Foundations for Future Mental Wealth Clinical Society

We warmly invite you to attend the CCQ Clinical Society event in Noosa in November, ‘Foundations for Future Mental Wealth’.

Amidst CCQ’s drive for transformative system and model reforms, this night is founded on showcasing an aspirational future for mental health, echoing Henry Ford’s sentiment, “If I asked people what they wanted, they would have asked for a faster horse.” Thus, while the current clinical landscape holds its complexities, our focus for the night is towards innovative future-focused solutions.

The National Context:

• Mental health is a national priority, with almost half of all Australians experiencing mental ill-health in their lifetime.
• The estimated financial toll is up to $70B annually, with increased spending not necessarily translating to better outcomes or improved access.

CCQ’s Regional Reality:

• The CCQ region witnesses higher rates of mental and behavioural issues, increased self-harm hospitalisations, and higher levels of alcohol/drug misuse.
• Despite a 24% increase in funding over the past 5 years, the siloed approach to health services still leads to missed opportunities for preventive care and service continuity.
• The current system struggles with hospital avoidance, sub-optimal service continuity, and addressing root causes of mental health presentations.
• Our mental health service system faces workforce challenges through inability to recruit to clinical positions and limited emerging in the pipeline without a definitive focus. Alternative, non-clinical pathways are needed and desirable to meet demand.

The agenda for the evening will include:

• The community needs and challenges
• Guest Speakers
• Question and Discussion
• Networking

The CCQ Clinical Societies are a platform for all health professionals from the region to come together to make friends, network, learn new and localised information and have fun in a collaborative, knowledge-sharing space – and earn CPD points!

This is a catered event. Please register to inform us of any dietary requirements.

Our Presenters!

Facilitated by:

Dr Aletha Ward, Deputy Director Education, Country to Coast QLD

CCQ Presenter:

Marie Kelly, Director Mental Health, Alcohol & Other Drugs, Country to Coast QLD

Guest Presenters:

Ivan Frkovic, Queensland Mental Health Commissioner, Queensland Mental Health Commission

Ivan Frkovic was appointed Commissioner from 1 July 2017 and brings substantial policy, academic and person-centred experience to the role, having worked in the Queensland mental health system for over 20 years. With a focus on strengthening partnerships and collaboration, he oversees delivery and implementation of the whole-of-government mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention strategic plan. Ivan’s experience across government and non-government organisations provides valuable insight to help bring all sectors together to focus on delivering better mental health outcomes for Queenslanders. He has made a significant contribution to community mental health through published papers and articles. Discussions will emphasise Non-Clinical Pathways to support current clinical capacity and the role of emerging workforce Champions/ Advocates for Upstream Interventions, considering determinants of health. This night will focus on innovative practices that increase the footprint of mental health primary care.

Hayley Roberts, Acting Manager for the Lifestyle Support Portfolio, Anglicare Central Queensland

Hayley is the Acting Manager for the Lifestyle Support Portfolio for AnglicareCQ, and has been working within the community mental health sector for over fifteen years in both frontline service delivery positions, and in leadership roles. She has extensive experience within the Homelessness, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention spaces, and throughout her career has been a strong advocate for accessible and equitable supports for rural and regional Queenslanders. With a focus on participant led service delivery, Hayley is currently working with AnglicareCQ’s lived experience team members, peer reference groups, and stakeholders to inform and develop a Lived Experience Framework, as well as collaborating with the Central Queensland Centre for Rural and Remote Health to provide learning experiences for students to encourage regional workforce development.

Mervyn Maisey, Living Experience Peet Support Worker and Wellbeing Facilitator, Anglicare Central Queensland

Merv is a Living Experience Peer Support Worker and Wellbeing Facilitator who’s own mental health challenges have shaped his belief in the value of experience in walking beside people as they make choices and overcome barriers to change their lives. Merv has an authentic approach, and his insights of transforming his life from living with severe and persistent mental illness to becoming well enough in recovery to share lived and learned experience with others who are struggling, make him effective in his work with participants, and in influencing how the peer workforce is developed within the community services sector. Merv, alongside his Peer Support Work team members, bring a lens to service delivery within AnglicareCQ, which is a valuable contribution to mental health reform in rural communities.

Brent Sweeney, CEO, Outback Futures