Annual Report 2011/12
The 2011 – 2012 Annual Report for Mental Illness Fellowship NQ Inc, was designed and compiled by Deborah Wilson, Corporate Development Manager Compilation Date: 02 October 2012
CONTENTS MIFNQ Organisation, Mission, Values & Vision...................................................................................... 3 President’s Report................................................................................................................................... 4 Treasurer’s Report .................................................................................................................................. 5 CEO Report.............................................................................................................................................. 5 Cairns Mental Health Carers’ Support Hub............................................................................................. 7 Community & Education Support Services ............................................................................................. 9 Mackay Regional Office ........................................................................................................................11 - Day to Day Living Program.............................................................................................................11 - Well Ways Program........................................................................................................................12 Rehabilitation Services - Townsville......................................................................................................13 Well Ways Program...............................................................................................................................18 Schizophrenia Awareness Week ...........................................................................................................22 Government Funding Bodies ................................................................................................................25 Non-Government Funding Bodies ........................................................................................................25 Donations..............................................................................................................................................25 MIFNQ’s Organisational Structure........................................................................................................26 Management Committee..................................................................................................................26 Volunteers / Presenters / Facilitators...............................................................................................26 Staffing Structure ..............................................................................................................................27 Annexure “A” Financials.......................................................................................................................28
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MIFNQ Organisation, Mission, Values & Vision Mental Illness Fellowship NQ Inc. (MIFNQ) was formed in 1986 by and for people living with schizophrenia and other Mental Illnesses, their families and carers. The Fellowship works to support people with Mental Illness and their families to lead full and meaningful lives in the communities by:
Working towards reducing the restrictions and social stigma associated with Mental Illness, enabling people affected and impacted to experience ordinary life opportunities.
Improving the lives of people living with Mental Illness, their carers and families through
knowledge building and skills development via information, education, advocacy, personal development activities, encouraging input into Mental Health reform, networking, social links, community connectedness and provision of recovery oriented services.
Improving community-based Mental Health services through brokerage of new services and
collaborative partnerships that recognise the interdependence of the individual, professional, family and community.
Supporting carers in continuing their caring role through increasing the supply of communitybased respite options, programs and services.
Advocating in key areas of housing, employment, education, research and support. FREE Service Provisions: Information Support Non-clinical Counselling Education Referral Advocacy
Supported and long-term accommodation Rehabilitation and Social Programs Library Support Groups Newsletter Volunteer Program
Mission
The Fellowship aims to reduce community restrictions on ordinary life opportunities experienced by people who live with mental illness and to improve the lives of people who live with mental illness by increasing the quality quantity and appropriateness of services available to them. We also aim to improve treatment services through the recognition and acceptance of the interdependence of the individual, family, professional, carer and community contributions while providing support in a growing range of services and program.
Values
Trust, Respect, Openness, Equity and Fairness, Flexibility, Commitment, Communication, Responsiveness and Participation.
Vision
Our vision is of a society where Mental Illness is understood and accepted, where all community members work as a team to integrate all individuals, regardless of social, mental, emotional and/or physical status.
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President’s Report Last year was our first year under the leadership of Jeremy Audas, during which we consolidated; building our organisation while we waited for things beyond our control to happen. We waited for the promised increased funding for Mental Health and also for the formalities of governments to allow us to start our new Townsville building [More on these shortly]. But we did not just sit around waiting. We were constantly seeking new ways to extend the reach of our services and to find funding sources to do this. One way we have gone is to look at how we can form partnerships and collaborations which do most to spread our good work further. Jeremy has more to say about this in his CEO report. Our organisational structures were examined and are being strengthened to ensure that the farflung corners are not left unsupported and to ensure that we are one strong organisation in many places, sharing a vision and living up to the one high standard in everything we do. We continued the formalisation of our procedures and the move towards independent accreditation, both necessary if we are to satisfy funding bodies and have our procedures and standards up to best practice. On a national level, our other Fellowships, in all states and territories, continue to work more closely together and to support our national body, Metal Illness Fellowship of Australia, to set national standards which we all live up to, and to have national influence through contact with the Federal Government and its departments and other national organisations. Our merger with Mental Illness Education Queensland has extended our reach. Now, as ‘Living Proof’, we continue this good work in a way that should be sustainable over many years to come. There are many other plans afoot for the coming year, which result from building relationships with organisations, governments, politicians and others. Through such mergers, partnerships and collaborations, we can increase the reach of our services and maintain uniform standards of quality, without losing touch with our local focus, our local communities and our local people. Our sector seems to have escaped the worst of the cuts in State funding resulting from the change of Government in Queensland. Our present recurrent funding, both State and Federal, is secure for the current year at least, with the promise of more Federal programs to come very shortly. We are now as ready as we can be to step up to the challenge of increased government funding in mental health, though we still have more to do to build our core infrastructure: more strategic planning, more formalisation and standardisation of our policies, procedures and activities, and more space for more staff. We need also to build our Board so that it can take an increasing role in supporting our growth into new programs and areas. Alas, we have still to see the first shovel of dirt dug for our new Townsville headquarters, but, despite having to acknowledge my false-optimism in last year’s report, we can confidently say that work will commence very shortly and, by next year’s report, we will have moved into our new building. This will be a great relief for our long-suffering Townsville staff and clients will finally have the space they need to accomplish more of the great things for our community. We will also be looking to improve the space for our growing Cairns and Mackay centres. But, no matter how much bigger and more formalised our fellowship grows, we have the same vision and duty as we have always had; to serve our people as only we can. We are the carers, the professionals and indeed the clients. I thank Jeremy Audas for his leadership and all of the staff and volunteers of our Fellowship all over our region for their dedication, their compassion and their ability to cope with the changes of growing into a modern, large organisation while still understanding the needs of our individual people.
