mi voice summer 2009
DESCRIPTION
Mi Voice Summer 2009TRANSCRIPT
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
mivoice
inside features big day on the golf course p4 | open mind fiesta p6 | $50,000 funding boost p9 | more movie tickets to win p12
summer 2009
issue 116
inspirational 2009’s award results p5
Read and WIN!
Your chance to win 2 Gold Class movie
tickets p12
leading the wayour latest award win p9the other side of Christmas p4
The Hon. Robert Knowles AO
We join with many hundreds of people every year to
improve mental health services, supports, funding
and community understanding, vital work that goes
largely unheralded.
That’s why our Annual General Meeting is so important.
Through it, we get a chance to formally honour and
recognise some of the outstanding work done on
behalf of people with a mental illness, their families
and their carers.
Our awards this year honoured five extraordinary people
and their contribution to the mental health community.
Adding extra significance is the fact that the nominations
are made by our members recognising people for the
extraordinary service they have given.
See page 5 of this edition of mi voice for this year’s
recipients.
As you are aware an election for the Board of Directors
was held this year, the results of which were also
announced at the AGM. As a result, the Board for the
next year is Lyn Allison, Diane Brown, Darrel Drieberg,
Julian Freidin, Jenny King, Theo Krambias, Louise
Milne-Roch, Paul Montgomery, Lei Ning, Elaine Price,
Nathan Shafir and myself.
The new office bearers and the chairs of the board
committees are: President and Chair of the Executive
Committee – Rob Knowles; Deputy President – Diane
Brown; Honorary Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and
Resource Management Committee – Paul Montgomery;
Honorary Secretary and Chair of the Directions Committee –
Darrel Drieberg; Chair of the Appointments and Governance
Committee – Louise Milne-Roch.
“Our awards this year honoured five extraordinary people and their contribution to the mental health community.”
We were delighted to have the Director of the Victorian
Mental Illness Awareness Council, Isabell Collins, launch
the MI Recovery program at our Annual General Meeting.
We now have funding from the federal Department
of Health and Ageing to roll out this program in Victoria,
South Australia, Canberra and Queensland.
Consumer-led education plays a vital role in assisting
individuals gain the skills to understand the meaning of mental
illness in their lives and to use that in shaping their future.
While many families prepare for the holiday season at
this time, we acknowledge that many do not experience
Christmas cheer. We urge those in need to seek support.
We look forward to working with you during the next year to
both deliver and advocate for better opportunities for people
with mental illnesses and their families. Our continued focus
will be to support people to find a home, a job and successful
community participation. Please join with us to add your voice
and your issues to our broad advocacy agenda.
from our president
2
MI Fellowship’s Annual General Meeting is a welcome chance to shine the spotlight on the efforts of some remarkable people.
www.mifellowship.org
mivoice
contents from our chief executive p3 | christmas wish p4 | mi fellowship annual award recipients p5 | mental health week p6-7 | people and their stories p8 | news bites p9 | membership matters – this year’s agm p10-11 | 6 12
summer 2009
3mivoice
from our chief executive
To bring about a more inclusive society
for people with a mental illness and their
families, we need to work at many levels.
MI Fellowship works extensively at the
“macro” level, advocating for policy and
system change.
Through our rehabilitation services and peer
education with individuals and families, we
also work at the “micro” level, influencing
personal knowledge and behaviour to enable
greater recovery and participation.
In this summer edition of mi voice, our
theme is the personal or “micro” aspect
of social inclusion.
For many, the current focus is the summer
season holidays with more time to spend with
close friends and relatives, engaged in our
own relationships. But not everyone has the
opportunity or capacity to enjoy relationships
during summer and beyond. Barriers to
employment and suitable housing, coupled
with a poor health status, mean that many
people with mental illness are locked in a
cycle of social exclusion with little chance
of developing personal relationships.
During his Woodcock lecture address in May,
Dr David Morris1 reminded us how important
interpersonal relationships are in creating a
more socially inclusive society. “We all have
the power to create a more socially inclusive
community at the “micro” levels where each
of us operate by changing stigmatising
attitudes and embracing diversity.”
Dr Morris observed: “Social exclusion
happens in the space between someone who
does have a mental illness, and someone else
who does not…” What he means is that the
foundation of social inclusion is embedded in
improving the attitudes and behaviours that
we choose to bring to our relationships.
There are many ways in which social inclusion
can be nurtured at this interpersonal level.
In MI Fellowship, people with lived experience
are valued colleagues and their personal
experiences inform what we do.
