St Vincent de Paul Society
Spring 2006
In the company of angels Compeer and mental health Give us a rest Aged care reform
Centres of attention With charity at heart
Cultural sea change Learning to love One woman’s journey in every moment
Mental Health FIrst Aid Part IV: the final chapter
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In this issue… 3
Frontlines From the National President
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Editorial Full immersion
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Give us a rest Aged care dumped in the too-hard basket
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Fellow travellers Women of faith cross the line
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Right here, right now
Sea changers Some people travel a long way
10 One hour a week Everyone needs time to relax
12 It takes two Friendship for mental health
13 Sale of justice The high cost of welfare reform
14 Noticeboard Take a peak
15 Out of the archives Entertaining the troops
16 Photo essay Centres of attention
24 Mental Health First Aid Substance use disorders
28 Letters Keep them coming
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e have all experienced organisations that become extinct after serving communities faithfully over many years, sometimes centuries. They have served the needs of the times but community needs move on. This is the challenge the Society is conscious of in continuing to fulfill its mission to those in need. All challenges will change with the times. Mental health, homelessness, social justice advocacy are contemporary problems that we face. The Society keeps in mind when facing today’s problems that we cannot use yesterday’s solutions if we are to maintain our relevancy in these times of great social change. A problem faced by all volunteer organisations at present is the recruitment of volunteers. The Society needs to recruit volunteers to meet the growing calls on our home visitation services – to give a hand up to those in need, the lynchpin of our mission. It is paradoxical that in time of unprecedented economic wellbeing in Australia the number of people in need is growing. The Society in its innovative approach to recruitment is seeking to identify what attracts and repels people aged 35 to 55 years from engagement and involvement in the St Vincent de Paul Society and the most effective way of continuing to develop volunteerism and volunteer management practices in the Society to ensure this age group are involved.
30 Teach me to love Following the path of Jesus
September is a special month for the Society and members use it as a time of spiritual renewal and rededication to our Vincentian vocation; for we celebrate the feast days of St Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frederic Ozanam. May I commend this time to all our readers to focus on our responsibility to assist those in need, as sometimes in our affluence we can become insensitive to this obligation. John Meahan National President St Vincent de Paul Society Australia
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Full immersion
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ou may have noticed over the past year that this column has had coffee stains in the background. They were handmade with a sheet of art paper, a brush of watercolour, and a coffee mug. Why? Because reading a magazine, like enjoying a cup of coffee, takes time – or time out. Ally McBeal, the TV heroine defined by her insecurities, summed up the pleasure of time out by turning her morning coffee into a ritual. She observed a sensual set of customs that included wrapping her hands around the styrofoam cup to soak up the warmth; inhaling the aromas of the freshly ground beans as they rose on drifts of steam; and then, taking the first sip. Ahhhhhhhh! Total immersion. In moments like that – savouring a cup of coffee or settling down to a good read – time out becomes time in. The purpose is to do nothing, but we can find ourselves doing quite a lot; we become busy while at rest; “busy being born”, as Bob Dylan sang. And though busy is associated with a hectic pace and stress, it simply means “to be actively and attentively engaged”: even with a cappuccino. Coffee cups are the symbol of a Vinnies program that supports people with mental illness. Compeer began in NSW 10 years ago, and its anniversary will be celebrated this October with a dinner at Parliament House. Adopted in Australia from the US, Compeer now runs in Victoria too and has proved to be a welcome service. It is all about making connections, so often done over a coffee, around the tea table, or in a local cafe. Through Compeer, not to mention the many other organisations that serve people with mental illness, we as a community are discovering new ways to take compassion and love beyond the familiar; to hold a light in the darkness. That brings me to the cover of this issue and a word of thanks for the Cunningham Dax Collection, which consists of over 10,000 creative works by people with an experience of mental illness and/or psychological trauma. The Collection’s mission is to promote widely a greater understanding of people with such experiences, and to foster an appreciation of their creativity through the preservation and ethical presentation of their original works. One of these, Carla Krijt’s The Mountain, graces the cover of this issue. For further information about Krijt and the whole collection, go to daxcollection.org.au and follow the links to online gallery.
St Vincent de Paul Society
Spring 2006 Vol. 89 No. 3
Incorporating Viewpoint
Cover image: The Mountain, 2001, Carla KRIJT, oil on canvas, 50.5cm x 40.3cm. Reproduced courtesy the artist. From The Cunningham Dax Collection, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville VIC 3052, tel: (03) 9342 2394. Email: admin@daxcollection.org.au The Record is published four times a year by the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia. National Council of Australia 22 Thesiger Court, PO Box 243 Deakin ACT 2600 Contact: Julie Schelb Phone: 02 6202 1200 Email: julies@svdpnatcl.org.au Website: vinnies.org.au Editor: Rita Williams Assistant editor: Jessica Gadd The Record is overseen by an editorial committee comprising Syd Tutton (chairperson), Rita Williams (editor), Jessica Gadd (assistant editor), Danusia Kaska, Jonathan Campton and Raymond James. Advertising: Rita Williams Phone: 02 9572 6044 Email: rita.williams@svdp.org.au Design: Graphic by Design Suite 326, 4 Ilya Ave, Erina NSW 2250 Phone: 02 4365 6777 Website: gbd.com.au Printing: Doran Printing 46 Industrial Drive, Braeside Victoria 3195 Phone: 03 9587 4333 Fax: 03 9587 3177 Email: sales@doran.com.au Website: doran.com.au Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.