Bob James, President 4
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Treasurer’s Report Thank you to all our members for all their effort during the year. A special mention to Cherrie Krajacic our Corporate Services Manager, who always goes far beyond her duties producing our financial reports. Over the year we have been fine tuning the monthly financial reports so that they are informative, easy to read for non-Accountants and comparative to Budget for all our services. I thank all of our Committee Members for their input for these reports. We have our accounts independently audited every year. We thank the team at WHK NQ for the audit and their assistance with any queries. A copy of the audited report is included in our Annual Report. Revenue for the year ended 30/6/12 was $2,480,798 which is comparative to last year. The increase mostly attributed to taking on the service of MIEQ (Mental Illness Education Qld) with our Living Proof service. MEIQ was a working service including staff and an increase to our revenue of approximately $207,000. Expenses for the year totalled $2,426,559 where the main increase was employee expenses. Due to the 2 new staff members from MEIQ and the Award pay rate increase. Profit for the year was $54,239. Total Equity of the Fellowship is $1,896,156, an increase of 2.9% from the previous year. It has been a good year for the Fellowship and we aim to keep our standards high and support our members. I wish everyone a safe and happy year and a quote from Helen Keller.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”
Sandra Hubert, Treasurer CEO Report The 2001-2012 financial year, saw a great deal of activity by the Fellowship as it continued to grow and develop. Much of the service delivery activity is described elsewhere in this report so I will allude to some of the more significant initiatives that highlight the breadth and depth of the Fellowship’s capacity to provide for the needs of people with a mental illness, their family members and carers. We continue to engage with other organisations, both clinical and non clinical, in order to help strengthen relationships and networks. Our local consortium in Townsville with Advance Employment and SOLAS, continues to work together in productive ways and in both Cairns and Mackay the quality of relationships and networks is testament to the Fellowship’s philosophy and values. We are an organisation that values collaboration and partnerships that is willing to work closely with others to achieve better outcomes for people with a mental illness. This is evident, for example, in our contribution to the Mackay Regional Mental Health Network and in numerous other instances as you will see from the various program reports. MIFNQ has also formed a partnership with North Queensland Employment Services to establish a Clubhouse in Townsville and a similar initiative is occurring through the Fellowship’s auspice in Mackay. For more about Clubhouses go to www.steppingstoneclubhouse.org.au, to see how a typical Clubhouse operates. You will hear more about this in 2013 as the implementation progresses.
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During the year MIFNQ assumed management of the Mental Illness Education Program that provides information and awareness-raising sessions to school and tertiary students across the state. Trained volunteers with a lived experience of mental illness are managed by a network of local coordinators to provide this service. This program is funded by Queensland Health and is well received by schools, principals, counsellors and school chaplains. Thousands of school children are exposed to the powerful personal stories of the presenters who help reduce stigma and this provides a strategy for early intervention and prevention. The program has been rebranded and rejuvenated under the auspice of the Fellowship and is now known as Living Proof – positive stories of mental illness. Throughout the year negotiations continued to occur with Queensland Health and the Department of Health and Ageing to reach agreement about the lease over the land on which our new Townsville headquarters will be built. We are confident that the new building will be completed in the first half of 2013. Alternative premises are being sought in Mackay and Cairns so that we have a better environment from which to deliver our important services. You will be aware of the exponential growth in social media. The Fellowship strives to keep pace with developments in this area and has seen significant growth in the numbers of people accessing our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Friends of the Fellowship, Boultons Multimedia, (Trevor and Annie Boulton) have worked on some excellent web applications which have shown great promise, one of these is the Toxic Thinking web app which you can see at http://toxicthinking.info/. MIFNQ is a member of the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) and we have been fortunate to be able to access its expertise and resources at a national level to support our local operations. You will be pleased to know that MIFNQ is an active contributor to MIFA both at CEO and board level and will continue to value its membership of this important body. As the financial year drew to a close there was an air of uncertainty as the new state government assumed office. The next financial year will no doubt hold some surprises for the mental health community sector. The Fellowship, having the majority of its funding coming from the Commonwealth, will watch with interest when the state budget comes down in September. As CEO of the Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland Inc I feel privileged to be working with a staff team of dedicated and committed people who always give more of themselves and their time to make sure our clients receive the best possible services. I also appreciate the support and flexibility of the management committee which has supported the organisation in its growth and development as we undertake some significant internal reforms. MIFNQ is moving towards undertaking accreditation under ISO9001, implementing a quality system, strengthening its internal governance, ICT and other systems and processes and working towards good practice in all that we do. Finally I would like to acknowledge that the 2011-2012 year is our 25th anniversary and that while the Fellowship has come from a strong grass roots community base it is bound to grow into a larger more corporately focussed agency. While growth is important the Fellowship must also maintain its roots and connections within the local communities it serves, the people who support it and those who use its services.
Jeremy Audas, Chief Executive Officer
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Cairns Mental Health Carers’ Support Hub We have pleasure in reporting that the Mental Health Carers’ Support Hub here in Cairns is progressing strongly despite having to operate in a very uncertain funding climate. Our strong links and local community support has been the reason that the Hub has managed to achieve ongoing funding, albeit it for a 12 month period only. We believe that one of our greatest strengths is the relationships that have been built within existing mental health services in the Cairns & Hinterland district. These services include the Non Government Sector, the Cairns & Hinterland Mental Health & ATOD Service and especially the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Service. Services that have assisted us support our Carers who are living with a person who has severe and enduring mental illness are:
Non-Government Services Anglicare Mental Health Respite Service – Bernie Triggs YETI – Youth Empowered Towards Independence – Valuable assistance for those who live with
Borderline Personality Disorder – DBT therapy etc Time Out Aftercare- PHaMS Centacare - Counselling Centacare - Mental Health Resource Service Neighbourhood Centre Tully Carers Qld Edward Koch – Suicide Prevention Task Force (A. Hicks on reference group) Queensland Alliance for Mental Health
Cairns & Hinterland Mental Health & ATOD Service – Teams Mental Health Unit Cairns Base Hospital Acute Care team (ACT) Service Integration Coordinator (SIC) Co-responder Program sitting within the ACT team – Police/Psychiatric Nurse Far North Recovery & Rehabilitation Team (FIRRST) Homelessness team Alcohol Tobacco & Other Drugs Nth Cairns Community Mental Health Team Sth Cairns Community Mental Health Team Mareeba Community Mental Health Team Atherton Community Mental Health Team Innisfail Community Mental Health Team - Strong links Older Persons Mental Health Team Programs with Qld Mental Health PARC – Purpose built Step up/Step down Program Consumer & Carer Network Forum North Clinical Collaborative Carer Representation (Mackay – Torres Strait) Mental Health Clinical Collaborative (State) Carer Representative (AH)Brisbane Champions of the Cairns Mental Health Carers’ Support Hub with Cairns & Hinterland Mental
Health & ATOD service Queensland Police Service
Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Service & Anglicare Mental Health Respite Service are working in partnership with the Fellowship’s Mental Health Carers’ Support Hub to provide the best service possible to our families and friends of those who live with mental illness. For example Anglicare paid for the art work for our new Hub brochure and CRCC paid $10,000 for the printing of the same. With Anglicare and CRCC’s support funding we have been able to offer more counselling & respite for our Carers. MIFNQ Annual Return 2011/12 |
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Events - Some of the events that the Hub has been involved in are: A Carers dinner held at the Colonial Club A Day at the Beach – Resilience building Forum held at Castaways at Mission Beach for those who had experienced cyclone YASI. Lunch for Carers at Lake Barrine on the Tablelands Morning coffee support groups in Cairns & Tablelands Pave the Way Forum for Carers