Another example is one of David Morris’
initiatives in the UK in which respected
“opinion leaders” were engaged to
demonstrate social inclusion leadership
within their own organisations. In this way,
these leaders built their own “communities
of influence” and their inclusive example was
gradually adopted by other organisations.
Among the members and supporters of
MI Fellowship, are many who have
experienced social exclusion firsthand, and
who know intimately its forms and impacts.
These people value social inclusion and
practise it in their daily relationships.
“How each of us relates to those around us can really make a difference.”
The heart of David Morris’ message is that
social exclusion is something that we can all
do something about. How each of us relates
to those around us and the quality of these
relationships, can really make a difference.
At this time of the year, it is timely to honour
and reflect upon the family and personal
relationships that we hold dear. My best wishes
to you for Christmas and the New Year.
Practising social inclusion on a personal level is somethingthat benefits everyone.
Elizabeth Crowther
cost of exclusion
People with severe mental illness have difficulties building and maintaining social ties:
• 31 per cent live alone in single-person households
• 84 per cent are single, divorced, separated or widowed
• 47 per cent report not sharing meals with others
• 40 per cent do not watch television with others.
• 40 per cent do not do chores or run errands with others
• Just under 40 per cent report having no ‘best friend’ with whom they can share thoughts and feelings
• 45 per cent feel they need “good friends” in their lives.
Source: Jablensky A, McGrath J, Herrman H, Castle D, Gureje O, Morgan V and Korten A (1999) People Living with Psychotic Illness: An Australian Study 1997-98, National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Report 4, Canberra: Mental Health Branch, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, cited in Psychiatric Disability Services of Victoria (2008) Pathways to Social Inclusion: Social Inclusion – August 2008, Melbourne.
summer 2009
1Dr David Morris is the Director of the Inclusion Institute in the United Kingdom.
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
For many years, two unlikely partners have worked
to make a difference in the lives of people with a
mental illness.
On the surface, it seems an unusual partnership
– a global leader of mechanical power transmission
equipment and a non-profit organisation focusing on a
better life for people with a mental illness and their families.
But the relationship between SEW Eurodrive and
MI Fellowship doesn’t just work; it’s thriving. This year saw
SEW Eurodrive’s annual golf day being held in support
of MI Fellowship for the 12th year in a row.
This year’s venue was the picturesque Eynesbury Golf Club,
near Melton. Teams teed off from 7.30am, with each of the
150 golfers envisioning driving home in a superb Toyota,
the special hole-in-one prize on offer. (The day’s blustery and cold
conditions meant this dream was dashed!)
SEW Eurodrive managing director Rob Merola and his team
then hosted a magnificent cocktail party and charity auction.
Together with the golf day it raised $67,230 for MI Fellowship.
“We could not undertake our work without the help of many
people. In particular, SEW Eurodrive has provided significant
support during the past 12 years for this work,” MI Fellowship
President Rob Knowles said.
“Even in these exceptionally tight economic conditions
they raised nearly $70,000 for us this year from this one
day. Once again we are deeply grateful to Rob and the
SEW Eurodrive team for a great day.”
mivoicesummer 2009
As we head into the holiday season, most of us focus on social gatherings, celebrations and holiday time preparations. Christmas decorations are hung and gift lists prepared as we think about and cherish those near and dear to us.
But while we are busy preparing our “to do” lists for Christmas, many people in our community who are living with a mental illness don’t have a happy place to hang decorations, or gift lists to write or even Christmas cards to read.
For some families, Christmas is a sad time as they reflect on loved ones. For some, poor health, unstable or insecure housing and lack of access to quality employment can present overwhelming barriers preventing them from embracing the joy of Christmas time. It is important we reach out to each other at these times.
MI Fellowship works to find secure and stable housing, engage people in employment and education options and offers support through counselling and family services. Contact us on 03 8486 4200 or log on to www.mifellowship.org
Much time is understandably spent at this time of year on considering plans with our families as well as our wider circle of friends. Many homes are buzzing with festive season expectations and there is a shared sense of excitement in neighbourhoods and local streets.
MI Fellowship’s Season’s wish is for everyone in our community to be connected at Christmas time.
partners in caring
Christmas is all around us at this time of year. But not everyone will have something to cheer about.
how festive will your neighbourhood be this year?
