AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022


Latest Resources

These are the most recent five resources that have been added to the AICAFMHA website.

Bridging the Divide series: Engaging young people in programs that use information communication technology to improve civic engagement and social co
 The Inspire Foundation (www.inspire.org.au) is pleased to present the final report in the Bridging the Divide series: Engaging young people in programs that use information communication technology to improve civic engagement and social connectedness.

Bridging the Digital Divide was a three year action research initiative, funded by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and the Westpac Foundation, which builds on the work of Inspire's ActNow.com.au program. The project ultimately aimed to positively impact marginalised young people's mental health and wellbeing by researching, developing and delivering a range of information communication technology based strategies to increase their levels of social connectedness and civic engagement.

This report is the final in a series of three that explores the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and its role in improving the mental health of young people who experience or who are at risk of experiencing social, cultural or economic marginalisation. This report presents (1) the development and theoretical basis of Making Change - a mental health promotion pilot project aiming to increase civic participation and social connectedness; (2) the evaluation framework utilised to assess the effectiveness of Making Change; and (3) evaluation findings and recommendations for future programs.

The report can be downloaded here: http://www.inspire.org.au/uploads/files/pdfs/Res+Pol/BDD_R3_FINAL_REPORT_FOR_OUTPUT.pdf

Posted:Aug 27, 2010
Graduate Distance Education - Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences (Community Mental Health).
 This is a post graduate distance education graduate course in Australia that specializes in educating people working with people with a mental illness or in the community mental health field.
This course will add to your ability and knowledge to work with people who have complex issues and a mental illness.
Who is the course aimed at?
The course particularly relevant course to professionals working in mental health or who are interested in community mental health and who work in private, community, health and welfare settings, or who are allied health staff new to the field of complex case work or who have been working in a related field for a few years. In recent years we have become more inclusive and welcome applications from staff working in community, health, disability, rehabilitation and welfare settings and need to work with people with a mental health issue. Additionally allied health staff new to the field of complex case work or who have been working for a few years, will find the course particularly relevant. Staff working in PDRS, non-clinical mental health settings or disability support sectors have also joined the course and found it particularly relevant to improving the knowledge and skills. With regard to this in recent years we have found personnel with a Certificate IV have also coped well with the demands of the course, especially with the Monash University library assistance that is available in learning research and essay writing skills. Lastly, those staff you wish to support in becoming leaders benefit greatly from the course by being able to add greater depth to their knowledge base, understanding and skills.
You can apply on-line directly at: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/spppm/pgrad/gdcmh.html


Posted:Aug 27, 2010
Sometimes Life Sucks: When someone you love dies
Teenagers experience loss in all kinds of ways.
Whether it's the death of a grandparent, pet or school friend, a teen fatality, a peer with terminal illness, living without a mum or dad, or the death of a celebrity, like everyone else teenagers also struggle to come to terms with their shock and grief.
Full of helpful tips, stories and gentle advice, Sometimes Life Sucks helps teens navigate the loss of those they love.
Visit http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=94&book=9781742371887

Posted:Aug 20, 2010
Education and student health: the big picture What Works.
The Work Program is a set of resources designed to help schools and those who work in them improve outcomes for Indigenous students. The Core issues series is an attempt to distil some topic-based key directions for practical action.
Many Indigenous students are in good health and succeeding at school. However, we also know there are large numbers of Indigenous students whose performance at school is seriously impeded by poor health. This paper looks at some of the health issues affecting Indigenous students and the part schools and teachers can play in dealing with them. It is not intended to address all health issues; rather, it provides background information and advice for teachers about some issues of particular relevance to schooling.
This core issues paper has been developed with assistance from Associate Professor Garth Alperstein and Associate Professor Maria Egan, University of Notre Dame, Australia, School of Medicine, Sydney.
http://www.whatworks.edu.au/upload/1281511388241_file_8Health.pdf

Posted:Aug 17, 2010
New authoritative summary of the science of early childhood as social determinant health #SDOH.
 A new three page assessable and authoritative summary of the science behind a early mental health promotion work:
The Foundations of Lifelong Health Are Built in Early Childhood. http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/download_file/-/view/701/
A longer version can be found at http://developingchild.harvard.edu/library/reports_and_working_papers/foundations-of-lifelong-health/
The paper is from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University is co-authored by the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child and the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs

Posted:Aug 17, 2010