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Give us a rest Money makes the world of aged care go round, assuring plenty of sleepless nights for people on the bottom rung. By Francis Sullivan
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roviding accommodation for the frail aged is a difficult business. Profitability is marginal at best. Government subsidies for wages and running costs fall short of the real costs of care. Construction costs outstrip the capacity to raise capital in many regional areas or low socio economic communities. Financial survival is only possible by admitting wealthier residents to compensate for those unable to pay. Running an exclusive frail aged home for the poor and homeless is becoming almost too hard. Last year it cost about $15 million to build a 100 bed aged care home. With little or no government assistance, funding came from
residents. They either provided a loan (accommodation bond) or were levied daily accommodation fees. Local house prices have inflated the size of the bonds being charged. Investor owned companies are cashing in on the property market. Their core business has less to do with aged care than maximising return from the assets of the frail elderly. The average bond charged is now $127,000. But house prices are far lower in regional areas and certainly well below average in poorer communities. Given that the cost of a new bed is near $130,000, it is obvious that aged care providers will seek the higher bond paying
Illustration by Fiona Katauskas
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residents. This exacerbates the plight of those without houses or with few assets from which to pay accommodation charges. In aged care, ‘money talks’. This presents a major dilemma for those committed to serving the poor. As it stands, aged care homes will need to attract a combination of fee and non fee paying residents to remain viable. This balance will be determined by the capital debt of the home. Organisations that previously ran hostels and homes exclusively for the poor will find the nature of their service altering. It doesn’t follow that the need for their service changes. Rather, as people age they lose not only their physical and mental capacities, but also become less wealthy. So much so that by the time they require constant support for their frailty and sickness they are likely to be on low incomes with less disposable assets.
Surely there is a role for public subsidies to offset the costs of poorer residents. Under the present arrangements, a balance can still be struck but it is tenuous.
Up to 90 per cent of aged care home residents are pensioners. Their need for emotional, spiritual and physical support heightens as their capacity to pay for it declines. This means that any benefits from cross subsidising poorer residents with fees from those better off still results in a marginal business proposition. It only becomes more sustainable if residents are required to draw down more deeply into their hard gained assets. This raises the ire of those who have struggled to “pay their way” throughout their lives, especially when they only have modest assets to show for it. Surely there is a role for public subsidies to offset the costs of poorer residents. Under the present arrangements, a balance can still be struck but it is tenuous.
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he government has an obligation to all elderly people, regardless of their circumstances. Where prospective residents have low income and assets, government assistance must match the average contribution other residents can make. This means that government subsidies need to be realistic. The Commonwealth aged homes policy has skewed public benefits towards direct care funding and away from accommodation costs. In other words, the public contribution towards care costs is in exchange for individuals paying for their accommodation. Under this model, low The Record – Spring 2006 Page 6
income and homeless people contribute 85 per cent of their pension. Better off people are also charged an income tested fee on top of the 85 per cent pension amount. Again the incentive is to admit fee paying residents while meeting the minimum required quota of low income residents. At present, people unable to make a contribution to their accommodation in residential facilities receive a $16 per day concessional subsidy. Most commentators consider this to be $4 per day short. This places the access for low income people at risk. Where a provider has a choice, the incentive is to take a resident who offers them more in real terms. The St Vincent de Paul Society’s mission will see it seeking to admit as many residents as possible who are unable to make a contribution to their accommodation costs. This will become extremely marginal if the government subsidy falls short of the capital costs of the person’s room. So it is in the interests of everyone that the government steps up to the mark and keeps its accommodation subsidy at realistic levels. Changes underway in the aged care program will see only the sickest and frailest admitted to aged care homes. Many more elderly people will need support in their own homes. Home and community care services are rapidly expanding.
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rganisations like Vinnies have a long history of visiting people in their homes and responding to basic needs. With an ageing population, this home visiting will take on an even wider brief. Not only will home visits be able to offer basic support, but connected to an organisation that also has professional home based aged care services, they will add even more value to the person in need. Possibly a new phase in the Vincentian way! Moreover, conducting residential aged care homes provides an integrated approach to services for the elderly and in turn better meets their needs as they become more socially isolated and frail. This is a future that Vinnies can grasp with enthusiasm. It obviously involves adaptation and innovation. It also requires strong advocacy for the poor and marginalised. But it definitely reaches out to a group in the community who are vulnerable and at risk. Francis Sullivan is the director of Catholic Health Australia.
Fellow travellers Young women’s business in the Catholic Church drew Fran Byrne in to a deeper relationship with her faith and her world.
