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The Spring issue of Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria's quarterly magazine looks back at the 2009 Woodcock lecture, looks ahead to this year's Open Mind Fiesta and profiles the candidates standing in the board election.
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spring 2009
issue 115
Registered with the Department of Human Services Print Post Approved 350190 / 00023 ISSN 0816 7877
see inside back cover for more1 in 5 will be affected with mental illness. 5 in 5 can help. You can help by joining mifriend
Reaching their potential
MI Fellowship plays its part in helping Western Storm to
Reclink football premiership p9
mivoice
inside features meet the candidates for the 2009 board elections p10-11 | moving pictures: the ilikeyou exhibition p8 | learning the lessons from woodcock lecture p4 | countdown on to open mind fiesta p7
Read and WIN!
Your chance to win 2 Gold Class movie
tickets p12
The Hon. Robert Knowles AO
Since my last letter to you, the National Health and Hospital
Reform Commission’s final report A Healthier Future for all
Australians was provided to the Federal Government. The
second priority area of this report is to improve care for
people with serious mental illness through better access
and equity. Key features are recommendations to expand
community sub-acute services and to establish 24-hour
access “rapid response outreach teams” as alternatives
to hospitalisation. The full report can be accessed on our
website www.nhhrc.org.au. These recommendations
reflect the priorities you set in 2006 and 2007.
In the lead-up to the Victorian State election in 2006 and
the Federal election in 2007, we asked you to list your
key priorities to create a better mental health system.
Your responses to our state based Call to Action and the
Federal Australians Talk Mental Illness questionnaires
drove our advocacy agenda.
The issues raised by you at both state and
Commonwealth levels fell into five priority areas:
• Strengthening clinical care and treatment planning
Carlo says “I need somewhere to go after hospital
before I go home”.
• Effectiveness in crisis responses - John says “People
are being put in prison rather getting the right treatment”.
• Housing options - Catherine says “We need to change
the cycle of homelessness and poor care”.
• Education - Lillian says “Well Ways made me feel more
confident in dealing with my son’s illness”.
• Employment - Gerard says “Getting a job is what saved
my life”.
Since giving your responses, there have been changes
at both policy and service delivery levels.
In Victoria there are now 10 Prevention and Recovery Care
Services with more planned, a pilot of intensive rehabilitation
and recovery packages, and a Departmental announcement
in August this year of additional funding for intensive
community support and care co-ordination for people with
high and complex needs. However, at the service level,
there is limited change to accessing widespread care
coordination and crisis responses. There are no increases
to carer education and support or increased funding for
people with mental illnesses to improve their employment
chances through attaining a Certificate of General Education
for Adults. And while promises were made, we are not
experiencing housing access improvements.
Nationally there is now some funding for carer respite,
day programs and the Personal Helpers and Mentors
services. However, there is inadequate progress in
employment and housing.
Mr John Mendoza, Chair of the National Advisory Council
on Mental Health, accepted our invitation to speak at
our annual general meeting and will provide us with an
overview of the national mental health developments.
We will again be asking you to let us know about your
most recent experiences of the mental health system
so that we can use these experiences in our advocacy
and in upcoming parliamentary elections.
from our president
2
Your opinions do matter and here’s why it’s important to keep on helping us to better help you.
www.mifellowship.org
mivoice
contents from our chief executive p3 | woodcock lecture p4 | AGM p5 | better ways to aid carers p6 | Open Mind Fiesta p7 | people and their stories p8 | news bites p9 | membership matters – this year’s board elections p10-11 | 7 9p7 photograph by www.urbanartistry.com.au (9416 5076)
spring 2009
3mivoice
from our chief executive
Advocacy is a job that never finishes.
At MI Fellowship we base our advocacy
on documented evidence of best practice,
and on lived experience – what you tell
us as members and as participants.
This can be as informal as the comment
of a board member about her concerns for
her son who has a mental illness through
to the public and powerful messages we
receive from people at events such as the
Woodcock lecture.
