The report: The Case for Mental Health Reform in Australia: a Review of Expenditure and System Design, the new report from Medibank and Nous Group, which was launched yesterday with beyondblue. Click here to download.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions have launched the Australians Want Time to Care report, which highlights Australians are struggling to cope with a lack of due process and out-dated workplace cultures. Carers Victoria CEO Caroline Mulcahy spoke at the launch and highlighted the need for flexible workplace options for all carers.  

Read Caroline's speech here.

Source: blogs.crikey.com.au
Author: Melissa Sweet and Sebastian Rosenberg
29 November 2012
For the full article go to: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2012/11/27/whats-missing-from-the-first-national-mental-health-report-card/

The Recognition and Respect: Mental Health Carers Report 2012 has been released by the Mental Health Council of Australia. The report provides an insight into the lives of some of the most dedicated yet vulnerable members of our community: people who regularly carer for someone with a mental illness. The report is based on a survey of 508 mental health carers focussing on the 15 key issues identified in the 2008-2009 workshops and describes carers perspectives on the services available to them and the people for whom they care.

The 2 previous reports (Adversity to Advocacy: the lives and hopes of mental health carers (2009) and the Mental Health Carers report 2010) are also downloadable.

Press Release: Mental Health Council
27 November 2012

The Mental Health Council of Australia has welcomed the release of Australia’s first National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

The National Report Card draws heavily on existing information and data along with the direct experiences of those who use mental health services every day, and those who care for them.

“The National Report Card gives us a snapshot of where Australia currently is and takes a whole-of-life approach, looking at physical health, employment, relationships, education, housing and homelessness, community participation, family and child support and justice. This shows us that we’ve come a long way over the last 20 or so years, but we still have a long way to go”, said Mr Frank Quinlan, CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia.
“The Commissioners are to be congratulated on drawing together such a diverse range of information, and for giving life to the experience of mental health consumers and carers”, said Mr Quinlan.

“However, we need to build on the recommendations from this National Report Card. This document can’t turn into another false dawn, where there is a lot of talk but very little action. It’s time for us to agree to national targets for mental health and to achieve them”, Mr Quinlan said.

“The National Report Card shows that in spite of welcome investments by various individual governments, people who live with mental illness are too often let down by the system”, said Mr Quinlan.

“The Coalition of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed in 2011 to make mental health a priority. Today’s first National Report Card provides them with all they need to set meaningful and measurable targets for a contributing life for those with mental illness. It’s time to get on with the job”, Mr Quinlan said.

“How long do we expect people to wait for essential clinical and community based mental health services?

How long will we tolerate people who experience mental illness dying earlier than the rest of the population?

How long do we expect people who experience mental illness to wait for stable and secure accommodation?

How many people who experience mental illness do we intend to engage in meaningful employment?

COAG must answer these questions and commit to real targets if we are going to have a society in which those with mental illness can expect to live a meaningful and contributing life”, said Mr Quinlan.

“The decision of the Gillard Government to establish the National Mental Health Commission has been vindicated by this first National Report Card”, Mr Quinlan said, “Let’s see that their work in preparing the National Report Card isn’t wasted”.

Media Contact: Frank Quinlan, Chief Executive Officer - 02 6285 3100 or 0409 655 460

Caring for Older Australians Public inquiry This inquiry has concluded. The final report was released on 8 August 2011.

In undertaking the inquiry, the Commission had developed options for further structural reform of the aged care system so it can meet the challenges facing it in coming decades. In particular, the Commission had:

• examined the social, clinical and institutional aspects of aged care in Australia, building on the substantial base of existing reviews into this sector
• addressed the interests of special needs groups
• developed regulatory and funding options for residential and community aged care (including the Home and Community Care program)
• examined the future workforce requirements of the aged care sector
• recommended a path for transitioning from the current regulatory arrangements to a new system that ensures continuity of care and allows the sector time to adjust
• examined whether the regulation of retirement specific living options should be aligned more closely with the rest of the aged care sector
• assessed the fiscal implications of any change in aged care roles and responsibilities.

In the course of the inquiry, the Commission consulted widely with older Australians, their carers, aged care providers, government agencies and other interested parties.

Download::
Caring for Older Australians - Overview (PDF - 1065 Kb)
Volume 1 - Caring for Older Australians - Inquiry report (PDF - 1558 Kb)
Volume 2 - Caring for Older Australians - Inquiry report (PDF - 3134 Kb)