Recovery and Discovery."
Associate Professor Simon Rosenbaum - "Rethinking Routine Mental Health Care: How Integrating Physical Health Services Can Change Systems, Culture and Outcomes."

Local Committee:

Co - Hosting Organisations: Northern Sydney Local Health District, Mental Health Australia, Mental Health Coordinating Council

Government Sponsors:
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Platinum Sponsor:
Flourish Australia

Lived Experience Sponsor:
Victoria State Government Department of Health

Gold Sponsor:
Neami National

Bronze Sponsor:
Mental Health First Aid Australia

Event Sponsor:
Business Events Sydney

Title: HOPE into ACTION: People at the Centre of Mental Health System Reform and Design
Melbourne Virtual Conference
12-15 October 2021

2021 Conference Handbook

Consumer Leadership, a Time for Healing, Gathering and Doing.
Conference Consumer Lived Experience & Carer Forum
Tuesday 12 October 2021

Consumer leadership is now enshrined in recommendations for change. In Australia and New Zealand we are seeing more consumer led initiatives emerge. How can we support consumers to be in positions which empower change, deliver hope and lead to systemic societal improvements? How we contribute and what we do in the next 5-10 years will be pivotal. Time to bring about lasting change, and collaborate with all who share in the vision of reform.

Replenish Together - to Keep Turning Hope into Action.
Tuesday 12 October 2021

In the last 12 months and more, we have learned about the importance of resilience and connection. This year’s TheMHS family and carer day brings us together to build hope, to replenish our souls and to learn new ideas. We will learn about internationally what carers have said have been practices and programs that help them and meet their needs, and we will think together about advocacy to build more of what best helps us locally.

Featured Symposia:

Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Jacqueline Sin & Dr. Elen Williams - "In-person, Digital, or Blended Interventions for Family Carers of Individuals Affected by Psychosis – Hopes and Actions from Lessons Learnt."
Prof. Helen Milroy - "Social and Emotional Wellbeing: Traditional Dreaming and Mental Health in the Age of the Pandemic"
John Brogden AM - "Out of the Shadows"

Local Committee:

Co - Hosting Organisations: Alfred Health and Mental Health Victoria

Government Sponsors:
Australian Government Department of Health

Platinum Sponsors:
Flourish Australia

Title: Balancing the System
Perth Virtual Conference
9-12 February 2021

2021 Conference Handbook

Harnessing Social Movement Learning To Shift the Balance in Mental Health Care Systems
Wednesday 10 February 2021

Mental Health services in Australia and the UK face similar challenges of escalating costs and shrinking budgets when responding to the increasing and wide-ranging needs of the population they are designed to serve. Good clinical care is essential but not enough for the complex issues people with mental health problems face. We need to move upstream away from crisis oriented acute treatment interventions to invest in much earlier intervention to prevent mental ill health and community supports to foster and maintain mental wellbeing.

Featured Events And Featured Symposia:

Keynote Speakers:
Oryx Cohen  - "How the International User/Survivor Movement is Creating Balance in Mental Health and Beyond"
Florian Zepf - "Mental Health and Nutrition: A Blind Spot in Clinical Service Delivery?"

Pat Anderson - "The Uluru Statement from the Heart "
Jo Smith - "Harnessing Social Movement – Learning To Shift the Balance in Mental Health Care Systems"

Local Committee:

Co - Host Organisations: Western Australian Association for Mental Health, East Metropolitan Health Service and Government of Western Australia WA Country Health Service

Government Sponsors:
Australian Government Department of Health
Sponsors:
RUAH Community Services and Flourish Australia

Gold Sponsors:
Flourish Australia

Title: Building Healthy Communities: Stories of Resilience and Hope
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
27-30 August 2019

2019 Conference Handbook
2019 Book of Abstracts
Registration Brochure

Story, Resilience and Community
Conference Consumer & Carer Forum
Tuesday 27 August 2019

This year's Consumer and Carer Forum will be combined, using story to build resilience and community. The day aims to open a dialogue to respectfully discuss the challenges both consumer and carers face. It will be a transformative day of story, peer leadership and building your own resilience toolkit.

There will be options to workshop and discuss issues within the consumer and carer experiences, and there will be positive takeaway messages including self-care and resilience. The day will include activities, relaxation and mindfullness with a positive experience.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Forum
Tuesday 27 August 2019

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have shown remarkable resilience: surviving and flourishing despite more than 200 years of the depradations of colonisation. What better way to illustrate this resilience and optimism within our vibrant communities than with a forum highlighting the many ways in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are negotiating the challenges thrown at them by today's Australia, while building a resilient future?

Today's mix of presentation and workshops organised by Richmond Fellowship Queensland's Indigenous Services team showcases a range of community action and ideas, exemplifying the positive impact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership has in maintaining resilience and providing strength focused futures. The Forum is designed for everyone with an interest in the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are service system and other challenges.

Featured Symposia:

Keynote Speakers:
Kim Mueser  -"Enhancing Resiliency in Recovery from First Episode Psychosis"
Louise Byrne - "If we value lived experience, why is disclosure still fraught, and what can we do about it?"
Ofelia Altomare - "Building a Healthy Community in a City that Cares"

Local Committee:

Host Organisations: Queensland Government Metro South Health

Government Sponsors:
Australian Government Department of Health
Queensland Government Queensland Health

Gold Sponsors:
Flourish Australia

Image Gallery

Title: Hear the Whisper, Not the Roar; Reform, Reflect and Review
Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide
28-31 August 2018

Each person’s mental health is different. People need opportunities to achieve their optimal level of mental health, and we all need to invest in that. Changes in a person’s mental health often start in small ways, think of these changes as whispers. These can be missed. Therefore we need to listen more closely to what that whisper is telling us, rather than waiting for the roar before taking action.

Concepts of mental health and mental illness are changing. This conference will showcase evidence and experience of how we reform, reflect and review the supports and services we all provide.

Change is happening - in research, innovation, globalisation, connectivity, evidence-based practice, and the impact of stressors experienced by people. We need to reform supports and services, reflect on the effectiveness of these reforms, and give ourselves permission to review our work as we try to meet the ever-changing mental health needs of our community.

See 2018 Conference Handbook
Book of Abstracts 2018

Being Bold to Be Heard
Conference Consumer & Carer/Family/WHA - NAU Forums
Tuesday 28 August 2018

We know from experience and evidence that the best people to shape better outcomes for people living with and/or caring for someone with mental health issues, are those who also have a lived experience. Under-representation and a lack of valuing of lived experience expertise remains an issue in mainstream service delivery which is based predominantly on the medical model. The ‘roar’ of this model commands attention whilst the ‘whisper’ of people who live with mental health issues may go unnoticed.

The 2018 TheMHS Pre-Conference Forums bring together consumers and carers from across Australia and New Zealand to explore the collective and individual power of our ‘whisper’. Workshops and presentations during the consumer forum and the carer/family/ wha -nau forum will involve sharing from our lived experience. We will review and reflect on the 23 Big Issues originally developed at the 2000 TheMHS Conference, and identify priority areas relevant to the current reform environment. In line with the title of the day, Being Bold to Be Heard, this year in Adelaide let’s raise our voices to advocate for reform and call for systemic change. The issues we prioritise and the recommended actions for implementation will be provided to TheMHS. Participants will be urged to follow through on these actions when they leave the conference.

Featured Symposia:

Keynote Speakers:
Shannon Jaccard  - "Labels, Stigma, & Shifting Perceptions in Mental Health."
Matt Ball - "Professional and Lived Experience: Reflections on madness, compassion and love within the human to human relationship."
Michael Brown - "Not Just Doing the Wrong Thing Righter: New Ways of Approaching the Relationship between Police Services and Mental Health Systems."

Key Presenters:
Matt Ball
Mark Loughhead
Faith Abio
Samuel Hockey

Local Committee:

Local Convenors:
Amelia Traino
Geoff Harris

TheMHS MC Liaison:
Barbara Tooth

Convenors:
Gayle Tourish
Lyn English

Host Organisations: SA Mental Health Commission, SA Mental Health Coalition

Registration Brochure

Government Sponsors:
Australian Government Department of Health
New Zealand Ministry of Health

Principal Partners
Adelaide Convention Bureau
Adelaide Convention Centre
Government of South Australia / Tourism SA

Gold Sponsors:
Flourish Australia
Neami National
Anglicare SA

Image Gallery

29 August - 1 September 2017

Title: Embracing Change: Through Innovation and Lived Experience
Hilton, Sydney
29 August - 1 September 2017

Mental Health services across Australia and New Zealand have undergone unprecedented change over the past 10 years. Over the next 10 years we anticipate even more. Adherence to the principles of recovery and recognition of lived experience as key to mental health reform are expanding the range of choices beyond traditional illness management.

New models, new funding, new providers and the voices of people with a lived experience have informed us about change, innovation and different approaches to collectively improve our systems of mental health support.

Embracing change through innovation and lived experiences is a theme that enables new directions and conversations which are based on building on the extraordinary strengths we find in individuals, families, and communities.

See 2017 Conference Handbook
Book of Abstracts 2017

Forums:

Thrive!
29 August 2017
Forum: TheMHS Consumer Forum
Convenor: Jae Radican
Key Presenters:

Be heard, be seen, be understood! This Forum will help you map your way through the world from consumer participation to consumer leadership. There are two concurrent themes running through this forum: the Outer Journey and the Inner Journey. The Outer Journey will explore your meaning and purpose in the world while the Inner Journey will explore how to be heard, seen and understood.

Effective Communication For Change
29 August 2017
Forum: Carer/Family/Whanau Forum
Convenor: Lorna Downes and Lyn Anderson
Key Presenters:

Featured Symposia:

Keynote Speakers:
Mike Slade: "Making a real sustained difference - the challenge of managing innovation"
Lewis Mehl-Madrona: "Two-Eyed Seeing from North America: Building culturally appropriate, client-based mental health services"
Flick Grey: "Opening the dialogue about madness and distress"

Local Committee:

TheMHS MC Liaison: Barbara Tooth
Local Convenors: Jenna Bateman, Paul Clenaghan, John Downie & Megan Still

Host Organisations: Sydney Local Health District, Inner West Sydney Partners In Recovery (IWSPIR); and Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC)

Registration Brochure

Government Sponsors:
Australian Government Department of Health
New Zealand Ministry of Health

Gold Sponsors:
Flourish Australia
icare
Neami National

Title: People: Authenticity Starts in the Heart
The Langham, Auckland
23-26 August 2016

It is people who act with integrity, are authentic, and combine heartfelt action with evidence based practice who establish leadership cultures that truly resonate with other people. New Zealand has seen major reform in the last twenty years to the way people access mental health and addiction services. As we face changes to our population, systems, workforce and the work the sector does, every part of the system in New Zealand is rethinking its approach.

