INSIDEFEATURES

MIFellowshipandVictoriaPolice-anewpartnership 3 Rossdale-OpeningDoorsUpdate 9 ‘Ramblings’byDanielleCotter 10

NEWS LetterstotheEditor 8 MIChallengestopsthestigma 4 AsicsMelbourneMarathon 7 Thinkingaloud 11

MIVoice

forpeoplewithamentalillness,theirfamiliesandfriends

Spring 2005 No. 99RegisteredwiththeDepartmentofHumanServices

PrintPostApproved350190/00023ISSN08167877

MIFellowshipandVictoriaPoliceApartnershipproject

FromthePresidentIt’sthattimeoftheyearagainplanningfortheAnnualGeneralMeeting.AsyouareawarewehavebeendiscussingConstitutionalchangesforsomemonthsontherecommendationfromMiddeltonLawyerswhoreviewourconstitutiontoensureitcomplieswithallregulatorychanges.TheyhaveadvisedusthatthereareclausesintheConstitutionrelatingtobothTaxandGovernancepracticethatneedtobeamended.AtameetingonMonday25July2005therecommendationsfromMiddelton’sabouttheGiftFund,TermofOfficeofDirector’s,andByLawswerediscussed.

Fromthe25JulymeetingsixSpecialResolutionsweredevelopedandputtothemeetingonWednesday24August2005wereitwasagreedthatthesewouldbeacceptedandputtotheAnnualGeneralMeetingonFriday21October2005.TheseResolutionsareinthisnewsletterforyourconsideration.Iencourageyoutoreviewtheseandseekyoursupport.Theywillbeconsideredatthatmeeting.

WehavereceivedonenominationfortheBoard,JennyKing.Sheisanexperiencedfinanceprofessionalintheautomotive,chemicalandpaperindustries.SheisaFellowoftheAustralianSocietyofCertifiedPracticingAccountants.Shehasadesiretouseherpersonalandprofessionalskillstomakeadifferencetothelivesofpeoplewithmentalillness,theirfamiliesandcarers.WeareveryfortunatetohavesomebodyofJenny’sstaturecommittingtohelpusachieveourvision.

IlookforwardtoseeingyouattheAnnualGeneralMeetingatFairfieldPlace276HeidelbergRoad,FairfieldonFriday21October2005at5.30pm.

NoticeofGeneralMeetingNoticeisherebygiventhattheannualgeneralmeetingofthemembersofMentalIllnessFellowshipVictoriawillbeheldatFairfieldPlace,276HeidelbergRoad,FairfieldonFriday21October2005at5.30pm.

Agenda

Ordinarybusiness

1. Financialstatementsandreports

To receive and consider the financial report, the directors’ report and the auditors’ report for the financial year ended 30 June 2005

2. Otherbusiness

3. Specialbusiness

To consider and if thought fit, pass the following special resolution:

1. ThattheCompany’sConstitutionbeamendedasfollows:

(a)clause5.2(a)beamendedtoread:

“Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the quorum for a general meeting of the Company is 20 members (present in person or by proxy) and the quorum must be present at all times during the meeting.”

(b)clause8.2(b)beamendedtoread:

“At all times any retiring directors shall be eligible for re election but shall be subject to the nomination process as set out in this Constitution provided that

P A G E 2

a director may not hold office for a period of more than nine consecutive years”.

(c)anewclause8.2(c)beinsertedasfollows”:

“Notwithstanding clause 8.2(b), a person will be eligible for election as a director of the Company at the expiration of 12 months from the date they ceased to hold office under clause 8.2(b).”

(d)clause8.5beamendedtoread:

“The Board may at any time appoint any person to be a director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing directors but so that the total number of directors shall not at any time exceed the number fixed in accordance with this Constitution. The Board may expressly resolve not to fill a casual vacancy. Any director appointed to fill a casual vacancy shall hold office only until the end of the term of the departing Board member but shall be eligible to stand for re-election. For the avoidance of doubt, the period for which a director is appointed to fill a casual vacancy will not be taken into account when calculating the maximum period of time a director may hold office under clause 8.2(b).”

(e)anewclause22beinsertedasfollows:

22. By Laws

TheBoardhasthepowertomakeby-lawsregulatingtheconductoftheCompany.

(f)anewclause23beinsertedasfollows:

23. Gift Fund

(a) TheCompanywillmaintainfortheprincipalpurposeoftheCompanyafund,calledtheGiftFund,towhichgiftsofmoneyorpropertyforthatpurposewillbemadeandtowhichanymoneyreceivedbytheCompanybecauseofsuchgiftsistobecreditedandtheGiftFundwillnotreceiveanyothermoneyorproperty.

(b) TheCompanywillusegiftsmadetotheGiftFundandanymoneyreceivedbecauseofsuchgiftsfortheprincipalpurposeoftheCompanyonly.

(c) AtthefirstoccurrenceofeitherthewindingupoftheGiftFundortherevocationoftheCompany’sendorsementunderSub-division30-BAoftheIncomeTaxAssessmentAct1997,theCompanywilltransferanysurplusassetsoftheGiftFundtosuchfund,authorityorinstitutiontowhichgiftscanbedeductedunderDivision30oftheIncomeTaxAssessmentAct1997asisnominatedbytheBoard.

(d) AnyotherprovisionswhichfromtimetotimearerequiredinordertomaintainthestatusoftheCompanyasaCompanytowhichgiftscanbedeductedundertheIncomeTaxAssessmentAct1997aredeemedtoformpartofthisConstitution.