5
achievements honouredMI Fellowship’s AGM again highlighted the extraordinary efforts of people who are dedicated to helping the Fellowship, people with a mental illness and their families. Here are this year’s award recipients:
mivoice summer 2009
Pictured after MI Fellowship’s annual awards presentation are, from left: John Edgley (Mental Health Community Award), Ray Mignot (Volunteer of the Year Award), MI Fellowship Board Vice President Diane Brown, MI Fellowship Chief Executive Elizabeth Crowther, Kevin Abrahamson (O’Meara Award), Ben Rinaudo (Doris Wisniewski 2008 Student of the Year – Fairfield), Isabell Collins (Mental Health Community Award), Byron Bailey (Mental Illness Fellowship Award), MI Fellowship President Rob Knowles. Absent are two other Students of the Year, Karen McQuaigue 2008 (Frankston) and Cheryl Poole 2009 (Hume)
O’Meara Award – Kevin Abrahamson
Special counsel with Middleton’s Lawyers, Kevin
has personally invested in assisting Mental Illness
Fellowship Victoria achieve a better world for people
with a mental illness.
“I couldn’t have done anything without the generous
pro bono program that has been implemented here at
Middleton’s. We’re delighted to be part of your ongoing
program and I can assure you that Middleton’s will be
there way into the future with our pro bono assistance.”
Volunteer of the Year Award – Ray Mignot
Ray assisted his wife to start the East Kew Op Shop 28
years ago. They felt they could make a difference for other
families who had children with schizophrenia, and raise
funds to help bring mental health issues to the notice of the
community and government.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt about the delight that
my wife and I have had over the many years. She was
very active in all work of the Fellowship.”
Mental Illness Fellowship Award – Byron Bailey
For the past few years, Byron has been convenor of The
Group, a social support and recreational group for people
with a mental illness.
“I like to try and give a bit of variety to people and gear
most of the interests towards them. I do try and get as
many people motivated to come along each month.”
Mental Health Community Award – Isabell Collins and
John Edgley (joint winners)
Isabell has spent 16 years as an advocate for people with
a mental illness. She provides unconditional support for
mental health consumers and their carers, and education
for the community and its policy makers.
“It’s important to make a stand for people with mental
illness and their carers.”
John has been a volunteer at the Open Mind Fiesta for the
past seven years. He arrives at 5am generously donating his
truck to use as a stage and is one of the last to leave at 7pm.
“I do what I do because I enjoy it immensley and I enjoy
the company of the people I work.”
Doris Wisniewski Students of the Year, 2008
– Ben Rinaudo (below left of Fairfield), Karen
McQuaigue (Frankston). Cheryl Poole (Hume)
Student of the Year 2009 was not at the meeting.
Ben Rinaudo, right, receives his award from MI Fellowship President Rob Knowles. Karen McQuaigue (right)
6mivoicesummer 2009
It has become a highlight of the Mental Health Week
calendar, proof of just how important social inclusion is to so
many people. And this year some 40,000 people voted with
their feet to demonstrate just how
strongly they believe in our Open
Mind Fiesta and what it represents.
As Fairfield traders took their wares
out onto Station Street, festival-goers
took the chance to try everything from
belly dancing to circus arts. It was all
designed to help reinforce the theme
of this year’s fiesta – “People with
mental illness want to participate ...
make it happen!”
“The story of people with a mental
illness is often a story of social
exclusion. Our community of
Darebin, however, strives to be an
inclusive community,” Cr Vince
Fontana from Darebin City Council
told the crowd at the official launch
of the Fiesta.
“The Open Mind Fiesta is one way
of supporting those members and
welcoming those who have been
affected by a mental illness.
“We might be able to assist in many ways – by interacting
with those with a mental illness, by providing them with the
opportunity to have a chat, help them locate employment
and, more importantly, making them
feel part of our Darebin community.
A highlight of this year’s Fiesta was the
launching of MI Fellowship’s new online
learning tool by Northcote MP Fiona
Richardson.
The tool is designed to be used in the
workplace to increase knowledge about
mental illness and mental health, and to
promote good employment practice.
open to idea of social inclusionAn estimated 40,000 people flocked to Fairfield on October 11 for MI Fellowship’s seventh annual Open Mind Fiesta.
40,000
Some highlights of the festival
“People with a mental illness want to participate...make it happen.”
promising landscape in ACTMI Fellowship recently helped spread the message of social inclusion in Canberra through the 2009 Mindscapes Music and Arts Festival.
The Mindscapes Festival was developed to promote the idea of mental illness being associated with community, joy and acceptance. A whole-of-community event, it centred on conveying serious messages about mental health in a fun and entertaining environment.
