Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing and Workforce Forum 2014

Aboriginal Mental Health &

Wellbeing and Workforce

Forum 2014

“Valuing the Aboriginal Workforce”

Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour

5-6 March 2014

Hosted by Mid North Coast Local Health District in partnership with

the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW

MNCLHD AMHWWF Report 2014 2

Contents Page

2014 AMHWWF FORUM OVERVIEW ....................................................................... 3

SUMMARY OF STATISTICS ..................................................................................... 4

PROGRAM ................................................................................................................ 5

EXHIBITORS ............................................................................................................. 8

EVALUATION ............................................................................................................ 9

Forum Score Ratings ............................................................................................. 9

Q1. Highlight of the Forum ................................................................................... 10

Q2. Something learnt that will be useful in your work ........................................... 11

Q3. Suggestions for improving the next Forum .................................................... 12

Committee Evaluation ......................................................................................... 14

RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................ 16

FORUM OVERVIEW SLIDESHOW ......................................................................... 17

PHOTOS.................................................................................................................. 19


2014 AMHWWF Forum Overview Theme: Valuing the Aboriginal Workforce 5-6 March 2014

Opal Cove Resort

Coffs Harbour, NSW

Objectives of Forum

The NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Forum brings the NSW Aboriginal

Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workforce, both government and

community controlled, together to:

network and discuss mental health and social & emotional wellbeing matters, including

relevant policy and program developments

undertake and contribute to our professional development

receive and provide peer support with like-minded professionals

share stories about successful initiatives and learn how they were implemented

highlight effective partnerships at the community level

contribute to service development in order to improve the mental health and social and

emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people in NSW, and

provide feedback to assist in planning future forums.

Partnership with AH&MRC

Participants were advised that this forum is a partnership between Mid North Coast Local

Health District (MNCLHD) and the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW

Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workforce Support Unit (AH&MRC WSU).

The AH&MRC WSU ran a staff development workshop on 4 March, which was open only to

Commonwealth funded SEWB workers. A separate registration form was to be completed by

those workers for the 4 March event.


Summary of Statistics

Registration March 5-6

Registrations received 293

Registrations at Forum 229

Aboriginal Identified registrations attended 147

Percentage of Aboriginal Identified persons in attendance 64%

Registration cancellations received 19

Exhibitors 4

AH&MRC Registrations 92

Registration

Registration was FREE for participants and presenters. NSW Health participants were required

to meet their own travel and accommodation costs.

Accommodation

Opal Cove Resort accommodation was fully booked out for the Forum, including all resort

rooms, villas and units. Commonwealth funded SEWB were able to be accommodated at Opal

Cove Resort. Many participants were required to find accommodation elsewhere.


Program

WEDNESDAY 5 March 2014

8:00am Registration in the Ocean View Foyer

SESSION ONE

Ballroom M.C. Lynn Lelean

8:50am Forum Preview

Barry Hunter, Forum Convenor

9:00am Welcome to Country

Mr Barry Hoskins

9:10am Us Mob Dance Group

9:25am Welcome to Mid North Coast Local Health District

Warren Grimshaw AM, Chair MNCLHD Governing Board

9:35am Opening Address

The Hon Kevin Humphries MP, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Healthy Lifestyles,

Minister for Western NSW

10:20 Morning Tea

SESSION TWO

Ballroom M.C Lynn Lelean

11:10 Keynote Address

Aunty Lorraine Peters, Managing Director Marumali Program

11:55am Keynote Address

Dr Robyn Shields, NSW Deputy Mental Health Commissioner

12:20pm Getting with the program! Skilling up the Aboriginal workforce in the use of e-wellbeing apps

and online technologies.