RobKnowles

VictoriaPoliceandMIFellowship– a partnership focused on increasing police understanding and skill in dealing with mental illness

• New Victoria Police recruits receive approximately 70 minutes of training on mental illness at the Police Academy

• Mental illness related situations are currently estimated at a minimum of 30% of police work.

InNovember2003InspectorGerryZammitofDarebinPoliceembarkedonaninitiativetoprovidementalillnesstrainingtopolicemembersinRegion3ofVictoriaPolice.Hegainedinterestandsupportinternallyandasaconsequence,apilottrainingsessionwasdeliveredbyGerardReedofCommunityConnectionsatMIFellowshipto22policemembersfromPrestonandNorthcotepolicestationsinFebruary2004.

AmongstthosepresentatthepilotwasInspectorNigelHowardofBroadmeadowsPolicewhorequestedaproposalfromMIFellowshipforfurthertrainingfollowingthesuccessofthepilot.Afewmonthslater,InspectorHowardinternallypromotedMIFellowship’sproposaltoVictoriaPolicemanagementwithInspectorZammit’ssupport.Theproposalwasastartingpoint,apilotprojecttodeliverahalfdaytrainingsessiontoRegion3policemembersonawarenessandunderstandingmentalillness,interventionsandstrategiesforhandlingcrisissituations.

AlmostayearlaterinMarch2005theprojectwassuccessfullyfundedandActingInspectorDougFryerofBroadmeadowscommencedworkingwithJayMyers,MIFellowship’sProjectLeaderforBusinessLearningandDevelopment,ontheprojectroll-out.

Thepilotprojectconsistsoftraining600ofthe1700policemembersacrossRegion3in28halfdaysessions,with20participantspersessionbetweenAugustandDecember2005.ThetraininglocationsincludeBroadmeadows,Bendigo,KangarooFlat,Shepparton,SwanHillandMildura.

Thepolicetrainingisbeingevaluatedoverthenextfivemonthswithgroupsofparticipantsbeinginterviewedatdifferentintervalsafterthetraining.

Atthetimeofgoingtoprintwehave:

• delivered8ofthe28trainingsessions

• receivedenquiriesfromeachoftheremaining4RegionsinVictoriaPolicetoprovidetraininglocally

• submittedaproposalincreasingthetrainingfromahalfdaytotwofulldaystobedeliveredstatewideto10,000policemembers

P A G E 3MIVoice-Spring2005

After four months managing the Understanding Mental Illness training project for Region 3, Acting Inspector Doug Fryer had this to say ...

“Onmostoccasionspoliceonlyinteractwithpeoplesufferingmentalillnesswhenthosepeopleareincrisis.ThecurrentawarenessprogrambeingdeliveredbyMIFellowshiptopolicemembersinRegion3(northwest)oftheVictoriaPoliceisbeingextremelywellreceived.Wewillhave600memberstrainedbyDecember2005.Itprovidespolicewithabetterunderstandingoftherecognitionofsymptomsandbehaviourassociatedwithmentalillness.Theprogramhighlightscausesofmentalillness,definitionsandexplanationsofdifferenttypesofmentalillness.Mostimportantly,itprovidespolicewithanunderstandingofcommunicationandinterventionskillsthatmayassistincrisissituations.Theprogramalsoprovidespolicewithsomeinsightintowhatit’slikeforapersonincrisis,andwiththatknowledge,thebestwaytocommunicatewiththem.Hopefullywiththisunderstandingpolicewillbeabletoallaytheirfearsandbringaboutapeacefulresolution.

Someofthecommentsfromouroperationalmembersabouttheprogramare:

• “Veryusefultrainingandenhancescommunicationskillsfordealingwiththementallyill”

• “Puttingourselvesintheshoesofamentallyillperson...ithighlightsextremelywelltheirdifficulties”

• “It’sgoodtoknowsomedo’sanddon’tswhendealingwithmentalillnessandprovideshelpfulsolutions”

• “Absolutelyinvaluabletooperationalmembers”

• “Itwasgreattolearnsomenewskills(verbalisation)fordealingwithmentalillness”

Onlyabout20%ofpoliceworkiscrimerelatedandalargepartofourotherdutiesiscommunitypolicingonlocalandsocialissues.Policewillcontinuetointeractwiththementallyillonadailybasis.IhopethatinsomewayourpartnershipwithMentalIllnessFellowshipandtheirtrainingofourmemberswillprovidethecommunitywithaconfidenceintheVictoriaPolice,strivingtodeliverasaferVictoriatogether.”

DougFryerActing InspectorBroadmeadows Police StationRegion 3, Victoria Police

P A G E 4

RoundUpLeeches,crocodiles,rapidsandtheeffectsofaltitudewereamongobstaclestwocolleaguesfromBUPAAustraliaovercametoclimbAsia’shighestmountain.

JimKokkiniasandJimDurkin,whoarebasedinMelbourne,spenttwoweeksinBorneo,devoting2daystoscaling4,095metre-highMountKinabaluinBorneo.

Jim Durkin, Megan Knights and Jim Kokinias at the top of Mt Kinabalu

TheirBorneoBushwackaChallengemade$12,500forMIFellowship,andthesefundswereraisedthroughanumberofsources.NotonlyweregenerouscontributionsmadebyCommunityConnectionatBUPAUKandBUPAAustralia,butthe‘TwoJims’werestruckbywillingnessoftheircolleaguestosponsorthemintheirquest.TheyalsohighlyrecommendthetargettingoftheaverageAussie’spenchantforasnaginabitofbreadwithsauceandonions-theSausageSizzlesoutsidevariousBunningsHardwarestoresoncoolMelbourneweek-endsprovedveryprofitable.TheFellowshipsupportsandrepresentspeopleinAustraliawithamentalillnessandtheircarers.The“TwoJims”said:“Wefacedeverythingfromleeches,humidity,rapids,crocodilestoasprainedankle,excessquantitiesofcabbageandcarrot,ricewinewieldinglocals,andeventuallytheeffectsofaltitudeandcold.