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mmense personal growth, stimulating yet challenging, time of abundant grace ... these are some of the ways I would describe my experience as one of the inaugural recipients of a Young Women’s Interfaith Fellowship. This program is co-ordinated by the Council for Australian Catholic Women in conjunction with the Australian Catholic University Canberra. It involves a four-month residency in Canberra, during which time I completed a Graduate Certificate in Interfaith Relations and a formation program. The fellowship aims at broadening the understanding and awareness of a multi-faith society while encouraging young women to participate in the Church, equipping them with knowledge and skills to do it. For the past two years, I have been employed full-time with the St Vincent de Paul Society as youth and school ministries co-ordinator in the Townsville Diocese. As a Society employee and a young person who identifies with the Vincentian spirituality, I found many aspects of the interfaith course applicable to the Vinnies and its works. The landscape of this nation, its people and its culture, is vastly different to what it was 150 years ago, when the St Vincent de Paul Society first began its good works here. The beauty and chaos of today is seen in a society where multiculturalism and the practice of different religious traditions is the norm; and where the rise of secularism threatens the observance and nurturing of genuine religious beliefs. In the face of this, as Vincentians, our mission calls us, through the Word of God as well as the example of our patrons, to be the face of Christ and see the face of Christ in each and every individual we encounter, regardless of colour or creed. Over the four months of the fellowship, I had an incredible journey. I experienced life to the full in every moment, through learning, encounter and relationship. I was stimulated, stretched and challenged within myself and my faith. As a result, I feel an enormous strength and confidence in pursuing my future. The first installment of the Young Women’s Interfaith Fellowship brought together 10 vibrant, passionate and talented young women from around Australia.
We created a tight-knit community and formed close relationships that continue to sustain each of us as we move forward in our various ministry roles within the Church. Fran Byrne left the Vinnies pack to get the big pic I believe this fellowship to ture on faith. be most valuable aspect of the experience, and one I cherish. Each of the ten fellowships is valued at $12,000. The necessary funds were raised by the Council for Australian Catholic Women through generous donations and sponsorships from various religious orders and institutes, as well as other church bodies and agencies. Everyone in the program experienced profound change and it is with great enthusiasm and excitement that we anticipate the beginning of the 2007 fellowship program. Applications for the 2007 Young Women’s Interfaith Fellowship closed in August, but if you think you might like to apply for a fellowship in future or would like more information about the program, please feel free to contact Fran Byrne via email at fran.byrne@svdpqld.org.au
rs. The 10 inaugural fellowship holde
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Sea change From struggling refugee to RMIT, Fatima Alsaad thanks the angels who raised her in a new country.
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atima Alsaad has not had an easy life by any means. She has come a long way since being tucked under her mother’s wing and brought from Iraq to Australia via Iran. Since her arrival in Mildura in 2002, Fatima’s life has been full of ups and downs, but determination to achieve the ultimate good life has run through them all. After completing year 12 at St Joseph’s College last year, she is now studying drafting at RMIT and intends to study architecture. Fatima’s determination is shared by the rest of her family, who live in Mildura. Her four sisters, Faeza, Faaiqu, Hannah and Helyia would not be there, and Fatima would not be studying at RMIT, if it wasn’t for the extreme courage of her mother.
e lessons – I was clos “I remember the first dn’t understand to tears because I di n’” – Fatima Alsaad anything ‘Australia About six years ago Wahide Alsaad left Iran with her five daughters in search of her husband, Ahmed, who had emigrated two years earlier to prepare the way for a better life for his family. “Mum had the most responsibility because she was the only parent with us – it is hard for a woman to accept that responsibility without the support of her husband,” Fatima said. “Just to go through that situation and face all those problems – none of which were ours – Mum accepted it all to provide a better future for us and to keep us safe.” It was not all smooth sailing for the family. “We came to Malaysia and then Indonesia, where we paid people with a boat to get us to Australia. Unfortunately, while we were on the way, September 11 happened. “We were supposed to go to Darwin, but soldiers on the ship said the rules had changed and they could not take us to Australia.” Fatima along with her mother and sisters were taken to an island, where they lived for 11 months. “It was really hard. We lived in a tent and sometimes there was insufficient water to have a shower,” Fatima said. The Record – Spring 2006 Page 8
At the end of those 11 months, Australia accepted them as refugees and they went “My life is so much better now,” Fatima Alsaad says. to Mildura, but not before their arrival on the island had come to the notice of their father. While being taken off the ship, Wahide was photographed and the picture later appeared in the Herald Sun newspaper. Ahmed, who had lost contact with his family, happened to see the photo one evening as he read the papers in the library after work to improve his English. A year later, the family was finally reunited in Mildura, where Ahmed works as a harvesting contractor. Their next break came from two nuns at St Joseph’s College, who heard about the courageous and lucky Alsaad family. Sr Sylvia and Sr Rosemary visited them and invited them to be educated at the college. It was an offer Wahide and Ahmed appreciated. Fatima, Faeza and Faaiqu began at St Joseph’s and Hannah and Helyia attended St Paul’s for their primary education. Fatima said they were excited to be going to school but worried about being accepted because they were “different”, spoke little English, knew no Australian slang and wore head scarves. “We were excited about this but we were very scared as well because it was a different community and we would meet lots of people – we’d meet people who spoke different languages, have different cultures and believe different beliefs,” Fatima said. “Our first teacher at St Joseph’s, Joelene Kisla, helped us a lot with languages – she was our first teacher and became our first best friend.” Joined by her old science teacher, Robert Wolfe, Fatima recently joked about the times in class when she had her nose in an English dictionary and Mr Wolfe consulted a Persian dictionary. “I remember the first lessons – I was close to tears because I didn’t understand anything Australian,” Fatima said. “I had liked science in my home country. I loved physics and chemistry, but at school here it was hard for me to understand because I was still learning how to speak normal
English. Science was hard. Look, I knew everything, but it was awkward explaining everything on the board and writing. “Even to say my ideas, it was really hard – it was all like a third language. I could remember doing all these things, I had done them but I couldn’t understand it – it was really frustrating and I was getting angry and upset at myself.” Mr Wolfe cannot speak highly enough about the Alsaad family. “They are determined to get themselves in front,” he said. Despite their uncertainty with schooling, Mr Wolfe said, the new students were quickly accepted by the St Joseph’s College community. Fatima found it easy to make friends despite her initial thoughts, and she now has a strong network of friends at university. “I never thought it would be this easy to find friends here – like the way they accept me to be with them, to talk to them, to go around with them, to walk with them or even ask questions in classes – if I don’t understand they explain it to
me – it’s exactly the opposite of what I thought it would be,” she said. At RMIT, Fatima’s class group of friends come from different countries. There are seven people from Australia, one exchange student from Europe, two Indians, one Russian and one from Italy. “It’s very cultural, we are friendly, nice people,” Fatima said. Fatima said she spent “ages” thinking about what would be next for her in life. “I want to get a job when I finish my two year course,” she said. “Then hopefully I will save (money) and start studying architecture.” “My life is so much better now ... everything is really good, everyone is really happy.” And she can’t thank her mum enough for giving her the opportunity to experience such happiness. “She is the best. She is an angel, an angel from God.” This article was first published in the Sunraysia Daily on 1 May 2006.