Forums - The Mental Health Carers’ Support Hub have presented at the following forums
(excluding the many presentations within the Qld Mental Health Service): Far North Mental Health Intervention Program Strategic 3 Day planning Workshop – Qld Police Service – Qld Ambulance Service & Qld Mental Health. Centacare Counselling Service Advanced Personal Employment ATODS TAFE students 4th year Nursing Students at James Cook University Dept of Communities Regional Director in Cairns, Des Lee The Early Psychosis Training facilitated by Barbara Anderson has been put to good use by Hub counsellor Jacqueline Conroy and Sasha Black from Qld Mental Health in Mareeba have been successful in promoting an information evening and from this 14 family members participated at Mulungu, the Aboriginal Medical Service in Mareeba (12 Indigenous Carers,) with 100% attendance. This Program was followed by Jacqueline and Barbara facilitating some training for Indigenous Health Workers in Townsville. The Manager Adrianne Hicks has sought advice and support from Warren Entsch MP (Opposition Federal Government Whip) about what needs to be done to obtain substantial recurrent funding to further expand the services offered by the Mental Illness Fellowship NQ Inc’s Mental Health Carers’ Support Hub. Warren Entsch has quite a lot of ownership around the Hub as he provided the initial funding of $50,000 which was used to launch the Fellowship and the Carers’ Hub in Cairns. In 2011-2012 The Cairns Carers Hub provided 842 hours of individual counselling to 244 clients. It also presented at 60 group sessions and spent 212 hours working with 370 clients in group settings. Overall the Cairns Carers’ Hub had more than 950 client contacts for the year. The Hub has gone a long way to relieving the stress and worry that many carers and family members experience in their roles supporting people with mental illness. Adrianne Hicks
The Hub is well positioned to continue to deliver important services in the Cairns and Hinterland area and will keenly anticipate ongoing funding support. Cairns
Compiled by:
Adrianne Hicks, Snr Project Officer
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Community & Education Support Services Last year we spoke about our completion of our first year under a three year funding cycle and that this would offer us some comparison in determining future growth. How quickly things change in politics and policy and this year’s data sets will be the final in this format and under the auspices of the Department of Communities. In the new financial year we move to a new format for measuring our performance and will be reporting to Queensland Health. We continue to direct our activities and reports within four key service areas. Refer Figure 1.
Counselling
Community Eduation
Community Metnal Health Programs - Dept of Communities
Community Groups
General service availability Information, advice and referral
Our growth areas have been in counselling and the number of people participating in group activities in the community. We have been receiving new referrals from job support agencies and also from police through the Support Link program. The growth in the job search referrals can be attributed to our work in community education and in particular the provision of Mental Health First Aid. It is clear that employment consultants have few support options for their job seekers who have multiple barriers for employment including mental health issues that are often not being treated. Another significant referral source has been in our relationship with Support Link. This involves police making a referral, with the agreement of the person, via a coordinating body. MIFNQ Inc. endeavours to provide follow up with the person and some coordination of care or referral as necessary. Again it highlights the lack of support that police have to meet the complex presentations that they deal with on a daily basis. Our work with community groups reflects our support of carers, students, people with MI and our multi cultural community. Here we are continuing to work at a community development level responding to the needs of the community. We work with a range of tertiary students to provide opportunities for learning about mental illness in a less formal learning environment to develop positive attitudes and capacity. We have been active in developing interest and partnerships for a clubhouse model of service which is seeking to develop links for people with mental illness to meaningful activities and employment. With our carers and family members we have provided a range of opportunities for education and support. MIFNQ Annual Return 2011/12 |
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Our work in developing a range of education resources and building workforce capacity within Queensland Health and the community sector across Cairns, Townsville and Mackay to meet the needs of families with a young person experiencing psychosis has been a major focus for this year. Where we have seen some decline in service delivery has been in our formal community education. This has not been in reduced service delivery but reflects our change in recording as our school education programs are accounted for under a different program. These are exciting changes that are detailed elsewhere in this report.
Counselling 529 clients and 2177 client hours of counselling related services
General service availability information advice and referral 207 occasions of service
Community Education 531 participants receiving 2922 hours of education
Community Groups 546 participants receiving 3629 hours of community activities
Figure 2. Data Collection for the period July 2011 – June 2012 For the future we have some challenging times ahead. There is uncertainty in funding across the health sector and great deal of tension between the state and the commonwealth in mental health policy and reform. We will be getting on with business. At an organisational and program level we will continue to respond to needs of the community, ensuring that individuals, families, professionals and community groups have access to a trained and responsive mental health workforce. Our priority will be in working to coordinate our responses to the changing needs of the sector in our three service locations in a cohesive, consistent and considered manner. We need to continue to support the work that we do within our three unique geographical locations ensuring that it is delivered with consistency and in best practice frameworks underpinned by appropriate policy and good governance.
Compiled by:
Barbara Anderson, Counselling & Support Manager
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Mackay Regional Office - Day to Day Living Program Counselling
In my counselling role I have been supporting a number of carers in many areas such as referral to agencies for respite, Centrelink, emergency relief, housing and other social supports for carers and their families.
Activities
Monthly support group for carers, this has been running from the beginning of April and has been a great success with carers being able to debrief, vent and discuss ways to tackle the mental health system and other systems such as QPS, the court, Centrelink, accessing counselling and general practitioners. The year began with a review and planning day, bringing members together to review the programs from the past six months and to develop the framework of programs that would be run till the end of the year. This review outlined the need for more member focussed programs and community interactions. It also highlighted the need for a more healthy focussed program where members could find information about what was offered in their community and allowing them to try it in a positive and supportive environment. We participated in the Biggest Morning Tea and raised funds for the cancer council by inviting community members to our Mad Hatters Tea party. We linked with Ozcare and created a focus group with our members to engage in the development of shared activities and these resulted in a combined barbeque and get together, a Disco and a kitchen capers cooking session. A combined Christmas activity was also a highlight. The Healthy cooking sessions have focussed on firstly summer sizzlers and each month has a new theme and budget for members to look at costing and how to provide healthy foods as an alternative to fast foods. We also looked at a variety of programs for fitness in the community and trialled Chi Ball for members to participate in. In June we looked at soups and the running of a soup kitchen. We prepared our soups and invited members of Ozcare to try our soups. This then resulted in our members being the helpers for the preparation of the soups for the soup kitchen and sleep out for the homeless. The out and about Coffee club has been very popular with members putting in a gold coin each week and at the end of each month choosing a coffee place or eating place within the community that our budget will allow us to visit and this has resulted in many of our members going for meals after programs to the places we have discovered. Our Arts and Craft Program was a mindful arts program which brought together members of the community and members of Ozcare to work on artworks for an exhibition in October. This included a pottery workshop provided by the Pioneer Potters. The life skills program facilitated by Micheal Ellum and cofacilitated with members has been very successful and after reviewing the content and outcomes was decided to continue and grow with a focus on positive recovery and journeying. Negotiating many areas and aspect of mental illness and the recovery journey have been highlighted as topics in this very interactive program which allows members to talk about their lived experience in a positive and supportive environment.
