autumn update for learning experience
News and updates from the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning

In this edition Winter 2018

Welcome to our Winter edition eNewsletter

As we brace ourselves in readiness for the cooler months approaching, we also look forward to many exciting developments taking place at the Learning Centre. We are pleased to be able to convey to you, our valued stakeholders, our achievements and relevant accomplishments via this communique - full details below.

Piloting and first deliveries of the new QC31 Supporting a Suicidal Young Person (SSYP) are in planning. As a non-clinical course, this is an important development for Youth Workers from many services across the state.

The
QC30 Tier 2 Violence Risk Assessment and Management (VRAM) pilots are also being rolled out with strategic discussion taking place with the pilot sites.

Exciting developments are taking place in the initial roll out of the new QC28 Youth: Engage, Assess, Respond to, and Support Suicidal People (YEARS) training, with our first cohort of co-facilitators now trained.

The roll out of QC25 Suicide Risk Assessment and Management in an Emergency Department Setting (SRAM-ED) train-the-trainer continues with an evaluation project now in planning to inform any future enhancements to the program.

A memorandum has recently been circulated to advise of a change to our fee structure - please take the time to familiarise yourself with this information - scroll down for a recap.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind our learners of the importance of enrolling in training. If you don't enrol, you cannot attend. In case you missed it, view the update in our last newsletter which also provides step-by-step guidance to ensure you don't miss your opportunity to attend training.
Image

QC31 Supporting a Suicidal Young Person - new course development

Since 2015 the Learning Centre has been delivering a tailored training program to support Youth workers in working with suicidal youth. Demand for this training increased to the point where we realised the course needed to become part of our standard curriculum.

Distinctly different to the new QC28 YEARS which is a clinical program, the QC31 SSYP course targets non-clinical workers - it bridges the gap between clinical training and more generalised training to support people in distress.


This one day course is designed to provide participants with the skills to identify young people at risk of suicide and gain practical skills to ask directly about suicide.

It covers the following key topics:
  1. identifying and engaging young people who are suicidal
  2. asking young people directly about suicide
  3. creating a Safety Plan with the young person
  4. referring young people to key professionals and supports
  5. self care for the worker.
Currently planning our pilot deliveries for August - we look forward to launching this course later in 2018.
Image

What's happening with QC25 SRAM-ED?

The Learning Centre team were very honoured to host Kerrie Keepa this week. Kerrie shared the heartbreaking story which was a catalyst for a campaign that eventuated into the QC25 Suicide Risk Assessment and Management in an Emergency Department setting (SRAM-ED) project. Kerrie is both surprised and thrilled at the reach of this training, the data demonstrating thousands of staff have attended and the learning implemented in practice.

Further deliveries of QC25 SRAM-ED train-the-trainer are in planning to support the continued roll out of training to Emergency Department staff across the state.
Dates will be advertised soon.

The Learning Centre continues its work with the Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch (MHAODB) on this important education program designed to upskill and enhance knowledge for Emergency Department and Mental Health Service staff working in Emergency Departments

The MHAODB is supporting Phase Three of the evaluation project where data collection will commence from September to December 2018.

Phase Three comprises the evaluation of the state-wide roll-out and implementation of the program, and will include focus groups and interviews with relevant senior staff in three or four key HHSs. Project planning will take place over the next two months. Reports to date indicate 3629 clinicians have undertaken SRAM-ED training in some component, it is however important to note that this program is most effective if clinicians complete all aspects i.e. eLearning foundational and advanced. HHS implementation planning meetings will continue in collaboration with the MHAODB.

The Learning Centre and MHAODB would like to commend the HHSs who have already made SRAM-ED a mandatory training requirement.
Image
Second semester calendar features

Statewide training calendar dates are now available for July to November. Visit www.qcmhl.qld.edu.au for more information.

Highlights include:


New QC28 YEARS training:
- 17 July - Wacol
- 17 October - Pine Rivers
- 24 October - Gold Coast
- 22 November - Cairns
- 29 November - Toowoomba

QC4 Supervisor:
- 1-2 August - Gold Coast
- 7-8 August - Cairns
- 19-20 September - Sunshine Coast

QC12 Supervising Supervisor - one off event:
- 18-19 July - Wacol - places are limited.
Image

QC28 Youth: Assess, Respond to, and Support Suicidal People (YEARS) roll out

Since our last update to you, we have successfully piloted and run out first deliveries of this important new course.

Experts have participated in a train-the-trainer to become crucial QC28 YEARS training co-facilitators.

It is a requirement that each delivery of this course is supported by a local Child and Youth expert trained in the course content and how to describe the application of skills in the service setting. Their input is invaluable to supporting transfer of knowledge, and we look forward to the collaborative deliveries of this course scheduled in the second semester training schedule.