We make detailed submissions to inquiries on
the basis of the information we gather and we
provide our views impartially to politicians and
policy-makers, wherever they are sought.
And now is a good time to update you on
two lengthy reform processes in which
MI Fellowship has been involved.
First is the Review of the Mental Health Act
and the Victorian Government’s recently
released response to this www.health.vic.
gov.au/mentalhealth/mhactreview. We are
very pleased to see progressive concepts
coming to the fore – such as people with a
mental illness making “advance statements”
about what they want for their future care, or
explicit provision for their nominated carers to
be supplied with information.
The second reform process is last year’s
inquiry into better support for carers and the
release of the Commonwealth Committee’s
report www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/
fchy/carers/index.htm. Again, we provided
detailed submissions to this inquiry and were
encouraged to see some of our views being
picked up in the recommendations.
Actual legislative reform may still be a way off
but both these reports represent a change in
government thinking and point encouragingly
to future progress.
It takes many voices to build the groundswell for reform. We need the advice and informed support of our membership and service users to ensure that our messages remain accurate.
We would now also welcome your input on
whether there should be specific legislation
to protect carers. We have recently been
consulted on this issue by the Victorian
Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Mary
Wooldridge, and would be pleased to receive
your opinions.
It takes many voices to build the groundswell
for reform. We need the advice and informed
support of our membership and service users
to ensure that our messages remain accurate.
Keep the feedback coming!
There is still a huge need for reforms to improve the lives of people with a mental illness and their family members.
Elizabeth Crowther
good news statistics
Why does MI Fellowship believe in family education?
Because our Well Ways programs work!
• The national evaluation
involving 459 Well Ways
participants has shown
significant and sustained
improvements for
participants in three
vitally important negative
consequences of caring:
carer worrying, tension
and distress. Well Ways
participants showed
significant reductions in
the mean levels of these
negative consequences,
and these reductions were
sustained well beyond the
completion of the program.
• A further evaluation of 156
Well Ways participants has
revealed some of the reasons
why Well Ways is helpful.
The vast majority of
participants found the
information provided was
very helpful (87%), and they
reported improvements in
their sense of efficacy and
empowerment (76%); their
communication skills (75%);
and their ability to empathise
with their loved one (87%).
spring 2009
4
Visit www.mifellowship.org
for news, views, events and mental health information. Who knows
– you may wish to make a secure online donation while you’re there.
Make sure to subscribe to our free private e-newsletter mi voice
update, which keeps you in touch with us in between magazines.
social inclusion
UK social inclusion expert Dr David Morris described
the UK’s multi-level approach to overcoming social
exclusion of people with mental illness when he
delivered the 2009 Woodcock Memorial Lecture.
Social exclusion happens when people with complex
needs not only “miss out” on opportunities to
participate in everyday life but are also “shut out”.
Dr Morris challenged us to work in innovative ways to
counter the many tendencies towards social exclusion
in our mental health system.
Here’s how MI Fellowship benefitted from Dr Morris’
advice and challenge:
Redevelopment of our day programs and home-
based outreach and support services
Day programs – where people with mental illness attend
a centre on a regular basis – have long been a centrepiece
of psychiatric disability rehabilitation and support services.
But we are making important changes to better promote
social inclusion through these programs.
We are moving some of our programs into mainstream
community settings and are blending some of the
everyday recreational opportunities available in the wider
community into our day programs. And as an alternative
to standard rehabilitation activities, we will
be offering our innovative recovery-focused program
MI Recovery, to some of our day program and home-
based outreach participants.
mivoice
The Woodcock lecture is an informative and enjoyable evening, but its benefits extend well beyond the event itself. What did we learn from this year’s lecture?
learning from the lecture
spring 2009
Dr David Morris left us with the challenge of finding more ways to counter the tendency towards social exclusion.
