Mental Health Coalition (state peak body)

The NT Mental Health Coalition is the state peak body recognised by the Minister for Health and Community services representing non-government organisations that provide services to people with mental health needs. It operates as a sub-committee of NTCOSS. The Coalition also holds a seat on the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), the national peak body for mental health, and Claudia Manu-Preston (MHACA General Manager) is our representative at this forum. Claudia also represents the MHACA on the Coalition.

The Coalition’s purpose is two-fold: 1) to undertake a range of mental health promotion, prevention awareness and stigma reduction activities, including Mental Health Week activities; and 2) to further develop the structure and make up of the Coalition, in line with criteria set by the Mental Health Council of Australia, as a state based Peak Body member of this Council.

Contact: Marilyn Starr, NT Mental Health Coalition
Project Officer, NTCOSS
Ph: (08) 8948-2665
mental.health@ntcoss.org.au

NT Community Advisory Group (to the minister)

It is the role of the NTCAG to advise the Minister on matters relating to mental health in the Territory. The group has set as a target the development of community initiatives to support indigenous people with social and emotional problems in at least three communities. This will be addressed through the establishment of a community health council, with particular emphasis on promoting more supportive systems in remote communities.

If you have any issues which you feel the NTCAG should be aware of please contact:
Linda Keane, NTCAG Chair
Ph: (08) 8951788
linda.keane@nt.gov.au.

Mental Health Collaborative Planning & Service Improvement Groups

One of the main difficulties identified by consumers and carers is the lack of coordinated services. The aim of the MHCPSIG working group is to ensure that core mental health services are working together to strategically optimise each services capacity and to create sustainable supports, with an emphasis on development and efficiency within this central community.

The objectives of the interagency working group are to carry out the following:

• As a matter of principle, to work together on matters relating to planning, policy, procedures, service delivery and sector reform
• To establish a regular forum to network and share information that includes the provision of regular service updates, information from the Mental Health peak and other national groups to local networks for input and dissemination.
• To identify and advocate for adequate resources for programs and services
• To assist in identifying gaps in service provision
• To advocate and promote good practices to communities, individuals, service providers and other parties around mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention.

Membership will include but is not limited to:

• Central Australian Mental Health Service
• Central Australian Aboriginal Congress – Social Emotional Wellbeing Program
• NPY’s - Social Emotional Wellbeing Program
• ARAFMI Alice Springs
• Disability Advocacy Service
• Lifeline
• Mental Health Association of Central Australia
• Central Australian Division of Primary Health Care
• People Healing Centre (Akeyulerre Apmera)
• Relationship Australia Northern Territory

MHCPSIG meetings are held quarterly. For further info contact:

Gonam Pillay: Team Leader/Mental Health Project Officer
Central Australian Division of Primary Health Care, Alice Springs
Ph: (08) 8950 4802
team.leader@cadphc.org.au