A study has found that Hong Kong community care teams who received mental health training are more effective at identifying and communicating with mentally ill residents than formal medical professionals. The trained care teams, which have strong ties with local residents, can provide basic services to those in need. Lawmaker Bill Tang Ka-piu of the Federation of Trade Unions has called for the training to be expanded to all community care teams to help address mental health issues in Hong Kong society.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3289884/hong-kong-care-teams-mental-health-training-better-identifying-cases-study-finds?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionCorrections officials in Canada are sounding the alarm about the growing crisis in their facilities, citing a lack of resources and support as a major contributor to the problem. According to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) data, nearly 700 officers are currently on extended leave due to workplace trauma or injury, with many experiencing mental health issues within the first five years of service. The Union of Concerned Corrections Employees (UCCO) is calling for increased funding and support for staff, warning that if action isn't taken, the situation will only worsen and could potentially lead to a tragic loss of life.
https://globalnews.ca/news/10904213/sask-corrections-officers-sound-alarm-facility-conditions/The 69th annual Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) convention and trade show is being held in Great Falls, bringing together around 1,000 attendees and 140 vendors from across the state. The event focuses on the importance of mental health for farmers, who often face financial stresses and isolation. MGGA Vice President Klayton Lohr notes that farming can be a solitary profession, citing his own experiences with drought in North-Central Montana. MGGA President Boyd Heilig emphasizes the need for a community among farmers, stating that the industry is on the verge of a crisis. The event also addresses the upcoming Farm Bill and potential tariffs under the new administration, with Heilig noting that the MGGA can be proactive about these issues.
https://www.kpax.com/news/montana-ag-network/montana-grain-growers-association-hosts-annual-convention-and-trade-showThe Victorian government has backtracked on its promise to implement all recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System on time, missing several deadlines and rolling out a plan that changes the pace of its reforms. The government had promised three years ago to deliver every recommendation, but the reforms have been increasingly delayed and in some cases altered completely. The new "Phase 2 Reform Plan" for mental health focuses on prevention, promotion and early intervention, prioritising key areas and building up the workforce. However, progress reports show that work on several recommendations has stalled or been rolled back, including establishing a responsive and integrated mental health service stream for older Victorians, developing digital technology to build a contemporary system, and creating new bed-based rehabilitation services.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-fails-royal-commission-timeline-as-mental-health-reforms-delayed-20241203-p5kviy.html