Expansion of consumer and carer participation within
MI Fellowship
A principle that MI Fellowship has always upheld is the
right of people with a mental illness and their carers to
shape the services that they receive. We have achieved
some exciting benchmarks for consumer participation,
such as the involvement of consumers and carers in our
staff recruitment process.
UK evidence strongly supports active consumer participation,
not just as a fundamental right but also as a way to fight
social exclusion and build recovery. MI Fellowship is resolved
to continually improve our performance in this area and our
organisation-wide Consumer and Carer Participation Project
will help us to do this.
Open Mind Fiesta: Participation – Make it Happen!
Open Mind Fiesta 2009 will have a major emphasis on
active participation for people with a mental illness and
their families, and other members of the community. Taking
part in community activities brings not just psychological
benefits, but also supports physical fitness and health.
Either way, social inclusion is promoted.
5
This year’s guest speaker at our AGM will be the chair
of the National Advisory Council on Mental Health,
John Mendoza.
The National Advisory Council on Mental Health
was established in 2008 to provide independent and
confidential advice to government on mental health issues
as requested by the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing.
John is former Chief Executive Officer of the Mental
Health Council of Australia, and author of the Not for
Service report that highlighted experiences of injustice
and despair in Australia’s mental health care sector.
He will give an overview of mental health developments
around Australia, a topic that is obviously of great and
continuing interest to MI Fellowship.
Apart from John’s talk, the meeting will announce the
results of our annual board election and the winners of our
awards, recognising the contribution of those who have
worked to improve understanding, awareness, service
provision and general promotion of mental health.
The evening will start from 5.30pm at Middletons,
on Level 25, South Tower, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne.
RSVP by Friday 16 October to [email protected]
or call Joelle on 8486 4212.
get the big picture on our big nightmivoice spring 2009
A national mental health perspective will be a highlight of this year’s Annual General Meeting, awards presentation and forum on October 20.
The Social Firm Management Group and MI Fellowship
are partners in a unique enterprise – MI Cleaning. A
business with a difference, MI Cleaning is dedicated
to superior customer service and staffed by a team of
cleaners who are keen to please and wanting to excel
in whatever task they are given. For them it’s not so
much about money or another day’s work, but about
a wholesome recovery, a sense of achievement and a
chance to feel important and contribute to the community.
Handpicked and extensively trained in all aspects of
cleaning, they are dedicated and do not take their work
for granted, because at least half have been affected by a
mental illness. With colleagues sensitive to their condition,
a supervisor alongside and employment consultants who
truly care, they are happy to tackle any cleaning job.
MI Cleaning works in offices and commercial premises
as well as private homes. The MI Cleaning crews
perform the most thorough spring clean, make windows
sparkle, steam clean carpets, remove rubbish, do
general maintenance and much more. They support the
environment too, using only 100 per cent environmentally-
friendly products that are bio-degradable.
For more information about MI Cleaning call Mary
on 0448 303 254.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Fantastic job on the spring cleaning. We are thrilled, a great
job. The team were rapt.
Jenni WilliamsResidential rehabilitation manager
Go-Green project manager
MI Cleaning did a “spring clean” in winter for me. They cleaned
my carpets and windows – it was great, the carpets came up as
new and I nearly walked through the glass door it was so clean.
I have now employed them for a thorough clean once a fortnight
– it has transformed my weekends. They even cleaned the
cupboard under the sink! And by the way, I am never there when
they clean and they manage the cat and dog (who are there)
very well.
Laura
MI Cleaning were fantastic – they removed all the stubborn
stains from our carpets and windows. The service we got from
MI Cleaning was far superior to other cleaners we have had in
the past.
Sunder
MI Cleaning is doing the
right thing by its customers
and the environment.
clean and green
6
MI Fellowship’s Well Ways series
of family education programs is
specifically designed for people
caring for relatives or friends with a
mental illness, or mental illness with
co-occurring substance use.