Liz Lewis, Assoc Prof James Bennett-Levy

1:10pm Lunch


SESSION THREE Osprey Room Currawong Room Shearwater Room Chair Donna Stanley Kristie Harrison Gay Foster

2:00pm “The fall and rise of clinical

supervision”

Gina O’Neill, Ann Baker

AMIHS (Aboriginal Maternal

Infant Health Service) how MH

affects mums and bubs Kristen Ella, Eda Devoti

Pathways to psychiatry for

Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people Nigel Beetson

2:30pm

NSW Ministry of Health

Aboriginal Recruitment and

Retention (Multimedia)

Resource

Charles Davison, Wendy

Bryan-Clothier, Justin Noel

An insight to the role of an

Aboriginal Alcohol Other drug

Worker

Nathan Deaves, Wade

Longbottom

Waminda’s Dead, or deadly

Program

Willow Firth, Hayley

Longbottom

3:00pm Kempsey Healthy Eating

Activities and Lifestyles for

Indigenous Groups

Marilyn Dean, Jessica Morris

The Positives and Negatives

of Psychological Resilience

Marsat Ketchell

3:30pm Afternoon Tea

SESSION FOUR Osprey Room Currawong Room Shearwater Room Chair Darcy Budden Bron Rose Gina O’Neill

3:55pm MLHD MHDA Aboriginal

Mental Health Business Plan

Laura Ross

“Are they ready for the

workforce”

Faye McMillan, Stephanie Perrot

Update on the NSW

Aboriginal grief and loss

training project

Anthony Hillin

4:25pm Aboriginal Psychiatry

Mentoring Program

Donna Stanley

The NSW Aboriginal Mental

Health Worker Training

Program Evaluation –Findings

and Future Directions

Tom Brideson, Christine Flynn

Usin’ it or Losin’ it!

Colin Locke

4:50pm NEAMI National Aboriginal

Linkages program

Lee Willis

Learning from each other and

growing together

Cindi McCormick

Key Learnings in retaining

an Aboriginal Workforce in

the Community Managed

Mental Health Sector

Simone Montgomery, Craig

Parsons

5:20pm Close Day 1

Dinner at 7pm on the Ocean View Terrace


THURSDAY 6 March 2014

8.00am – 8.45am Yarning Time: network meetings (see separate flyer)

SESSION FIVE Osprey Room Currawong Room Shearwater Room Opal Room Chair Ivy Peters Alana Rossman Laura Ross Anthony Hillin

9:00am Traditional Circles in

Practice

Vanessa Edwidge,

Bahadur Bryson, Noleen Hoskins

Supporting the

Aboriginal workforce to

address tobacco in their

communities –

showcasing the

Aboriginal Resistance

Tool Kit

Jasmine Sarin

A Model for the

Aboriginal Mental

Health and Drug &

Alcohol Workforce Gay Foster, Tammy

Sampson

9:30am

The Aboriginal Drug &

Alcohol Network

(ADAN) of NSW

Kristie Harrison, Rodney

Turner

Working through

incarceration with an

holistic approach to

reintegration for the

emotional wellbeing of

families

Lloyd Gibbs

Research…Pfft! A

dirty word? Or an

avenue to privilege

and action Aboriginal

voices

Chontel Gibson

Aboriginal grief

and loss training

program:

consultation

groups exploring

learning areas,

staff support and

resources

Anthony Hillin,

Megan Wynne-

Jones

10:00am Healing our Way: A

Kinchela Boys Home

Healing Centre

Manuel Ebsworth,

Michael Welsh, Jason

Pitt, Tiffany McComsey

Warangesda Cultural

Camp

Stephen Collins

10:30 Morning Tea

SESSION SIX Ballroom

Chair Faye McMillan

11:00am Childhood Separation & Trauma: The Stolen Generation Effect on Kids’ Brains and Adult

Outcomes

Professor Tony Broe

11:30am Valuing Each Other & Working Together: The importance of Aboriginal Health Workers

working with mainstream services to provide culturally safe service delivery to clients at the

Awabakal Aboriginal Primary Healthcare Centre. What might get in the way and what helps.

