SANE

👏🏻 Congratulations to all the 2024 Australian Mental Health Prize winners and nominees last night. It was wonderful to see your dedication to the wellbeing of Australians recognised including by the Hon. Emma McBride, A/Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and the Hon. Rose Jackson, NSW Minister Mental Health. 🏆 Dr Juli Coffin for her important work harnessing the power of horses to improve the social and emotional well-being of young Indigenous people in the Kimberley, driving down one of the highest suicide rates in the world. 🏆 Dr Louise Byrne for her work in peer workforce development, a critical and growing foundation of our mental health system. 🏆 Dr Marilyn June Anderson for 25 years of service to Lifeline and her community. 🏆Professor Michael Berk whose comments I would like to echo - for Australia to have mental health reform as a top ten voting issue is a marker of significant progress, however a more “optimistic, bullish approach” is needed to better support those in the much-discussed “missing middle” and with more complex mental ill-health. 🎤With thanks to UNSW Medicine & Health and excellent chairs Allan Fels and Verity Firth. Thank you for having me on behalf of SANE. #mentalhealthprize #mentalhealthmatters #complexmentalhealth #peoplelikeyou #sane

Join us for our next mental health recovery webinar: Living Life Well With BPD     🗓️ When: Wednesday 25 September, 7-8pm (AEST)   👩⚕️ Featuring: Zonia Weideman, Occupational Therapist and Mental Health Specialist     In this FREE 60-minute webinar, Zonia Weideman will explore strategies for managing life with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and improving overall well-being.     Gain valuable insights and practical advice on:   - Engaging in meaningful activities that promote purpose and fulfilment   - Developing effective daily routines and time management skills   - Enhancing self-regulation and emotional coping strategies   - Improving social skills and building healthy relationships   - Addressing sensory processing challenges to enhance participation in daily life   - Exploring vocational and educational opportunities aligned with your goals     Includes a 20-minute Q&A session.     Zonia Weideman is a practicing Occupational Therapist, manager, and educator with over two decades of experience in inpatient and community-based services across South Africa, Victoria, and Queensland. She has played a pivotal role in enhancing psychological interventions for consumers with Personality Disorders, leading to the establishment of the award-nominated Living Well Team. Zonia's work spans various settings, including high security units and community services, where she focuses on delivering evidence-based care and innovative solutions such as virtual care to empower consumers on their recovery journey. She looks forward to sharing her expertise with the SANE recovery community.     Register for this FREE community event here https://lnkd.in/g-m6CCBQ  

We’re thrilled to announce a fresh new look for SANE Forums! 🎉 In consultation with our Forums community, we've crafted a new layout, designed to enhance your Forum experience and make the Forums easier and more intuitive to navigate. We can’t wait for you to explore it! What's new? 🗂️ Tabs for Discussions, Events, and Spaces. 💬 Quick access to discussion topics and group hubs. Find them all in the Spaces tab. 🔑 Easy login – login using your member name OR email from the Forums page or the navigation menu. MORE Check out the new layout and join the community today at saneforums.org! Have questions or feedback? Check out our community enhancements discussion thread https://lnkd.in/g4azBtra or email us at [email protected]. #SANEForums #peoplelikeyou #complexmentalhealth #mentalhealthaustralia #mentalhealthcommunity #peersupport #livedexperience #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthmatters

Missed our recent webinar, 'Wellbeing Beyond the Military: A Veteran-Focused Discussion'?    You can still access all the valuable insights shared during the webinar.    The full recording is now available in our dedicated Veteran's group discussion space on SANE Forums.    In this 60 minute webinar, SANE CEO Rachel Green, Director and CEO at Phoenix Australia Nicole Sadler AM CSC, and Veteran and GM, Training and Capability at Disaster Relief Australia Warwick Lugton talk about:    • The diverse experiences of veterans  • Transitioning to civilian life  • Wellbeing beyond military service  • Navigating stigma  • The importance of community support To watch the recording and continue the discussion, join the dedicated Veteran’s discussion space over on SANE Forums today! Visit https://lnkd.in/ggJMpxaw #peoplelikeyou #complexmentalhealth #mentalhealthaustralia #mentalhealthcommunity #peersupport #livedexperience #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthmatters #veteran #veteransupport #webinar 