Well Ways is already delivering
what the Federal Government now
acknowledges is an important service.
In Who Cares…? The Report on
the inquiry into better support for
carers, the House of Representatives
standing committee on family,
community, housing and youth recently
recommended the development of
a “national strategy to address the
training and skills development needs
of carers”.
• Well Ways Building a Future is a
family education program, run by
trained peer facilitators. It includes
an engagement phase, eight
weekly sessions followed by four
consolidation sessions spread
over several months. It provides
information on the many issues facing
families as they manage the impact
of mental illness in their midst. Up-to-
date information is provided on topics
including mental health and carer
services, dilemmas of the caring role
and communication skills, as well as
practical insights into the behaviours
associated with mental illness.
• Well Ways Duo also comprises an
engagement phase, six weekly
sessions that provide information
about mental illnesses, drugs and
alcohol, and helpful treatment and
support options. It helps families
increase their skills at managing the
challenging behaviours that are so
often associated with mental illness
and substance use. Consolidation
sessions are also provided.
• Well Ways Snapshot is a two-
module program about mental
illness delivered over one day. This
program has been offered within MI
Fellowship carer respite retreats and
is now being made more extensively
available as a stand-alone. Snapshot
was recently awarded a grant by the
Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.
Well Ways programs are now available
in most states and in parts of regional
Victoria, reaching hundreds of people
each year.
For more information about
Well Ways, email
or call
8486 4232 (Melbourne metropolitan),
9783 1008 (Frankston/Gippsland),
5229 8827 (Geelong/Barwon)
or 5799 2353 (Shepparton
and Goulburn Valley).
On September 2 Well Ways was
announced as the winner of the
prestigious 2009 Mental Health Services
Achievement Award for Family/Carer
provided Services. This Award is a
major recognition for the program in
the Australasian mental health industry,
more proof of the quality being offered
in the three Well Ways Programs.
mivoice
Ever wondered what support is out there for those families or
friends charged with the responsibility of caring for a person with
a mental illness? Are they left to manage as best they can?
Too often.
However, two words could make all the difference to a carer
struggling to cope or looking for answers: Well Ways.
What you’re saying about Well Ways
spring 2009
better ways to aid carers
‘ It has given me the power and knowledge to understand mental
illness and deal with it appropriately. I can now start to live a
normal life and care for my daughter with love, understanding
and pride.’
‘ The Well Ways program was great. The facilitators were very
knowledgeable, approachable and empathetic. They have
obviously gone through their own problems as carers and provided
lots of suggestions on the problems we encounter as carers.’
‘ I feel I’m in a more comfortable place re my brother’s psychotic
episode and about mental illness in general. The Well Ways
sessions were excellent and the Government should pay more
towards understanding mental illness in this way.’
‘ Thank you. I much appreciated all you have given in time,
experience and energy. It has made a big difference in our lives
to be part of a Well Ways program. Sharing and being honest
really made a difference.’
7
The focus on reducing stigma and
building community connections will
be everywhere on Sunday 11 October
as the expected 40,000-strong crowd
again transforms Station Street in
Fairfield into a sea of humanity for
our annual Open Mind Fiesta.
A community-based event held
annually in conjunction with Fairfield
Traders Association, local community
and service organisations, businesses
and government, the Fiesta attracts
groups from local families, traders and
businesses, as well as community
and Rotary. Victoria Police, St John
Ambulance, State Emergency Services
and the Melbourne Fire Brigade will
also attend.
Together with a band of MI Fellowship
volunteers, participants and staff, all
events, attractions and performances are
designed to engage the community and
spread the social participation message.
In 2009 the Open Mind Fiesta landed
MI Fellowship, in conjunction with Fairfield
Traders Association, the ‘Mainstreet
Australia Award’!
In addition to a community dance floor,
there will be an interactive activity stage
upon which many colourful local groups will
entertain and invite audience participation.