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The Choir of Unheard voices has continued to grow and increase its independence with members of the group running music programs in house. A drumming group and guitar workshop have been two of the new groups emerging. A song writing program also has created a song to celebrate the 15 years of Mackay advocacy and was performed at the opening of their celebrations. The choir performed at the Holy Trinity Church during Mental Health Week. The Choir has performed for Mackay Low vision Group, Mackay festival of Arts, North Side fair, and recently has begun to provide a choir session for members of Blue Care respite. Members of the choir also attended a talk at Crossroad Arts with the vision of becoming involved in the writing of the music for a new play “Cherish”. The choir has again been asked back to perform at the Holy Trinity Church this year.
Compiled by:
Margaret Ward, Day to Day Living Program Project Officer Mackay - Well Ways Program Highlights
Organisation and participation in the annual sleep out, this also gave me an opportunity to liaise with other employees within the mental health sector and to promote MIFNQ’S programs. Mental health week subcommittee: As a small committee we are organising a week of events in the Mackay region to promote good mental health. We are linking good mental health and physical health with a marquee at the local river to reef festival, a carers retreat, a Q & A forum (with a panel) and the roads 2 recovery walk.
Partnerships
MRMHN - Monthly network meeting where professionals within mental health promote new programs, update each other on activities and include guest speakers from different sectors. This allows a monthly promotion of MIFNQ, networking opportunities and possible referrals. I also present a carer update at these meetings on occasion. CMH - Community mental health in Mackay; I am now receiving referrals from the adult case management team, the child and youth mental health team and acute care team as a result of networking with clinical staff. CMH - The implementation of the early Psychosis training program; this training was delivered by Barbara Anderson earlier in the year, there has been great follow up from myself and the Mobile Intensive Rehabilitation Team at CMH to implement this education to families.
Connections
Have been making stronger connections with community mental health, referrals for carers and consumers are increasing. Referrals from SupportLink, an invaluable referring system implemented by the police after possible crisis. Connections are being made with local schools and staff to engage in the Living Proof educational program.
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Upcoming
Mental health week activities, we are organising four events to celebrate mental health week and raise awareness of mental health within the community. Well Ways educational program: Organising the completion of the last group which will commence in October. Looking forward to the many other exciting opportunities, events, community engagement and support to come in the next financial year!!!
Compiled by:
Sheree Hollywood, Well Ways Project Officer Mackay Rehabilitation Services - Townsville It has been an exciting and a very busy year for Rehabilitation Services which includes the Day-toDay Living Program, Respite, National Tobacco Mental Illness Project and Intentional Peer Support.
Intentional Peer Support
We believe in the treasure of having a lived experience of mental illness and support Peer Workers to use this understanding. They are invaluable in making a difference to the lives of other consumers. We have Imogen Rogers now working with us as a Peer Worker. Imogen works hard to build and maintain respectful relationship with carers and care recipients and participants in MIFNQ Programs. Imogen can assist carers and care recipients and participants in moving towards mental wellness and facilitate the caring journey of carers and the wellness recovery journey for care recipients and participants. “Hope” is the key word for this program. A peer support worker who has a ‘lived experience’ can offer something which professionals are unable to provide to individuals going through difficult parts of their recovery.
The National Tobacco Mental Illness Project
While Australia has one of the lowest rates of smoking in the world, of those who do, more than 40% have a mental illness. The South Australian Tobacco and Mental Illness Project has been recognised for its effectiveness nationally and internationally. The roll out of a national project to broaden the reach of the Tobacco and Mental Illness Project was a unique opportunity for the Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland to help make a positive impact on the health of people with mental illness here in Townsville Most participants have been highly motivated and their results have been outstanding. The Project encourages and supports mental health workers and peer workers to take leadership roles within the program to build capacity and sustainability across services. Rebecca Wood is the Project Officer and Kristy Emmerson is the Peer Support Worker in this program. Both Rebecca and Kristy have a lived experience of mental illness and have both successfully quit smoking and therefore are able to provide real experiences of hope.
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Respite
Our Respite program (Mental Health Respite: Carer Support) is enjoying a much easier and mutually beneficial relationship with Commonwealth Carers Respite Centre, thanks to Jane Matsen, Service Manager. The result of which is an increase in relevant services to our carers. We have been providing respite services to approximately 25 families and this includes providing cleaning, lawn mowing, transport, advocacy, referrals to other organisations, financial aid to have a break from the home, supporting the person with a mental illness to access programs such as our Day to Day Living Program and doing what our Respite project Officer does best and that’s LISTEN! We continue to offer creative solutions that fit for the Carer and their families rather than expect people to fit our solutions. Respite from caring can mean so many different things to different people. We are currently discussing ways in which we can provide a level of service to Carers who have a loved one admitted into the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Ward to ensure prompt and appropriate support and ongoing follow-up for families and loved ones during this traumatic time. This year we decided to target Young Carers and with the help of the Commonwealth Carelink Respite Centre we facilitated a Young Carer’s Group that included such topics as self-esteem, taking care of you, mental illness and anger management. A young carer is a person, up to 25 years, who provides regular and sustained care and assistance to another person without payment for their caring role. Young carers can be found in many different family situations, from intact family units, to single parent households and/or living with their grandparents or extended families. They can be found all socio-economic groups and from varied cultural backgrounds. Some young carers find themselves new to the role while others have never experienced a life without caring.
Did you know...?
170,600 Australians under 18 are young carers
Of these 380,000, 20,000 are primary carers who provide the main support for their care recipients
One-third to one-half live in the rural and remote areas of Australia
During 2006-07, one third of young carers looked after a person with a mental illness and just under one quarter cared for a person with a physical disability. A significant number of young people were also caring for family members who are chronically or terminally ill (15 per cent) or have an intellectual disability (11 per cent)
66 per cent of young carers reported they were unable to participate in school with 78 per cent reporting insufficient energy in the classroom
54 per cent of young carers find themselves sleep deprived
Young carers are young people who perform adult responsibilities, while still developing physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially. Many young carers feel proud that they can provide support to their families; however undertaking numerous adult responsibilities can take its toll.
When they aren’t provided with adequate support, children and young people may struggle with going to school, keeping up with their homework, spending time with friends, or getting a job.
380,000 Australians under 25 provide care for a family member
More than half (51 per cent) said it was difficult to make and keep friends , as a result of their caring responsibilities, with many saying they felt socially isolated
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Young carers can experience high levels of stress and worry, impacting on their physical and emotional wellbeing. For this reason it’s important that young carers understand that taking care of their own health and wellbeing is a vital element of caring for others.
