Inner South Family and Friends Walk ‘n Chat Group

Mental Health Awareness Month 2019 aimed to highlight the link between physical and mental health. We marked World Mental Health Day, with a Walk ‘n Chat which we all enjoyed so much that we decided to repeat the walk on the first Wednesday of the month.

Walkers will meet at 1.30 pm outside North Point Cafe at the end of North Road, Brighton. You are welcome to bring your dog with you and we will head towards Brighton Beach. Other walkers may choose to head towards St Kilda and join us at the North Point Cafe at 2.45 pm for afternoon tea and a chat.

If you are not planning to walk you can join us at 2.45 pm inside North Point Cafe for afternoon tea.

Booking is not required. If you need transport or would like more information, please phone 0425 723 746

Walk ‘n Chat dates are: Wednesday 6 November, 4 December 2019, 5 February 2020.

Alfred Health Carer Services What’s On November 2019

Pot-Pourri present “From Figaro to Phantom”

Be transported by the glorious voices and theatrical skills of four of Australia’s finest singer/actors and a brilliant pianist, gorgeous harmonies and glamorous costumes. Pot-Pourri create magical Opera, belt out Broadway, seduce with song and dance up a storm. Great morning entertainment!
A ballot process will be used to allocate places for this event.

You can access all events by clicking on the link below:

https://mailchi.mp/03c4dd3b3b0a/the-weathers-great-and-so-are-these-events-for-carers?e=8f7e3a8626

Community Program Newsletter November 2019

The Doorway Program

The Doorway program is delivered in partnership with the Alfred hospital and Wellways Australia. Doorway is an evidence-based housing and recovery program that supports people experiencing mental health issues who are homeless to secure and sustain a home in the private rental market. Doorway supports participants in building skills to maintain their tenancy, working towards their recovery related goals, finding employment and becoming involved in their local community. It is an 18 month program and participants can remain in their property post this time.Doorway can support up to six participants within the Alfred hospital catchment and accepts referrals from clinicians at St Kilda Road Clinic. Doorway is currently accepting referrals! Please speak to Anna Hayes, Assertive Outreach Housing and Recovery Worker based on level 5 at SKRC. We welcome conversations about potential referrals.

To access the complete newsletter click on the link below:

Community Program Newsletter November 2019

Alfred Health Carer Services Free Three Part Workshop November 2019

A Dementia diagnosis can have an impact on life and relationships. Alfred Health Carer Services is offering this free course to carers wanting to learn skills and techniques to cope with these changes. There are some places available for this three part workshop. Places are limited. Book now to secure your place.

Call our event team now on 9076 6644 and book your place or express your interest here and we will call to confirm if you have a seat.

Sane Newsletter October 2019

Have your say: groundbreaking new survey launched TODAY!

Last November, SANE Australia launched the Anne Deveson Research Centre (ADRC). In launching the Research Centre, we had a vision. A deep desire to better understand the experiences of people living with complex mental health issues – not just in terms of their diagnoses, symptoms or labels – but the varied, nuanced and unique aspects of their lives as a whole.

We know that people’s experiences of complex mental health issues do not exist in a vacuum, and impact how they’re treated by those around them. In order for us to be able to passionately advocate for improved social outcomes and support, we needed to have a better understanding of how living with a mental health issue impacts people across key areas like employment, housing and the healthcare system.

I’m so excited to announce that after working closely with incredible lived experience advocates, policymakers, stigma reduction practitioners and dedicated researchers, our vision has finally come to fruition today.

Supported by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Our Turn to Speak is a groundbreaking national survey that seeks to understand the life experiences – both positive and negative – of people living with severe and complex mental health issues in Australia.

The ADRC has worked in partnership with the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences (MSPS) at the University of Melbourne, and is seeking 7,000 survey participants aged 18 and over, who have experienced complex mental health issues in the last 12 months.

CLICK TO TAKE PART »

More than 690,000 Australians aged 18 and over live with complex mental health issues. The findings of Our Turn to Speak will be used to inform SANE’s future advocacy efforts, as we work to make a real difference to all Australian affected by these issues.

To see if you or someone you know is eligible to participate, take a look at the website, ourturntospeak.com.au. If you’d like to share this survey with others, please use the resources in our supporter pack.

I’m so incredibly excited by the potential of this work to catalyse real change for those of us affected by complex mental health issues. It’s Our Turn to Speak.

Best wishes,

Dr Michelle Blanchard
Deputy CEO, SANE Australia

Mental Health Australia CEO Report and Mental Health News October 2019

Member Profile

JobCo. Employment Services Inc. is a community based not-for-profit employment service provider which has been delivering a comprehensive range of employment solutions to employers and jobseekers in the Melbourne and metropolitan region since 1994. JobCo’s mission is to ensure that any person seeking employment services, training, counselling or support is assisted. For all clients they will provide a unique and individual experience of service where people feel listened to and supported in overcoming barriers, achieving equality and meaningful inclusion into their local community. Their values are reflected both in the services they provide and in the investment of staff from a broad range of disciplines and cultural backgrounds.
Website – www.jobco.com.au Facebook – www.facebook.com/NDISatJobco

You can access the complete report via the link below:

https://mhaustralia.org/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=1274

Tandem eNews 22 October 2019

Working in Tandem for a compassionate mental health system

Thank you to all the participants, presenters and Tandem members who contributed to making this year’s conference such a great success!