The National Institute of Circus Arts will
create a Social Circus, complementing a
wide choice of family entertainment and
other wellbeing activities.
The Open Mind Fiesta aims to:
• reduce the stigma associated with
mental illness through personal contact
and community education
• reduce prejudices and discriminatory
behaviour towards people with a
mental illness
• increase opportunities for people living
with a mental illness to participate in
community life
• increase knowledge and awareness in
the community about where and how
to access help and support relating to
mental illness.
Join us to make a difference and be
a part of the Fiesta. We need support
from you in the lead up to and on the
day of the Fiesta. If you would like to
volunteer for a minimum of three hours
or for more information, email us at
[email protected] or call
us on 8486 4200. Volunteers can join in
fundraising activities, traffic control, assist
with street stalls and more.
You can also register on the Open Mind
Fiesta page at www.mifellowship.org.
mivoice
Station Street in Fairfield will come alive with the spirit of social inclusion for our annual Open Mind Fiesta on Sunday 11 October. Photography by urbanartistry.com.au
We need support from you in the lead up to and on the day of the Fiesta.
spring 2009
Our seventh Open Mind Fiesta this year will drive a compelling social inclusion message: people with mental illness want to participate – make it happen!
fiesta crowds open to new connections
The Mainstreet Australia Award.
For those affected, the stigma of mental illness is
a significant barrier to participation in everyday
community life. Evidence shows this stigma of
mental illness can be reduced through bringing about
personal contact between people living with a mental
illness and others.
The ilikeyou project was about social inclusion of
people living with a mental illness. It brought together
Victorian secondary school students and participants
in MI Fellowship programs. Students and participants
paired up to create a beautiful photographic portrait.
When I first began working with these photographs in
preparation for this exhibition, the impact they had on
me was quite overwhelming.
As I laid out all of the photographs, reflected back at me
were aspects of my own journey of living with mental
illness and the myriad emotions that entails.
I was reminded of the immense capacity we all have as
human beings to be resilient and flexible to all that life
sends our way, of the flexibility required when social
inclusion has been lacking in aspects of our lives.
In a world full of false images of people living with mental
illness, these myths and stigma contribute to social
exclusion, compounding the lives and recovery process
of people living with mental illness, their family and friends.
What makes me feel truly proud of the ilikeyou photographs
is that they are truthful depictions of individuals. The images
give us a clear picture of the ways in which people living with
mental illness wish to be portrayed.
Inclusion in my community has been paramount in my own
recovery journey. Inclusion within my chosen communities
has allowed me to carve out my own path in life and enjoy
a life of my own creation.
“Stigma” and “social inclusion” can sometimes be referred
to as buzz words; let’s not forget what these words are about
– real issues that affect people living with mental illness on
a daily basis.
I look forward to the day when we will no longer have use for
these words, when we can sit back and take a breath, secure
in the knowledge that we have broken down the myths, that
stigma is non-existent, and that social inclusion is a value held
and practised as second nature by all within our community.
the power of the portrait
8
pathways
mivoice update – email newsletterStay in touch with the latest news and events in mental health. Register your details at www.mifellowship.org. It’s free, private and you can unsubscribe at any time.2
Brendon Clarke and his favourite portrait from the ilikeyou exhibition. “Selena”, by Nikolina.
Working with the powerful portraits from the ilikeyou photographic exhibition really struck a chord with MI Fellowship’s Brendon Clarke.
people and their stories
mivoicespring 2009
shepparton graduates acknowledged
MI Fellowship held its latest Certificate II
in General Education for Adults graduation
ceremony in Shepparton on July 21.
The ceremony was addressed by student
of the year Cheryl Poole, who spoke
about her ongoing plans. Cheryl has
already enrolled in more study and is also
planning to find paid employment.
Another highlight of the ceremony was
the displays of students’ work, including
photographs of an impressive mosaic
table. Measuring two metres long, the table
is covered in mosaic contributions from
all of the students and was completed in
response to a community project.