On average, young carers care for an average of 27 hours per week
These Participant’s responses about their pathways into caring provided a diverse mix of information about how these young people’s caring tasks began and how they related to the changing nature and intensity of caring as they grew older and as the care recipient’s condition changed. A few of our young carers commented on their pathways out of care, however the majority of young people looking after their parents or siblings did not consider their caring role a phase in their life, but rather thought of it as a continuing responsibility with many uncertainties which they would need to consider and manage in the future. Young people’s pathways into caring were often different depending on the nature of the onset of caring, reflecting whether they felt that they were “born into caring” because a parent or sibling was already living with an illness or disability, or due to a specific onset of illness or disability that the young person remembers. However, within each of these circumstances participants still expressed diverse perspectives on the pathways into their caring role, which can largely be divided into a transition period into caring, or to a specific moment or event.
Day to Day Living
Over the past year the Day to Day Living Program under Project Officer Sally Thain has maintained and built on the most popular activities such as beading, art and coffee club. Our art group has seen the implementation of a structured therapy program with the employment of a peer support worker and accomplished artist in her own right Imogen Rogers. Coffee Club as branched out into the community holding groups at Castletown and the along Strand to try and provide people with the confidence and the social skills to get back out into the community on their own. New programs have also been implemented with varying levels of success these include “Sandwich Tuesday” to provide inexpensive and healthy food options to members, a four week Yoga program, a twelve week Tai Chi program, a six week cooking group, Aqua Fitness classes, lunch outings in the community and a Music and Singing group. In May 2012 D2DL hosted its own Art Exhibition to coincide with Schizophrenia Awareness Week which showcased all the brilliant artwork and jewellery that members of D2DL create. Throughout the year D2DL has provided work experience to a Year 11 Cathedral school student as well as two third year Occupational Therapy students from JCU. As part of our transition to create greater member ownership of the program members of D2DL are now asked to provide a small contribution for some of the activities provided and these extra funds have allowed us to purchase a water cooler and a shade gazebo and board games will be coming soon. We also hold bi-monthly meetings to get members input into the planning of programs and activities. Sally Thain attended the D2DL Conference in Melbourne as well as service visits to Toowoomba and Stepping Stones Clubhouses and attended the Clubhouse Training Conference in Brisbane all of which were full of information and great experiences. Sally also attended courses, expos and information sessions which include Senior First Aid, CORES Suicide Prevention, and The Salvation Army Bus Tour of Services in Townsville, Mental Health Week Expo and the Homelessness Expo. D2DL is currently in discussions with the Adult Acute Mental Health Service to bring the program into the acute wards allowing inpatient participants to engage in therapeutic and engaging activities and to provide a natural and supported transition to MIFNQ upon discharge.
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D2DL Townsville Exhibition 2012
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Manager
Personally, one of the highlights of my year was the opportunity to graduate with a certificate in the Recovery Oriented Mentoring Project. The Recovery-Oriented Mentoring Project (ROMP) is funded by Disability Services Queensland (DSQ) to provide Recovery oriented training and mentorship to leaders working within the mental health sector in both government and non-government services. The concept of ‘Recovery’ has entered into the policy arena of Australia’s mental health systems, yet there remains a level of uncertainty about what this means and how these principles can be incorporated into all aspects of practice. Many services and programs are using the term ‘Recovery’, yet there are many differences in how this framework is implemented in practice. Training on its own, has a limited ability to support workers to implement recovery-based practice within their workplace. Adopting a ‘Recovery’ orientation requires both a comprehensive understanding of ‘Recovery’ and the ability to incorporate it into all aspects of practice and service delivery. The ROMP project approach was designed to provide a rich learning experience on delivering services that support personal recovery. It provided regular mentoring, support, and assistance to participants as we initiated learning projects in our organisation. I was fortunate to attend the TheMHS Mental Health conference in Adelaide incorporating sessions on the Mental Health Commissions, Transcultural Mental Health, Resilience, Helping Professionals, a Hearing Voices Workshop, Co morbidity: Mental Health and Substance Misuse, Social Inclusion Peer Support, and the Ending Self-Stigma Workshop. I also attended the first ever National Mental Health Recovery Forum in Melbourne where Professor Mike Slade, a psychologist from the United Kingdom, Dr Ken Thompson , a psychiatrist from the United States of America; and Mr Gareth Edwards, a consumer advisor from New Zealand with a personal experience of mental illness presented on how to support leaders, workers, consumers, and carers in developing strategies to embed a national recovery based framework; to provide an opportunity for all attendees to exchange ideas about recovery based approaches and share examples of current practices; to explore and promote interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning mental health; to provide an opportunity to showcase approaches to recovery led teaching and learning and to identify any difficulties in moving toward a national recovery oriented framework for the provision of mental health services and possible solutions. Recovery is an idea whose time has come. It provides a new rationale for mental health services and has radical implications for the design and operation of mental health services and partnerships between health, social services and third sector organizations. The closure of the large institutions, the development of community-based services and policy initiatives which emphasise recovery all provide opportunities to make recovery orientated practices and services integral to the organization and delivery of mental health services.
Compiled by:
Kylie-maree Beller, Rehabilitation Services Manager
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Well Ways Program Well Ways is well evidenced and continues to be evaluated through La Trobe University. The Well Ways suite of programs is designed for the families and carers of people with a mental illness. There are three programs in the suite.
Well Ways Building a Future (BAF): an 8-week program for families and carers of people with a
mental illness offering counselling, support, up to date information and practical ways of coping and navigating the mental health system. This is followed by 4 consolidation sessions with more specific information on Grief, Communication, Suicide and Developing a Wellness Recovery Plan.
Well Ways DUO: a 6-week program for families and carers of people with a mental illness and a substance use disorder offering support, discussions, information and a guest speaker.
Well Ways Snapshot: a 1-day program for families and carers offering a brief overview of mental illness, symptoms and treatment. It also includes a presentation from a person in recovery from a mental illness talking about their experiences through the illness, treatment and recovery.