Jim Kokinias supports his injured ankle with a makeshift walking stick

“Theclimbwasaslow,constant,upwardgrind,butintheendtherewardsweretremendous.Aswetookinthemagnificentsunriseatthesummitwefeltagreatsenseofachievement.”

Theysaid:“WewantedtodoallwecouldtosupporttheMentalIllnessFellowshipmessage-‘StoptheStigma’.

“OneinfiveAustraliansaredirectlyaffectedbymentalillnessbuttheissuesassociatedwiththeseproblemshave,untilrecently,beenshunned.”

FromtheChiefExecutiveInthewintereditionofthisnewsletterIwaspreparingtotraveltotheUKandAmericatolookatemploymentandcrisisinterventionprograms.IwillgivefeedbackontheemploymentprogramslaterandconcentratehereontheMemphisPoliceCrisisInterventionProgram.

MargaretSpringgay,ChiefExecutiveofMentalIllnessFellowshipAustralia,andIwereverygenerouslyhostedbyMajorSamCochrane,DirectoroftheCrisisInterventionProjectfortheMemphisPoliceDepartment.Wewereabletoseefirsthandtherolepolicehaveinmanagingpsychiatriccrises,thepartnersinvolvedintheproject,howandwhyitworksandtoconsideritsrelevancetoAustralia.

WediscoveredthattheMemphisPoliceCrisisInterventionProjectdevelopedasaconsequenceofapoliceshootingandkillingofayoungmanwithmentalillnessinthatcityin1987.ThiscommunityunrestmovedtheMayortocalltogetherpolice,mentalhealthprofessionals,universitiesandfamiliestodevelopabettermanagedstrategy.

Itwasfoundthatpolicehadlittletraininginmanagingpeopleinpsychiatriccrisis,andwhentheypickedsomeoneuptheywaitedhoursinthehospitalemergencyforanassessment.Oftenthepersonwasnotadmittedandwasbackintheirbeatbeforetheendoftheshift,thepoliceveryquicklylearntthatitwasmoretimeefficienttotakesomeonetojail.Thisgroupagreedthatputtingpeoplewithmentalillnessinjailwasahighlyundesirableoutcome.Thisgroupalsorecognizedthatthecapacityofmentalhealthprofessionalstorespondinatimelywaytocriseswasnotpracticableandthereforetheideaofapolicecrisisinterventionteamwasborn.

Theprojectpartners,police,university,mentalhealthservicesandNAMIarecommittedtotheprogramwhichincludesa40hourtrainingprogramforpolice.Motivationandinterpersonalskillsareusedasselectioncriteriaforinclusionintotheprograms,andonethirdofthepoliceforceintheMemphisCountyistrained.

Thisprogramhasreducedthejailing,andseriousinjurytomentallyillpeople.Ithasreducedinjuriestopoliceofficersthemselvesandhasthesupportofpeoplewithmentalillnessesandtheirfamilies.Thisprogramhasbeenreplicatedinover100CountiesthroughouttheUnitedStates.

OurdiscussionswiththeVictorianPolicearecontinuing.Atthemomentthereisnoconsiderationofthe40hourtraining,butwearedeliveringfourhoursofinputto600policeinregion3,thenorthernwesternwedgeofthestatefromDarebintoMildura.TheOfficeofPoliceIntegrityisinvestigating‘thefatalshootingofpersonsinVictoriabymembersoftheVictorianPolice....’andwehavespokentoMr.BrianBateswhoisconductingtheenquiryandMr.GeorgeFiskwhoisassistinghim.ThecapacityoftheCrisisAssessmentandTreatmentTeamshasalsobeenraisedwiththeDepartmentofHumanServicesandwewillcontinuetoadvocateforbetterserviceoutcomes.

ElizabethCrowther

Open Mind Fiesta – Station Street, Fairfield 10am to 5pm, Sunday 16 October, 2005

TheOpenMindFiestaisanannualeventorganizedbyMIFellowshipinpartnershipwiththeFairfieldTradersAssociation.Itwasdevelopedtocreateanavenueforstigmaassociatedwithmentalillnesstobereduced.Inplaceofnegativity,fearandisolationoftenassociatedwithmentalillness,thegoalofOpenMindFiestaistobringasenseofcommunity,joyandacceptance.Theeventstrengthensthesocialrelationshipswithinthecommunitybyprovidingarangeofentertainmentinafunatmospherewhereallmembersofthefamilycanparticipateinsomeway.

In2004theOpenMindFiestadrewacrowdofover30,000people.Theeventincludednearly70stallsandlocaltraders’businessoutlets,14entertainmentgroupsincludingtheVictoriaPolice,MetropolitanFireBrigade,communityserviceclubs,schoolsandkindergartensaswellastheeventsponsors,AMPFoundation,BayfordCamberwellandCityofDarebin.