Much work has been taking place across Australia, in conjunction with our 15 consortium partners, to gather critical information as part of a project SANE is leading to help Australians better find mental health support.      We know that the current mental health system is fragmented. Many websites, tools, resources and services are available to support help seekers, but these supports are not integrated well across different funding systems.      The Digital Navigation project aims to co-design digital solutions that enhance navigation across the mental health service system, ensuring more people can access the care they need.      The insights we have received so far through Town Hall events and consultations are helping shape solutions, but we are eager to hear more voices.      If you'd like to have your say, stay updated or get involved, you can register here: https://lnkd.in/gUaQt8xt or email us at [email protected]     #MentalHealth #DigitalNav #CoDesign #Consortium #CommunityEngagement #Support Nous Group LGBTIQ Health Australia Orygen Thirrili - Indigenous Suicide Postvention Service Lived Experience Australia Outcome Health yourtown Flourish Australia Phoenix Australia Butterfly Foundation Mind Australia One Door Mental Health

"I have been a member of SANE Forums since 2021… SANE Forums have been enormously helpful to me over the years, they have alleviated loneliness and connected me to a like-minded community.    I have made some close connections in an anonymous world. My feelings around my mental health recovery have improved since being on SANE Forums. I have come to realise that there are a lot of people dealing with the same or similar issues as me.SANE Forums have really normalised my mental health issues.” – SANE Forums User.    Remember, you’re not alone. Our peer support community is a safe space to surround yourself with support!    24/7, 365. Join the community at saneforums.org.

SANE is pleased to see the draft National Suicide Prevention Strategy released by the Commonwealth Government this week.    This document outlines a new and transformative approach to suicide prevention where the focus is shifted away from mental health towards recognising and addressing the social and economic determinants of suicide.   SANE is particularly pleased to see the draft advice include recommendations for accessible peer support, stigma reduction activities, exploration of scalable, digital interventions and improved data collection.    We’re also encouraged by the collective advocacy across the mental health sector that led to this comprehensive strategy. The inclusion of lived experience voices is a vital step in ensuring those most impacted are at the heart of the solution, and we hope to see this continued as the strategy is evaluated and implemented.    SANE remains committed to amplifying the voices of lived experience and partnering with the sector and government to support innovative new solutions to this important public health issue.   Read more on our blog https://lnkd.in/gpGZwuVS

SANE welcomes the release of the Final Report from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide https://lnkd.in/gkaz8id. We’d like to recognise all those who bravely shared their stories and contributed their lived experience to enable the development of this critical piece of work.    The 122 recommendations outlined in the report are wide-ranging and challenge all of us working with veterans and their families to improve services and supports. We are particularly encouraged by the focus on early intervention, an emphasis on the power of peer support and the need for better education and stigma reduction activities in this space.    We look forward to collaborating with Defence agencies and our partners, including Phoenix Australia, to support the wellbeing of veterans and ensure they receive the care they deserve.    During this difficult time, we encourage anyone in need to reach out to family, friends, or professional services if needed. The SANE Veterans forum is available 24/7 and is a warm and welcoming place for anyone seeking support, information or connection https://lnkd.in/gUJbNKQs   #MentalHealth #StigmaReduction #VeteranSupport Defence Australia Phoenix Australia

While #RUOKDay can be a good way to start conversations… but what happens if the person you ask isn’t ok?    It can be helpful to understand if there have been any significant changes in behaviour or mood. It may not be a serious problem, but if there is a developing or reoccurring mental illness, getting help early is very important.    Resources you can turn to:    SANE’s series of factsheets and guides, including “Is someone you know unwell?” are a good starting point. You can find these via the link in our bio.    SANE’s support line is available Monday to Friday, 10am - 8pm (AEST/AEDT).    Our Friends, Family and Carers discussion space is available 24/7 over on SANE Forums. Join the conversation or start your own at https://lnkd.in/gM9RkriM    If a conversation has left you feeling concerned for someone’s safety or you require crisis support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, 13YARN on 13 9276 to connect with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis support, or call 000 if there is immediate risk or danger.    #complexmentalhealth#mentalhealthaustralia#mentalhealthcommunity#peersupport#livedexperience#mentalhealthrecovery#mentalhealthsupport#mentalhealthmatters 

1 in 2 young people are impacted by suicide by the time they turn 25 (@suicidepreventionaustralia).    Today is World Suicide Prevention Day - a day to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and promote effective prevention. We remember those lost to suicide, support survivors, and encourage open conversations about mental health.    If you or someone you know is at immediate risk, call 000 or visit your nearest hospital.    For crisis support, please contact:    Lifeline (24hrs) - free telephone or online crisis support at 13 11 14 orlifeline.org.au.    Suicide Call Back Service (24hrs) - free telephone and online counselling at 1300 659 467 or https://lnkd.in/eq_cUxd.    13YARN (24hrs) - call 13 9276 to connect with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis support.    Our new managing thoughts of suicide and self-harm discussion space on SANE Forums is a safe place to share experiences, surround yourself with support and support others. Join the conversation by visiting https://lnkd.in/gzuKPMx3    Remember you are not alone.