The latter part of the 2011 was still somewhat affected by Cyclone Yasi in terms of people being able to attend programs across our three areas of Cairns Townsville and Mackay, after a slow start to 2011. However, Well Ways continues across the main centres of Townsville, Cairns and Mackay. Programs have also been conducted in the outer lying areas of these centres including Innisfail and Atherton. In the 12 months to June 2012 across the Mackay, Townsville and Cairns area 6 BAF programs and 4 DUO programs were run. The number of participants in Well Ways is as follows: BAF (1-8): 46 | BAF (Consolidation): 24 | DUO: 23. There is also interest in Bowen and Mt Isa. During the reporting period 4 facilitators were trained in delivering the BAF program. Dates are put on our website for training. Additional peer educators will be identified for training as programmes run. Support is vital for families and carers in order for them to cope with their role and through Well Ways this comes in the form of information (face to face, phone, email) counselling (face to face and phone), referrals, support groups, case conferencing and advocacy. Data from across the 3 centres is shown below (referrals from SupportLink are increasing and are often complex):
375 6%
373 6%
255 4%
32 1%
34 1%
287 5%
685 11%
New Participants Existing Participants Contacts
1250 20% 2419 40%
Concerning Well Ways Counselling Case Conferences Referrals
384 6%
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| MIFNQ Annual Return 2011/12
The Cairns Mental Health Carers’ Support Hub
Funding for the Mental Health Carers Hub in Cairns has been extended to June 2013. It has proved very successful as a ‘one stop shop’ for carers offering education and support through Well Ways, counselling, information of interest to carers, appropriate referral channels and advocacy. It is a convener of the Carers Forum at the TheMHS Conference, an international conference to be held in Cairns at the Convention Centre on 21st – 24th of August 2012.
Participant Outcomes
Reports from participants through evaluation, feedback and verbal comments show that their experience of the Well Ways Programme is positive and there have been increases in family strength and resilience that comes with increased knowledge and understanding about mental illness; improvements in emotional health and well being; better communication and problem solving; and better coping skills which results in better outcomes for the person they care for. The comment heard most often during the program is that people no longer feel alone, that there are others in similar circumstances. During the program participants also showed increased self care, doing things for themselves, finding some enjoyment in life and having some ‘time out’ from their caring role. The strength of the program is the facilitators being carers themselves and that this adds credibility to the programme. Families within the Well Ways program also have opportunities to link into other specialised education programs such as Early Psychosis, Youth and Adult Mental Health Fist Aid, as well as continuing to access counselling and support. After the programme is completed contact is kept with participants with information on events and courses in their area. A carer support group has also commenced in Townsville and in the Cairns area carers meet for ‘Coffee and Conversation”. Cyclone Yasi has left behind in its wake people traumatised and in need. A meeting was held in Cairns with Wendy Zerner from the Innisfail Mental Health Team with Bernie Triggs Anglicare Respite Service re Bernie topping up the funding for the Cassowary Coast (Yasi Area) Council members (350) to complete some mental health training delivered by Worklink (Diversity in the Workplace). Another meeting was held with Anglicare re the “Day at the Beach” Forum for people on the Cassowary Coast who have experienced Cyclone Yasi – Resilience Building was the focus. A meeting with staff in Townsville occurred with Senator Fierravanti-Wells, Shadow Minister for Aging and for Mental Health to discuss issues around carers, Better Access, Aging etc.
Advertising and Promotion Activities
Advertising takes place across the three areas for Well Ways Programmes and community events through newspaper advertisements and editorials, radio interviews and community notices, mail outs by post and emails to organisations and networks and presentations at services in the community. This has been effective in raising awareness of mental illness and the services available in the community. Well Ways promotion takes place at community events, community networks, allied health networks, interagency networks, regional mental health networks, consumer and carer groups, and with mental health service providers. Activities for Well Ways staff have included attending the Allied Health Network meetings, Community Network meetings, presentations to Youth Services and ATODS, to Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre (CRCC), a presentation at the Police and Ambulance Strategic 3 day workshop, presentations to Acute Mental Health Unit staff and Mental Health teams to Compassionate Friends, Employment Agencies, Centrelink and other local services, mental Health Week, Carers day, Senior’s Week , High School Expos, and other community events.
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Meeting with Reference groups in Ingham, Ayr and Charters Towers continue and Bowen to commence -representatives from Qld Health, local employment agencies, ATODS, SOLAS, NWQPHC and other local agencies sit on these groups which have been successful in co-ordinating care and respite both for carers and consumers. Talks on ABC Radio are also frequently conducted. The Well Ways staff also supply frequent material to various newsletters. Other meetings attended include the Qld Mental Health commission Stakeholders forum, Mental Health Recovery Forum, Mental Health Clinical Expo, Qld Health’s Recovery Working Party, Consumer and Carers Network Forum, Indigenous Men’s Forum, Youth Connections (specifically about indigenous youth), Support Link (an initiative which links police with services through an e-referral process), Nth Qld Regional Disability Advisory Council, the Edward Koch Suicide Task Force and Mackay Suicide Bereavement Group. A reflective Practice has also been established in collaboration with the Dept. Of Communities which meets in the Mackay office.
Other Relationships
Strong alliances are held with MH services across the three regions of Mackay, Townsville and Cairns. In addition connections and alliances exist with: Anglicare ARAFMI ATODS Carer and Consumer groups Carers Queensland Centacare, Qld Police Centrelink Commonwealth Carer Respite Services Consumer Advisory Group COTA (Maturity Blues) Dept. of Communities Diversicare Divisions of General Practice Domestic Violence Centre Headspace
Independent Advocacy James Cook University Lifeline Mental Health Council of Australia Mental Health Resource Centre Migrant Resource Service National Council of Women Neighbourhood Centres OZCare Red Cross Relationships Australia Rotary Worklink Youth Connections Network, and many others.
MIFNQ is also part of a consortium consisting of SOLAS and Advance Employment.
Staff Development
Supervision and training are ongoing for Well Ways Project Officers. Professional Development is important and staff participate in training and workshops e.g., ongoing connections with Maturity Blues (COTA) the Recovery Oriented Mentoring Program 2. Other training has included: Personality Disorders; Eating Disorders; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Working with Clients with Challenging Behaviours;, Working Effectively in Mental Health Settings; Suicide Postvention; Case Management; Providing a Brief Intervention; Administering the Mental Status Examination; Mindfulness in the Workplace; Interpersonal Therapy; Frontiers of Trauma with Bessell van de Kolk; Child and Family Sensitive Practice; Activate Mind and Body; Interventions for Adults with Mental Health Disorders Following Trauma and Disaster (Aust. Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health); and attendance at the conference Mind and Its Potential.
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Positive Stories
Some stories and comments from Well Ways participants include: Woman thankful for being welcomed into the Well Ways program and the support group for carers. She said that Well ways is a fabulous program, and can't speak more highly of it; the facilitators were warm and genuine. She said she would never forget her first day coming to the group. She was afraid that it might open up a Pandora's Box of emotions that were churning inside her. She came that first day with such trepidation slowly making her way there. However for the second meeting she practically ran down the street, she couldn’t wait to get there and just “be" in the company of such wonderful people who understand what it is to love someone who experiences mental illness and who have walked a similar path. Since then and things have been going well for her family, but she says MIFNQ will be the place she runs to if the tide turns. It is the safety net she needs to know is there.
