SpeakOut_October2014_eCopy

Speech Pathology and Mental Health – talking mental health

August 2014 Board Meeting Report The third Board meeting for 2014 was held on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 August 2014. The meeting was preceded by Board Governance Training, facilitated by Allen Blewitt, Managing Director, Allen Blewitt & Associates Pty Ltd. The training provided new Directors with an insight into Board Governance, while extending the understanding and knowledge of standing Directors. Some highlights from the meeting include: • Jade Cartwright was invited to present the 2015 National Tour . • The Board agreed to actively pursue inclusion within the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme , with a further submission to be prepared for consideration within the upcoming review. • A comprehensive report on the Disability Project , undertaken by Project Officer C Olsson, was reviewed by the Board, with extremely positive feedback provided. This project has subsequently been extended. • The Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) and Master of Speech Language Pathology programs at the University of Sydney were granted accreditation , against CBOS 2011, for a period of five years. • A new policy Code of Ethics – Advertising was approved by the Board, in addition to a number of minor changes to existing policies. Revised policies will be made available on the website. The next Board meeting will be held on 14–15 November 2014 and will include approval of the 2015 budget. • The Board was provided with a preliminary internal report on the Senate Inquiry and associated hearings .

Speech Pathology Australia members Mary Woodward and Natalie Albores with Rebecca Halpin (centre), Mental Health Advisor to the Hon Peter Dutton.

Speech Pathology Australia , in collaboration with key members with expertise in the field, has recently held a number of high-level meetings with government officers with regards to the essential role of speech pathologists in mental health services. Reinforcing the strong comorbidity of communication and swallowing difficulties and mental illness, we have aimed to highlight the importance of speech pathologists as part of mental health teams within adult mental health settings, child and adolescent (youth) mental health services, and within the community. While the Senate Inquiry and ICP2014 activities have been a backdrop to these meetings, the focus of the meetings at this time is a current review of mental health programs and services being conducted by the National Mental Health Commission (NHMC). A report is due on 30 November and findings are likely to articulate into the National Mental Health Strategy and future versions of the National Mental Health Plan. Meetings to date include the following: Dr Bennie Ng , Senior Health Advisor to the Hon Tony Abbott, Prime Minister Rebecca Halpin , Mental Health Advisor to the Hon Peter Dutton, Minister of Health John Feneley , Commissioner of NSW Mental Health Commission David Butt , CEO, National Mental Health Commission. Members with extensive experience in mental health practice – Mary Woodward, Natalie Albores and Narelle Anger – attended these meetings alongside Gail Mulcair, CEO, Speech Pathology Australia. Their experience and knowledge of the communication and dysphagia difficulties of individuals with a range of mental illnesses, and the significant gaps in providing speech pathology services to this population, was invaluable in advocating for improved access to speech pathology across Australia. In several meetings, the link with justice services was also clearly made and the need for speech pathology in working with young offenders, and at other points across the justice system, reinforced. Continued lobbying will occur and an update on the outcomes of the NHMC Review of Mental Health Services and Programs will be communicated to members later this year.

Gail Mulcair Chief Executive Officer

Speak Out October 2014

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www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au