Volunteer tutors share the joys and challenges of a new beginning
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hen I ask my seven children what they want to be when they grow up, I get a variety of fairly typical answers. Policemen, a doctor, a vet ... Two are aiming to be lawyers like me (I’m trying to talk them out of it!). The other one is too young to talk, but judging from the way she gets about the house, she’s going to make a mean soccer play one day. Three years ago, most of these beautiful children were in a refugee camp in Egpyt. Had they been asked the same question then, I suspect their answer would have been much more basic. For more than a year now, I have visited my Sudanese family each week. Every Tuesday night, rain, hail or school holidays, my tutoring partners and I go along to help the kids with their reading and writing skills and homework. The tutoring is a part of the VoRTCS program, which I also co-ordinate. VoRTCS (“vortex”) is a program that matches volunteer tutors up with a refugee family that needs help. Our tutors come from every walk of life – we have students, professionals, mothers, fathers, friends, teachers – and a surprising number of lawyers. Some of our tutors are at university, some are professionals in their thirties – and some tutors have seen their children graduate from high school and have the generosity of spirit to help someone else’s children do the same. Being a tutor is about adopting another family as your own. It is about sharing their joys, challenges, successes and failures – and through sharing our own with them, we help them learn about life and hope in Australia. Tutoring isn’t always easy – last week I spent two hours explaining to my kids that Brisbane wasn’t in the middle of Western Australia. I know of one tutor who spent six weeks
teaching her eight-year-old Congolese student what letter comes after ‘G’ in the alphabet. But it is always rewarding, and challenging, and fulfilling. When I tell people what I do in my spare time, I get a variety of responses. Most people think it’s fantastic, many are interested and some actually sign up for the program. But what always amazes me is those people who say: “Gee, that must be hard work” – and ask me why I do it. I have to stop and think about the answer, because I’ve never actually considered not doing it. Could I get through the week in a commercial law firm without visiting my kids? I don’t think so. VoRTCS provides me with a rare opportunity to connect with another human being, and a chance to give a small amount of time and make a large amount of difference to someone’s life. In my mind, what we are doing is giving the children dreams and the skills to achieve them. And I can’t think of a nobler task than that. John Wooden once stated that “you can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you”. As volunteer tutors, we don’t get paid for our time. But I consider my effort to be repaid each time one of my kids smiles at me, or each time they look at me and tell me what they want to be when they grow up. That they will grow up, with dreams, is payment enough. I just hope they don’t decide to be lawyers. By Jess Welland, Co-ordinator VoRTCS (Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and Community Support Program). If you would like to know more about the VoRTCS program, contact the Queensland State Council on 07 3010 1000. St Vincent de Paul Society Australia Page 9
One hour a week How a coffee break becomes the birthplace of courage and compassion. By Dr Ann Tan
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ompeer started 30 years ago in the USA based on principles that seem simple enough, but as with many simple things, it is not automatically easy. Volunteers perform the “simple” but sometimes challenging task of befriending a person with a diagnosed mental illness (their “companion”) who is receiving ongoing treatment. Volunteers visit for an hour each week for at least a year. In this relationship lies the potential for growth of compassion, courage and understanding in both volunteer and companion. This sits well within Frederic Ozanam’s original intention for Vinnies volunteers to interact with a person in need, rather than doing public acts of charity for them. It is an intensely personal relationship with both challenges and extraordinary rewards.
Compeer’s Approach Guidance and support from Compeer staff, plus ongoing involvement of the companion’s referring mental health professional, provide clarity for the volunteer’s mentoring role and help to sustain them as role models of self-care. This role both complements and contrasts the companion’s relationship with professionals. Volunteers must avoid either becoming entwined in their companion’s illness and its treatment, or otherwise simply providing practical support (for example, transport and shopping). Friendship is the paramount focus of the Compeer relationship. Friendship is one of life’s essentials to which it is easy to pay lip service without the backing of the very real resources of time and effort required to establish and maintain it. Such effort is rewarded only over time and its effects are not immediately observable. Ongoing research indicates that companionship is essential for psychological and emotional wellbeing, for physical health. No wonder some referring professionals have commented that the Compeer friendship is as important for their client’s wellbeing as their medication!