Another woman who is in her 40s and had struggled with a relationship with her mother for many years, feeling hurt, neglected at times, abused at times, confused and left resenting her mother came to Well Ways. Her mother has had no diagnosis or treatment and the family had just accepted her behaviour as “this is just how mum is”, but this woman had come to suspect more. During the program she came to an understanding, an “AHA” moment as she pieced together her mother’s behaviours with the symptoms of a mental illness. She came to an understanding that while not diagnosed her mother had probably had this for many years. She also came to understand that illness is not the person. While her mother will never accept this, this woman has come to a place where she has developed different strategies to deal with her mother and a new perspective of herself and the relationship. She said Well Ways gave her the education needed to do this but the support and openness of the group about their experiences was what really brought her to acceptance. This has changed her life and the relationship she has with her mother.
The first time this woman came to Well Ways she was shaking and crying and scared. Her partner has Dual diagnosis, Bipolar and drug use. She was quickly comforted and encouraged by the other participants and attended every session. Over the program this woman grew in self confidence and a sense of self. She had said she had no idea who she was or even what clothes she liked to wear or food she liked to eat as everything had focused around her partner. She also has 2 children. She began to implement some self care (she had her hair done), to have some relax time, to spend time playing with her children which she delighted in, and she SMILED. Her partner began counselling with the change in her and is now determined to give up the drugs and focus on his family. We expect more positive stories from this family.
Within a counselling session together, myself and a carer were able to look at the issues surrounding her son objectively and begin implementing a plan of referrals to other agencies including housing, community mental health, Ozcare mental health and other services to begin to untangle the barrage of issues which he was facing as an individual and those she was facing as the parent. This mother was very grateful for this assistance and having someone help in navigating these complex systems within mental health. She is new to MIFNQ and wants to attend the support groups as they come up.
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The Well Ways suite of programs plays an important role in terms of community capacity and in reducing stigma around mental illness. Recognising the value and potential of every person to contribute to the community is essential. The Hub in particular has filled a gap in service delivery and support for carers. Relevant referrals have increased and carers have expressed satisfaction with the service. In supporting carers through education and advocacy they are more confident and able to discuss their roles and issues. Recognise their value and potential to contribute to the community and increasing see the need for self care. Through community events and the media where information is distributed to the public, and to other services and networks, the community becomes more educated and informed about mental health. This allows for a reduction in stigma and more importantly allows the community to contribute to the overall health of its population.
Compiled by:
Glenda Blackwell, Well Ways Manager Schizophrenia Awareness Week The Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland (MIFNQ) Townsville Daybreak Rotary Sunflower Awards were presented Monday 14th May 2012 at a breakfast in the presence of friends of the Fellowship from many parts of our community. Special guest speaker was Aileen Colley, a mental health nurse with over 27 years of experience, having trained and worked in Ireland as well as the UK and Australia. Aileen is currently the Mental Health Services Director for the Townsville-Mackay Medicare Local. TMML covers a large geographical region and currently provides mental health services via the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program, ATAPS, MBS Better Access, headspace, Partners in Mind, GP and MH Liaison Officer positions, as well as co-ordinating and contributing to partnerships such as student placements from the local University. CEO of the Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland, Jeremy Audas said that, “the selection committee were inspired by the stories and work of all the nominees. They showed that mental illness is just a part of the fabric of life, something not to be feared and through adversity often comes great inspiration.” Jeremy further went on to say, “These awards once again showcase the extraordinary work going on in our communities to assist people with a mental illness. Government expenditure to address mental illness Queensland’s communities is the lowest per capita for any state or territory. Only 3% of Queensland’s health budget is aimed at community mental health responses. Imagine what we could achieve with double or triple the funding! The Sunflower awards highlight the positive ways in which we can address mental health issues but much more needs to be done. I applaud the contribution that Townsville Daybreak Rotary has made not just to the awards but for the betterment of people with a mental illness and their families and carers through Rotary’s ongoing commitment to this vital cause.” 22
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The President of Rotary Club of Townsville Daybreak, Marcel McLeod said that “the Club has been a Partner in supporting the MIFNQ Sunflower awards for several years and we are committed to continuing our support for many years to follow. Australian Rotary Health is one of Australia’s largest non-government funding bodies for mental health research. Australian Rotary Health is able to use donations raised by Rotary Clubs, individuals and corporations to fund research into areas of health that do not readily attract funding.” Marcel McLeod (President Rotary Club of Townsville Daybreak), Bob James (President Marcel then went on to say “This year the Rotary MIFNQ), Aileen Colley (Guest Speaker) and Jeremy Club of Townsville Daybreak will donating money Audas (CEO MIFNQ) raised through the ABB Mining Golf Challenge, which is organised and run by the club, to establish and fund a 3 year PhD research scholarship through James Cook University focused on the Mental health issues relating to FIFO Mine workers, their families and communities. The Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland and Townsville Daybreak Rotary, would like to congratulate all nominees on their inspirational achievements and contribution to the North Queensland community. MIFNQ are proud to announce that this year’s winners were....
Mayor’s Recovery Award ‘A special award to recognize an individual, who has made great strides in their recovery, and who is an example of what is possible.’ (presented by MIFNQ Present, Bob James on behalf of the Mayor of Townsville, Cr Jenny Hill)
Winner: Stephen Jervis Stephen had been out of work for 15 years and has overcome a cluster of extremely challenging circumstances including some years homeless and living with a mental illness diagnosis. In the past 3 years Stephen has saved for a car while on the pension, volunteered 5 days a week at St Vinnie’s and was supported looking for work by Advance Employment. With no success finding work, Stephen ‘stuck at it’ and achieved paid employment with Amazing Clean Blinds where he has been working for the past 8 months. Stephen’s employers have been thrilled with his dedication and work. Stephen says “...it really helps with my self esteem I’m not relying on the government and it helps to feel like a better member of society. It’s a joy to get up every morning to go to a job that you enjoy.”