The festival aimed to bring people with a mental illness into the heart of a community event, improving the general wellbeing of people living with a mental illness, increasing public understanding of issues and reducing the stigma surrounding what is a relatively common issue.
An initiative of Mental Health Recovery ACT, it was supported by a number of services, consumers and carers including MI Fellowship Victoria, Mental Health Foundation, Richmond Fellowship ACT, Mental Health ACT, ACT Consumer Network, Belconnen Community Services, Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW and Volunteers ACT-Connections.
This year’s festival included a poetry competition, a short film competition and film festival screened at the Dendy Cinema and a music festival held at Garema Place in Civic.
7mivoice summer 2009
The historic links course of the Barwon Heads
Golf Club was the setting for MI Fellowship’s
yearly Barwon region fundraiser in October.
Regularly rated among Australia’s top 30 courses,
Barwon Heads has opened up its famed fairways
on behalf of MI Fellowship annually since 2006 and
has now raised over $16,000.
This year 88 players teed off from 8.30am and when
the day concluded several hours later – after a lunch,
raffle and silent auction – $5400 had been raised.
One of the initiatives this year saw club pro Mark
Ryan donate his services on a par 3 hole, allowing
players to “buy” his tee shots for $5 to help them
avoid the course’s many formidable natural hazards.
The club saw an involvement with MI Fellowship as
an opportunity to provide local fundraising. The club
contributes to MI Fellowship’s family services in the
Barwon region.
Funds raised from this year’s golf day will be used
to support our family programs in the Barwon
region, including carer retreats, family education
and support.
links with barwon heads remain strong
Funds raised from the year’s golf day will be used to support our family programs in the Barwon region, including carer retreats, family education and support.
Barwon Heads’ club president Andrew Simms checks his scorecard at the end of his round.
MI Fellowship, with the aid of the
Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry
Unit and ADEC (Advocacy, Disability,
Ethnicity, Community), is currently
undertaking a project to increase
our involvement with people from
culturally and linguistically diverse
(CALD) backgrounds.
People from CALD backgrounds form
some of the most marginalised groups in
Australian society. As with the rest of the
mental health system, their proportional
representation in MI Fellowship’s client
and contact base is low – a situation we
want to improve.
Among the initiatives being developed
in this new project:
• We are including CALD consumers
and carers throughout the project as
a strategy to reduce stigma.
• MI Fellowship staff will be provided
with cultural competence training to
improve service to people from CALD
backgrounds.
• MI Fellowship has participated in
Multicultural Mental Health Australia’s
anti-stigma program, Stepping out of
the Shadows, to educate people from
four CALD communities about mental
illness. These people will in turn provide
education to others within their networks.
• Each MI Fellowship region will develop
a project to engage with their local
CALD communities and address the
issues that are barriers to participation.
This venture will eventually allow
MI Fellowship to benefit from the
experiences of multicultural Australians
through increased members from CALD
backgrounds, increased consumers from
CALD backgrounds, increased families
from CALD backgrounds and increased
involvement with CALD organisations.
project to break down cultural barriersA new project has MI Fellowship working for closer ties with some groups for whom mental illness is not the only barrier.
I have grown up with self-hate and self-harm being
an integral part of my life. I know no other way. As a
child I was sexually abused and this abuse continued
for several years.
Despite this childhood trauma, I grew up to hold a variety
of jobs that I loved. And I got married, raising four well-
adjusted children with stable partners. I know I am a
caring, loving mother and my pride in my children will
always light my face with joy when few other things can.
I live with my family but can still experience a keen sense
of loneliness, which is why my visits to the short-term
respite program at O’Meara House brighten my life.
Quite simply, it’s the best place I’ve ever been to and the
prospect of an impending visit to O’Meara House always
fills me with excitement and expectancy.
There are the super-friendly staff always willing to help
24 hours a day: Dave’s muffins for a surprise supper
when we return from an optional outing to the movies;
Kath’s supportive ears and shoulders when I need someone
to talk to at two in the morning.
One of my favourite things about coming to O’Meara
House is the opportunity to have a break from my everyday
household routine. I can indulge in a sleep-in and most days
I can be back in my room by 4pm, either having a rest or
taking the opportunity to have some quiet ‘me’ time.
Having my own lockable room is another huge bonus,
allowing me a safe place where I can retreat if I need to.
Then there are the wonderful friends I’ve made through my
visits to O’Meara House. When I’m at O’Meara, my risk of
self-harm is reduced by lower levels of stress and distress,
and the company of others.