Equal but different Equality is important in Compeer relationships; it doesn’t mean “sameness”. Companions can face difficulties in areas that may seem straightforward to most people. They require support to handle these as positively as possible. Just as people with physical disabilities require practical assistance to enable them to participate equally in society, The Record – Spring 2006 Page 10
so do people with mental illness require acceptance of the fact that they sometimes need extra support. The volunteer’s attitude of equality while recognising difference can assist companions to access the help they require, without feeling like a failure. This can make a huge difference to the companion’s quality of life and can ameliorate many adverse social effects of symptoms. Equality lies in the recognition that all human beings require acceptance and social interaction, but that the way this happens will differ between people and situations.
Boundaries Along with acceptance of difference goes the requirement for clear boundaries. Boundaries such as the companion not having the volunteer’s phone number help to avoid the potential for a companion to become dependent upon their volunteer for extra contact beyond their regular time, or for emergency contact. Companions can communicate via Compeer if necessary. Compeer is mindful that negotiating appropriate social boundaries may be difficult for some companions, and although a volunteer may feel flattered to be “needed”, it is not likely to enhance their companion’s sense of personal empowerment to feel “needy”. Doing good or do-gooding
Compeer (and all SVDP) volunteers aim to help people without fostering a sense of disempowerment in them.
Compeer is always looking for more volunteers. The program also seeks to tap local resources and build strong relationships with various community groups. If you would like to befriend a person and make a difference to their life and yours, please call Tricia Meers on 02 9560 8666, or Geoff Brown on 03 9895 5800.
Challenges Attitudes
Although new volunteers may think their greatest challenge will be dealing with their companion’s mental illness, this is usually not the most significant issue. Companions referred to this program are stable, undergoing treatment and want to be involved. So although some of their behaviours and patterns of thinking may take some getting used to, volunteers usually find that they can relate to the person better than they might have expected. The greater challenge often lies in coping with the way society and even the volunteers themselves think about mental illness. Research from the USA found that people with mental illness believe that their most critical barriers to are how people interact with them. This is where Compeer volunteers can not only support their companion, but also spread understanding through their own network of family and friends. Understanding yourself
People with and without mental illness alike, experience apprehension, self-doubt or highs and lows. With mental illness, however, such feelings can become overwhelming and take over the person’s view of reality. Compeer volunteers may recognise feelings they themselves experience to a lesser degree. This can provide common ground for care and understanding, but it also requires volunteers to be comfortable with themselves. This is important for rolemodelling. Social acceptance
The social view of mental illness can be challenging. For example, physical illness is generally portrayed as more
legitimate than mental illness. The struggle to cope with physical disability is often considered “noble”, whereas the struggle with mental illness is rarely seen in this light. Although things are slowly changing, mental illness still suffers from an ill-founded association with being “weak minded”. People with a mental illness are sometimes expected to just “get over it”. Fear
Most volunteers will have at least one acquaintance ask them: “Isn’t it dangerous?” The statistical reality is that people are far more likely to be attacked by a member of their own family than by someone with a mental illness. People with mental illness are more likely to harm themselves than others. Are Compeer volunteers special?
Although we value them as special, Compeer volunteers are ordinary people who are able to care for themselves as well as others. They come from all walks of life, age groups and ethnicities. They have diverse life experiences. Some know how difficult mental illness can be for friends, family or personally. Others may have no direct experience, but feel this important area requires help. All will have some degree of anxiety about whether or not they can do this. Compeer information sessions, screening interviews and training help to decide if this is the right area for each potential volunteer – it works best when it works for everyone. Rewards
Rewards for volunteers are personal, social and spiritual. Compeer aims to invoke true compassion, which calls for stripping away of judgementalism and even altruism. It recognises the fundamental requirement of every human being to be loved, cherished and treated with care. When volunteers do this for themselves and for their companions, they take a step towards building communal compassion and tolerance of difference that serves us all well. In this way Compeer honours Ozanam’s legacy. Dr Tan is the professional co-ordinator of Compeer Victoria. She is a social worker with 30 years experience in the mental health field and counselling in public and private practice. St Vincent de Paul Society Australia Page 11
Photographs courtesy of Compeer, Victoria
The difference between doing good, and “do-gooding” can be a fine line. A simple guideline for volunteers is to offer help in a way that they would (genuinely) be prepared to receive themselves. Care and self-awareness is required because “giving” more readily places a person in a position of power than does “receiving”. One of the joys for many Compeer volunteers is the feeling that they get as much as they give in their companionships. They may give and receive different things from each other, but there is an exchange that honours both of them.
It takes two Friendship, like ballroom dancing, must be done in pairs, and through the Compeer program, it helps people with mental illness step out to meet reality.
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John and his friend, who also has an intellectual disability, usually go to an Outreach centre in Blacktown for a barbecue, where John has found he meets a lot of new people, hears many stories and learns some new lessons. “It’s an honour to be his friend, we just enjoy each other’s company,” John said. One of the things Molly and John appreciate most about their relationships is “a doorway to a whole new world and understanding”. Before Compeer, neither had known someone with a mental illness. Both agree that through their relationships they have seen past the stereotypes of mental illness and into the common heart of humanity and our need for friendship.