More than 150 family and friends (carers), consumers, researchers, service providers and allies make their way to Abbotsford Convent during Carers Week to discuss the ways in which Victoria’s current mental health system can become a more compassionate, safe, inclusive, fair, funded and integrated haven for healing.

Tandem would like to also thank, stall holders – Wellways, MIND Australia, MHCC, HACSU and Headspace who joined the Tandem team to share in a laugh, lend a supportive ear and provide information and advice to attendees throughout the day. We would also like to thank Tandem team members Rebecca and Lisa who ran a highly sought after wellbeing breakout room where participants were able to take time out and also participate in reiki and meditation sessions.

Facilitated by Compassion Coach and Facilitator Kim Koop AM the day stared with an inspiring Welcome to Country led by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder, Perry Wandin from Wurundjeri Woi wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. Followed by an introduction by Parliamentary Secretary Anthony Carbines, a taped message from Minister Martin Foley, and insights from Tandem’s submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System from CEO Marie Piu.

You can access Ms Piu’s presentation here.

A heartfelt speech by Acute and Perinatal Services Manager, Andrew Tomlinson from Mercy Health followed, on life as both a carer, and a mental health service provider, which resonated with many people in the room.

Keynote speaker Debbie Ling presented insights from her PhD investigating the relationship between the perception of common humanity and compassion in healthcare workers.

You can read Ms Ling’s paper here and access her slides from the conference here.

Based on the critical areas identified by you requiring urgent improvement in Victoria’s mental health system, highlighted in Tandem’s submission, the conference was then divided into four main headings: Inclusive, Fair, Safe and Funded.

Quotes from carers have been taken from the Tandem Submission to The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and consultation process.

The article above is an excerpt from Tandem eNews. You can access the complete newsletter via the link below:

https://mailchi.mp/5e4d8a52954b/dfxn4oqrm0-1382945?e=34088e3417

Alfred Health Carer Services Friday Extra 25 October 2019

Butterfly Foundation:
Free Carer Support Groups – Online – 1st & 3rd Wednesday monthly, 6.30 – 8pm AEST
The group is focused on how best to support your loved one through their recovery journey and will discuss topics related to making positive change and self-care.
Learn more here

Free Carer Skills Workshop – Online – 5 November for 6 weeks
Caring for a person with an eating disorder is a long-term and skilled commitment. Yet families are often expected to provide care without any training or support.
In this six-week workshop, facilitated by qualified counsellors, you’ll develop practical skills to support your loved one with an eating disorder in their progress towards recovery – all in the comfort of your home.
Learn more here

You can access the complete newsletter via the link below:

https://mailchi.mp/eee288b03034/friday-extra-20-july-3104009?e=b98a7291db

Inner South Family and Friends Carers Week Film and Lunch 13 October 2019

We are celebrating Carers Week on Sunday 13 October at 10am with a film at the Palace Como Cinema, corner Toorak Road and Chapel Street South Yarra and lunch at Zen Charcoal BBQ in Toorak Road across from the cinema.

The film ‘Ride Like a Girl’

As a little girl, Michelle Payne dreams of the impossible: winning the Melbourne Cup — horse-racing’s toughest two-mile race. The youngest of 10 children, Michelle is raised by single father Paddy. She leaves school at 15 to become a jockey and after early failures she finds her feet, but a family tragedy, followed by her own near fatal horse fall all but ends the dream. But with the love of her dad and her brother Stevie, Michelle will not give up. Against all the medical advice, and the protests of her siblings, she rides on, and meets the Prince of Penzance. Together they overcome impossible odds for a shot at the dream: a ride in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, at odds of 100 to 1. The rest is history.

Ride Like A Girl is the incredible true story of Michelle Payne.

Total cost for film and lunch is $5 with pension card, $10 for non-pensioner. Bookings are essential on 9076 4722 or email isfaf@alfred.org.au.

We thank Alfred Health Carer Services for funding the lunch and Carers Vic for funding towards the cost of the film.

Inner South Family and Friends Support Group Meeting 7.30pm Tuesday 8 October 2019

Guest Speaker Rohani Bixler Estate Planning Lawyer, with an interest in Carer Issues, Wills and Succession Planning for Carers of Individuals with Mental Health Issues will discuss:

“Ensuring the best of opportunities for our loved ones when we are no longer able to look after them”

Venue: Uniting (formerly Prahran Mission), 211 Chapel Street Prahran, between High Street and Prahran Town Hall

All welcome, no need to book. Light refreshments are available from 7.15pm. There is no charge, but a small donation towards supper is always appreciated. Please come early, especially if coming for the first time. You can contact our office on 9076 4722, or by email at isfaf@alfred.org.au, or by calling Judi directly on 0425 723 746 if you have any questions or difficulty with transport.

You can access more news about ISFAF via the link below:

ISFAF News October 2019