Speak Out OCTOBER 2019 V3 DIGITAL EDITION

Association news

Speech Pathology Australia at International Mental Health Conference!

3 children/adolescents and adults living with a mental illness. Speech Pathology Australia is extremely grateful to three mem- bers who agreed to represent the Association on the exhibitor stand: Narelle Anger, Cate Barrett, and Ferhana Khan, all of whom have experience working with either young people or adults with mental illness in either community or in-patient services. Lured to the stand by the promise of lollies and chocolates (in the shape of lips and teeth) and Speech Pathology Australia stress balls, many conference delegates initially questioned why speech pathologists would be present, let alone exhibit, at a mental health conference. There were over 100 enquiries, ranging from “Why are you here?” to “Where can I find SP staff interested in mental health to employ on our team?”, and in some cases included very detailed, com- plex clinical questions about the management of communication and/or swallowing difficulties. But after talking with Narelle, Cate and Ferhana, and reading materials such as the Speech Pathol- ogy in Mental Health Infographic and Factsheet (available on the Attending multi-disciplinary conferences can be a fantastic way for speech pathologists to maintain current knowledge in a clinical field, and connect with other clinicians and consumers. How- ever, presenting and/or being an exhibitor provides a platform to reach many more people than might otherwise be possible. That was the impetus behind Speech Pathology Australia holding a stand at The Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Associa- tion’s International Mental Health conference which was held in the Gold Coast at the end of July. It was advertised as providing an opportunity “for leading clinical practitioners, academics, and mental health experts … to network, share research, projects and formulate ideas for change for those living with mental health con- ditions”. As Speech Pathology Australia members will be aware, our profession is still not yet considered a core discipline in most mental health services in Australia (or New Zealand), so we hoped that exhibiting at a conference such as this would help us raise the profile of our profession and advocate for better recognition and management of communication and swallowing difficulties in

SPA website), everyone went away with a better understanding of the links between communication and swallowing and mental health, and the role that speech pathologists play in assessing and managing such difficulties. Stakeholders such as educators, service administrators, clinicians and government advisors were also encouraged to consider how communication and swallowing may relate to current key areas of focus in mental health, for ex- ample recovery, participation in decisions, reduction in seclusion and restraint, safety, and restrictive practices. Many delegates also provided their contact information so the Association could follow up with further information. This was an exciting opportunity to raise the profile of speech pathologists in mental health, and we hope to be exhibitors and presenters at other conferences in the mental health and justice sectors in the future! Mary Woodward

Senior Advisor, Justice and Mental Health mwoodward@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

With thanks to Narelle Anger, Cate Barrett, and Ferhana Khan

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October 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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