Visiting O’Meara House has been a life-changing experience
for me. It has given me opportunities to do things I would
otherwise not have done.
O’Meara House is a non-clinical facility located next to
the East Ringwood railway station. If you would like more
information on O’Meara House please contact Juanita on
9874 5310 or 0458 001 207.
8
pathways
Annelise is a beautiful 50-year old woman who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, agoraphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder when she was 27. She was very keen to share her personal story and her O’Meara House experience in the hope that both would make a difference to someone’s life.
people and their stories
mivoicesummer 2009
the most important gift you give can be the one you give yourself
An impending visit to O’Meara House always fills Annelise with excitement.
our star job performerMI Fellowship’s specialist employment
service My Recruitment has improved
its rating under the Department of Education,
Employment and Workplace Relations’ Disability
Employment Network (DEN).
My Recruitment was recently awarded a 3.5-star rating
in the employment service sector, an increase from
its previous 2.5-star rating in spite of the current
economic climate.
DEN is a government-funded program to help people
with a disability gain and maintain employment in the
open labour market.
“Our new star rating is testament to the quality of
work delivered by the My Recruitment team and
endorses our vision of creating opportunities for all
job seekers, regardless of obstacles encountered
because of mental illness,” MI Fellowship’s Chief
Executive Elizabeth Crowther said.
“My Recruitment’s innovative approaches have resulted
in more people securing long term employment.”
For more information about My Recruitment contact
us on 8486 2400.
9
2
There was more good news for Well Ways
recently when it took out the 2009 Mental
Health Services Achievement Award for
family/carer-provided services.
This award recognises the contribution of the
program to the Australasian mental health
industry and was presented at this year’s
Mental Health Services Conference in Perth.
news bites
Receiving the award from Senator Claire Moore, right, are MI Fellowship’s general manager of
rehabilitation services, Laura Collister, left, and family education consultant Sue Farnan.
foundation funding boosts well waysThe Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has donated
$50,000 to Well Ways, MI Fellowship’s support and
information program designed to help family, friends and
carers of people with a mental illness.
Well Ways programs are led by MI Fellowship-trained
facilitators who provide peer education and valuable insight
into the lived experience of mental illness.
The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation funding will
assist ongoing training of these facilitators while the family/
carer segment continues to be self-funded. Without such
generous support, the longevity of our nationally awarded
programs would be in jeopardy.
The Well Ways programs are structured to give:
• up-to-date and accurate information about mental
illnesses, treatment and support options
• new ideas, problem-solving skills and confidence
to cope with the impact of mental illness
• an opportunity to share experiences with others
who understand
• broader ongoing sources of support and information
• tools to better navigate and access health and other
support resources.
To find out more about Well Ways please
contact us on 8486 4200
or visit our website www.mifellowship.org
mivoice summer 2009
well done, well ways
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.
10
This year’s MI Fellowship elections resulted in the four
board-endorsed candidates being returned.
The successful candidates were Lyn Allison, Vice President
Diane Brown, President Rob Knowles and consumer
representative Lei Ning.
A total of 1255 votes were received.
After announcing the result at this year’s Annual General Meeting,
Mr Knowles also paid tribute to two directors who resigned
during the year, Lesley Miles and Professor Chris Pantelis.
“They both served the Fellowship extremely well and continue
to support us strongly,” Mr Knowles said. “We greatly value
the contribution they have made through their membership
of the Board.”
Their vacancies were filled by Dr Julian Freidin, the current
specialist medical advisor to the Royal Australian and New
Zealand College of Psychiatrists and a former president of the
college, and Lei Ning, the deputy director of the Victorian Mental
Illness Awareness Council.
in memory and celebration
Thanks to everyone who took
part in our reader survey in the
last issue of mi voice.
membership matters
If you would like to make a gift to MI Fellowship in memory of a friend
or to celebrate a special occasion, visit www.mifellowship.org or call 03 8486 4200.
and the winner is …
strong board forges ahead
mivoicesummer 2009
060504030201
There will be an unchanged board following the results of this year’s elections.
Peter Luciani of South Gippsland made a donation in memory of his late wife, Maria Luciani who lived with a mental illness much of her adult life.
We gratefully acknowledge a bequest from the estate of William Stuart MacGregor in Mornington, who was one of our long-standing supporters.
Alex and Maria Giannopolous are remembered by Felix and Gwen Jones.
Andrew Sinclair made a donation in memory of close friend Donald Jones.