Anyone living with a mental illness who is
interested in returning to learning should
call 8486 4200.
9
social inclusion the name of the game
Football has long provided a cultural and social identity for many
Victorians but people facing social exclusion can often be denied
this passionate connection with their fellow fans. However, one
group of people in Footscray has been doing much more than just
following its favourite team, thanks to the Western Region Health
Centre’s Western Storm Football Club.
This season, MI Fellowship’s day program, TJ’s, and residents
from Footscray House, a local supported residential service,
became involved with the Storm, a member of Reclink’s Australian
rules football competition for people experiencing disadvantage.
Eleven of the residents have become active supporters of the
team and adopted a lead role in the cheer squad, making banners
and flags. They also have had the chance to take on a number
of other roles – as a player, team runner or goal umpire – while a
number of TJ’s participants also played throughout the season.
Participants enjoy a sense of belonging to a community-based
team in a mainstream setting and participation has been a
highlight for all. That sense of pride has been heightened
news bites
date for your diary in 2009 Volunteer Christmas Lunch Wednesday 2 December, lunchtime: further details to be confirmed | AGM & awards ceremony – Tuesday 20 October, 5.30pm-7.30pm | Open Mind Fiesta – Sunday 11 October, Station Street Fairfield. Find out more about all activities by calling (03) 8486 4200 or visit www.mifellowship.org
Western Storm players receive enthusiastic support from their cheer squad
as they run out onto the Junction Oval.
mivoice
keeping standards high
MI Fellowship is committed to continuous
quality improvement. As a growing and
diverse organisation, this means we need
to comply with several standards and
quality assurance systems.
A major component of our quality
framework is Quality Improvement and
Community Services Accreditation
(QICSA). In June we underwent
assessment for re-accreditation under
the QICSA standards and we are pleased
to report that we have emerged with a
positive result. We achieved satisfactory
compliance with the vast majority of
standards, including one area where we
“exceeded” the requirement.
We expect to receive confirmation of our
full re-accreditation soon and are already
into full swing for our next three-year
quality improvement cycle.
spring 2009
by ongoing support and encouragement from the Western
Bulldogs AFL side, which really spurs the Storm and its
supporters on.
There was no better example of that than last month when
Western Storm won its Reclink grand final, downing the All
Stars 1.8 (14) to 1.3 (9) at the Junction Oval. The players were
then presented with their premiership medallions by football
legend Tom Hafey.
mi fellowship heads north
A partnership between Ostara Australia
and MI Fellowship is delivering disability
employment services in far-flung Cairns.
This contract is for eight months only
but will provide valuable experience in
delivering a new employment contract
and may position MI Fellowship well for
future opportunities.
Sean Hegarty, pictured below, who has
previously worked as a MI Fellowship
senior coordinator, has relocated to
Cairns to establish this service.
10 mivoicespring 2009
The chair of MI Fellowship’s Appointments and Governance Committee, Louise Milne-Roch, explains some of the processes behind this year’s Board election.
and positioning this organisation for the future. The first
constitution in 1978 required us to spread a greater
understanding of mental illness, secure and promote the
improvement of community care facilities of all kinds, and
encourage family education and support. As you will see
throughout this newsletter, and through our work, these
goals remain a driving force. The match between the
individual candidate’s aims and these aims is the basis on
which candidates are endorsed by the Board. This year there
are five candidates for four positions, and the board has
endorsed the four it considers best meet these aims.
It is very important to us that you vote. During September
you will receive voting papers from us. Included in this will
be the ballot papers, a declaration envelope, and a reply paid
envelope. Instructions will be included in this material, and
you will be asked to vote by marking your preference on the
papers, signing the declaration envelope, and then posting
it in time to reach the Returning Officer by no later than
5:00pm on Thursday 15 October 2009. You should post
by Tuesday 13 October 2009 at the latest.