Easy does it Virginia felt overwhelmed by her schizophrenia. Medication had eventually calmed the frightening voices and visions, but she still felt very fragile. Her caseworker thought she should start to go out again but she just couldn’t face it. She had done some pretty crazy things when she was psychotic. People might be frightened, or worse – pity her. She couldn’t even remember how to make “normal” conversation. The caseworker suggested she meet a Compeer volunteer – a woman about her own age who would visit her for an hour each week – maybe go out for coffee. The first few weeks that Liz came to visit, Virginia couldn’t even bear to leave her bedroom. Liz didn’t seem to mind though, she just chatted. For once, Virginia didn’t have to talk about her illness. Liz knew about it, but she talked about what Virginia was interested in and liked to do. Liz was one of the few people who wasn’t paid to spend time with her. Eventually, Virginia felt able to leave the house to go to a nearby café with Liz. After that, they always went out – walking, window shopping, sometimes just chatting – the things friends do together. A year later, Virginia’s outlook was very different. She had joined a social activities group in which she had made other friends. She had even started looking for a job. She still often thought people were looking at her, but somehow it didn’t worry her so much. Virginia still had schizophrenia, but now she had a life beyond it as well.
Photographs courtesy of Compeer, NSW
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e live in a world where friendship is so vital to our well-being that many of us take it for granted. We are comforted by the fact that someone is there for us: a shoulder to cry on, a laugh for our jokes, an advisor, companion, moral compass, someone to help keep us sane and give us the strength to meet challenges that come our way. Secure in our comfort zone, we often forget that some people, for one reason or another, live alone and enjoy none of these privileges. During Mental Health Week this October, Vinnies will highlight the fact that many of the ever-growing number of people suffering from a mental illness face loneliness every day – and that we have the power to help breakdown the isolation and change their lives for the better. Compeer is a friendship program the St Vincent de Paul Society adopted to help people with a mental illness participate in community living. The program matches people with volunteers, who spend an hour a week together enjoying activities friends typically do, such as having picnics, going for walks, having coffee or seeing a movie. Molly Griffiths has been a Compeer volunteer for over six years and in that time has developed a very strong relationship with her friend. “We’re a part of each other’s life and we have much in common, which is great,” Molly said. “We’re both lovers of music, food and clothes! We also share faith and hold similar religious ideals.” Molly and her friend see each other once a week. They set aside time to go out for coffee or to the park where they can chat and enjoy each other’s company. “It’s a two-way relationship: we help each other,” Molly said. “She often gives me gems of wisdom and offers sound advice.” Molly welcomes her friend into her home and even invited her to a wedding. John Neylan has been involved with the program for over two years. He decided to give something back to the community after retiring, and came across the Compeer program. John is happy and positive by nature, a strength he thought he could use to befriend someone who needed to be lifted out of isolation.
Sale of justice A critical reflection on Welfare Reform in nine sad poems and one note of hope, by Dr John Falzon
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harity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveller who has been attacked. It is justice’s role to prevent the attack. Frederic Ozanam 1 Australia at the dawn of the 21st century: More like the 19th? More divided than diverse? How many feel oppressed and blamed for their oppression? How many ask: What does it profit the country that we be pushed and shoved like this? Will anyone profit from us, pushed off income security and into low-paid jobs? In 1848, Ozanam1 wrote of the burning need to take the side of “the people who have too many needs and not enough rights”. Australia 2006: unprecedented changes to our social security and industrial relations frameworks. Combined, these changes will supply cheap labour, driven by legislative sticks into the lowest and most insecure end of the labour market. How many of us would love the chance to connect? But this is not connection. How many of us will suffer and how many of our children will suffer? Not connection; catastrophe. 2 The prophets cry blue murder: “Woe betide those who enact unjust laws and draft oppressive legislation, depriving the poor of justice, robbing the weakest of my people of their rights, plundering the widow and despoiling the fatherless.”2 Paul VI wrote of the mutilating effects of “oppressive social structures, whether due to abuses of ownership or to the abuses of power, to the exploitation of workers or to unjust transactions”. 3 Remember the story that Nathan told to David?3 The one about the poor man’s lamb that the rich man took possession of and slaughtered even though he had many flocks and herds of his own? Bewildered, we watch the little we have, we who survive on the margins, being taken away. We’re told that this is good for us; that it’s good for us to take care of ourselves even if this means being poorer and more crushed. Some of us live in cars or on the streets. Some of us are homeless – one in every three is a child. Two out of three children who seek assistance from a
homelessness service are turned away each day… This is not good for us. This is not good for our children. 4 We feel like we’re pushed with sticks. As if this is all we understand. Our incomes have been lowered. What does this teach us? How are we to give our children breakfast, let alone birthday cakes? How should we explain this to our children, the flesh of our flesh? “How shall we sing…?”4 5 We had no choice. We had to sign the contract. When we left work to help our children who were sick, we lost not only our jobs but 8 weeks of income from the Government. This is not good for our children. Centrelink sent us to a charity. It’s justice we’re after. 6 How’s our future going? Crushed. We’re accused of “welfare dependency”. We’re told that “welfare dependency” is not benign. What do you call the cancer of poverty? Working poverty or the poverty that breaching brings: neither of these is benign. It is not good to jump out of the frying pan and 7 into the fire. 8 Are we the ones who must pay to make our country more competitive? 9 “I feel like a dreadful mother when I say this, but I used to be out of the door at 6am. I’d ring home at 7am to wake [the children] up. They would get ready for school and I would meet them on the way home.” 5 Are we wrong to feel that it is easier to exploit us than to house us or to enable us to claim the power that comes from learning? 10 This is our “struggle for justice and love in the world of today”.6 We won’t be silenced. We are desperate to “make all things new”.7 Dr John Falzon is Chief Executive Officer, St Vincent de Paul Society National Council. This article was first published in Eureka Street: www.eurekastreet.com.au Notes: 1 The founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society; 2 Isaiah 10:1-3; 3 Samuel 12:1-7; 4 Psalm 137:42; 5 Living Low Paid Report; 6 Deus Caritas Est; 7 Revelation 21:5.