Amongthemostvaluedparticipantsonthedayareourvolunteers,withoutwhomtheeventwouldliterallynotbepossible.In2004,250peoplegavetheirtimetosupporttheevent.Individualsparticipatedinactivitiessuchassellingcarnivalridetickets,makingandsellingfairyflossandsupervisingbarricades.WewerealsodelightedtohavegroupsofvolunteersfromorganizationssuchasTelstra,whomanagedtheHandballCompetition;PrestonRotary,whocookedourbarbequeandRMITTAFEwhoworkedonourspinningwheelonthedayandintheweeksleadinguptotheevent.

ForfurtherinformationonhowtobecomeavolunteeratthisgreateventpleasecallNadineWilsonon0384864235oremailnwilson@mifellowship.org.

RoundUpRAFFLES PROGRAM – A LUCKY REMINDER!

Weallknowthestoriesaboutreceivingtelemarketingcallsjustasthedinnerisabouttoburn.WhenBillansweredhisphoneafewmonthsagotoberemindedaboutsendinginhisraffletickets,hetookafewmomentstofillthemoutandsentthemin.Thatwasoneluckyphonecallasjustafewweekslater,BillwasthehappywinnerofourlatestAutumnRaffleandthesurprisedownerofanewToyotaRAV4.

Previouslythewinnerofnotmuchmorethanachookraffle,Bill,founderofanindustrialfeedandcementbagsupplycompany,AMBsomethirty-oddyearsago,wasafirsttimesupporterofMentalIllnessFellowship’sRaffle.Thatremindercallcertainlyhadaveryhappyending!

TheRafflesProgramwasbeenthesourceofconsiderablefundsandnewdonorssinceitsinceptionsomesixyearsago.Over4,000newdonors(including42whohavegoneontobecomemembers)havecontinuedtheircommitmenttoactivelysupporttheworkthatwedo(includingprovidingvaluablefundingforourcommunityeducationcampaigns,innovativematerialsandfamilysupport).

Thankstoalloursupportersforyourcontributiontothesuccessofourrafflesprogram.Ifyoudonotcurrentlyreceiveraffleticketsandwouldliketosupportus(ournextSpringRafflecommencedinAugust),pleasecontactVerityPalmeron0384864200-andrememberticketscanbesoldtofamily,friends,colleaguesandcontactsthroughsportinggroups,communitygroupsandtheworkplace.

Bill enjoying his plush new surroundings

Eastern Office relocation

MIFellowship’sEasternserviceshaverecentlyrelocatedtoanewofficesuiteinMitcham.Thenewaddressandcontactnumbersareasfollows:

Suite8

602WhitehorseRoad

MITCHAM

VIC3132

Tel. (03)98745310

Fax. (03)98748246

TheeasternservicesincludeHomeBasedOutreachandSupport(HBOS),LinkingPeopleLocallyandRespite(residentialandVolunteerVisitor)programs.

Ifyouhaveanyqueriesregardingourservicesand/orwanttomakeareferral,pleasecontactusonthetelephonenumberabove.

P A G E 5MIVoice-Spring2005

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open mind fiesta

P A G E 6

Kaufmann Inquest

• TheKaufmannInquestfindingsattractednationalattention.MentalIllnessFellowshipVictoriaorganizedthepressconferencefortheKaufmannsatStJohnsSouthbankandtheconferencewasattendedbyeachofthetelevisionnetworksandmuchprintandradiomedia.Insummary,mediainterestamountedto:

o ThestoryledoffeveryTVeveningnewsprogramthatnight

o ItwastheleadstoryonABCradiohourlynewsformostoftheday

o Itwasprominentacrossallmedia.

o VirginiaTrioliheldalive17-minuteinterviewthatafternoonwithDavidandMargritKaufmann

o ElizabethCrothwerhadanextensiveinterviewwithFranKellyonRadioNationalhighlightingtheMemphismodelforpolice.

o JonFainefollowedupwithseveraltalkbacksessions.Abigthankyoutoourmemberswhorespondedtothetalkbackrequestsandhelpedkeeptheissuesburningformorethanaweek.

o StatelineonABCfeaturedthestorylaterthatweek

o Subsequently,JonFainehashadaconversationwithaspokespersonfromMemphis

Other Advocacy Projects

• Centrelink forum.Over80peopleattendedourCentrelinkforumwherecarersandpeopleonthedisabilitysupportpension(DSP)gatheredtodiscusstheadministrationofcarerpaymentsandallowancesandtheDSP.Wearegratefultoourguestspeakeronthenight,ColinKronkoftheCommunityPartnershipsTeam(AreaNorthCentral)atCentrelinkforhisguidance.

• MentalIllnessFellowshipVictoriacontributedasubmissiontotheSenate EnquiryintomentalhealthservicesandsubsequentlypresentedtoaSenatehearinginMelbourne

• RobKnowlespresentedhis“HowtoadvocateforchangethroughyouMPs”paperattheCarer’sforumattheTheMHSconferenceinAdelaide.Thepaperisavailablefordownloadonourwebsite(www.mifellowship.org/advocacy.htm)andgivespracticalandsimpleadviceonwhattodoandwhatnottodo.

Return to Learning and Self-development Course – Certificate in General Education for Adults in 2006

TheCGEACoursewillreturnin2006.Thecourseisaimedateasingstudentsbackintoalearningenvironment,improvingeducationalstandardsandacquiringskillsinstrumentalforfutureemploymentandachievinglifegoals.Learningoutcomesincludeimprovedcommunicationandplanningskills;gaininggoalsettingskillsandnewstrategiesforemploymentseeking;havingimprovedlanguage,literacyandnumeracyskills;increasedpersonalconfidenceandmotivationandabridgetohighereducation.

ThecourserunsonMondaysandTuesdays,11.30-4pmwithbreaksandcommencesMonday30JanuarythroughtoTuesday18December2006.