Employee Achievement Award
‘For an employer, who has shown outstanding commitment to support the recovery of an individual, or group of people, in the workplace.’ (presented by MIFNQ Present, Bob James)
Winner: Dwane McPharlin
Dwane McPharlin registered with Advance Employment Inc just over two years ago. His Employment Consultant quickly identified that Dwane loved to keep his car immaculately clean. Just prior to Dwane’s registration a car cleaning and detailing opportunity opened at Advance Employment and Dwane was encouraged to apply. He is an enthusiastic employee but has had to deal with ongoing affects of his mental health condition and ongoing medication changes. With the support from his Family, Employment Consultant, Employer and treating professionals Dwane has been encouraged to communicate effectively which in turn assists Dwane to manage his mental health condition and to keep his productivity on a high level. Two years on and Dwane is still successfully detailing and cleaning cars at Advance Employment. MIFNQ Annual Return 2011/12 |
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Employer Achievement Award
‘For an employer, who has shown outstanding commitment to support the recovery of an individual, or group of people, in the workplace.’ (Presented by Aileen Colley, Mental Health Services Director, Townsville Mackay Medicare Local)
Winner: John and Andrea Bruce – Amazing Clean
John and Andrea Bruce, the owner operators of a successful, busy curtain and blind cleaning franchise, Amazing Clean, have been great advocates of the services provided by Advance Employment and as such have been willing to employ a number of job seekers within their business. They have proven their openness to provide an opportunity for a person with a mental health condition to achieve successful open employment. There is never any discrimination in their employment selection process and as such they have the ability to look to the strengths that a person brings to the workplace not the weaknesses. In the past 12 months John and Andrea have employed 3 staff members who have faced mental health challenges. They have a supportive positive work environment and their staff enjoys going to work each day. They have a willingness to think and act outside of the square making it possible to create an opportunity that meets the needs of both the employer and the employee. The team at Amazing Clean have a commitment to see anyone who wants to work succeed.
Outstanding Reform/Service Coordination Award
‘For a service initiative, that has demonstrated the ability to effectively integrate/co-ordinate services, in order to provide better outcomes for consumers and their families. This award is open to government and non-government providers.’ (Presented by Aileen Colley, Mental Health Services Director, Townsville Mackay Medicare Local)
Winner: The ‘Whitsunday Mental Health Action Project’
The ‘Whitsunday Mental Health Action Project’ is a community development and capacity building program implemented through Supported Options in Lifestyle and Access Services Inc. SOLAS – a specialist mental health service provider based in Townsville. The SOLAS Regional Mental Health Program delivers community sector mental health support services in rural and regional locations of North Queensland. SOLAS aims to assist and promote local responses to local needs – currently BOWEN and the Whitsunday region has NO community sector organisation specializing in the support of people with a mental illness. It was this absence and a very definite need that bought about The Whitsunday Mental Health Action Project. This project supports local Whitsunday community services to develop capacity in responding to the needs of people with mental health conditions through the provision of a range of flexible support options.
Media Award
‘For an individual or media organisation that has provided high quality coverage of issues relating to emotional health and wellbeing’. (Presented by Marcel McLeod, President of Townsville Daybreak Rotary)
Winner: Jennifer Pomfrett – Editor, Daily Mercury Newspaper - Mackay
During Suicide Prevention Week in September 2011 the Daily Mercury joined with the Mackay Regional Mental Health Network to assist the network to promote suicide prevention week and the “Mackay needs a Headspace campaign.” They provided coverage of various events, and promoted community involvement by encouraging community members to become involved in various activities around the town over the week to lend their support to the campaign and to raise awareness around suicide prevention. In addition to this the Daily Mercury published a story a day over a nine day period about services in our community that provide mental health support, education and suicide prevention and intervention. The Daily Mercury’s coverage was in part instrumental in ‘getting our message’ to the attention of decision makers in the Federal Government and at the Headspace national office with an announcement by Federal Mental Health Minister, Mark Butler that Mackay had been chosen as a site for a Headspace in the current funding round. 24
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Mental Health & Well Being Community Award
For an individual or organization that has given exceptional support to the promotion of mental health and wellbeing awareness throughout the community. (Presented by Marcel McLeod, President of Townsville Daybreak Rotary)
Winner: Dorothy Sellers
Dorothy has been an important force behind initiatives funded by SOLAS to bring services together to provide a co-ordinated response to the needs of people with a mental illness and their families. This has been through a move to provide respite and referral. Referee/Referral groups have been established in Ayr, Ingham, Charters Towers and most recently in Bowen through the Neighbourhood Centre. Dorothy has overseen these projects and is a supportive, encouraging and driving force in their delivery. In each community, services have been brought together with a focus on employment, mental health services (both government and non-government), council, rehabilitation, as well as community members. There is also support for the work force with education being provided with TAFE providing Cert IV in Mental Health in these local areas. It is important to have workers educated in the area they know and live in and it is a more efficient use of staff.
Compiled by:
Deborah Wilson, Corporate Development Manager Government Funding Bodies
Department of Communities Disability Services Queensland Queensland Health Department of Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Department of Health and Ageing
Each of these bodies has provided significant funds to the Fellowship and we, and our clients, are grateful for their ongoing funding.
Non-Government Funding Bodies Perpetual ($25,000) to stock the library for our new building Tim Fairfax Family Foundation ($26,000) to assist with the development of web based
applications to support Living Proof and to deliver Well Ways in Mount Isa in the next financial year
The Townsville, Mackay and Cairns Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres have provided financial support to the Fellowship to support carers, respite and counselling services
Rotary Clubs in Townsville - staunch supporters of the Fellowship in many ways, and particularly around our Schizophrenia Awareness Week activities
Freemasons in Townsville for various initiatives
Donations We express our sincerest gratitude to all those people and organisations that have made personal donations to the Fellowship during the year. These donations, small and large, are always welcome and provide us with income to do those extra things that are so important to keep the Fellowship running smoothly. MIFNQ Annual Return 2011/12 |
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MIFNQ’s Organisational Structure Management Committee President ..................................................................Bob James Vice-President ..........................................................Dr Tanya Park Secretary ..................................................................Jenny Chapman Treasurer..................................................................Sandra Hubert Committee Person ...................................................Donella Pickles Committee Person ...................................................Stephen Tyrer Committee Person ...................................................Sandi Winner Committee Persons resigned...................................Stephen Seymour, Gabrielle Vilic
Volunteers / Presenters / Facilitators Cairns
Mackay
Michelle Arnett Andrew Ballagh Lesa Blanch Susan Margaret Howison Sue Jackomos Vicki Jones Su Longin Cindy Massey Sheilagh Peterkin Bruce Rampton Halina Ritchie Sue Rowbotham Jennifer Ryan Theo Sotiriardis Andrea Stark Stephen Tyrer Alison Willis
Judith Baker Toni Bell Donna Bleudow Tarah Bowman Wendy Corby Christine Cotterall Donna Dempsey Paula Eva Marion Henderson Courtney Meng Margaret Moyle Anyssa Roworth Donna Smith Kathleen Sorbello Brett (ronald) Turner Wendy Willan Leah Zietsch
Townsville
Rebecca Hampton Gaye Higgins Bob James Debbie Jones Bradford Thompson Kathryn O'Neil Imogen Rogers Wendy Sager Kelly Anne Williams
Thank-you to our volunteers who help us make a difference.
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Staffing Structure
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Annexure “A” Financials
Auditor’s Report and Financial Statements
Compiled by: Cherrie Krajacic, Corporate Services Manager
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