People: Authenticity Starts in the Heart aims to focus attention on all the people involved in the system – people who access services and their families and whānau, people delivering services, people who help guide and shape these services, and people in our communities.

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata – what is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

See 2016 Conference Handbook

Forums:

Building Authentic Lives
23 August 2016
Forum: TheMHS Consumer Forum
Convenor: Caro Swanson
Key Presenters:
Gareth Edwards
Taimi Allan
Eduardo Vega

This year's consumer forum is entitled Building Authentic Lives and will deliver a varied programme focusing on practical techniques to maximise the influence people with lived experience can have of the design and delivery of mental health and addiction services. The programme will be delivered alongside the family and whānau forum and will include some shared activities, interactive workshop sessions, brief presentations from selected consumer networks and organisations on their most successful projects and programmes and a shared lunch. Leaders from Changing Minds are playing a key part in organising the forum and workshop sessions will focus on co-design techniques that accentuate the meaningful participation of service users and the peer workforce. Resources will also be available to support best practice for the employment and supervision of people working in peer support roles. The forum will be facilitated by a very talented consumer leader who will also provide entertainment throughout the day via and laughter yoga. We look forward to seeing you there!

Building Authentic Relationships
23 August 2016
Forum: TheMHS Family & Whanau Forum
Convenor: Leigh Murray
Key Presenters:
Joanne Henare
Nathan Frost
Trish Lumb
Debbie Crichton
Pat & Sarah Sutton

This year’s family/whānau forum includes great speakers, video clips, a cultural presentation, and a shared lunch with participants from the consumer forum. The speakers come from a diverse background and will present about how they have sustained an authentic, respectful relationship with their family members in times of mental distress. They will also share strategies that have proved helpful in fostering authentic, effective relation¬ships with the providers of mental health and addiction services. Video clips of families sharing their experiences will back up the presentations and provide a basis for productive discussion. There will be an engaging Pasifika performance. It is anticipated that participants will come away feeling encouraged and empowered with a kete (basket) of new knowledge.

Featured Symposia:

Keynote Speakers:
Arthur C. Evans Jr.: "Beyond the Black Box: The Transformation to a Population Health Approach"
Robin Youngson: "The heart of healing - a compassionate approach to mental illness."
Joe Macdonald: "Clarity and Complexity: Being a Non-Binary Transgender Person"

Host Organisations: Te Pou o Te Whakaaro Nui is the host for TheMHS Conference 2016 in Auckland. Te Pou o Te Whakaaro Nui is a national centre of evidence based workforce development for the mental health, addiction and disability sectors in New Zealand.

Local Committee:

TheMHS MC Liaison: Kevin Kellehear
Local Convenors: Robyn Shearer and Rob Gill

Registration Brochure

Government Sponsors:
Australian Government Department of Health
New Zealand Ministry of Health

Networking Sponsor:
Network 4 is a collaboration of four PHOs: Compass Health, Midland Health Network, Pegasus Health and Procare Health and together are TheMHS Conference Networking Supporter

Title: What We Share Makes Us Strong
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
27 - 29 August 2014

In keeping with our theme, “What We Share Makes Us Strong”, TheMHS Conference 2014 has strong roots in sharing innovative ideas and research and implementing connected and collaborative approaches to mental health. TheMHS conference in 2014 is a vehicle to challenge and shift attitudes towards mental health issues. To achieve this, the TheMHS 2014 Committee is developing an interactive, stimulating and creative environment for you to enjoy, participate, learn and share. When you return home, we want it to be with encouragement, enthusiasm and energy to share new understandings and to contribute to mentally healthy communities.

Make change happen: Come along to hear presentations that work across sectors and stakeholders, participate in stimulating workshops and discussion, and learn from the experienced minds in mental health.

See 2014 Conference Handbook

Forums:

A Single Journey Shared by Many
26 August 2014 2014
Forum: Carers Forum
Key Presenters:

This year's Carers Forum will be looking into the journey that Carers travel and how this journey can be supported. We will start with a diverse panel of people who will explore the issues around Co-Occurring Disorders. With alcohol and drug services being moved under mental health how will this impact on services and the judicial system? How can the mental health services and alcohol and drug services work collaboratively together? Following this you will have the opportunity to share insights into a program that is been delivered to three metropolitan prisons in Western Australia. It looks at how people can identify and overcome the obstacles to their personal (and spiritual) growth. The session on family empowerment will then explore the emerging roles for family members and look into how they can reclaim their own lives while being an integral part of the journey of recovery. To close our day, we invite carers, friends and family members to share the wise words of Ajahn Brahm-Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery, Australia.

Forum: Indigenous Forum

Our Journey, Our Way
26 August 2014
Forum: Consumer Forum
Key Presenters:

This year’s Consumer Day forum will be an informative and entertaining opportunity to learn, share and explore a few of the key elements of mental health recovery. We are going to take a trip through history to the present day to look at how the consumer movement has contributed to today’s Peer Workforce. We will have the opportunity to explore how we can develop and shape our Lived Experience story with an interactive presentation. We will dance (or tap our feet) to some great music, and hear how music can be a powerful part of one’s recovery. We will also work with Melody Riefer as she shares with us how we can support our clinicians to listen to our perspectives when it comes to medication. To close our day, we invite carers, friends and family members to share the wise words of Ajahn Brahm- Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery, Australia. This year’s Consumer Day is a day not to be missed! Hope to see you all there – 2014 Consumer Day Working Party.

Featured Symposia:

Keynote Speakers:
Dr Pat Bracken (Wednesday 27 August): "Critical Thought as a Strong and Positive Force for Change in Mental Health"
Ms Melody Riefer (Thursday 28 August): "How Storytelling Makes Us Strong and Changes the World!"
Dr Ken Thompson (Friday 29 August): "Putting Recovery into Practice: Sharing a Personal and Professional Journey"

Host Organisations: Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH);
South Metropolitan Health Service

Local Convenors: Ann White, Rod Astbury and Warwick Smith

Local Committee:

Registration Brochure

Major Sponsors:
Mental Health Australia
Australian Government Department of Health
Lotterywest
Goverment of Western Australia Mental Health Commission
Combined Partners In Recovery WA
Ministry of Health NZ

Support Sponsors:
Richmond Fellowship WA

Files:

2014 Abstracts Friday
2014 Abstracts Thursday
2014 Abstracts Wednesday

Title: Forging the Future
Melbourne Convention Centre
21-23 August 2013

Challenging Attitudes! Creating Connections! Transforming Lives!

Mental health services across Australasia are changing rapidly. Implementation of major new policy directions, including ‘Partners in Recovery’ (PIR), activity based funding and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are commencing and will significantly reshape the mix of mental health service providers and influence how service delivery occurs.

Significant legislative changes in some states and technological developments, such as web resources and smartphone applications, will enable a greater focus on consumer choice and empowerment.

The potential will exist to embed a more holistic approach within a recovery-oriented service context. The growing emphasis on recovery requires new directions for the mental health workforce. An evolution from consumer consultation to consumer leadership is emerging with the peer workforce now making an impact.

As we Forge the Future, developments such as these raise challenges for all. How do we negotiate the changes in power and relationships that come with a significant consumer, and family and carer, peer workforces? How do organisations and mental health practitioners negotiate the significant shifts in service provider structures and partnerships? How do we ensure a holistic response and integrate services within the increasing diversification of the service systems relevant to mental health and well-being?

The increasing emphasis on recovery oriented practice challenges us to think more innovatively about what evidence is relevant and how to integrate it. How can the evidence of lived experience and the range of evidence-based research best inform recovery practices and underpin services?

In the background are unmet challenges including the state of neglect of the physical health and continuing social marginalisation of many people with persistent mental health challenges. These demand that we move forward quickly.

Building on our current strengths and embracing more innovative ways gives us a unique opportunity to shape a society that knowingly employs the best available evidence to strengthen and sustain the wellbeing of individuals and families and contributes to fostering healthy communities and a thriving society that draw on the wealth of cultures in Australia and New Zealand.

Join us in Melbourne with our exciting keynote speakers and a great diversity of conference participants to discuss and debate the issues and services important to Forging the Future in a rapidly changing world.

See 2013 Conference Handbook

Forums:

Carers Forging the Future
20-Aug 2013
Forum: Carers Forum
Forum: Consumer's Forum
Forum: Indigenous Forum

Workshops:

The Science of Suicide Prevention
20-Aug 2013
Lead Organisation: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention (CRESP),
Key Presenters:

Putting Families and Children at the Centre of Recovery
20-Aug 2013

What's new in the treatment of comorbidity between mental health and substance use?
20-Aug 2013

Featured Symposia: 

Keynote Speakers:
Steve Harrington: "The Promise of Peer Services: Challenges and Opportunities as Peer Support Matures"
Mike Slade: "Recovery Research: New Answers, New Questions"
Bernadette McSherry: "Debating Mental Health Laws: From Coercion to Choice"

Host Organisations:
Mind Australia
NW Mental Health

Registration Brochure

Local Convenors:
Margaret Grigg (Mind)
Robyn Humphries (NWMH)

Program Convenor:
John Farhall

TheMHS MC Liaison:
Maria Cassaniti

Opening Presenter:
Jacinta Collins, Minister for Mental Health and Allan Fels, Chair NMHC

Major Sponsors:
Community Service & Health Industry Skills Council
HealthWorkforce Australia

Support Sponsors:
On The Line

Other Highlights:

MESSAGE RELATED TO KEYNOTE PRESENTATION BY DR STEVE HARRINGTON

Delivered by Vivienne Miller, TheMHS Conference Director to TheMHS 23rd Annual Conference, Melbourne 20 August 2013

Over the past 23 years of TheMHS conferences we have learnt that things don’t always go to plan and this year is no exception. Last Thursday Dr Steve Harrington arrived at Melbourne airport from the USA to deliver his keynote address for this conference. On arrival at border control he was taken aside, questioned and subsequently had his visa to Australia cancelled. He was then transferred to an immigration detention centre to await a return flight to the USA. Steve was accompanied by his friend Zack who was allowed to enter Australia.

When TheMHS heard of Steve’s detention we immediately sought to assure Steve’s welfare and to ensure that his rights were protected. Initially we were hopeful that he would be allowed into the country to deliver his address however despite many representations by many people and through many channels, Steve’s visa was not reinstated. It was also a priority to ensure that Zack was appropriately supported during the time that Steve was in detention. Many people in Sydney, Melbourne and elsewhere did everything possible to find out what assistance he required.