ToregisterinterestinenrollingpleasecallBernadetteDoyleorLynneRuggieroon0384864200oremail:bdoyle@mifellowship.orgorlruggiero@mifellowship.org.

Advocacyandmediaupdates

P A G E 7MIVoice-Spring2005

ASICSMelbourneMarathonSupporting MI Fellowship

TheAsicsMelbourneMarathoncontinuestobeanimportantpartofourfundraisingandawarenessraisinginthecommunity.Itprovidesauniqueopportunityforustoformpartnershipswithindividualsandorganisationsinthecommunity.

ThisyearwehaveanewpartnerintheMarathon,theMetropolitanFireBrigade(MFB),whoareactivelypromotingtheeventandencouragingfirefightersandotherstaffmemberstovolunteer,participateandraisesponsorshipmoneyforMIFellowship.WearealsodelightedtohavemanyOccupationalTherapystudentsfromLaTrobeUniversityvolunteeringandparticipatingonourbehalfinanothernewpartnership.Wealsoextendourthankstopartnersjoiningusagainin2005,HBAandNationalAustraliaBank.

Ourmembersandprogramparticipantsandstaffarealsokeensupportersoftheevent,particularlythoseintheSouthernregion,fromwheretheMarathoncommences.LynJessonfromMIFellowshipFrankstonsaid“WehavefourparticipantscurrentlytrainingfortheMarathon.Wehaveseenhowmuchithashelpedtheirselfesteem,confidenceandincreasedtheirexerciselevels.Whenwefirststartedtheywerehavingtostopevery10minutesforacigarettebreakandafterafewweeksofreducingthenumbersofbreaksonawalk,we’venowbeenabletocutitoutalltogether.Theseparticipantsaresopumpedaboutdoingitandhavebeentrainingsincethebeginningoftheyear”.SkillsPlusInchasgenerouslyagreedtopaytheentryfeeforparticipantsintrainingfromSouthernRegion.

ThoseinterestedinparticipatingtheMarathonorvolunteeringonthedayshouldcontactStephaniePulson84864200oremailmembership@mifellowship.org

IfyouwouldliketosponsorourSouthernregionparticipants,pleasecontactourFrankstonofficeon97831008oremailljesson@mifellowship.org

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The Linking People Locally Program - Eastern Metropolitan RegionTheLinkingPeopleLocallyProgram(LPL)isanewandexcitingprogrambasedinMitcham.ThevisionoftheLPLprogramistohaveyoungpeoplewithmentalillnessaccessingNeighbourhoodHouses(NH’s)wherebytheyareacceptedandsupportedinanormalizedenvironment,tolearnand/orregainpsychosocialskills.Theprogramtargetsyoungpeoplebetweentheagesof16-25yearsold,livinginthemunicipalitiesofWhitehorse,ManninghamandpartsofMonash.

TheaimoftheLPLprogramistoassistyoungpeoplewithmentalillnesstoacquirenewskills,increaseself-confidenceandself-esteem,developnewsocialnetworksandvocationalpathwayswithoutstigma.Thesegoalsareachievedthroughnormalization,integration,capacitybuildingandflexibilityinaccessingcommunityactivities.

Todate,partnershipswithfiveNH’shavebeenestablished.Thiscollaborationmeansthatthestaffwillhavepsycho-educationtoincreasetheirknowledgeonmentalillnessandtheirconfidenceinworkingwithpeoplewithmentalillness.Thepsycho-educationwillcovertheimpactofmentalillnessandside-affectsofmedicationonlearning,andsomehelpfulstrategiestomanage‘different’behaviours.Theeducationsessionswillbeevaluatedtoassesstheirimpactonstaffunderstandingandconfidence.

Followingthepsycho-education,participantswillbeassistedtoenrollintothecoursesandactivitiescommencinginTerm4,2005.Thecoordinatorwillprovidesecondaryconsultationtostaffandsupporttoparticipantsintheformofoutreach,transportassistanceandsubsidizingfees.

Currently,staffatoneNHhavereceivedpsycho-educationandmanagementstrategiesandhaverespondedpositively.StafffromtheotherfourNH’sarecompletinganeedsanalysistoidentifywhattheywouldliketolearnaboutmentalillness.ProgramsliketheLPLarenewandinnovativewaystorespondtoourchangingclientgroupandtheirneeds.ThecollaboratedsupportnetworksbetweenMentalIllnessFellowshipandtheNH’sareinstillingalevelofawarenessaboutmentalillnessandalongwithitreducingthestigmainthecommunity.

YaseminOznek.Linking People Locally Program - Eastern

LetterstotheEditorThatpageinMIVoice,“MindOverMatter”byLisa,ismarvellousandwhereshesays“Iamnotschizophrenic”,Iagreewithhercompletely.

‘Schizophrenic’isanawfulword,andIdoeverythingIcantostoppeopleusingit.Itellthem,“Justsay‘apersonwhohasschizophrenia’,thatwayyou’llseethislovelyperson,notjusttheirillness”.

Joan Cusworth

ThankyoufortheinterestingarticlesinMIVoice.Ialwaysenjoyreadingthem,asmysonhasschizophrenia.HoweverIfindsomeparagraphsprintedinpaleorangedoesnotshowupwellforreaders.Iforangeistheofficialcolour,canitbeamuchdarkerorange?That’llbeeasierforyourreaders!