Toni Manton, Lawrence Dadd, Stacey McMullen, Cyriac Matthew

12:00pm Supporting the Workforce

Lucy Abbott, Terry Smith

12:30 Lunch


SESSION SEVEN Ballroom

Chair Lynn Lelean

1:45pm Forum Overview

Tom Brideson, Ann Baker

2:00pm Discussion & Questions

Peter Carter, A/Director NSW Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Office

2:20pm Evaluation

Barry Hunter

2:30pm Aboriginal Culture

Dhinawan

2:45pm Afternoon Tea

Exhibitors

Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RHAMP)

Your Health Link (MNCLHD)

E-wellbeing apps and online technologies (Prof James Bennett-Levy)

Tackling Smoking, Healthy Lifestyle (Galambila Aboriginal Health Service)

The Your Health Link display table with Carolyn Guichard (right) and Joanne Lia


Evaluation

With a total of 228 registrations at the Forum, 77 evaluation forms were returned of which the

following information was obtained.

Forum Score Ratings On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being very poorly and 5 being very well, please circle to indicate how

well the forum provided you with the opportunity to:

Indication of how well the forum provided you with the opportunity to:

Scale responses, 1 being very poorly and 5 being very well

1 2 3 4 5 Nil

1) Network with colleagues

0% 2.7% 5.41% 21.62% 70.27% 0%

2) Discuss mental health and social & emotional wellbeing policy and program developments

0% 2.7% 8.11% 67.57%

18.92%

2.7%

3) Enhance your professional development

0% 2.7% 8.11% 59.46% 29.73% 0%

4) Hear about successful initiatives and learn how they were implemented

0% 0% 0% 46% 29.7% 0%

5) Learn about effective partnerships at the community level

0% 2.7% 21.62% 51.35% 24.32% 0%

6) Contribute to service development

0% 2.7% 24.32% 48.65% 24.32% 0%


Q1. Highlight of the Forum

Responses to, “What was the highlight of the Forum for you?” Presentations / Keynote Speakers

Aunty Lorraine Peeters

Kinchela Boys Home Healing Centre

WEAVE Project

Waminda’s Dead, or Deadly Program

Traditional Circles in Practice

Dr Robyn Shields

Marsat Ketchell

Personal stories from presenters and keynote speakers, particularly Aunty Lorraine Peeters, Noleen Hoskins, Dr Robyn Shields, NEAMI National Aboriginal Linkages Program

Hearing about a wonderful range of community programs

Learning about a range of innovative programs`

Networking

Great networking opportunity

Getting to meet other Aboriginal Workers

Due to me being a new-comer to working in these areas the networking opportunities

Meeting people face-to-face who I have been on teleconferences & emailing for a year. First forum for me

Networking & small group sessions

Meeting new people (mob) & yarning & listening to people's stories

Hearing people’s stories & different experiences

Networking with other sides

Networking with other trainees

Meeting the Aboriginal Community MH trainees – inspiring General

Overall it was very informative

My first forum. The highlight for me was everything


Q2. Something learnt that will be useful in your work

Responses to, “Write a sentence about something you have learned that will be useful in your work?”

General

All useful, thank you

Too many to write down

Increase in traineeships to grow and empower workforce which will increase our opportunity to work effectively

Informative

Research information/models of research & procedures relating to Aboriginal people

Everything I have learnt at the forum can be used in my workplace in one way or another

The number of positive programs out there based on working from a relationship perspective

The forum has given me greater understanding and perspective on Aboriginal MHSEWB to inform my policy work

Understand better the need to build support mechanisms for isolated Aboriginal MH Trainees

Aunty Lorraine Peeters’ Marumali Program

e-Wellbeing apps

Learning about the way people do things & the programs I may be able to adapt my own & to share with colleagues what is going on in the sector

Emphasised importance of healing work throughout NSW & ensuring it is highlighted

Innovative programs

Inspiration

Never ever give up, continue to evolve, gain qualifications and keep moving forward

How "the mob" are getting a voice and developing skills. Nigel was inspiring - I hope to get more staff to go back to school

Going back to what I know spiritually first

‘Small steps’ lead to ‘huge leaps’

The quality programs working in communities such as ‘Bush Circle’

Networking / Partnerships

Taking time to listen to people about their ideas

Networks is the main thing that will be most useful to my work, the ability to call for advice around issues

Networking with what is taking place across the area

I have learned how partnerships are vital for our people's health

Connections made in different areas to help my clients & their families

There's a lot of good indigenous services there that I can link with

Learning & knowing about other services out there to help our mob. Taking it back & using it with my clients.