Steve and Zack returned to the USA on Saturday. Steve did not contest his visa cancellation and when contacted yesterday made clear that he was not wanting advocacy on his behalf.

The full circumstances of this event are not known and cannot be changed. However it raises wider issues about difficulties for consumers who are travelling between countries. These issues were brought up in the Consumer Forum yesterday and VMIAC is taking a lead in working with other organisations around the country to address these issues.

TheMHS would like to thank Steve for his focus on making this conference a positive event despite his absence and we would like to thank the many people who have assisted. This has been a difficult and distressing time for the many people involved and we now look forward to Anthony’s presentation of Steve’s keynote address and the terrific conference that awaits us.

Files:

2013 A3 Conference poster
2013 Flyer

Title: Recovering Citizenship
Cairns Convention Centre
21 - 24 August 2012

It’s been 20 years since The Burdekin Report which recognised that the citizenship of those inside institutions needed to be recovered. For the 22nd TheMHS Conference we explore the changes that have occurred and whether this had led to citizenship being recovered.

On asking this question, we consider what does the future need in its design? What does the community need to feel and look like to support citizenship and not to exclude people from economic, social, political and cultural life? Can we reach a consensus on what citizenship means to us across cultural lines and boundaries? What role does a civil society have in relation to citizenship? To re-cover is to cover something, to go over something again. But are we simply covering over the past or are we recovering citizenship?

Mental illness has a long history in the evolution of collective notions of citizenship. Citizenship conveys status, and certain rights and responsibilities yet this can look different to each person. A diagnosis of mental illness can disrupt and challenge the notions of citizenship and results in change in people’s status and rights and responsibilities.

Does citizenship feel and look the same to all groups within our society? There is a need to better understand what citizenship means in mental health care as currently outlined in mental health policies and recovery-oriented service delivery.

See 2012 Conference Handbook
Book of Abstracts 2012

Forums:

Stepping Stones:  Towards Recovery
21 August 2012
Forum: Carer Forum
2012 Carers Forum Program
2012 Carer Forum Abstract

Rights, Reflections and Citizenship
21 August 2012
Forum: Consumer Forum
2012 Consumers Forum Program
2012 Consumers Forum Abstract

What does recovering citizenship mean to Indigenous people?
21 August 2012
Forum: Indigenous Forum
2012 Indigenous Forum Program
2012 Indigenous Forum Abstract

Featured Symposia:

Keynote Speakers:
Roberto Mezzina: "Citizenship, Recovery and Crisis: Linking Social Action and Community-Based Service" 
Mick Gooda: "Mental Illness and Cognitive Disability in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prisoners - A Human Rights Approach"
Rufus May: "The Quest for Freedom "

Program Convenor: Jo Abbatangelo (Conference Co-convenor), Sasha Black (Conference Co-convenor until April 2012),

Local Committee:

Registration Brochure

Opening Presenter: Professor Allan Fels, AO, Chair, National Mental Health Commission and Dean, Australia and New Zealand School Of Government

Major Sponsors: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Support Sponsors: Cairns Regional Council, Cairns and Hinterland Mental Health and ATOD Service, Worklink

Files:

Recovery Workshop 2012
Outcome Management Workshop 2012
Mindfulness Workshop 2012
Flyer 2012
2012 Poster

Title: Resilience in Change
Adelaide Convention Centre
6 – 9 September 2011

This coming-of-age 21st TheMHS conference moves forward from contributing to the rebirth and revitalising of mental health services, to capacity development in resilience and adaptability, recognising that reform and change is an ongoing process. Learning from the evidence of the past, from other cultures and communities, and building on the strengths of effective policies and practices is the evolutionary driver of reform.

This coming of age conference is focusing on Resilience in Change working hand in hand, providing a platform for consumers, carers, service providers, policy makers and other stakeholders to consider ideas, programming and collaborations which inspire determination, tolerance, endurance and growth in individuals and within mental health systems. Enriching the lives of consumers to ensure citizenship within evolving communities is the challenge we all face and this conference is seeking to bring people together to share, listen, robustly debate and advocate for this very purpose.

Local Convenors:
Michelle Hilton
Liz Prowse
Barbara Wieland

Program Convenor:
Eli Rafalowicz

Local Committee: 

Opening Presenter:
Hon. Mark Butler MP, Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing

Keynote Speakers:
Alain Topor
Helen Glover

Major Sponsors:
Australian Government National Mental Health Strategy
New Zealand Ministry of Health
South Australia Department of Health

Support Sponsors:
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia

Forums:

Who Cares? We Do
20-Aug 2011
Forum: Carers Forum
2011 Carer's Forum Program

Consumers, resilience, creativity and connection
20-Aug 2011
Forum: Consumer's Forum
2011 Consumer's Forum Program

Building Resilient Communities
20-Aug 2011
Forum: Indigenous Forum
2011 Indigenous Forum Program

Workshops:

Workshop 1: Comorbidity: mental health and substance misuse
1-Sep 2011
2011 Workshop Program

Files:

2011 Poster 352x515 Final
Registration Brochure FINAL 2011
TheMHS Breakfast Flier 6Sep11

Since the first TheMHS Conference 20 years ago, many mental health reforms have been implemented. TheMHS has actively contributed to this reform and in celebrating its 20th Conference will be highlighting innovative models of mental health care. By looking back we can look forward, we can determine what has worked and what hasn’t and set about ensuring that we build on the strengths of the past.

Renaissance is a rebirth. It is a time to revitalise mental health services through questioning policies and practices and implementing those that are effective. As each generation takes its place at the ‘reform table’, service providers, policy makers, consumers and carers and all other stakeholders seek to raise issues and pose questions from their individual perspectives.

This conference provides an opportunity for all involved in mental health services to come together to discuss ideas, clarify thoughts, listen to and learn from others and to explore possibilities for the future.

Venue: Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Title: 20 Years Strong: and now a renaissance

Local Convenors: Sadie Robertson

Program Convenor: Adam Lane

Local Committee: Michael Appleton, Jenna Bateman, Steve Bernardi, Tom Brideson, Andy Campbell, Lynne Dunbar, Michelle Everett, Nadia Garan, Paula Hanlon, Lynda Henessy, Douglas Holmes, Vicki Katsifis, Fred Kong, Adrian Lania, Helen Madigan, Leonie Manns, Marilyn McMurchie, Yega Muthu, Daniel Nicholls, Russell Robert, Tully Rosen, Barbara Tooth, Rhonda Wilson

TheMHS MC Liaison: Cathy Chapman

Opening Presenter: Senator Claire Moore

Keynote Speakers: Alain Topor (Sweden), Leonie Manns (Aust), Anthony Mancini (USA)

Major Sponsors: Australian Government National Mental Health Strategy, New Zealand Ministry of Health, beyondblue

Support Sponsors: The Richmond Fellowship of New South Wales

Forums

Many Voices One Movement

14-Sep 2010
Forum: Consumer's Forum

Wellbeing: Common interests, common goals, common wellbeing

14-Sep 2010
Forum: Indigenous Forum

Imagine?

14-Sep 2010
Forum: Carers Forum

Workshops

Double Trouble - Comorbidity Workshop

Lead Organisation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
Key Presenters: Kath Mills, Maree Teesson, Glenys Dore, Michael Baigent, Nick Lintzeris, Dan Lubman, John Allan, Bob Batey, Claudia Sannibal, Francis Kay Lambkin

Workshop 2: Leadership & Mental Health

Key Presenters: Tom Callaly, Harry Minas, Laraine Toms, Carol Harvey

Workshop 3: Using Outcome Measures to Assess Change

Key Presenters: Tom Trauer, Tom Callaly

Workshop 4: Media Training for Consumers and Carers

Files

leadershipworkshop
TheMHS & TMHC Registration Brochure 2010 FINAL
Program Bklt
PROGRAM Indigenous Forum 24Aug10 - low res
PROGRAM Consumer Forum 24Aug10 - low res
PROGRAM Carers Forum 24Aug10 - low res
Keynote and other speakers 2010
Art postcard for TheMHS conference
2010 TheMHS info flyer
2010 A2 Poster Final

1 - 4 September 2009

"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it." - Marianne Williamson

On behalf of the organising committee, we are excited to invite you to attend the 19th annual TheMHS conference, 1- 4 September 2009, at the Convention Centre, Perth, Western Australia. We welcome you to join us in exploring the links between community, culture and mental health; the connections we all need to live, work and thrive together.

For the first time TheMHS will join with the WA Transcultural Mental Health Conference and the Australasian Refugee Health Conference. This event will link concepts of the interrelatedness of individuals, families and communities, providing connections which can strengthen and support mental health and well being.

Streams within the conference will include:

• Networks, relationships and partnerships to improve mental health and well being in our communities.
• Inclusion, sense of place, connection and drawing together
• Speaking out, renewal, recovery and hope
• Moving forward in policy directions, clinical practice and service provision

The 2009 TheMHS Conference in Perth will include the voices of respected international, national and local leaders from carers, consumers, policy makers, practitioners, and researchers.

It will be thought provoking, creating stimulating and challenging debate and discussion on the issues facing our communities now and into the future.

TheMHS 2009 will be valuable for consumers, carers and families, academic representatives, government staff, mental health service staff, members of the community sector, students and the media.

The organising committee urges to you to be involved with what will be a valuable learning and information sharing experience. The Conference will provide numerous networking and social opportunities. We hope you can participate in what will be an exciting program and we look forward to welcoming you to Perth in September 2009.

Venue: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Western Australia

Title: YOU - Your Family, Your Community, Your Mental Health: The Path Ahead

Local Convenors: Warwick Smith, Ann White

Local Committee: Steve Bailey, Ingrid Bentsen, Joe Calleja, Anthony Collier, Philippa Farrell, Tony Fowke, Ann Hodge, Anthea Lowe, Lyn Mahboub, Richard Menasse, Michael Mitchell, Vlasta Mitchell, Elizabeth Moore, Carolin Ngan, Lyn O'Brien, Steve Patchett, Mark Pestell, Angela Piscitelli, Warwick Smith, Sandy Tait, Ann White, Pui San Whittaker, Adrienne Wills, Fred Yasso, Siew Ho Yeak

Opening Presenter: Senator Claire Moore

Keynote Speakers: Judy Atkinson, Gregor Henderson, Rufus May

Major Sponsors: Lotterywest, New Zealand Ministry of Health, Richmond Fellowship Western Australia, Grow WA, Eli Lilly Australia

Forums

What About Me?