Last year the Board took the decision to recommend
nominees to you.
The Board made this decision for contested elections, as
many members seek advice from the Chief Executive Officer.
The Board considers it is inappropriate for the Chief Executive
Officer to provide governance advice to you, as she is directly
accountable to the Board for achieving your aims. To allow
a situation to occur where she is put in this awkward position
could compromise both her, and the Board. Therefore the
Appointments and Governance Committee has developed
policies to advise you, our members, of our views through
this endorsement process.
When positions become vacant or up for renewal, all
applicants are requested to fill in a nomination form and
complete the nomination process. This process includes a
Candidate Biography, completion of a Skills Set Matrix form
that provides for relevant experience, including other Board
memberships and link to MI Fellowship and their experience
relating to areas they have nominated as their expertise.
Each of the candidates submits this data to the Appointments
and Governance Committee for its review.
The Appointments and Governance Committee annually
reviews the skills that are required for effectively steering
? ? ? ?
forum communicates sound advice
July’s members’ forum on communication
and families was an opportunity for family
carers to speak out.
Guest facilitator and carer consultant
Hilary Barrows led a workshop on coping
strategies within the family.
MI Fellowship Well Ways development
co-ordinator Jeanette Davison reviewed
some basic communication skills.
The evening finished with a very moving
account by Ming, a sibling of a person
with a mental illness. For Ming, living a full
and healthy life for herself was the key to
having the best possible relationship with
her family and her ability to spend quality
time with her sibling.
membership matters
For more information on forum content contact Stacia on 8486 4200 or call the helpline on 8486 4222.
election process
Lei Ning
Rob Knowles, AO
11mivoice spring 2009
in their own wordsThe five candidates in this year’s election outline what qualities they would bring to the Board.
Lyn Allison
Diane Brown
Vern Hughes
The members’ forum in November will be all about knowing
your rights.
Knowing where you access them can make navigating your
way through the system a much more manageable experience.
The forum will take place on Tuesday,10 November
between 6.30pm and 8.30pm at Fairfield Place,
276 Heidelberg Road, Fairfield.
To register your attendance, email us at [email protected] or call Joelle on 8486 4212.
November members’ forum getting in the know
My commitment to mental health continues to
drive me. I spent twelve years as a Senator in the
Federal Parliament including a decade handling the
health portfolio for the Australian Democrats and
working on health issues as a member of the Senate
Community Affairs Committee. I initiated and chaired
the Senate’s groundbreaking inquiry into mental
health, reporting in 2006, and took part in the review
of its outcomes in 2008. Along with my parliamentary
relationships, I hope I bring insights into what needs
to change for people affected by mental illness and
how these reforms might be won.
Endorsed by the Board
My passion for our organisation stems from my
personal family experience of my children’s mental
illnesses. I am the current Board Secretary and I
have chaired the Directions Committee since 2003.
I also convened the Wodonga Support Group for
five years. I was a senior paralegal for 16 years
and I am a past member of the Melbourne Health
Research and Ethics Committee. My main interest at
MI Fellowship is to advocate for the needs of carers,
and to generate a better understanding of mental
illness through eliminating stigma.
Endorsed by the Board
I am a parent and carer of two sons (21 and 18) with
autism and several mental illnesses. Over the last 8
years I have sought advice from the MI Fellowship
about available supports, only to be referred
elsewhere with the words “I’m sorry, we can’t help
you”. My experience is not unique but is widespread.
Somehow an organisation that was established by
parents 30 years ago to be a fellowship of mutual
support has been turned into an organisation that
now looks and feels like a government department
or an insurance company.
• Fellow, Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship,
Swinburne University
My reason for seeking re-election is that I am
committed to improving mental health services. This
personal dedication was ignited during my time as
Victorian Minister for Health, where I met hundreds
of carers and consumers deeply dissatisfied with
the mental health system. Now, I continue my
endeavour of creating better mental health services
through active participation on mental health
Boards, including the Mental Illness Fellowship of
Australia and Mental Health Council of Australia.
