S022: Empowering Change, Healthy Workforce
Tracks
Track 8
| Wednesday, August 26, 2015 |
| 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Murray Room |
Speaker
Amberlee Laws
Campaign Manager
Mentally Healthy WA, Curtin University
Building workforce capacity to prescribe mentally healthy behaviours: results from a pilot study.
Abstract
The Act-Belong-Commit in Recovery project was developed to build the capacity of the mental health workforce to support and mentor consumers to engage in mentally healthy activities.
The project consisted of the development and delivery of workshops targeted towards mental health professionals who assist consumers’ recovery. The workshops introduced the fundamental principles of the Act-Belong-Commit message and the Act-Belong-Commit Guide to Keeping Mentally Healthy, and how it can be used as a positive framework to support consumers in the recovery process.
In total, 58 workshops were delivered from May 2013 to December 2014, with a total of 465 mental health professionals. Workshops were delivered across the Perth metropolitan area, Mandurah, Bunbury, and Northam regions. Evaluation consisted of a post workshop survey and follow up survey.
The Act-Belong-Commit in Recovery project was well received by health professionals working in the recovery sector. Act-Belong-Commit was viewed as an easy, positive framework that enhanced person-centred practice when working with consumers.
This paper will present the results from the Act-Belong-Commit in Recovery pilot project and will explore barriers and facilitators to project implementation.
The project consisted of the development and delivery of workshops targeted towards mental health professionals who assist consumers’ recovery. The workshops introduced the fundamental principles of the Act-Belong-Commit message and the Act-Belong-Commit Guide to Keeping Mentally Healthy, and how it can be used as a positive framework to support consumers in the recovery process.
In total, 58 workshops were delivered from May 2013 to December 2014, with a total of 465 mental health professionals. Workshops were delivered across the Perth metropolitan area, Mandurah, Bunbury, and Northam regions. Evaluation consisted of a post workshop survey and follow up survey.
The Act-Belong-Commit in Recovery project was well received by health professionals working in the recovery sector. Act-Belong-Commit was viewed as an easy, positive framework that enhanced person-centred practice when working with consumers.
This paper will present the results from the Act-Belong-Commit in Recovery pilot project and will explore barriers and facilitators to project implementation.
Biography
Amberlee Laws is the Manager of Mentally Healthy WA’s Act-Belong-Commit Campaign and has more than ten years’ experience in health promotion and community development roles in local government, state government and the NGO sector. Amberlee holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from Curtin University and her interests include mental health promotion, suicide prevention and rural/remote health.
Sarah McFarlane-Eagle
Director
Walking Feat
Empowering our Mental Health Change Makers
Abstract
Mental Health Change makers are a valuable Australian resource that we need to nurture, support and encourage. There is currently nothing formal in place to support people to make a difference in this area. These change makers are driven, passionate and have often unrecognised expertise about the gaps experienced. Challenging attitudes and stigma in the mental health landscape can lead to burnout and vicarious trauma.
Currently in Australia there are thousands of people who are compelled to make a positive difference in the mental health landscape due to the lived experience of mental health issues. Some are new to the adversities and struggles associated with mental health issues. This cohort of people are often seeking an outlet to live a meaningful, contributing life in response to their experiences. Others have been challenging the system and attitudes for many years. Each person within this large community is valuable. United, this community can take great leaps.
Thus, the first aim of this presentation is to highlight the importance of nurturing our mental health change-makers. The second aim of this presentation is to bring to light the values of bringing together our Australian mental health community of mental health change makers.
Currently in Australia there are thousands of people who are compelled to make a positive difference in the mental health landscape due to the lived experience of mental health issues. Some are new to the adversities and struggles associated with mental health issues. This cohort of people are often seeking an outlet to live a meaningful, contributing life in response to their experiences. Others have been challenging the system and attitudes for many years. Each person within this large community is valuable. United, this community can take great leaps.
Thus, the first aim of this presentation is to highlight the importance of nurturing our mental health change-makers. The second aim of this presentation is to bring to light the values of bringing together our Australian mental health community of mental health change makers.
Biography
Sarah McFarlane-Eagle has been a passionate advocate for positive changes in the mental health landscape since her brother's death in 2001. In memory of her brother Sarah has walked thousands of kilometres, given hundreds of talks, completed a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours, and has been the recipient of numerous awards.