1-Sep 2009
Forum: Carers Forum

It?s time? for coming back to No 1: Personal and Community Active Citizenship

1-Sep 2009
Forum: Consumer's Forum

Indigenous Forum

1-Sep 2009
Forum: Indigenous Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1: Double Trouble - Comorbidity

1-Sep 2009
Key Presenters: Leonie Manns, Steve Allsop, Lucinda Burns, Tony Butler, Simon Lenton, Ali Marsh, Margaret Hamilton

Workshop 2: Management and Leadership

1-Sep 2009

Workshop 2: Workforce Development for Mental Health and Addictions for Older Adults hosted by the four regional New Zealand Workforce Coordinators

1-Sep 2009

Files

Program full colour
Program booklet pdf
Program 0238 NET MHS confFA
Leadership Workshop TheMHs 2009 Final Plan (2)
Indigenous Forum Prog 4Sep07
Consumer Forum_Program final
Carer Forum Program final
ARCH Reg Bro 2009 LR
2009 Poster Final

2 - 5 September 2008

Gandhi once said that people could start (or continue) a process of change by “Being the change they want to see”.

People are our biggest resource in mental health services. In 2008 we invite people to share and demonstrate how they are “being” the change they want to see (or enabling such change) in the mental health workforce.

We want to see and hear workforce innovations from a consumers, indigenous peoples, refugee/new immigrant groups; families/carers, clinicians, service managers, human resource managers, community support workers, researchers, health promoters, primary healthcare workers, academics, whether you work in a community agency, public or private mental health service.

How can we model the change we want? How can we be effective change agents? What tools, techniques and methods support workforce change and innovation?

Whether innovative changes are societal, community, service, group or individual – we want you to show us how to work towards an inspired and inspiring mental health workforce!

Venue: Auckland Convention Centre, New Zealand

Title: Be the change you want - workforce ingenuity

Local Committee: Vicki Burnett, Jill Caveley, Deb Christensen, Shona Clarke, Judi Clements, David Codyre, Tina Earle, David Lui, Karl Metzler, Leigh Murray, Lora Murray, Jane Peters, Robyn Shearer, Wolfgang Theuerkauf, Sue Treanor, Samson Tse, Emma Wood

Opening Presenter: Dr Janice Wilson

Keynote Speakers: Hinemoa Elder, Antony Sheehan, Stephen J Onken

Major Sponsors: Australian Government National Mental Health Strategy, New Zealand Ministry of Health, Eli Lilly Australia

Support Sponsors: NDARC Education Trust

Forums

Destination known ? The journey of strength

2-Sep 2008
Forum: Consumer Forum

Celebrating the Diversity of the Family/Whanau Perspective

2-Sep 2008
Forum: Family/Whanau Forum

Cultural Celebration, working with people in context

2-Sep 2008
Forum: Indigenous Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1: Double Trouble - Comorbidity

2-Sep 2008

Files

consumerforum
consumer forum outline
Older Adult workforce wkshp
OPMHS Workshop Outline
Indigenous forum
Family forum
DoubleTroubleWorkshop
A2 Poster 2008Final
331740_SoftProof1-Geon
2008 Reg Brochure

4 - 7 September 2007

The 2007 Conference will explore four main themes:

Building a mentally healthy society where we aim for attainment of the highest possible level of mental health for all people. How will we work together to achieve this vision through promotion, prevention and positive intervention?
Promoting empowerment and recovery for people experiencing mental illness through focusing on strengths rather than deficits, and developing consumer-led services and research.
Innovation and best practice: what are the most effective new developments and approaches?
Trends in mental health care: opportunities and challenges that will face us over the next years.

There has been an increasing awareness in government and the community of the importance of mental health. How can we take advantage of this increasing concern to improve our mental health services?

Venue: Melbourne Convention Centre

Title: 2020 Vision: Looking toward excellence in mental health care in 2020

Local Convenors: Mary Goding

Local Committee: Beth Bailey, David Castle, Anne Diamond, Robyn Duff, John Farhall, Michael Fleming, Phyl Halpin, Helen Kennedy, Peter McMachon, Chee Ng, Peter Nathan, Gerard Reed, Jenny Smith, Tom Trauer, Kay Viola, Kathryn Weedon

Opening Presenter: Hon. Brett Mason

Keynote Speakers: Kim Meuser, Mary O'Hagan, Til Wykes

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (Mental Health and Suicide Prevention), National Mental Health Strategy, Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Eli Lilly Australia, ARAFEMI Victoria Inc.

Support Sponsors: AstraZeneca, Janssen Cilag, Wyeth Australia, St Vincent's Health Foundation, Melbourne (art exhibition)

Forums

20/20 Vision: Seeing the Way Ahead for Carers/Families

4-Sep 2007
Forum: Carer/Family Forum
Convenor: Dr Craig Hassad

Moving Forward

4-Sep 2007
Forum: Consumer Forum

Indigenous Healing: An Issue for All

4-Sep 2007
Forum: Indigenous Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1: Ethical dilemmas for consumers

4-Sep 2007
Key Presenters: Paula Hanlon, Leonie Manns
A range of dilemmas re experiened by consumers and staff as they struggle with the balancing of each other's roles. A number of these dilemmas will be addressed: advocacy, representation, ethics, boundaries, and recovery, including the hard questions 'Am I a consumer or a staff member?' 'Should consumer workers be invited to staff social functions?', 'Why do consumers feel guilty about friendships with staff (and vice versa)?' These are just some of the issues that will be included in the workshop. The two presenters have many years of experience working in public mental health services, non-government organisations and private sector in a number of roles. This will be an interactive workship of interest to anyone working in the mental health sector.

Workshop 2: Tips and training for better conference presentations

4-Sep 2007
Key Presenters: Kevin Kellehear, Vivenne Miller
If you want to improve your ability to give conference presentations, then this is the workshop for you. The workshop aims to increase your ability to write an abstract, prepare your presentation prior to a conference, become more confident in front of an saudience, amange audiovisual conference aids, and prepare your paper for publication. It will be interacting in style, as well as including presentations and practical excercises. This workshop has been specially commissioned and sponsored by TheMHS Conference to increase the quality of conference presentations for new presenters, and to rrenew and revive conference presentation skills for more experienced presenters.

Workshop 3: Leadership - Clinician, managers and modernisation of mental health services

4-Sep 2007
Key Presenters: Tom Callaly, Alan Rosen, Ruth Vine, Alex Cockram
Clinicians and managers often appear to be engaged in a danse macabre (this terms is taken from a medieval allegory.) They have very differenet approaches to issues such as accountability, use of guidleines and the rationing of resources. Clinicians often believe that management's attempt to engage them in innovation and development should be resisted; that their professionalism and autonomu will be dilueted; and that systemisation of clinical work will not increase quality. Managers often perceive clinicians to be increasingly policy-resistant. They desoaure of meaningful inclusion in service reform. Leadership and Management experts observe the efforts to voercome resistance to reform by widening the scope and reach of 'top-down' performance management and regulation, are self-defeating. Which is the source of these differences in professional cultutre? Can a way forward be found by understanding the gap between, and the origin of these differing perspectives? In this workshop facilitatred by participants will have an opportunity to examine these issues, review related resarch and consider is more collaborative approaches to innovation are possible.

Files

TheMHS Carer Pre-conference Day 2007
Program booklet 2007
Leadership Program 2007
Indigenous Forum Program 2007
Conf Tip Program 2007
Carer Forum Program 2007
Book of Abstracts 2007
A2 Poster 2007
2007 Registration Brochure

30 - 1 September 2006

Why "Reach Out"?

There are many ways to reach out. People reach out to each other every day for mental health and well-being.

Here in North Queensland we reach out over great geographical distances, as well as reaching out to people who experience social and emotional distances.

Why "Connect"?

Living is about connections – the connections that we make with the past, present and the future; the many connections we make with others, the land, the country, the environment, and our own internal connections with our own thoughts and feelings. Connection creates communities. Connection sustains culture. Connection makes us whole.

This TheMHS Conference will celebrate these connections and provide an opportunity to reach out to others to share journeys towards mental wellbeing. Gaining and maintaining mental health often includes overcoming isolation. Here, people can travel hundreds of kilometers to see others. Professionally this is “Outreach”. For families and friends it is keeping in touch – which is living!

We want to share personal experiences, unique ideas, service innovations and “know how”, to reach out and make connections that improve mental health and wellbeing. You are invited to submit an abstract for the annual conference. How have you or your services strengthened connections, encouraged participation, created communities or reached out to make a difference? We are interested in contributions from all people on any aspect of mental health services.

Prior to the main conference, there will be pre-conference forums for consumers, carers (families), indigenous people, and workshops on key skills in mental health services. The social and cultural program will highlight the people, the place and all things North Queensland.

Venue: Townsville Convention and Exhibition Centre and Jupiter's Hotel, Townsville QLD

Title: Reach Out, Connect

Local Convenors: John Allan, Rod Salvage

Local Committee: Marianne Bonassi, Freshreh Doosthkhan, Michael Haman, Richard Lakeman, Paul Pedro, Graham Smalley, Rhonda Smith, Lyn Tyson, Liz Wilson

Opening Presenter: Hon. Tony Abbott

Keynote Speakers: Xavier Amador, Merinda Epstein, Jon Jureidini, Nicholas Procter

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (Mental Health and Suicide Prevention), Office of Aboriginal and Torrest Strait Islander Health, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Janssen-Cilag, New Zealand Ministry of Health, Eli Lilly, beyondblue, Townsville Institute of Mental Health Services, Townsville Health Service District

Support Sponsors: Australian & New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses North Queensland, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Cairns Integrated Mental Health Service

Forums

Family Connections: The Inclusion of Families in Mental Health Care

29-Aug 2006
Forum: Carer Forum

23 Big Issues

29-Aug 2006
Forum: Consumer Forum

Culture and Healing

29-Aug 2006
Forum: Indigenous Forum

And the Beat Goes On?

29-Aug 2006
Forum: Consumer Forum

All Walls and Square Corners - Perspectives on Forensic Mental Health and the Indigenous Community

29-Aug 2006
Forum: Indigenous Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1: What's New in Outcome Management?

Key Presenters: Tom Trauer, Glenda Pedwell, Jennifer Black, Tom Callaly, Tim Coombs, Kathryn Weedon, Jon Langford, Kathy Stapley, Luke Hatzpetrou
Outcome managerment is a growing and rapidly changing field. This one-day workshop will include presentations form practitioners, consumers and researchers from Australia and New Zealand on a range of topical areas in outcoming measurement, including: - Focus groups on the uptake and use of outcome measures - Outcome management in New Zealad - Ensuring appropriate processes in the use of consumer self-rating - The Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network. The workshop will also provide participants with an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and discuss the issues and challengers they face.

