What are Special Interest Groups (SIGS)? Special Interest Groups (SIGS) are groups established by members of ACMHN who have an interest in facilitating, advancing and promoting a particular area of interest in mental health for the ACMHN. As part of the ACMHN membership package, members are offered the opportunity to join a SIG. The purpose of the SIG is to provide a network for members with shared interests and expertise to participate in the development of the specialist interest, exchange views, disseminate information, provide support, promote research, and organise activities such as conferences.
Currently there are two SIGS
• Consultation-Liaison SIG
• Private Practice SIG
How does the SIG operate? The SIG operate under the Constitution of the ACMHN.
The SIG is operated by the members. It has a committee with terms of reference which is presided over by a Chairperson. The committee is elected by the SIG membership. Development and support is managed by the SIG committee through various activities which it determines.
The ACMHN provides a web based communication facility for the SIG and manages the finances of the SIG. The SIG reports to the ACMHN Board. How does a SIG communicate? Members of a SIG who are currently financial members of ACMHN can participate in a SIG e-list. In addition, SIGs provide articles of interest for the ACMHN Newsletter each quarter. Who establishes a SIG? Members can initiate a proposal to the Board of Directors of ACMHN to establish a SIG if it can demonstrate a significant interest amongst members.  | Acknowledgements
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses gratefully acknowledges the support provided by the Commonwealth Government’s Department of Health & Ageing (DoHA) in the development of the MHN SOS website.
Many thanks also to the Reference Group and Evaluation Committee who have provided support and guidance in the development of the Student Online Support project. History of the MHN Student Online Support Originally the MHN Student Online Support Project was established to provide mentorship and online support to students studying mental health at postgraduate level - particularly targeting those who were scholarship recipients of the Australian Government Mental Health Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme: Mental Health Nursing. The MHN Student Online Support was completed in August 2009, although students and mentors continue to meet through this site for discussion and mentoring via instant chat. Professional Development Opportunities for MHNs The MHN Specialty Online Support Professional Development Portal will provide access to the Student Online Support as well as a range of other professional development opportunities for mental health nurses. |
Special Interest Groups