I am deeply committed to the Mental Illness
Fellowship Victoria, with which I have been involved
for the last nine years and am its current President.
Endorsed by the Board
I was appointed as consumer representative on
the board in June 2009 and bring a personal
understanding of mental health, having a lived
experience of mental illness for more than fifteen
years. My interests include mental health policy,
recovery for consumers, mental health law,
forensic mental health and the CALD consumer
perspective. I am the deputy director of the
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council and I
manage the Consumer Research and Evaluation
Unit, in addition to positions with national and state
mental health committees. I believe I can make
an important contribution to the Board from a
consumer perspective.
Endorsed by the Board
12
Chief Executive : : Elizabeth CrowtherEditorial : : Hootville CommunicationsDesign : : Room44, Lisa MinichielloPrinting : : Bambra PressMI Voice aims to keep our readers informed of the latest
information on mental illness and our advocacy work. It is also
our opportunity to keep potential and existing supporters and
donors informed of the Mental Illness Fellowship’s activities
and the difference their contribution makes.
MI Voice is the quarterly publication of the Mental Illness
Fellowship Victoria, Fairfield Place 276 Heidelberg Road,
Fairfield, Victoria, Australia, 3078.
Telephone : : 03 8486 4200Fax : : 03 8486 4265Email : : [email protected] : : www.mifellowship.orgMental Illness Fellowship retains the right to edit articles. Please note that the opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria.
© Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria. PO Box 359 Clifton Hill, Vic 3068 All rights reserved.ACN 093 357 165 ABN 93 093 357 165 ISSN 0816 7877
have you been paying attention?
MI Fellowship chief executive Elizabeth Crowther has been over the airwaves recently, commenting on serious mental illness issues on both radio and television.
She was interviewed by both ABC-TV and Channel Seven news after a man was shot and wounded by police following a stand-off in the backyard of his home.
Elizabeth used the shooting to again repeat MI Fellowship’s call for better training in order to better equip police to deal with people with a mental illness.
She was also interviewed after Coroner David Drake handed down his findings into the death of Andrew Curwood in
December 2005, in which he said Victoria’s mental system was in crisis.
MI Fellowship consumer participation service consultant Julie Anderson had a letter to the editor published in the Diamond Valley Leader in response
to an article about involuntary treatment of people with a mental illness. Julie argued that it was not accurate to label such treatment as “torture” in all cases.
spring 2009
newsmivoice
board of directorsPresident : : The Hon. Robert Knowles
Vice President : : Ms Louise Milne-Roch
Secretary : : Mrs Diane Brown
Treasurer : : Ms Jenny King
Directors : : Mr Darrel Drieberg, Mr Nathan Shafir, Mrs Elaine Price, Ms Lyn Allison, Mr Paul Montgomery, Mr Theo Krambias, Dr Julian Freidin, Mr Lei Ning
competition
Read and WIN!
Your chance to win 2 Gold Class movie
tickets
One winner will receive a double pass to a Village Gold Class screening of the movie of their choice. It’s a chance to quite literally put your feet up, relax and enjoy a latest movie, all thanks to MI Fellowship.
And because no trip to the movies is complete without something to eat or drink, we’ll throw in a $30 food voucher as well. The prize will be valid for 12 months for any session, seven days a week.
How well do you know your mi voice? Here’s a simple – and rewarding – way to find out.
Somewhere in this edition of mi voice you’ll find the answer to this question. Answer it correctly and you’re in the running for a luxurious cinema experience:
What was the final margin in the Reclink football grand final between Western Storm and All Stars?
To be in the running, simply call 03 8486 4220 and leave your answer, together with your name and contact phone number. The competition closes at
midnight on Friday 16 October
and the winner will be notified
by telephone.
thank you to our supporters