Workshop 2: Leadership and Collaboration: NGOs and Specialist Services

Key Presenters: Harry Minas, Barbara Hocking, John Mendoza, Peter McGeorge, Jeff Cheverton, Leanne Wells, Tom Callaly
Integration of care between non-government organisation, primary carers including General Practitioners and Specialist Mental Health Services (as well as private psychiatrists) is increasingly being identified as a major focus for improvement over the next few years, National and State policy documents encourage use to work more collaboratively with one another, but how is this to be achieved? What leadership is needed, who will lead, and waht tools are skills are achieved? Integration of care along the care continuum will be a challenge for us all as managers and leaders.

Files

TheMHS 1-4ad final
Program booklet -one used
OutcomesWorshop06
Leadership and management program - 24Aug06
Indigenous Forum program 17Aug06
Family Connections Program 2006
Consumer Forum Program 2006
Abstracts 2006
2006 Reg Brochure
2006 Poster A2

31 August - 2 September 2005

The "drum" is the heartbeat of an inclusive society, where citizenship people with mental illness is value. In this society our relationships are built on the recognition of the worth of each individual. We value the diversity of beliefs, values and attitudes that we each take on our journey.

Our ability to grow and to appreciate those who we meet along the way comes from inclusion and is strengthened through shared experiences. Understanding the uniqueness of the people we encounter en route enables us to appreciate the complex, diverse and elegantly simple nature of the the society we all share.

Each person's journey becomes a trail, growing into a well-worn pathway which can be shaped and expanded by the footsteps of others, moving in the same direction, leaving a collective impression in the sands of the social landscape. This conference provides us with many opportunities to share experiences and learn as we journey together.

Please come and join this journey. Take time to consider how you/your mental health service can contribute to to an inclusive society, and to an understanding of the diversity of beliefs, values and attitudes that enhance and encourage citizenship for people with mental illness and mental disorder.

Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre

Title: Dancing to the Beat of a Different Drum: Mental health, social inclusion, citizenship

Local Convenors: Barbara Wieland

Local Committee: Zell Dodd, Gemma Ferraretto, Gerald Graves, Agravaine MacLachlan, Paul Nestor, Eli Rafalowicz, Margaret Springay, Barbara Wieland

Opening Presenter: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM

Keynote Speakers: Roberto Mezzina, Doris Kartinyeri, Ron Coleman

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health amd Ageing (Mental Health & Suicide Prevention), AstraZeneca, Janssen-Cilag, Eli Lilly, New Zealand Ministry of Health

Support Sponsors: Wyeth, Taylor & Francis, Sanofi, Pfizer

Forums

Let's Drum out the Beat!

30-Aug 2005
Forum: Carer Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1: Early Recognition of Psychosis: What's New in Outcome Management?

30-Aug 2005
Key Presenters: Tom Trauer, Joseph Ventura
This uear we are pleased to announce that Dr Joseph Venuty from the University of California Los Angeles will undertake this annual TheMHS workshop. Dr Ventura is an engaging speaker bringing many years of experience in the assessment, measurement and treatment of mental disorders, specifically psychotic disorders. He weill be teaching the most recent assessment of prodromal symptoms in pre-schizophrenia and about cognitive function in schizophrenia. Participants will be told of the latest esearch in assessment of high risk individuals and the impact of cognitive functioning on outcome in schizophrenia. As we focus intervention on younger people it is of crucial importance that we understand the earliest ohases of the illness, how to assess, and what impact is has, so that we may best treat and enable recovery. Participants will gain knowledge and skills required for asssessment. No previous experience with such assessment is required. This is a very special opportuniyu to be at the forefront of addressing this crucial but neglected area of schizophrenia.

Workshop 2: Leadership and Management in Mental Health

30-Aug 2005
Key Presenters: Tom Callaly, Kay Viola, Lisa Gill, Alan Rosen
As we move from clinician to manager/leader in mental health services, it can't be assumed that we automatically know how to be a leader and how to manager services and personnel. This workshop will be useful both for managers/leaders new to this role and those who have been in a leadership for some time. The workshop will look at the skills that are needed to be a manager and will use specific scenarios to assist you to identify your own skills, your learning gaps and discover alternative operative styles and attitudes. At the end of the workshop you will come away with your own personal leadership learning plan.

Workshop 3: Conference Presentation Training

30-Aug 2005
Key Presenters: Kevin Kellehear. Vivienne Miller
If you want to improve your ability to give conference presentations, then this is the workshop for you. The workshop aims to increase your ability to write an abstract, prepare your presentation prior to a conference, become more confident in front of an saudience, amange audiovisual conference aids, and prepare your paper for publication. It will be interacting in style, as well as including presentations and practical excercises. This workshop has been specially commissioned and sponsored by TheMHS Conference to increase the quality of conference presentations for new presenters, and to rrenew and revive conference presentation skills for more experienced presenters.

Workshop 4: The Consumer Worker

30-Aug 2005
Key Presenters: Paula Hanlon, Leonie Manns
This workshop will examine the history and philosophy of consumers as workers in the mental health feal. The workshop will be interactive and will address the following issues: The Evolutionary process - hisotry; What are the jobs?; Who are the consumer workers? ; Is the consumer worker too professionalised?; Planning and organisation; Industrial matters; Partnership - whatever that means? ; Balance for survival; Work is not therapy; Supervision; Impact of DSP changes. Ths workship is open to anyone working in mental health or related areas but it will be of particular interest to those consumers currently or who are considering working within the sytem. Paula and Leono have both worked in the system for a number os years in various roles. Numbers are strictly limited.

Workshop 5: Why Sexual Health Matters

30-Aug 2005
Lead Organisation: Shine SA, SA Mental Health Services
Key Presenters: Jane Flentje. Paul Nestor, Wayne Oldfield, Maxie Ashton, Ralph Brew
If you've ever been concerned that sexuality and exual health matters need better attention in the mental health system, this is the workship you've been waiting for. This interacting workship will create a safe and respectful environment in which to share some of your values and beliefs about an often neglected and misunderstood area of need. HEar about some of the latest research findings on young poeople and sxuality and some of the connections to mental health risk. Hear how people with mental illnesses reported on the impact that medications had on their sex lives and relationships and waht they'd like done about it. Get an update on the latest contraceptive methods that short appointments with a doctor don't usually deliver. Develop a wish list for you to take back to your community or place of work. Copies of the popular booklet: My Sexual Health Matters, information for people with a mental illness, will also be available. All welcome, though spaces limited to 25 people.

Workshop 1: What's New in Outcome Management?

30-Aug 2005
Key Presenters: Tom Trauer, Maree Teesson, Sarah Gordon, Paul Napper, Tom Callaly, Tom Coombs, Graham Mellsop, Jennifer Chipps
Outcome managerment is a growing and rapidly changing field. This one-day workshop will include presentations form practitioners, consumers and researchers from Australia and New Zealand on a range of topical areas in outcoming measurement, including: Outcome measurement in a Psychiatrict Disability Rehabilitation and Support Service, Selg-assessmnt measures of consumer outcome, Results and implications of outcome assessment in the NZ CAOS study, Otucome measurement: the role of management; The Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network. The workshop will also provife participants with an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and discuss the issues and challenges they face.

Workshop 2: Leadership and Mangement for Clinicians - Pathways to Increasing Skill

30-Aug 2005
Key Presenters: Lisa Gill, Kay Viola, Caryl MacLeod, Alan Rosen, Tom Callaly
This workshop will examine what Leaders and Mangers can do to cultivate a culture of hope in their workplace, and how they can support this with positive organisation practices and processes. This year's focus will be on the workship element with short introductor presentations to help orientate the the workshop activisited. How cna clinicians prepare for a role as aleader of amanafer, or increase their skills if already in a leadership/manager position? Can these skills be learned from books or does the prospective leader need to engage in a process of self-reflection and development? What lessons can be drawn from the the mental health recovery movement?

Workshop 3: Skills for Conference Presence

30-Aug 2005
Key Presenters: Kevin Kellehear, Vivenne Miller
Do you want to improve your prsentation skills for conferences and seminars? This workship is designed to increase your ability to write an abstract, prepare your prsentation prior to the conference, become more confident in front of an audience, manage audiovidual conference aids, and to prepare your paper for publication. There will be lecture presentations as well as practical excercises to enhance your presentation skills. If possible bring along your own conference presentation/s to to use in the experiential excercises.

Workshop 4: Education of Consumers for Service Provision

30-Aug 2005
Key Presenters: Paula Hanlon, Leonie Manns
How can consumers become involved in service provision? Speakers will examine this question from their own personal experience and from the evidence. Topics will unclude: the skills needed to work within government and non-government systems; the pitfalls and difficulties that may be encountered on the way; how to maintian your own mental health whilst working within the system; supports that are needed as oppoed to those that may be provided. Someo fo the areas of service provision include: advocacy, policy adevelopment, research, support, education, as well as direct service provison such as case management and outreach services. THis workship will challenge and broaden your ideas about the role of consumers in mental health service provision. This workship has been soecially commissioned and sponsored by TheMHS Conference. Whilst this workshop is primarily aimed as consumers who are ready to take this next step. it will also be of inrerest to other mental health service providers

Workshop 5: Primary Care, Youth and Family Mental Health

30-Aug 2005
Lead Organisation: ADGP, AICAFMHA
This full day workshop will examine the relationship between primary care, mental health promotion, precention and early intervention initiatives and child and adolescent mental health services. National and local case studies will be presented and critiques Practical and systematic ways of enhancing the primary care sector to respond more effectively to youth and family mental heqalth in collaboration with specialist providers will be generatuon. At the clinicical level, a key consideration will be the toold and strategies required to enhance engagement between GPS, young people and their families. At the sytems level, the focs will be on the stratefies required to enhance the relationship, communcation and level of collaborative care between the general practice and specialist systms. The workship will be of interest to policy makers, service providers from a range of progessional backgrouns, general practitioners, and consumers and carers. CPD point will be available to participating GPS.

Files

Program Booklet 2005
2005 Poster2 A2 print
Abstracts 4
Conf Pres Skills Wkshp Prog05
Leadership
OutcomeWorkshop
PROGRAM - Indigenous Forum 17Aug05
PROGRAM CONSUMER DAY 17Aug05

1-3 September 2004

At this TheMHS and AICAFMHA conference you will learn about the latest developments in service delivery and research in mental health services. This year's theme of Harvesting Hope - across the lifespan reflects key mental health messages that recovery is about developing and sustaining hope, and that maintaining good mental health is a central issue for all age groups.

We are delighted that TheMHS and AICAFMHA will be jointly organising this conference, so that delegates will have unparalleled access to expertise and experience in mental health from infancy to adulthood.