Doreen Gordon-Kirby

Ed. Thanks to Doreen for her feedback on the readability of MI Voice. We agree that there was a couple of sections in the last edition that readers may have found difficult to read and have made sure we don’t make the same mistake again. We welcome feedback of this nature so we can continue to improve MI Voice for our members and supporters.

ADIEU TO BURN OUT

Mydearestbed

IwouldliketoapologiseforweighingyoudownI’vebeentoomuchlatelyhaven’tI?SuffocatingyouwithmydreamsKeepingyouawakewithmysnoringBullyingyouwithmytossesandturnsOverstayingmywelcomeinyourwellmanneredheaven

I’veletyoudownbynotlookingafteryouBynotmakingyouupBypretendingtobeyourclosestintimatebuddyButleavingyoufordeadEverytimemyotherfrienThefridgeenticesmewithhersensuousdelights

Icanunderstanditifyounolongerwantmenearyou

Iagreeweshouldjustbefriendsandseeeachotheronlyoccasionally

Nighttimesarebestforbothofus.Don’tyouthink?

Adieumonamie

Untilthemoonfloatsthroughtheair

Adieu

Isabella Fels

.

P A G E 8 MIVoice-Sprint2005

It’ssosatisfyingforallinvolvedtoseethefirststageofthebuildingworksuccessfullycompleted.“NowtheOpeningDoorsProgrampartnerscanconcentrateondeliveringafirstclass,longtermrehabilitationprogramfortheseresidentsinadignified,homelyenvironment”saidEifionBreese,GeneralManager-RehabilitationServices.

NowtheworkbeginsonthemuchlargerbuildingatRossdale.OuraimisfortheworktobecompletedbyApril2006,providing11bedsforthearea.Thebuildingwillvirtuallybeguttedandre-workedtoprovideexactlywhatisrequired.Oneobstacleencounteredistheheritagelistingofthebuilding.Theratherunsightly,nottomentiondangerous,outdoorstairsthathavealwaysbeenunpopularwithresidentsandstaffhavebeendeemedashavinghistoricalvalueandareprotectedbylaw!Luckilywehavefantastic,lateralthinkingarchitectsandbuilderswhohavenegotiatedsuchobstaclesandaredoingagreatjobforusandmakingtheprocessrunassmoothlyaspossible.

Unit for sale 4/17OakGrove,Ripponlea

Twobedroomunitingreatlocation.Brightandsunny,closetopublictransportandthebeach.

Privatesale–$250,000.

Formoreinformation,contactLoison0395283779.

Rossdale-OpeningDoorsupdateInthelastissueofMIVoice,wetoldyouabouttheplanneddevelopmentofRossdale–ablockofapartmentsownedbyMIFellowshipthathasbeenprovidingarehabilitationservicetoresidentssince1987.

ThedevelopmentistobepartoftheinnovativeOpeningDoorsProject.ThisprogramsharestheresourcesofTheAlfredHospital,InnerSouthCommunityHealthServiceandMIFellowshiptobringtogethertheservicesprovidedbyfiveseparatefacilitiestohelpaddresstheneedsofpeopleatdifferentstagesofrecovery.Italsoaimstomakeiteasierforpeopletomovebetweendifferentservices.Rossdale,thelargestofthefivesites,willhousetwoseparateprogramsinitstwobuildings.Howeverbothbuildingswereclearlyinneedofalotofworktoenabletheprovisionofdecentanddignifiedaccommodation.

The Building Work Begins

ThebuildingworkcommencedinAprilthisyear.Thefirstjobwastocarryoutminoralterationstotherearbuilding.Thisinvolvedknockingdownwalls,newwindows,kitchens,bathrooms,laundriesandofcourseafreshcoatofpaint.Everyoneisthrilledwithhowitlooks,andtheresidentshavenowmovedinandaredelightedwiththeirbeautiful,modernhome.ThestunningviewsoverAlmaParkarecertainlytobeenvied!

MIVoice-Spring2005 P A G E 9

RamblingsbyDanielleCotterWe are delighted to introduce a new column in this edition of MI Voice. Danielle Cotter graduated from RMIT University with a degree in journalism in 2003 and recently experienced a psychotic episode. Danielle will share the highs and lows of her journey with us in this and future editions of MI Voice.

It’smysecondvisittomypsychiatristsinceIhadmyfirstever‘psychoticepisode’.

Sittinginthepsychiatristwaitingroom,everylittleitemintheroomirritatedandexasperatedafeelingofdreadandannoyanceinthepitofmystomach.Ineededtodistractmyselfdesperatelyfromthisfeeling.

IpickedupatatteredcopyofAliceinWonderlandamongstthepileoftrashycelebritymags.

Thestoryleaptoffthepagesandmadesenselikeneverbefore.IfeltlikeAlice,trappedinafrighteningWonderland,stuckinaworldwithnoend,chasingawhiterabbitdownaholeinatree,notknowingexactlyhowIwasevergoingtoreturntonormallife.

TheTVinthewaitingroomblared“DrPhil”andIenduredhismonstrousdidactics,loudandoverdoneaboutanothercrazymixedupfamily.MysenseswereoverloadedwithpeopleexpellingtheirPainandHorroratbeinghuman.

Paintedladiesmockedmyordinarylifeinthepagesofthemagazine.Achildlaughedwithgleeatnothinginawoman’sarmsandIcouldn’trememberthelasttimesomethinghadmademelaughtoo.

IdesperatelywishedIcouldturnbacktheclocklikeatimerbackinto1988andbethatyoungandinnocent.Everymovement,everywordspokensuddenlywasaneffortofgiganticproportions.

Itwasafewweekssincemypsychosisplungedmeintotheworldofthementalhealthsystem.