Family and friends of Sofia Frenzo gathered for a 90th birthday party with donations in honour of her daughter, Lucia, who has
a lived experience of mental illness.
In Geelong, Meg Qwan celebrated her 40th birthday with donations made by family and friends.
In Sunshine, celebrations were in full swing for a diamond (60th) wedding anniversary for Marge and Dennis Forsythe, who requested that donations be made to MI Fellowship in lieu of anniversary gifts.
Marie Petrov, her family and friends donated in memory of her brother Paul Notus, a loving brother and uncle. He will be sadly missed.
Turn to p12 for a chance to
win another double Village Gold Class
movie pass
Read and WIN!
The winner was Robert Rigney
from Altona, who knew that the
final margin in the Reclink grand
final between Western Storm
and All Stars was five points.
Mr Rigney won himself a double
Village Gold Class movie pass and
$30 complimentary refreshments,
both valid for 12 months, for any
session seven days a week.
11mivoice summer 2009
08 0907 012011010
Board of Directors:
01 The Hon. Robert Knowles AO – President 02 Mr Darrel Drieberg – Secretary 03 Ms Louise Milne-Roch
04 Mrs Diane Brown – Vice President 05 Mr Theo Krambias 06 Mr Paul Montgomery – Treasurer 07 Ms Jenny King
08 Mrs Elaine Price 09 Mr Nathan Shafir 010 Dr Julian Freidin 011 Ms Lyn Allison 012 Mr Lei Ning
The traditional image of psychiatry – attentive listeners and
patients lying on couches – is being replaced in one of the
world’s leading psychiatric research centres.
Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, the director of the Monash
Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPRC) in Melbourne
is spearheading new research on early diagnosis.
MAPRC made national headlines recently when it unveiled
a new ear probe that could provide early diagnosis and lead
to better treatment options.
The technique was developed by engineer Brian Lithgow in
what Professor Kulkarni said was an “interesting collaboration”.
Speaking at this year’s MI Fellowship Annual General Meeting,
Professor Kulkarni said such partnerships were essential if
psychiatric diagnosis was to progress.
“If you just keep going around and around in the same way that
we’ve been doing things, I don’t think we’re going to get that
much further,” she said.
“I think it is going to require stepping out of the comfortable box
and seeing what other fields have to offer.
“Psychiatrists don’t usually work with engineers and people are
saying ‘How come there are all these men wearing socks and
sandals in our area now?’ They bring another whole dimension
and it’s really intriguing. I think answers to the challenges in our
field lie outside our field.
“Quite frankly, psychiatry and psychiatric illnesses are still at
the bottom of the barrel, we’re still the Cinderella, and I don’t
think that’s where it should be. The next big challenge has got
to be mental illness.
“Understanding the brain to enhance the mind is absolutely
the final frontier and that’s the job for the 21st century”,
she concluded.
exploring the final frontierThe guest speaker at this year’s MI Fellowship Annual General Meeting gave an insight into how the partnership between psychiatry and engineering is forging new hope for people with a mental illness.
Professor Jayashri Kulkarni
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?
Our annual Open Mind Fiesta was certainly in the news again this year and why wouldn’t it be? With around 40,000 people again flocking to Station Street, Fairfield throughout the day it was a headline grabber.
Our technical assistance service state manager Ruth Barr and chief executive Elizabeth Crowther were featured both before and after the event in the Northcote Leader, stressing the importance of the day as a prominent and positive means with which to demonstrate the benefits of social inclusion.
Elizabeth was also interviewed by 774’s Jon Faine the morning after a Four Corners program examined whether
police receive adequate training to cope with potentially violent situations involving people with a mental illness.
Four Corners focused on three fatal shootings, including that of a Melbourne teenager killed by police officers in December 2008. Elizabeth
again called on Victoria’s Police Chief Commissioner to make urgent changes to police training.
summer 2009
board of directorsPresident : : The Hon. Robert Knowles
Vice President : : Mrs Diane Brown
Secretary : : Mr Darrel Drieberg
Treasurer : : Mr Paul Montgomery
Directors : : Mr Nathan Shafir, Mrs Elaine Price, Ms Lyn Allison, Mr Theo Krambias, Dr Julian Freidin, Mr Lei Ning, Ms Louise Milne-Roch, Ms Jenny King
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.
The prize will be valid for 12 months for any session, seven days a week.
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 Monday, December 21 and the winner will be notified.
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 total number of votes cast in this year’s MI Fellowship board election?
thank you to our supporters
newsmivoice