Additionally, there will be both a keynote speaker and and paper streams about the mental health of older people. As well as the regular focus on consumer and carer experiences, indigenous issues and public mental health initiatives, there will be a special focus on primary care and our links to Asia.

Other focus areas for the conference include: antecedents to mental illness in adulthood; mental health and child protection, and building and maintaining mental health resiliency from the early years.

Developmental approaches to promoting mental health and preventing mental illness will be reflected through the 'across the lifespan' theme of the conference. Major sub-themes this year will be: children and youth, adults, older people, experiences of mental illness, infancy and attachment, participation, clinical innovation, prevention, promotion, developmental issues, indigenous issues, training and education, early intervention, partnership, the Asia-Pacific, primary care, psychotherapy, child protection, rural and remote services.

Venue: Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland

Title: Harvesting Hope: Across the Lifespan

Local Committee: Paul Dodd, Robert King, Chris Lloyd, Sue Garvin, Hazel Bassett, Jo Bassett, Chris Foley, Leon Petchkovsky, V. Kalyansandarum, Gabrielle Savage, Elizabeth Moore, John Hunting, Jan Keaton, Phil Robinson

Opening Presenter: Prof. Alan Fels

Keynote Speakers: Anthony Wee-Kiat Ang, Henry Brodaty, Adrian Falkov, Margaret Fleming, Helen Glover, Anne Helm, Horst Kaechele, Hans Kordy, Graham Matin, Brett McDermott, Eric Vernberg, Graham Vimpani, Tracy Westerman, Jack Yatsko

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health amd Ageing (Mental Health & Suicide Prevention), AstraZeneca, Janssen-Cilag, Eli Lilly, New Zealand Ministry of Health, QLD Department of Health and Community Care

Support Sponsors: Bristol Myers Squibb, Wyeth Australia, Sanofi-Synthelabo, Lundbeckm Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Taylor & Francis, Kids In Mind - Mater Child & Youth Mental Health, Mayne Pharma

Forums

This is Our Life

31-Aug 2004
Forum: Carer/Family Forum

This is Our Life/This is Your Life

31-Aug 2004
Forum: Consumer Forum

Files

logo 2004 with brochure
Program booklet 2004
Program - Consumer Forum
Program - Carer Forum
Prim Care Workshop program
Poster A2 04Book of Abstracts - program abstracts 1Aug04
2004 Reg Brochure

3-5 September 2003

How far have we come in moving beyond prose and promises toward the delivery of high quality, effective, evidence-based practices - practices that contribute to a better quality of life for everyone involved in mental health services?

Today…

There are exciting developments in treatment, and innovative programs. However, some challenges - staff shortages and burnout, resourcing levels, stigma - are still with us. Service delivery is often still too strongly influenced by historical practice.

There is also a great variation among services in the progress that has been made in meeting the 'new' challenges - meaningful consumer and carer input into decision making; service delivery to refugees and other cultures, and more preventative approaches.

The future...

In a rapidly changing world, how are new ideas and research being translated into effective mental health services for everyone, including protecting and promoting the mental health of service providers? If we are inclusive, the lived experience of the consumer and carer can inform and guide service development and delivery. Whose reality is it that will shape and determine mental health services of the future? How can we gain agreement between stakeholders about what is life-enhancing, and therefore what is effective treatment?

We invite you to reflect on the gains and setbacks, and offer you the opportunity to present you vision of a new reality that promotes the mental health of every individual.

Venue: National Convention Centre, Canberra, Australia

Title: From Rhetoric to Reality

Local Convenors: Deborah Shaw

Local Committee: Warrick Arblaster, Penelope Blume, Linette Bone, Stephen Brand, Stephen Druitt, Carol House, Herb Krueger, Sue McConnachie, Matthew Musgrave, Cathy Owen, Tracy Thompson, Peter Wise

Opening Presenter: Senator The Hon. Trish Worth

Keynote Speakers: Phil Barker, Sandy Jeffs, Jan Scott

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (Mental Health and Suicide Prevention), National Mental Health Strategy, Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, Sanofi-Synthelabo

Support Sponsors: Mayne Pharma, Pfizer, AstraZeneca

Forums

Into the Future

2-Sep 2003
Forum: Carer/Family Forum

From Rhetoric to Reality - EVERYDAY!

2-Sep 2003
Forum: Consumer Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1: What's New in Outcome Management?

2-Sep 2003
Key Presenters: Maree Teesson, Tom Trauer, Tom Callaly, Tim Coombs, Glen Tobias, Allen Morris0Yates
Outcome managerment is a growing and rapidly changing field. This half-day workshop will icnludes presnetations from local experts on several topical areas in outcomes measurement in service development, in the psychiatric disability support sector, in the private psychiatric sector, clinician's attitudes to outcome measurement and facotrs affect whether consymers complete a self-report measure. The workship will also provide participants with an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and discuss the issues and challenges they face.

Workshop 2: Leadership and Mangement for Clinicians

2-Sep 2003
Key Presenters: Harry Minas, Alan Rosen, Lyndy Matthews, Peter McGeorge, Wendy Fromhold, Tom Callaly
Mental health services in Australia and New Zealand are undergoing continuous structural reform to improve quality and effectiveness in service delivery. Although it is widely recognised that clinician leadership is required to achieve this, most clinicians find the transition from clinician to leader or manager difficult and personally challenging, and often feel unprepared and unsupported. This, the second TheHMS workshop on leadership and management, will be an interactive workships. Participants will learn from presenters and each other about the challenges of being a clinician leader, the quality and risk management agendy and apporaches to strategic planning.

Workshop 3: Skills for Conference Presenters

2-Sep 2003
Key Presenters: Kevin Kellehear, Vivenne Miller
Do you want to improve your prsentation skills for conferences and seminars? This workship is designed to increase your ability to write an abstract, prepare your prsentation prior to the conference, become more confident in front of an audience, manage audiovidual conference aids, and to prepare your paper for publication. There will be lecture presentations as well as practical excercises to enhance your presentation skills. If possible bring along your own conference presentation/s to to use in the experiential excercises.

Workshop 4: Education of Consumers for Service Provision

2-Sep 2003
Key Presenters: Meg Smith, Paula Hanlon, Merinda Epstein, Leonie Manns
How can consumers become involved in service provision? Speakers will examine this question from their own personal experience and from the evidence. Topics will unclude: the skills needed to work within government and non-government systems; the pitfalls and difficulties that may be encountered on the way; how to maintian your own mental health whilst working within the system; supports that are needed as oppoed to those that may be provided. Someo fo the areas of service provision include: advocacy, policy adevelopment, research, support, education, as well as direct service provison such as case management and outreach services. THis workship will challenge and broaden your ideas about the role of consumers in mental health service provision. This workship has been soecially commissioned and sponsored by TheMHS Conference. Whilst this workshop is primarily aimed as consumers who are ready to take this next step. it will also be of inrerest to other mental health service providers.

Files

TheMHS Reg Brochure 225
Program Booklet 2003
Outcome Measurement Workshop program
Leadership Workshop program
Indigenous Forum ProgV2
Consumers Forum Program V2
Conf Pres Skills Wkshp Prog
Carers Forum program V3 - final for printing
Book of Abstracts final text2003
2003 A2 Poster

20-22 August 2002

Mental health is an integral part of the health and wellbeing of us all. It is essential that we work together to promote and ensure positive mental health for everyone, across the spectrum of age groups, cultural backgrounds and individual needs.

TheMHS 2002 will focus on three broad themes: the mental health of individuals, populations and organisations.

1. The mental health of individuals – How can mental health services promote recovery for individuals? What new and effective treatments are available?
2. The mental health of populations – How do we ensure access to mental health care for all sectors of the community? How can mental health literacy be increased? What roles are there for mental health services, consumers, carers and primary care services in promoting mentally healthy communities?
3. The mental health of organisations and systems – What does it mean to have a healthy organisation? In an increasingly difficult economic climate how do we ensure systems of care that meet the needs of consumers? How do we create a system of care that adequately involves consumers, carers and health professionals?

Venue: Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Title: There's No Health Without Mental Health

Local Convenors: Cathy Issakidis

Local Committee: Michael Appleton, Jodie Brown Gillian Church, Anne-Lyse De Guio, Lynne Dunbar, Douglas Holmes, Rhoada Immerman, Joanna Jaaniste, Kevin Kellehear, Elizabeth Priestly, Sadie Robertson, Maree Teesson, Laraine Toms, Maurice Walker

Opening Presenter: Dr Norman Swan

Keynote Speakers: Margarita Allegria, Vicki Katsifis, Peter Huxley

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health amd Ageing (Mental Health & Suicide Prevention), AstraZeneca, Janssen-Cilag, Eli Lilly, New Zealand Ministry of Health, Sanofi-Synthelabo

Support Sponsors: Mayne Pharma Pharmaceuticals, Lundbeck, Novartis, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals

Forums

Is the consumer movement a figment of our imagination?

19-Aug 2002
Forum: Consumer Forum

The Future of Carer (Family) Suport Groups: How do support groups make sure they are innovative, accessible and relevant in 2002 and beyond?

19-Aug 2002
Forum: Carer Forum

Making Progress Happen: Shaping the Future of Mental Health Services for Indigenous Communities

19-Aug 2002
Forum: Indigenous Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1: Leadership and Management for Clinicians

19-Aug 2002
Key Presenters: Ruth Vine, Kathy Eagar, Tom Callaly, Margaret Goding, Alan Rosen, Lyndy Matthews, Peter McGeorge
Increasingly, team leaders, unit managers, psychiatrists and other clinicians in Mental Health require leadership and management skills to meet the demands of their roles. Traditionally, professional training in medicine, nursing and allied health has neglected these areas. This workshop will give clinicians an introduction which will be of immediate help in managing teams and assist clinicians to consider their own future needs.

Workshop 2: Every Service's Responsibility: Challenging Stigma and Discrimination

19-Aug 2002
Key Presenters: Simon Champ, Garry Walter, Anne Deveson; R. Srinivasa Murthy , Ralucca Nica, Gerard Vaughan, Melissa Sweet, Barbara Hocking, Alan Rosen, Liz Newton
Features speakers from the World Psychiatric Association Challenging Stigma Programs in India and Romania. This workshop will give you a better understanding of what stigma means, how it impacts on people's lives, and the extent of discrimination in both the general community and mental health services. Learn about the practical steps involved in setting up local and national programs to challenge stigma and lessen discrimination, with particular reference to the community development approach in different countries. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on how to apply these lessons to their own work settings.

Workshop 3: What?s new in outcome measurement?