ThepsychosiscreptuponmeoneSaturdaynight.Isuddenlybecamefearfulandanxious,myeyeswentblankandmymouthopenanddazedlikeEdwardMunch’s‘TheScream’,thefamouspaintingofwhichInowunfortunatelyhadadeeperunderstandingthanbefore.MyfamilycalledtheCATteamquicklyandIwasputonthephonetoaprofessionalwhotalkedmethroughmymixedupthoughts.

DuringmypsychosisIhadbothauralandvisual

hallucinations.Myfamilysuddenlyappearedasbloodthirstyvampires.Theireyesturnedintofierydemon’seyesandtheirteethsuddenlytookonasharpcanineappearance.Iwaspetrifiedofdeathwhichseemedimminent.Atthesametime,apartydownthestreet,hadtheirmusicblaring.MyhearingwassosensitiveitpoundedmyeardrumsasthoughitwaspumpingatfullvolumeinmyownhouseandIthoughtthepeopleatthepartyweremoredemonsreadytokillme.

Everyposterinmyroom,everythingontheTVsuddenlywasa‘sign’aboutmeandmyimminentdeath.IwasconvincedthatIwasgoingtodieatthehandsofthedemonsdowntheroad(actuallytheteenagersdowntheroadhavingaparty).

TheCATTeamarrivedthenextdayandprovidedimmediateattentiontomysickness.Iwastalkedthroughmysymptomsandgivenasedativetohelpmesleep.Theirprofessionalismandcaregavemyfamilyimmediatepeaceofmind.

DuringthenextfewweeksIwasvisitedbytheCATTeam.Theygavemeanti-psychoticdrugs.

ImuchpreferredbeingtreatedinmyownhomethaninahospitalandforthisIwasverygratefultotheCATTeam.

AfterafewweeksIwasalsoreferredontotheNorthEasternMentalHealthServiceandallocatedtoasocialworkercalledAli.

WemeetaboutonceamonthandhetalksthroughanyproblemsIamhaving.

Iamalsoseeingmypsychiatristeveryweekandamnowonanti-depressantsaswellasmyanti-psychoticmedications.

It’sbeenarollercoasterride,onewhichI’mnotyetoff...

P A G E 10 MIVoice-Sprint2005

Woodcock Lectures in Resource Centre

The2004WoodcockLecture,featuringXavierAmadorandDavidParkinandthe2005lecture,featuringGaryBondandNeilMitchellarenowavailableinDVDandVHSformattoborrowfromMIResourceCentre.LocatedatFairfieldPlace,276HeidelbergRd,Fairfield,MIResourceCentreisopentothepubliconTuesdaytoThursdaybetween10amand4pm.Memberscanborrowitemsforfreeandnon-membersarerequiredtomakeadonation.

OurthankstoKeithandSeanatImageControlwhoproducedtheDVD’satnocharge.Withouttheirhardworkwewouldnotbeabletoprovidethisservicetoourmembers.(www.imagecontrol.com.au)

ParkBenchObservationsofDailylifeCreated by Peter Barker

‘ParkBench’isacartoonseries,lookingatlifeandsocialissues,providedbyPeterBarker,whohaslivedwithschizophreniaforovertwentyyears.

MIVoice-Spring2005 P A G E 11

ThinkingaloudTenminuteswith...StavStathopolousHow are you involved with Mental Illness Fellowship?

Astaffmember(SouthernRegionalManager)

What makes you happy?

Travellingtoexotic,relaxingplaces(withaccesstobeach,barsandshopping!)

What makes you angry?

Terrorism.Anddiscriminationofanykind.

What are you reading?

‘PicturePerfect’byJodiPicouitand‘GoodMedicine’(trashmags!)

In one word, describe the essence of the Mental Illness Fellowship for you

Equality.Andrehabilitation.

What is your most treasured possession?

Mypassportandcoffeemachine

BrokenOpen“BrokenOpen”isthestoryofABCsportsbroadcasterCraigHamiltonandhow,ontheeveofthebiggestundertakingofhiscareer,hesufferedacompletementalbreakdownandwasdiagnosedwithbipolardisorder.Inthebookwemeetandempathisewithsomeofhisfellowtravellers,sharetheinsightsoftheprofessionalsandrealisethattherearetreatmentsandremediesthatallowpeoplewithmentalillnesstoleadnormallives.Craighasamessageforallofusand,inparticular,Australianmen:“Don’tletyourprideorstubbornnesspreventyoureachingoutforhelpwhenyouneedit.”

PublicationofstoriessuchasCraig’shelpstostopthestigmaaroundmentalillnessbymakingit‘acceptable’tothegeneralpublicandthusencourageearliersupportandassistance.

Whoarewe?MentalIllnessFellowshipisVictoria’sleadingmembership-basednot-for-profitorganisationworkingwithpeoplewithamentalillness,theirfamilyandfriendstoimprovetheirwellbeing.

Our VisionOurvisionisofasocietyinwhichmentalillnesswillbeunderstoodandaccepted.Peoplewithmentalillnesswillbeaffordedthesameregardasthosewithphysicalillnessesandresourceswillbeavailabletoofferearlyinterventionsandstateofthearttreatmentandsupport.Theseinterventionswillbesoeffectivethatlong-termnegativeconsequencesofmentalillnesswillhavedisappearedforthepersonandtheirfamily.Peoplewillnolongerexperiencestigmaandthatsocietywilltreatthemwiththesamerespectanddignityasanyotherperson,andwelcomeandfullyincludethemascommunitymembers.