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Thankyou Vinnies in South Australia ... for suppor ting the Cyclone Lar ry appeal to the tune of $62,447.40. A remarkable effort
Grassroots: Lebanon Vincentians in Lebanon have reported to the International Council General an awful situation of mounting poverty. Three weeks after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began, more than 600 people had died, 1000 civilians were wounded, 750,000 people had become refugees (more than 12 per cent of the population), and only 10 per cent of the humanitarian aid needed in the country had arrived. Vincentians said people in southern Lebanon needed food, medicines, water and clothes. The St Vincent de Paul Society is very active and well structured in Lebanon. Vincentians moved into action and sent convoys of water, food, medicines and baby milk to more than 500 families in the region of Marjeyoun. Danger prevented the first convoy from reaching the south, so the Vincentians gave their goods to United Nations to dispatch. On August 1, Vincentians were able to send new convoys to the village. A truck loaded with food reached Marjeyoun and a bus loaded with 50 alimentary packages arrived at Kleya. Vincentians are also visiting centres that welcome Christians displaced from the south, where they hand out food, clothes and underwear, hygiene items and washing machines. They also distribute cakes. On August 1, Council General launched an appeal to Vincentians throughout the world. Emergency aid of 10,000 Euros was sent to Lebanon, and donations are being sought. Council General will collaborate with the Superior Council of Lebanon and the Council of France, which knows the region very well and has close and solid links in the Lebanese community.
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Spiritual debriefing Jim Pilmer has a job few people know about. He suppor ts and cares for police officers in Victoria, overseeing 62 part-time chaplains who share the load. While police are always in the public eye, the suppor t of chaplains like Jim Pilmer is rarely seen. “Police can be really traumatised,” Mr Pilmer said from his office in East Melbourne. “They can require various kinds of welfare suppor t, including spiritual debriefing.” In a spiritual debrief, police are led to look deeply into their belief (or meaning) systems and come to see how they are spiritually affected by events – even when they consider themselves not to be religious. Mr Pilmer also lectures at the Police Academy and assists in training recruits to handle death notifications. “It is a complex and difficult part of policing,” he said. Multi-faith training is also crucial for police working in a multi-faith society, he said. A Churchill Fellowship in 2003 enabled Mr Pilmer to look at aspects of religious diversity as they applied to operational policing around the world. Through the project, he discerned the need for police to respect other faiths and keep them in mind while working with colleagues and the public. Mr Pilmer is now a member of a Victoria Police Multi-Faith Council that was established to link police more closely with the community. One of the key recommendations from his study tour was the need for quiet rooms in the workplace. “These are not chapels but rather a quiet space where people can go to reflect or pray for brief periods,” Mr Pilmer said.
“They are important in providing an opportunity for people to take time out when they need it.” “An official dedicated Quiet Room can be a very powerf ul symbol of the organisation’s acceptance of religious diversity and the need to observe prayer times by some faiths,” he said. Mr Pilmer said he is always on call but aims to live a balanced life by taking time out to spend time with family and friends, maintain his own sacramental and worship life and relax. Before becoming the Victorian police chaplain more than ten years ago, he was director of the Anglican Marriage Education and Counselling Service (now called LifeWorks) for five years. He said his experience as an accredited relationship counsellor was good preparation for his current role. “A lot of my job is taken up with relationship counselling and talking to police couples intending to marry about the pressures involved in their work and how that can impact on the relationship.’’ Mr Pilmer, 68, grew up in Kew, Melbourne and worked as a telephone technician with the Postmaster Generals Department until he was 30 and heard a different call. A practising Anglican all his life, he found within a deep sense of “calling” to ministr y that he wanted to pursue. He studied for priesthood within the Anglican Church and was ordained in 1970. Mr Pilmer worked in parishes throughout Melbourne for 16 years, before joining LifeWorks in 1986.