19-Aug 2002
Key Presenters: Maree Teesson , Tom Callaly, Tim Coombs, Peter Huxley
Outcome measurement is a growing and rapidly changing field. This half-day workshop will include presentations from local and international speakers on several topical areas in outcome measurement, including assessment of quality of life, updates of developments at the local level, and issues in the introduction of routine outcome measurement into mental health services. The workshop will also provide participants with an opportunity to discuss the issues and challenges they face.

TheMHS Reg Brochure305
Program for booklet
Program - Stigma workshop final
Leadership workshop program2
Indigenous Forum program final
Consumer Day Program - Dougs version
Carer Program - finalBook of abstracts for printing
2002 A3 Poster

28-31 August 2001

The conference program will focus on three aspects of mental health services:

• The delivery of seamless care for consumers,
• The crucial importance of culture
• The development of community.

We contend that in the 21st Century, with its emphasis on information stripped of meaning, the challenge will be to ensure that all individuals have a sense of belonging and identity in their world. To meet this challenge, Mental Health Services will need to play a key role in recognising and upholding the culture and capacity of consumers to participate as citizens in the community at large.

A range of speakers who have paved the way for this ethos to be realised, have been invited to participate in what is now Australasia’s most reputable and well-attended conference on Mental Health Services.

Venue: Wellington Convention Centre, Wellington, New Zealand

Title: No One Is An Island

Local Convenors: Peter McGeorge, Julia Hennessy

Local Committee: Peter McGeorge, Julia Hennessy, Cathie Morton, Marge Jackson, Angela Kelly, Christine Marshall, Salevao Manase, Wayne Blissett, Henry Field, Jenny Cardno, Kathyrn Holmes, Kaye Carncross, Materoa Mar, Neil Thornton, Rob Williams, Rob Mason, Arana Pearson, Ani Sweet, Karewa Arthur, Stuart Fenton

Opening Presenter: Annette King

Keynote Speakers: Whatarangi Winiata, Sashi Sashidhauran, Jennifer Koberstein, David Lecount

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (Mental Health and Suicide Prevention), New Zealand Ministry of Health, Janssen-Cilag, Like Minds Like Mine, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

Support Sponsors: Faulding Pharmaceuticals, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

Forums

Consumer Forum

28-Aug 2001
Forum: Consumer Forum

Families Forum

28-Aug 2001
Forum: Families Forum

Indigenous Peoples' Forum

28-Aug 2001
Forum: Indigenous Peoples' Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1: What's New in Outcome Management?

28-Aug 2001
Key Presenters: Maree Teesson, Tom Trauer, Tom Callaly, Tim Coombs
Outcome measurement is a growing and rapidly changing field. This half-day workshop will present three new areas in outcome measurement: assessment of outcome in drug and alcohol treatment, a review of consumer outcome measures, and updates on implementation of outcome measurement across the nation. The workshop will also provide participants with an opportunity to discuss the issues and challenges they face.

Workshop 2: HoNOS Training

28-Aug 2001
Key Presenters: Tom Trauer, Tom Callaly
This workshop will consist of training in the use of HoNOS will be strictly limited to two groups of 25 attendees. The Health of the Nation Outcome Scale is one of the most widely used measures of outcome. This practical workshop offers individual training in the use of the measure. The Trainers have extensive experience in its use have published international articles on its use in practice.

Workshop 3: Innovative Approaches to the Purchasing and Provision of Mental Health Services

28-Aug 2001
Key Presenters: Jennifer Koberstein, David LeCount, Sashi Sashidharan
This workshop will focus on services that aim to meet the contemporary challenges of the post-institutional environment in which social inclusion and consumer participation are key factors. In particular home-based treatment and consumer-run services will receive attention.

Files

Program final 7Jul01
Indigenous Forum info sheet
Consumer Forum Program
Abstracts Book 2001 2NDCOPY
2001brochure

29-31 August 2000

TheMHS 2000 will host over 200 presentations by mental health clinicians, managers, consumers, carers and policymakers, researchers and educators. Presentations will include papers, symposia, workshops, debates, poster showcase and general posters.

TheMHS Conference provides a forum for people from across Australia and New Zealand to gather to: discuss and debate the most current issues in mental health service delivery and research; develop networks; showcase innovations and new directions; and demonstrate projects and interventions which guide mental health service delivery into the future.

TheMHS 2000 will be an occasion of many celebrations. Adelaide was the host city for the first TheMHS Conference in 1991. TheMHS 10th anniversary provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the culture and the achievements in mental health services throughout the past decade.

Adelaide, the Festival City, values creativity and the arts. The conference recognizes that creativity the arts have a vital role in service development and provision, and have an essential role in people’s lives.

Taking lessons from the past, we focus our thoughts on the future – the ongoing development and the innovations in planning, delivery and evaluation of quality mental health services.

TheMHS invites you to celebrate - Creativity and Development: Services for the Future.

We encourage you to consider:

• What have we learnt from the past that has enhanced our current services?
• Are current plans and strategies sufficient for future mental health service needs?
• How can services be further improved as we face new challenges?
• What creative approaches can we adopt to develop these services?

Come along, be involved in the diversity, innovation and challenges in creating the new story of the millennium for mental health services across Australia and New Zealand.

Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrance, Adelaide, South Australia

Title: Creativity and Development: Services for the Future

Local Committee: Barbara Wieland, Lyn Naisbitt, Eli Rafalowicz, Gise Paine, Julie Harrison, Gemma Ferraretto, Paul Nestor, Rene Edwards, Chris Wigg, Suesan Mitchell, Phillipa Kneebone, Louise Cook, Polly Sumner, Bill Hoffmyer, Ashley Halliday, Margaret Webb, Pat Sutton, Steven Pitcher, Trevor Parry, Gerald Graves, Darren Bowd, Sharon Pekoe, Adrian Booth, Kathleen Stacey

Opening Presenter: Dermot Casey

Keynote Speakers: Julian Leff, Paul Nestor, Sanfra Miller, Virginia Lafond, Polly Sumner, Basil Sumner, Major Sumner

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health and Againg, SA Department of Human Services, Janssen-Cilah, New Zealnd Health Funding Authoirty, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca

Support Sponsors: Novartis, Solvay

Forums

Consumer Forum

28-Aug 2000
Forum: Consumer Forum

Carer Forum

28-Aug 2000
Forum: Carer Forum

Indigenous Peoples' Forum

28-Aug 2000
Forum: Indigenous Peoples' Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1:

28-Aug 2000
Lead Organisation: Enhancing Recovery: Working with the Grief of Mental Illness

Workshop 2:

28-Aug 2000
Lead Organisation: Helping Families to Cope with Schizophrenia

Workshop 3: Outcomes Measurement

28-Aug 2000
Key Presenters: Tom Trauer, Tom Callaly, Maree Teesson, Leonie Manns, Alan Rosen
This workshop provides up to date information on the most widely used outcome assessment measures in mental health. The presenters all have extensive experience in the use of the measures. The workshop will provide an update on the latest research on the Health of the National Outcome Scale (Trauer & Callaly), discuss recent advances in the assessment of need (Teesson) and consumer measures (Manns & Teesson), and provide an update on the latest research on the Life Skills Profile (Rosen). The workshop will end with a discussion of the importance of clinically significant change. Participants are invited to share their experience of outcome measurement in a panel discussion. A bibliography of references referred to in the workshop will be available to participants.

Workshop 4: HoNOS Training

28-Aug 2000
Key Presenters: Tom Trauer, Tom Callaly, Maree Teesson
This workshop is offered in two parts ? morning and afternoon. Each may be attended separately. The morning will focus on the HoNOS (an update), the assessment of need, consumer measures, the LSP (an update) and infering change. The afternoon session will consist of training in the use of HoNOS (?and LSP). The afternoon workshop will be strictly limited to two groups of 25 attendees.

Files

PreconferenceProgram
PreConference Day program
ConferenceProgram
Abstract Speakers 2000
2000brochure
2000 A3 Poster

22-24 September 1999

TheMHS 1999 will host approximately 200 presentations by mental health clinicians, managers, consumers, carers, policymakers, researchers and educators.

Presentations will include papers, symposia, poster presentations, workshops, performances and general posters.

The central theme of the conference in 1999 will be around sharing ideas and in depth discussions between different groups of people involved in mental health policy development and service delivery, both within, and between, New Zealand and Australia.

We want the conference to model through its own practice our wish for partnership; not only in the ways we work together, but also in the ways we "talk" and "listen" together. We are also exploring ways to promote mental health and well-being through the program's activities.

Venue: Melbourne Convention Centre

Title: Whose Dreams? Whose Realities?

Local Convenors: Merinda Epstein and Chris Gibbs

Program Convenor: John Farhall and Merinda Epstein

Local Committee: Merinda Epstein, Chrib Gibbs, John Farhall, Trish Saunders, John Balli, Isabell Collins, Sue Farnan, Graham Meadows, David Clarke, Ellie Fossey, Brenda Hapnell, ance James, Colin Reiss

Opening Presenter: Sir Ronald Wilson

Keynote Speakers: Larry Davidson, Jill Gray, Elizabeth Kuipers, Gavin Mooney, Cath Roper & Arana Pearson, Harvey Whiteford

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Services (Mental Health), Victorian Government Department of Human Services, New Zealand Government Mental Health, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, Zeneca

Support Sponsors: Solvay, Pfizer, Novartis, Hoechst, North Western Health (Melbourne)

Forums

Building Mental Health Services from a consumer perspective

21-Sep 1999
Forum: Consumer Forum

Impacts and options

21-Sep 1999
Forum: Carer Forum

Workshops

Workshop 1: Facilitate Recovery and Community Integration - A Collaborative Model

Key Presenters: Larry Davidson
The overview will cover the following areas: - an overview of gaps in recovery/community integration literature - Consumers as key stakeholders in having expert knowledge of the terrain (of subjective experience) needed to fill these gaps - Ways to approach research and program development/evaluation efforts in a collaborative /participatory fashion, including consumers in all aspects of the process - Specific examples of recovery/commuity in integration-based interventions involving sonsumers in relasp/recidivism prevention efforts and social integration efforts

Workshop 2: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychosis

Key Presenters: Elizabeth Kuipers
Aims: - to introduce participants to the new developments in cogntiive behavioural therapy (CBT) for people experiecing psychosis - to increase awareness of optimum therapeutic style and strategies involved. Objectives: - to increace knowledge of the theoretical basis and current literature on the clinical effective of CBT for people experiencing psychosis - TO outline specific therapeutic approaches required for assessment, egagement in a therapeutic approaches requires for assessment, egagement in a therapeutic alliance and effective cognitive and behavioural interventions, for people experiencing psychosis. The workshop will involve interactive an experiential techniques and will include participants in some role play and case discussion

Workshop 3: Staff Training? Making the Connection

Key Presenters: Jill Gray
This workshop examines the role of continuing education, training and professional development in the delivery of services that are based on the needs and preferences of people who use these services. Aims/educational objectives: the presentations focuses on how workers can 'build' a continuing education, training and professional development framework which benefits themselves, the client group and the organisation and community in which they are working. Areas covered include: - how to assess your own training needs - Connecting your training to client needs - Having a co-ordinated approach to staff training and organisational strategic planning - Sharing your skills with colleagues - the role of training and professional development in maintaining positive work environments and reducing burnout and staff turnover - sharing your skills with the community.

