The National Communications Charter and its Implementation in Tasmania
| Monday, October 15, 2018 |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM |
Speaker
Ms Connie Digolis
CEO, Mental Health Council of Tasmania
RRMH TAS Sub Committee
The National Communications Charter and its Implementation in Tasmania
Abstracts
This presentation will include an overview of the National Communications Charter, its implementation in Tasmania and practical applications for community, government and sector.
The National Communications Charter is a resource and uniting document designed to guide the way organisations talk about mental health and suicide prevention with each other and the community. The Charter was redeveloped following national consultation with key agencies and organisations working within the mental health and suicide prevention sectors, including representation of people living in rural and remote areas of Australia.
Working under the leadership of the Mental Health Council of Tasmania, Everymind has adapted the Charter for Tasmania, which is regarded as rural or remote when considered within the context of the whole of Australia. This adaption of the Charter has included local information and stories, and state-based dissemination strategies including a local Working Party and both online and offline training resources. These Tasmania-specific resources address issues faced by people living in rural and remote areas including social isolation, barriers to accessing services, stigma and lack of knowledge surrounding the promotion of mental health and wellbeing and the prevention of mental ill-health and suicide.
Tasmanians working in the mental health and suicide prevention sectors as well as government, businesses and community groups will be encouraged to sign up to Charter and align with its principles and keys messages. In implementing the Charter, individuals and organisations will communicate in ways that actively work to increase help-seeking behaviour and reduce stigma, and collaborate with each other and the community to maximise efforts and resources and minimise duplication across the sector.
Key outcomes for the panel will be an increased awareness of the National Communications Charter and its implementation in Tasmania as well as knowledge of the ‘next steps’ to supports the Charter’s principles and key messages.
The National Communications Charter is a resource and uniting document designed to guide the way organisations talk about mental health and suicide prevention with each other and the community. The Charter was redeveloped following national consultation with key agencies and organisations working within the mental health and suicide prevention sectors, including representation of people living in rural and remote areas of Australia.
Working under the leadership of the Mental Health Council of Tasmania, Everymind has adapted the Charter for Tasmania, which is regarded as rural or remote when considered within the context of the whole of Australia. This adaption of the Charter has included local information and stories, and state-based dissemination strategies including a local Working Party and both online and offline training resources. These Tasmania-specific resources address issues faced by people living in rural and remote areas including social isolation, barriers to accessing services, stigma and lack of knowledge surrounding the promotion of mental health and wellbeing and the prevention of mental ill-health and suicide.
Tasmanians working in the mental health and suicide prevention sectors as well as government, businesses and community groups will be encouraged to sign up to Charter and align with its principles and keys messages. In implementing the Charter, individuals and organisations will communicate in ways that actively work to increase help-seeking behaviour and reduce stigma, and collaborate with each other and the community to maximise efforts and resources and minimise duplication across the sector.
Key outcomes for the panel will be an increased awareness of the National Communications Charter and its implementation in Tasmania as well as knowledge of the ‘next steps’ to supports the Charter’s principles and key messages.
Biography
Connie Digolis is the CEO of the Mental Health Council of Tasmania (MHCT). Connie brings to her role a wealth of experience in community sector management, advocacy, health promotion and policy.
The Mental Health Council of Tasmania (MHCT) is a member based peak body. MHCT represents and promotes the interests of community managed mental health services and have a strong commitment to enabling better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for every Tasmanian.
Connie and her team see their role as being a collective, representative voice to ensure future sustainability of the mental health and suicide prevention sector. In addition to that role, a specific focus for Connie is to promote the reduction of stigma and champion mental health awareness and the value of good mental health.
Connie would like to see a Tasmania that is forward thinking and innovative in the mental health and suicide prevention sector. Connie looks forward to a time when we can refer to our mental health system as an excellent example of person-centred, integrated care that provides the best mental health outcomes for all Tasmanians.
Dr Elizabeth Paton
Senior Project Officer – Suicide Prevention
Everymind
The National Communications Charter and its Implementation in Tasmania
Abstracts
See Connie Digolis
Biography
Dr Elizabeth Paton is a senior project officer at Everymind, working with the Suicide Prevention team on Life in Mind, a digital platform for knowledge exchange around suicide prevention activities across Australia, as well as the redevelopment and operationalisation of the National Communications Charter.
Prior to joining Everymind, Elizabeth worked as a science communication researcher and as an education and outreach officer for a neuroscience research centre. She holds a PhD in Communication and has taught and published across areas such as responsible research and innovation, communication, creativity and the creative industries. Her co-authored book on teaching for creativity was released in July 2018.
Ms Bree Klerck
Project Officer
Mental Health Council of Tasmania
The National Communications Charter and its Implementation in Tasmania
Abstracts
See Connie Digolis
Biography
Bree Klerck is the Tasmanian Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Communications Charter Project Officer at the Mental Health Council of Tasmania. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the Communications Charter within Tasmania.
Bree holds a degree in Social Science from the University of New England. Previous to her engagement at the Mental Health Council of Tasmania, Bree has worked within several not for profit organisations, focusing on working collaboratively across services and sectors to deliver projects within the community sector.
Mr Sam Story
Suicide Prevention Project Officer
Relationships Australia Tasmania
The National Communications Charter and its Implementation in Tasmania
Abstracts
See Connie Digolis
Biography
Sam Story is a Suicide Prevention Project Officer for Relationships Australia in Tasmania. He is responsible for working with ready communinites to create Suicide Prevention Community Action Plans (CAPs) and coordinating the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network. The focus of a CAP, is to empower communities to raise awareness, build skills, promote resilience and create sustainable outcomes in mental health and suicide prevention.
Originally from a regional town in Country Victoria, Sam has worked in various community development roles throughout his career and has a passion for promoting men’s health.
*Program is subject to change