We are extremely grateful
to have the support and endorsement of A/Professor Anthony Pisani for the use of the ‘Prevention – Oriented Risk Formulation’ model.

Scheduled training dates are listed above.
Image

Sentinel Events Review (SER) update

The pilot of the Violence risk assessment and management framework – mental health services (the Framework) commences in July 2018 in five HHSs, addressing recommendations of the When mental health care meets risk report 2016. The Framework provides a structured, standardised approach to violence risk assessment and management through the provision of a three-tiered approach, principles of good clinical practice, and clinical tools to support clinical expertise. The SER project team continue to implement supporting recommendations to strengthen training in the identification, assessment and management of violence risk ahead of the pilot.

The QC9 Critical Components of Risk Assessment and Management training package has been updated to include future factors likely to impact on risk for violence, and information regarding the Framework. This is available statewide, and clinicians participating in the pilot have been encouraged to attend.

The SER team has developed the QC30 Tier 2 Violence Risk Assessment and Management (VRAM) training package,
in collaboration with stakeholders including adult and child and youth forensic experts. It is a blended training product, focused on supporting clinicians’ working knowledge and application of the Tier 2 violence risk assessment and management component of the Framework. QC30 will be delivered to pilot teams between May and June 2018, and available for senior clinicians in all HHSs ahead of statewide implementation of the Framework, which commences from April 2019.
Image
Mental Health Scholarship Scheme 2019

Applications for mental health scholarships for study to be completed in 2019 will open on Monday 24 September 2018. Applications close Monday 19 November 2018.

The scholarships provide financial support (of up to $1,000 per unit/subject) for approved post graduate level university studies in mental health clinical practice up to a maximum payment of $5,000 for any individual per year.

The scholarships are available to permanent or temporary Queensland Health mental health clinicians, whose primary role is to work closely with mental health consumers and are Australian citizens or have permanent residency.

Applications need to include information on how the proposed study will increase your capacity as a clinician to contribute to your hospital and health service care delivery.

Information on the scholarship package can be accessed on the website at: www.health.qld.gov.au/qcmhl/mhscho

Alternatively you can contact the mental health scholarship coordinator on 3271 8838 or via email:
mhscholarships@health.qld.gov.au
continuing professional development information
Image

Important information about changes to fees!

It was first announced in our Autumn 2017 edition eNewsletter that the course fee structure was under review and an increase to the nominal fee was indicated. Learning Centre fees have remained low and unchanged since 2007 despite significant increases in operational costs.

The Learning Centre is funded based on requirements outlined in the
Connecting care to recovery 2016-2021 plan to promote recovery focused mental health services and provide core skills training in risk assessment and management. Over time our scope has expanded beyond what the Learning Centre receive funding for, as have the expectations of what can be provided. The Learning Centre has absorbed incremental increases in costs to produce, deliver and maintain our training curriculum, as well as develop many new courses to meet the needs of services across the state. The Learning Centre is poised and ready to respond to new strategies, and ensure the needs of our target audience are met effectively for consumers of Mental Health Services.

Over the past 12 months there has been extensive consideration of the cumulative effect of increasing costs, demand, administrative load and un-funded courses - versus our ability to be sustainable and remain flexible moving forward. a fee change is effective, this change is effective from 2 April 2018. This will be implemented for training dates from 1 July 2018.

Fees will apply under the following conditions:

1. An increase from $190 to $250 per person per day (pro rata rates apply for half day and multi day courses) - ALL non-Queensland Health Mental Health Service staff - ALL courses subsidised and un-subsidised.

2. The introduction of $90 per person per day - where Queensland Health Mental Health Service staff are attending un-subsidised courses, e.g.:
- QC3 Mental Health Educator Development
- QC23 Forming the Therapeutic Alliance
- QC27 Group Facilitation in Therapeutic Contexts
- QC29 R&R2 MHP.
What does this mean?

Learning Centre courses fall into two categories; subsidised and un-subsidised.

Subsidised training: Queensland Health Mental Health Service clinicians (and/or Queensland Health clinicians whose primary role is working with people with mental health issues) can access the subsidised places. University students undertaking placement within a Queensland Health Mental Health Service are eligible for the subsidised places for training whilst on placement only.

A fee is applicable for ALL other attendees of subsidised training. Refer to
Schedule of fees for more information.

Un-subsidised training: For un-subsidised training, ALL participants are required to pay the fee for their place, regardless of their role or workplace. Payment is made upon enrolment.

Note: no waivers, discounts or exemptions are applicable.

For more information, refer to the Learning Centre
Terms and Conditions, or individual course listings at www.qcmhl.qld.edu.au.
Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning, Ellerton Drive, Wacol Qld 4076
West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, RTO code 40745
phone: (07) 3271 8837
online: www.qcmhl.qld.edu.au
Image