Q3. Suggestions for improving the next Forum

Responses to, “Please provide any suggestions for improving the next Forum” General/Venue

The location was great and having the venue and accommodation in the one spot facilitated maximum attendance at forum sessions as well as lots of networking

Forum was very informative

Possible more seating around the tea rooms for more opportunity to sit and yarn

Excellent – keep the venue

Keep venues away from town centres. This one worked well because of location – everyone had to stay together

Lovely venue and accommodation

Seems best venue yet however filled very quickly and had to stay off-site

Seating, tables, having everyone together for the dinner

Dinner to be more organised

Seating setup should include tables

Activities

Provide an activity that could get the whole group moving – break the sitting & listening cycle which could assist us with taking on more of the information

More structured activities

Balloon type activity on first day would be great

The days were long and perhaps could benefit from being broken up with different activities – games, drawing, exercise

Program

Program details out earlier

More information on the presentations in the program to help choose which sessions to attend

Longer timeframes for individual workshops

Five minutes between each presentation so you don’t miss any of the speakers

Half hour too short for questions and room changes. More proportion of time needed where models are being showcased

AH&MRC first day was fantastic but many of us were exhausted therefore struggled with first day of Forum. Otherwise couldn’t improve on site and events

Make sure keynote speakers are available for questions and discussion to use their time slot fully. There was good chairing in every session – this is great

Time for workers without management to discuss issues

Take the opportunity to run the event for a longer period of time to include formal training

Writing paper for participants; tables to assist writing; time between sessions to move from room to room; more structured networking time/activities

Too many presenters at once – missed out on a lot

Disappointing when two very popular workshops scheduled at the same time so you have to miss one

Opportunity to see all workshops. Was unable to attend some because of timetable.


Not to have so many workshops on at once

Breaks not as long; not being able to hear all the presentations

Opportunity for DVD’s to be played out of session so people can see them in full

Chairs – enforce times

Would be good to start with an icebreaker and end with a debrief/relaxing activity

Entertainment – a band

Program Content

Perhaps sessions of issues relating to managing / being part of a team within NSW Health services / organisation context

It would be great to run ATSI Mental Health Conference around the early years

Involvement of local elders was greatly valued and could have been greater; more elders speaking

More AMS inclusion

Panel discussions with Minister and Elders

Need more stories from teenage youth; their struggles and how we can help

More involvement for trainees ie more trainee-specific forums


Committee Evaluation

With regard to the committee processes please tell us:

1) What was useful / good?

Having a dedicated person as organiser/coordinator – that worked very well

Regular meetings – assisted communication & planning; overall good sense of preparation which assisted how the Forum progressed

Clear process

Information / pro formas etc from previous Forums

Commitment of committee members to input regularly and provide advice

Working together and sharing the load

Good involvement from committee members and sharing of tasks

Having a local sub-committee as well as the state committee to oversee things

Venue – one place for all activities

Aboriginal people stepping up to Chair sessions

2) What was not useful?

Tight time frame for Committee responses toward the end as we drew closer to the event e.g. with finalising program. However that often happens

Holiday season interruptions to flow of planning work and creates false sense of time available

Limited use of Committee during the event

Limited allocation of specific tasks for the Committee

Not enough time spent prior to the event planning for the actual event

3) What requires improvement?

Planning time and Committee meetings to commence sooner in the process

Forum Program – consider making available earlier even if in draft format

Clearer processes for managing the event and tasks

Planning, clear documentation of process and tasks

Reduce bottleneck of work by locking in indicative time lines working backwards from the Forum date so that all predictable items do not become part of the bottleneck of work. Allows last week to tidy up loose ends and allows for unexpected issues that emerge

Opportunity for all committee members to enjoy the forum as much as any other participant – of course allowing for added responsibilities.

Registration desk process to be streamlined

More time allocated to preparing forum bags and name tags

More information stalls

Delegation


4) How do we make improvements?

Include more detail and tasks in the forum documents

‘Nail all tasks to the ground’ – ensure each task is discussed and that all committee members can feel comfortable all matters are taken care of

Allocate tasks to Committee members prior to the event

Trouble shooting unexpected things ie long break on day one, although unavoidable, plan what to do if it happened again.