Files

complete list of 99 abstracts
Preconference consumer forum flyer 99
Preconference carers forum flyer 99
KEYNOTE ABSTRACTS
1999brochure
1999 A2 Poster

7-9 September 1998

TheMHS 1999 will host approximately 200 presentations by mental health clinicians, managers, consumers, carers, policymakers, researchers and educators. Presentations will include papers, symposia, poster presentations, workshops, performances and general posters.

Australia and New Zealand mental health services have been undergoing major reform processes during past years. Large psychiatric hospitals are being closed or transformed, in favour of local, comprehensive, community-based mental health services. Each country has a national mental health strategy which is guiding the development of services. This conference will take stock of some of these changes and will look at the challenges for the future of mental health services.

Venue: Wrest Point Hotel Casinom 410 Sandy Bay Road, Hobart

Title: Making History

Local Committee: Mary Blackwod, Robert Bland, Lois Booth, Graeme Fisher, T Wayne Fox, Paul Ingram, Elaine Jenkins, Rod MacGregor, Mark Morissey, Noni Morse, Ian Munday, Victoria Rigney, Barbara Shaw, Rosemary Schneider, Andrew Weston

Opening Presenter: Dr Harvey Whiteford

Keynote Speakers: Michael Clighton, Anne Olsen, Mason Durie, Phil Iker, Carolyn Quadrio, Nancy Tomes, Harvey Whiteford

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services, Hobart Clinic, New Zealand Government, Janssen Cilag

Support Sponsors: Eli Lilly, Novartis

Forums

Forum: Consumer Forum

Forum: Carer Forum

Workshops

Workshop: What's New in Outcome Management

7-Sep 1998
This day-long workship will focus on outcome measurement from a number of perspectives. In the morning Jseph Ventura PhD (co-author of BPRS) will prsent American and Australia research data on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. He will be the discussant for the afternoon session. In the afternoon presentations will include Dr Tom Trauer, giving an update on research using HONoS; Dr Alan Rosen will overview the Life Skills Profile; Ms Suzanne Drake will prsent finding from the report Measuring Consumer Outcomes in Mental Health 1997. Dr Maree Teesson will chair the day - so is co-author of Measurement of Consumer Outcomes in Mental Health 1994.

Files

1998programpart
1998brochurepart1
1998brochure

20-22 August 1997

TheMHS 1997 will host over 200 presentations by mental health clinicians, consumers, carers and policymakers. Presentations will include papers, symposia, dynamic debates, workshops, performances. Mental Health Services are a rich tapestry containing many threads. Services are increasingly community-based, inpatient services are more locally integrated, consumers and carer have a greater say in what services they need, research and evaluation are integral parts of service planning and practice.

Venue: Sydney Town Hall

Title: Tapestry: Weaving the Threads Together

Local Committee: Karen Barfoot, Tracey Brown Desley Casey, Maria Cassaniti, Simon Champ, Gillian Church, Jill Gallagher, Jo Graybill, Heidi Green, Caryn Hamilton, Paula Hanlon, Doug Holmes, Cathy Issakidis, Abd Malak, Sally Mspero, Anne Newham, Kristy Sanderson, Nicola Watt, Flora Vasinsky

Opening Presenter: Dr Michael Wooldridge

Keynote Speakers: Merinda Epstein, Iokapeta Enoka, Ian Falloon, David Goldberg, Courtney Harding, Harriet Lefley, Beverley Raphael

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services, NSW Department of Health - Centre for Mental Health, Janssen Cilag

Support Sponsors: Eli Lilly

Forums

Forum: Carer Forum

Forum: Consumer Dance

Forum: Consumer Day

Forum: Transcultural Mental Health Forum

Files

1997brochure
Consumer seminar
carers seminar

16 - 20 September 1996

The Annual Mental Health Services Conference was held at the Convention Centre in Brisbane in 1996. There was a total of 1200 people attending over 200 papers and workshops presented by people from Australia, New Zealand and a number of overseas countries. Represented in these proceedings are consumers, resarchers, service providers and managers. The views expressed in these proceedings are those of the authors of the papers.

Venue: Brisbane Convention Centre

Title: There is a Person in Here

Program Convenor: Melanie Scott, Vaidyananathan Kalyanasundaram

Local Committee: Melanie Scott, Nicole Davis, Lesleigh Fritz, Helen Glover, Jullie Johnson, Linda Keane, Judy Nicol, Glenys Powell, Ros Roper, Laurie Ryan, Carol Swendson, Frank Varghese, Alisa Whitehead, Peter Yellowlees, Vaidyanathan Kalyanasundaram, Brett Emerson, David Gerrand, Oemw Hodgson, Helen Kanowski, Graham Melsop, Mary O'Brien, Neal Price, Geoff Rowe, John Skelton, Barbara Tooth, Margaret Ward, Keith Williams, Kathy Manson

Opening Presenter: Sir William Deane

Keynote Speakers: John Strauss, Charles Anthony Rapp, Patricia Deegan

Major Sponsors: Commonwealth Department of Health, New Zealand Ministry of Health, Queensland Department of Health, Queensland Department of Families, Youth and Community Care, Queensland Department of Public Works and Housing, Healthcare Australia (Belmont Private Hospital), Roche Products Ltd., Janssen-Cliag Pty Ltd, QANTAS, Picturetel, Ramsay Health Care (New Farm Clinic), Palm Beach Currumbin Private Hospital and Clinic, Pfizer Pty Ltd

Other Highlights:

Consumer Days - 16 & 17 September

Forums

Living a Whole and Healthy Life with a Psychiatric Disability

16 -17 Sep 1996
Forum: Consumer Day

Workshops

Strength Model of Case Management

23-Aug 1996
Key Presenters: Charles Rapp, Linda Carlson

Improvement in Severe Mental Disorders

23-Aug 1996
Key Presenters: John Strauss

Carers Support Services Workshop

23-Aug 1996
Key Presenters: ARAFMI Brisbane Inc.

Consumer-Focused Evaluation: A Conceptual Framework & Practical Applications

23-Aug 1996
Key Presenters: Barbara Adams

Files

1996brochure
1996program

4-7 September 1995

Venue: Aotea Centre, Auckland

Title: Meeting the Challenges: Prevention, Partnership, Integration

Local Committee: Peter McGeorge, Janet Peters, Chris Harris, Derek Wright, Te Aniwa Tohokava, Peter Browning, Louise Nisbet-Smith, Helen Ward, Barbara Disley, Robyn Hetherington, Chris McLean, Iwa Natana, Mary O'Hagan

Opening Presenter: Dame Catherine Tizard

Keynote Speakers: Chanita Rodney, Jack Pransky, Jim Read, Harvey Whiteford, Vivienne Miler, Barbara Disley, Janice Wilson

Forums

Forum: Consumer Hui

Forum: Indigenous Peoples' Hui

Workshops

Health Realisation - Ways to ensure effective preventative strategies

Key Presenters: Jack Pransky

28 - 30 September 1994

Venue: Wilson Hall, Melbourne University

Title: Surviving Mental Illness: Families, Consumers and the Mental Health System

Local Committee: Jayashiri Kulkarni, Anne Arnott, John Farhall, Rod Salvage, Pat McGorry, Leonie Ryall, Lyn McKenzie

Opening Presenter: Dame Margaret Gylfoyle

Keynote Speakers: Dr Richard Warner, Prof Agnes Hatfield, Mary O'Hagan

Major Sponsors: Health & Community Services, Department of Human Services and Health, Dandenong Hospital Department of Psychology, Sandoz, Fisons, Parker Heward Directions

Forums

How Do Consumers Survive Mental Illness

27-Sep 1994
Forum: Consumer Day
Convenor: Mary O'Hagan

Workshops

Community Treatment of Mental Illness

Key Presenters: Richard Warner

How do Consumers Survive Mental Illness?

Key Presenters: Mary O'Hagan

Recognition and Early Intervention

Lead Organisation: Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre
Key Presenters: Prof Maxa Birchwood and Prof Carlo Perris

Recovery and Relapse Prevention

Lead Organisation: Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre

Files

1994brochure

1 - 3 September 1993

Over 100 choices! This multi-disciplinary forum with a huge range of papers, workshops, roundtable discussion and posters will stimulatie your thinking and give you new ideas and skills for the year ahead. This is a unique opportunity to learn from original resarch, from lively discussion, from participatory workshops and presentations about new service and practice ideas. Consumers, families, practitioners and researchers will all find something of interest in this conference about how to provide good quality, comprehensive and integrated netwroks of mental health.

Venue: Holme Building, University of Sydney

Title: On the Street Where You Live

Local Committee: Roger Gurr, Vivienne Miller, Maree Teesson, Lynne Dunbar, Alan Rosen, Chris MacLeod, John Hoult, Margaret Hoult, Andy Campbell, Paul O'Halloran, Bernard McNair, Katrina Hazleton

Opening Presenter: Brian Howe

Keynote Speakers: Dr Paul Carling, Iwa Natana, John Hoult

Major Sponsors: Sandoz Pharmaceutical Corporation

Workshops

Integration and Psychiatric Disability: Strategies for Change

Key Presenters: Dr Ian Falloon

Files

1993brochure

24 - 26 September 1992

In these times of major changes in health service finding and the organisation of service provision, it us important that we share our knowledge and right for the best services. The Mental Health Services Conference aims to bring together mental health service providers and consumers to debate current issues and to learn from each other.

The conference is organised by a multidisciplinary group to promote a forum for the presentation of original research, ideas and vision for the future. There are workshops for the development of skills and symposia for vigorous debate.

Venue: Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney

Title: Status Quo To Go!

Local Committee: Andy Campbell, John Hoult, Roger Gurr, Margret Hoult, Vivienne Miller, Alan Rosen

Opening Presenter: Brian Howe

Keynote Speakers: Prof Robert Drake, Chris Heginbotham, Jenny Macklin

Files

CommunityIntegration
1992brochure

24 - 25 May 1991

Venue: Glenside Hospital

Title: Mental Health Services Towards the Year 2000

Files

1991program
1991Brochure