Australian College of Mental Health Nurses

We are thrilled to award TWO Mental Health Nurses of the Year to Amanda Butt NP CMHN and Kylie Straube NP CMHN! 👏🏽👏🏽 Both Amanda and Kylie were dual leaders in their rankings. Amanda Butt is a trailblazing Nurse Practitioner in mental health. She's made remarkable contributions by bridging the gap between primary and mental health care for marginalised populations and their families through her nurse-led online clinic, NPathy. Co-designing mental health models, Amanda ensures that the consumer voice is at the forefront. Kylie Straube founded Remote Territory Health Clinic (RTHC), a nurse-led health service providing mental health and primary care in the Darwin rural area and Berry Springs. She implemented mental health screening tools—a culturally inclusive mental health assessment of rural healthcare users. Kylie intends to advocate for nuse-led models of care, highlighting the critical role of mental health nurses and Aboriginal Health Practitioners in rural health. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthnurses #australiancollegeofmentalhealthnurses #MHNDay #MentalHealthNursesDay

Planning for your future as a Mental Health Nurse? Here is what you need to know! 👇🏼 • Only fully Credentialed Mental Health Nurses (CMHNs) are recognised under Medicare to access a small number of MBS items, depending on client eligibility • If you’re Provisionally Credentialed, now’s the time to start working towards full credentialing Steps to take: ✔️ Engage in clinical supervision with a CMHN ✔️ Enrol in a recognised postgrad mental health nursing course ✔️ Build a professional portfolio of your development ✔️ Get involved with your local Australian College of Mental Health Nursing branch or SIG Head to tinyurl.com/yyjs9bxf to access full eligibility details and resources.

If you're searching for a weeknight read, check out our news and stories across our website! 🗞️ As the peak body for mental health nursing, we’re shining a light on the impact of mental health nurses, the challenges they face, and their role in shaping better mental health care across Australia. You’ll find real stories from nurses and the latest updates from the College. 📲 Head to tinyurl.com/3dkntfdxe to explore.

💜 It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Professor Mike Hazelton. Mike served as President of the ACMHN and was recognised as both a Life Member and Fellow of the College. His remarkable legacy is reflected in his national and international leadership, scholarship, and tireless advocacy for the mental health nursing profession. ACMHN President Rhonda Wilson reflects on her experiences with Mike, honouring his extraordinary career and his enduring contribution to our profession. May he rest in peace, and may his work continue to inspire courageous and compassionate mental health nursing. To read more, visit tinyurl.com/yf5bjvae.

Join our Queensland Branch for an engaging online webinar exploring practical strategies to apply trauma-informed care in clinical and therapeutic settings. 📅 Date: Monday, 3 November 2025 ⏰ Time: 6:00 – 8:30 PM (AEST) 💻 Where: Microsoft Teams This session is designed to deepen understanding and build practical skills for embedding trauma-informed principles into everyday practice. Whether you’re working in mental health, clinical, or community settings, this webinar will provide valuable tools to support safe, compassionate, and effective care. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and strengthen your practice. ⭐️

Here at the Australian College of Mental Health Nursing, we are all about championing all aspects of our industry, as well as aiming to reach audiences across Australia. 🇦🇺 That's why we offer tailored opportunities to share your events, job openings, services, and more through the College’s network. Want to get the word out? Head to acmhn.org to find out more.

Confidence in mental health nursing comes from being prepared, knowing what to look for and how to respond when it matters most. 🧠 Build the skills and knowledge you need to lead with clarity and confidence, with support from the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.

Kate Cogan, a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse from Outcome Health Victoria, explains the importance of the credentialed mental health nurses embedded at Ambulance Victoria’s Referral Triage Service. 🚨 As one of the only programs of its kind in the world, they provide 24/7 triage and support, ensuring every caller gets the right care at the right time.

How can multidisciplinary teams help older people live independently for longer? To find out, join this important webinar where an expert panel will explore how collaborative care can respond to the complex physical, mental, and social needs that often come with ageing. Together, they'll share practical strategies to support older people to live well in the community. 📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, September 24 at 7 pm AEST 📍 Where: Online webinar 🎙️ Panel: GP, Psychiatrist, Nurse & Lived Experience Advocate To register, visit tinyurl.com/jkj9wfua.