Our ValuesHonesty Acceptance Equity Flexibility Commitment Participation

Our MissionMentalIllnessFellowshipVictoriaworkswithpeoplewithmentalillness,theirfamiliesandfriendstoimprovetheirwellbeing.Morespecificallyweworktoachievementalhealthreformthrougheducation,supportandadvocacy,andweprovidearangeofinnovativeprogramsinbothmembershipandservices.Wealsoprovidemutualsupportandselfhelp,dayprograms,homebasedoutreachandaccommodationservices,respiteandresidentialrehabilitationservices.

2004/5 Board of Directors

President–RobertKnowles,VicePresident–DorisWisniewskiTreasurer–PeterRobertson,Secretary–DianeBrownElainePrice,LouiseMilne-Roch,Prof.ChristosPantelis,GraemePocknee,NathanShafir,AlexWood

Chief Executive

ElizabethCrowther

MIVoice-Summer2002/3

MIFactSheetSeriesgoesnational!MentalIllnessFellowshipVictoriareleaseditsfirstseriesoffactsheetsinlate2003.Theresponseandfeedbackfromthatserieswasveryencouraging.MentalIllnessFellowshipAustraliasecuredfundingfromJanssen-CilagfortheseriestobereplicatedforallthefoundationmembersofMIFAacrossAustraliasothattheresourcecouldbemorewidelyused.Manythankstothemfortheirgenerosity.

OursecondeditionofourMIFactSheetSerieshasrecentlybeenpublishedanddistributedthroughoutAustralia.

Thefeedbackfromthefirstserieshascontributedsignificantlytoimprovementsinthissecondeditionsomanythankstootothoseofyouwhohavetakenthetimetocorrespondwithuswithyourthoughtsonthem.

ThePsychiatricMedicationsfactsheethasbeenupdatedandsubstantiallyrewritten.ManythankstoChristineCulhanefromthePsychotropicDrugAdvisoryServiceatMentalHeathResearchInstituteforherhardworkandexpertiseintheupdatedversion(ChristinewillalsoleadamedicationsforumatFairfieldPlaceinOctober).

WehavealsofurtherdevelopedtheUnderstandingBorderlinePersonalityDisorderfactsheetaddingatableofhelpfulinterventions.

Ourfactssheetseriesisprimarilywrittenforfamilymembersofpeoplewithamentalillness,sowewouldespeciallyvalueanyfeedbackonournewseries.Thefactsheetscanbedownloadedonourwebsiteathttp://www.mifellowship.org/facts&stats.htm.Theyareavailablefreeofchargetofamilymembers.Forbulkorders,contactMIHelplineon(03)84864200.

Datesforyourdiary–2005/62005 Mental Health Week – 9-16 October

AsicsMelbourneMarathon,finishingattheArtsCentre–8am-12pmSunday9October

Open Mind Day Fiesta – 10-5 pm, Sunday 16 October

2005AGM,AwardsandAnnualLecture–5.30pm,Friday21October

The Christmas Keeping Connections Memorial Service, St Johns Southgate – 11 am, Saturday 10 December

VolunteerThankYouParty–4pmThursday,1December

8th Woodcock Memorial Lecture, BMW Edge, Fed Sq – 6 pm, Tuesday 16 May 2006

SchizophreniaAwarenessWeek–14-21May2006

MentalIllnessEducationScheduleOctober-December2005:Well Ways: A traveller’s guide to well being for families and friends of people with mental illness

Where: MIFellowship,276HeidelbergRoad,Fairfield ‘Lifeworks’,9GreenwoodAvenue,Ringwood.

Duration: Wednesdaynightsfor8weeks

When: 6.30pmto9.30pm,October19,26, November2,9,16,23,30andDecember7.

ForfurtherinformationandbookingformspleasecallBernadetteDoyleon0384864200orwww.mifellowship.orgoremail:enquiries@mifellowship.org.8

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FromtheEditor…WehopethatyouenjoyyourSpringeditionofMIVoice.Tohelpusgetourpublicationsright,wewelcomecontributionsfromyouforMIVoice.Youcannowdownloadcurrentandpastissuesofbothatwww.mifellowship.org/mivoice.htmIf you would prefer to receive communications from us electronically please let us know.

Tocontactuspleasewriteto:TheEditor–MIVoiceMentalIllnessFellowshipVictoriaPOBox359CliftonHillVic3068Telephone0384864200Fax0384864265

OremailStephanieatmembership@mifellowship.org

DeadlineforSpringissueofMIVoiceandMISupportisMonday31stOctober2005.

Editor GerardReedAssistantEditor StephaniePulsDesign ArtwordsPrinting PrintImpressions

MIVoiceisforMembersandaimstokeeptheminformedofthelatestinformationonmentalillnessandouradvocacywork.ItisalsoouropportunitytokeeppotentialandexistingsupporterswhodonateinformedoftheMentalIllnessFellowship’sactivitiesandthedifferencetheircontributionmakes.MIVoiceisthequarterlypublicationofMentalIllnessFellowshipVictoria,FairfieldPlace276HeidelbergRoad,Fairfield,Victoria3078,Australia.

Telephone 0384864200Email enquiries@mifellowship.orgWebsite www.mifellowship.org

MentalIllnessFellowshipretainstherighttoeditarticles.PleasenotethattheopinionsexpressedinthispublicationarenotnecessarilythoseoftheEditororoftheMentalIllnessFellowship.

©MentalIllnessFellowshipVictoria.Allrightsreserved.ACN093357165ABN93093357165ISSN0816787

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