Have a Committee meeting day on-site prior to the event in order that any untimely or delayed issues are ‘ironed out’.

More time for Committee members to get together for updates and day-to-day planning during the event

Commitment from all Committee members to assist the local organisers wherever and however possible rather than leaving it all up to the local team

Share the workload

5) With regard to the Forum please tell us: Were there any issues that emerged at the Forum and if so, how could they be resolved?

Not enough detail about the presentations and presenters in the program made it hard to choose which session to attend

Debriefing time for participants and presenters, as some presentations were very touching and emotional (eg Kinchela Boys Home)

As a committee member I didn’t get to see presentations I wanted to learn about as I was working

Registration desk – clarity to assist future Forums. Tasks need to be understood and articulated regarding who should sit on the desk and when; how to minimise congestion at the registration desk

Complaints also about the “haves and have nots”. That is – the AH&MRC group receiving T-Shirts and the NSW Health mob not receiving anything. Reports from some people indicate it is setting up opposing workforces when we are trying to bring people together. Possible solution- Provide funding for the NSW Health mob to get T-Shirts.

Several attendees reported to me that the cost of drinks and food at the restaurant were excessive, especially where they had family members along to accompany them for child-minding, support etc. Perhaps consider alternative sites that are more affordable or closer to alternative eating places.

6) Any further comments or suggestions?

It was a great forum. Very well organised.

Overall the forum was great and successful.

Had a great time in a great venue with great people – well done and thanks for the time to reflect on it all and to provide comment. Thought the Committees worked well.

Many trainees were seen as not participating; not turning up or leaving early.

Participants in foyer area, not in sessions or main room.

Reiterate that forum presentations not be used for consulting with the workforce.


Recommendations Overall

Ministry of Health to continue to financially support the Forum, to be held annually

Continue to have an LHD host and convenor, rotating each year to share responsibility

Continue the partnership between the Ministry of Health MHDAO, the local LHD and the AH&MRC

LHDs/SHN should prioritise and financially support the involvement of Aboriginal Trainees in the forum

Program

Activities scheduled to break-up repetitive sitting in presentations

Networking activity on first afternoon or incorporate yarning time for different networks into the program

Five minute gap between sessions

Content – more information on presenters to help choose which session to attend

Content – more youth and Elders

Avoid the use of the Forum as a consultation opportunity, unless this is an adjunct to a formal consultation process in accordance with agreed policy and protocols

Photos/Media

Media contact – have a dedicated media spokesperson/s nominated in advance

Photos - Incorporate permission/consent into registration

Photos – Program activity for photo sessions including group photo

Announce when photos are to be taken

Venue

Ideally venue where accommodation and conference facilities are in one location – maximises attendance and networking

Venue located away from town centre helps everyone stay together

Plenty of seating around tea and coffee areas for comfortable networking

Committee

At least one committee meeting on-site prior to Forum

Clear definition of roles

Structured delegation of specific tasks

Clear documentation including planning schedule/timeline, working back from event date, with leeway for contingencies in the last two weeks

Timeline to take into account holiday season with allowance for staff leave; not only planning committee staff but also staff whom may be providing abstracts

Program issued to presenters and participants about eight weeks prior to event, even if in draft format

Certificates of Attendance

Prior to the event offer certificates of attendance upon request - can be given to participants at the Forum, subject to a method of verifying their actual attendance. Note that they do not contribute any points towards Professional Development.


Forum Overview Slideshow Slides from Forum Overview created and presented by Tom Brideson and Ann Baker:



Photos

Pictured at the forum from left to right are: Deputy Commissioner Mental Health Commission of New South Wales Dr Robyn Shields AM, Committee member Ivy Peters, Minister for Mental Health and Healthy Lifestyles Kevin Humphries, Uncle Barry Hoskins, Committee member Tom Brideson and Governing Board Chair Warren Grimshaw AM.

Warren Grimshaw welcoming delegates and guests.


Minister for Mental Health and Healthy Lifestyles Kevin Humphries, speaking to forum audience.

Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing and Workforce Forum 2014

Documents