Our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are vibrant, member-driven communities where ideas are exchanged, research is explored, and experience is valued. If you're looking to connect with others who share your passion for mental health nursing, one of our SIGs could be perfect for you. Whether you're working in practice, education, or shaping policy, we have a group for you to grow and collaborate in. 💬

R U OK? Today is a reminder to check in with the people around us and start conversations that could change a life. For mental health nurses, these conversations are at the heart of what we do. Every day, we listen, support, and provide expert care for people experiencing mental illness, often at their most vulnerable moments. Kate Cogan, a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse from Outcome Health Victoria, explains that mental health nurses often ask the hardest questions, but they're the ones that matter most. Let’s keep asking, listening, and supporting. 💛

What's new in credentialing? We’ve made some updates to make the process clearer and easier for you: ✅ PhD qualifications are now recognised ✅ CPD & CPE requirements updated—40 hours over 12 months for new applicants ✅ Streamlined documentation for smoother navigation These changes bring more clarity, consistency, and alignment with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses' standards. 🙌 Visit our website to learn more about these changes: tinyurl.com/ACMHNCredentia…

This Father’s Day, we’re celebrating the resilience, care, and dedication of dads in all their forms. Let’s keep the conversation going around men’s mental health and the support all fathers deserve, because reaching out is a sign of strength. 💙 Too often, men feel pressure to stay strong in silence, but real strength comes from sharing the load and seeking support. MensLine Australia is here 24/7 with free, confidential counselling for men: call 1300 78 99 87.

The countdown is on... Just days to go until the 2025 Annual Mental Health Nursing Conference! 💜 This year, we’re coming together to amplify our voices, celebrate our profession, and shape the future of mental health nursing. From policy to practice, this is our moment to be seen, heard, and recognised. We’re proud to be standing alongside CATSINaM and DANA in this important gathering. 📍 Brisbane (Meanjin): Convention & Exhibition Centre 📆 10–12 September 2025 🎟️ Final tickets via conlog.eventsair.com/acmhn-2025/.

Meet Alexander Paterno—Provisionally Credentialed Mental Health Nurse, lawyer, educator, and the new Chair of ACMHN’s Perinatal & Infant Mental Health SIG. From volunteering in Italy to advocating for better safety outcomes in Queensland, Alex’s journey shows the diverse pathways that lead to mental health nursing, and the impact of community, mentorship, and credentialing. 💜 Read Alex’s full story: acmhn.org/Web/About/Arti…

Whether you're a student, early career nurse, or experienced professional, if you're passionate about mental health nursing, Australian College of Mental Health Nursing memberships might be for you. Here’s what you’ll get as a member: 🔹 Discounted rates for all ACMHN events, including our annual conference 🔹 Access to exclusive member-only resources and tools 🔹 The latest updates in mental health nursing practice, education & research 🔹 Opportunities to connect with a supportive, like-minded professional community 🔹 Stay informed, stay connected, and help shape the future of our profession Ready to join or renew? Head to tinyurl.com/4tyx29zp.

Save the date: November 7, 2025 📆 Join the Victorian Branch and the Drug Alcohol Nurses of Australasia for an inspiring one-day symposium packed with expert talks and the latest research on co-occuring challenges. Expand your skills, connect with peers from all specialties, and end the day with a relaxed social gathering. Visit tinyurl.com/bddd49bw to learn more.

Looking to reach a dedicated audience in the mental health sector? 🤔 We offer tailored advertising opportunities across our newsletters, website, and social media to connect you with over 2,200 members and professionals across Australia and beyond. 👉🏽 tinyurl.com/AdvertiseWithA…

Mental health nurses give so much—your wellbeing matters too. ❤️‍🩹 Amid long shifts, emotional demands, and caring for others, it's easy to forget to care for yourself. Whether it's a quiet cup of tea, a walk after work, or simply taking a breath between patients, small moments of self-care add up. Take time for you.

Take a breath. Find your strength. You've got this! 💙

Are you looking for a role in mental health nursing? 🧐 Our jobs board features a range of exciting roles now available, all across Australia. Head to tinyurl.com/ACMHNjobsboard to learn more.