VMIAC - Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council

20/08/2026

The Federal Government has passed its NDIS Reform Bill.

These reforms will see many people in our community with psychosocial disability excluded from the scheme without an adequate plan in place to support them.

Making the NDIS sustainable cannot come from weakening the rights of people accessing the scheme, or by shifting the burden onto people with disability and overstretched service systems. Savings that cause harm are not acceptable.

As a member of the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance, we’ve made a joint statement expressing our opposition. You can read it in full here: https://bit.ly/4qq8kKk

19/08/2026

VMIAC is proud to announce that our very own Isha Garg has been appointed to the Global Leadership Exchange’s Lived Experience Council.

Members of the council provide Global Leadership Exchange and its board with expert independent advice on mental health, disability, and substance use from a lived experience perspective.

One of VMIAC’s main objectives is to ensure lived experience voices are not only heard but acted on. We couldn’t be happier that Isha has this well-deserved opportunity to do just that.

Read more: https://buff.ly/dCHwKgy

14/08/2026

We’re launching a Lunch & Learn Series to give VMIAC members opportunities to come together online to connect with our community and learn more about the work we do.

To kick off the series, we’ll be sharing the presentations we gave at this year’s TheMHS Conference.

You’ll learn about:

- systemic stigma
- barriers to voting for people in psychiatric units during elections
- the politics of impairment in the NDIS
- and CLIG, our consumer leadership program.

The presentations will be followed by a Q&A then you can join breakout rooms to share your thoughts and connect with other members.

We’d love to see you there.

9 September
12pm – 1pm
On Zoom

Register https://buff.ly/ZiZsUs6

Not a member? Join for access to future member events https://buff.ly/hL9L8LX

29/07/2026

UPDATE: All spots are now filled!

We’re heading to Sale to run training on the Alternatives to Su***de (Alt2Su) approach to supporting people with suicidal thoughts.

Alt2Su is a lived experience-led approach that teaches you how to have meaningful conversations about su***de and distress. It offers an alternative framework for understanding and responding to suicidal experiences.

The training is free for the Victorian mental health workforce across all disciplines and is a great opportunity to build your skills and create supports for your community.

Please share this opportunity with your mental health workforce networks, teams and colleagues. And please note: places are limited so we encourage you to register asap.

If you have any questions, contact [email protected]

Date: 17 - 18 Sept 2026
Time: 9am to 5pm
Location: The Quest, Sale

Register now https://buff.ly/sURbSWb

22/07/2026

The Victorian Government is currently developing the next State Disability Plan (2027–2031). The plan will set out what the Government will do to improve inclusion, accessibility, rights, and wellbeing for people with disability.

VMIAC is preparing a submission to ensure the voices of mental health consumers are reflected in the plan and we’d like input from mental health consumers, people with lived experience of mental distress, and people with psychosocial disability.

By taking part in our survey you can help shape the plan and improve life for our community.

You have until Sunday 26 July 2026 to contribute.

Start the survey: https://buff.ly/3oVCSrV

21/07/2026

The proposed changes to the NDIS aren't just about budgets – they're about people's lives.

We encourage everyone in our community to read this article from The Conversation, which explains why proposed cuts to social and community participation supports are not necessary to achieve the Government's long-term sustainability goals for the NDIS.

Instead, the authors argue these cuts risk increasing isolation and reducing opportunities for people with disability to connect, participate and belong in their communities.

For many people with a psychosocial disability, these are the very supports that make recovery, connection and community participation possible. Reducing them would disproportionately affect people who already face significant barriers to inclusion.

VMIAC and our national partner the @ NMHCA are paying attention:

📖 Read the article: https://buff.ly/7HxCM7k

Take action:

• Read and share the article with your networks.
• Talk to your local MP about why community participation matters.
• Tell us what these proposed changes would mean for you or your community.
• Stay connected with VMIAC as we continue to advocate for a mental health system and disability system that uphold human rights, choice and inclusion.

Community participation isn't a luxury. It's a human right.

The government wants to make these short-term cuts to shore up the budget bottom line. But there’s a fairer way to repair the NDIS.

24/06/2026

The Victorian Government is currently developing the next State Disability Plan (2027–2031). The plan will set out what the Government will do to improve inclusion, accessibility, rights, and wellbeing for people with disability.

VMIAC is preparing a submission to ensure the voices of mental health consumers are reflected in the Plan, and we’d like input from mental health consumers, people with lived experience of mental distress, and people with psychosocial disability.

By taking part in our survey, you can help shape the Plan and improve life for our community.

You have until Wednesday 15 July 2026 to contribute.

Start the survey here: https://buff.ly/Me9V4kk

18/06/2026

Update - all spots are now filled!

This August, VMIAC is running free Emotional CPR (eCPR) training for mental health workers across all disciplines.

eCPR is a program that trains people to assist others through emotional distress. Developed by people with lived experience, the program builds confidence and empathy in participants, and is a complementary approach to clinical or medical models.

This is a great opportunity to build your skills and create supports for your community. Spots are limited, register via the link in our bio ⬆️

02/06/2026

We are inviting all VMIAC members to come together for an online meeting about the Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles guidance: From intent to impact, published by the Health and Wellbeing Commission Health (MHWC).

The meeting will be hosted by Ali Pain, MHWC’s Senior Advisor, Lived Experience-Consumer. She will give a 30–40-minute presentation followed by a Q&A.

You will learn how to use the principles to ask questions, understand people’s rights, and feel more confident when accessing or working in mental health services.

We hope to see you there.

Date: 17 June 2026
Time: 12pm to 1pm AEST
Location: Zoom
Register here: https://buff.ly/lZltuGW

If you are not yet a member, you can become a member here: https://buff.ly/2H10u4e

08/05/2026

Yesterday we attended the VCOSS Treasurer’s Lunch at Melbourne Town Hall. We’re now reflecting on what we heard and going through the budget in detail. We’ll be sharing our considered analysis and the implications for our community here soon as well as in our upcoming newsletter. Stay tuned.