Out of the archives Putting on a song and dance to raise funds for charity has a long history in the Australian Society. By John Campbell
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f all the activities that the Society undertakes, none would seem more unlikely than producing and staging concerts. There are numerous accounts and photographs of informal concerts being conducted over the years, but it’s the formal ones that catch the eye. The first recorded formal concert was in 1888, only seven years after the foundation of the first conference in NSW. A very handsome program spoke of “A Grand Vocal and Instrumental Concert” in aid of the Sacred Heart conference. Without a doubt, it was an upmarket affair. Madame Merz sang “Dear Bird of Winter”, Mrs A. Madden gave a rendition of “Australia” – rather optimistic considering that Federation and the start of the Australian nation was still 12 years away – and Mr Horrie Williams entertained with “Humorous Trifles”. We can only wonder if any of the performers were members of the Society, but there is a suspicion they were professionals who donated their time and talent. What a contrast to the latest recorded concert, which took place in Melbourne during the sesquicentennial celebration in May 2004. The Great 150 Show, described as a celebration of the spirit as well as the history of the Society in Australia, was staged in the Melbourne Town Hall in the presence of the Governor General, Sir Michael Jeffrey, other distinguished guests and members of the Society from home and overseas. The cast comprised of volunteers and for some it was their first time on stage. In a letter received afterwards, the President of the Society in England and Wales said the show was fully worthy of the standing ovation it received. These are certainly not the only two concerts. A report in the Catholic Press newspaper dated 14 March 1892 speaks of a concert under the auspices of the Leichhardt conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society for the poor in the district. The place was a hall in Norton Street, and while the exact location is not given, it would have been within walking distance of the present NSW State Council offices. The program was even more highbrow than its earlier 1888 counterpart. The report remarked: “it seems unusual to find in a suburb so fine and so beautifully decorated a concert room and more still, so fine an organ. The audience was crowded, and showed themselves throughout most
capable of appreciating the high class music of which the programme consisted.” The Theatre Royal in Hobart, that architectural and historic gem, lauded by the great and famous in the theatrical business, has the distinction of being the oldest working theatre in Australia. While names like Nellie Melba, Noel Coward, Laurence Olivier, Michael Redgrave, Gladys Moncrieff, Ronnie Corbert, Barry Humphries and legions more have strutted the stage, none would have outshone the concert which took place on 17 April 1983 when the State Council of Tasmania celebrated the foundation of the Society in 1833 in Paris. The program presented a variety of talent, carefully trained and well rehearsed, perhaps none better than the Rokeby Store Choir who to the tune of “I Belong to Glasgow” sang: “We belong to Rokeby; Dear old Rokeby store.” Theatrical performances are not only a local affair. In 1983 when the Society in England and Wales was celebrating its 150th anniversary, they commissioned the Australian playwright Bruce Stewart to write a play on the life of Frederic Ozanam. Titled Just Outside Jericho, it played in London and regional cities. Maybe concerts have gone out of fashion now, but at least there is a legacy, and that may inspire future generations. John Campbell is a former secretary of the Society’s National Council.
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Across Australia there are more Vinnies shops than some supermarket chain stores. They are largely run by volunteers, 90 per cent of whom are women.
CENTRES OF
Photographs by Mark Anderson
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AT T E N T I O N
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Vinnies stores are treasure troves for stylists, actors and anyone after vintage The Paddington store in Queensland is renowned for selling the best retro in town.
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As soon as the flood warnings came in April, Sheila Jensen and her husband left their home and headed across Bullet Creek to Katherine. They needed to be on the Katherine side of the creek to help people in need – Mr Jensen at the hospital and Sheila at the Vinnies Centre of Charity. WORDS BY JESSICA GADD It was for just such an emergency that the new Vinnies store in Katherine, NT, had been built. Designed for easy cleaning, and painted to resist water absorption, the Centre is sturdily made with windows positioned to allow floodwater to flow through. A mezzanine level and hoist allow stock to be quickly moved upstairs in the four hours between the sound of the warnings and the arrival of the water. The idea for this innovative centre came in the wake of severe flooding caused by Cyclone Les in 1998. “The major problem after the flood was, of course, the clean-up,” Sheila Jensen, the Katherine centre manager, said. “The waters had gone straight through the sewage farm so contaminated residue was deposited throughout. The smell was atrocious.” Next time, the Katherine Vinnies volunteers wanted to be prepared. To them, the whole point of the St Vincent de Paul Society is to help people in need, and where is the need greater than a community in crisis! “The centre in an emergency can provide a change of clothes, access to toilets and a shower, a cup of tea and a sandwich, a place to contact family and friends, and the opportunity to talk to someone who can help – either financially or emotionally,” Sheila said.
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And in the recent floods, the centre performed as planned. “We gave 187 people a set of clothes each in two and a half hours,” Sheila said. “One of our volunteers went up to Centrelink and handed out food vouchers to those who needed them. We sent boxes of clothes over to the school hall for people who had left their homes without a change of clothes. Darwin Vinnies whipped into gear and quickly sent us goods. “That’s what I love about Vinnies – we give what is needed quietly and humbly with no fuss or fanfare. Other organisations could only give a limited amount of assistance, but our President Bill Burford told us that he could make funds available to give whatever help we could.” Once case in particular stands out in Sheila’s mind: “A lady we helped had insured the exterior of her house but not the interior. She cleaned and dried her possessions as best she could but was hospitalised after catching a bacterial infection from her flood-affected mattress. “We advised her what Government assistance was available, and bought her a new mattress and washing machine so she could sleep without fear of infection and clean all her other possessions in hot water. That’s what Vinnies is here for, helping in situations like that.”
Between the blue collection bin and the shop front, most donated merchandise makes a trip to a depot or warehouse for sorting and distribution. If the stores are a treasure trove, the depots are Aladdin’s cave.
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Most people shorten the St Vincent de Paul Society to Vinnies. Now the centres are following suit with new signage so you can spot us at first glance. WORDS BY JOHN PICOT When The Wiggles offered to help the Society promote its good works in 2003, it made sense to use their wide appeal to build on what people knew most about the Society: our shops. Over the next three years, the familiar four illustrated three key messages: 1. That our shops are places where people can find all sorts of treasures, and buying those treasures will help people in need. 2. By donating their pre-loved items, people would be helping others in need. 3. By volunteering their time and labour, people could help the Society run the shops, to help others in need. The Record – Spring 2006 Page 22
The third and final part of the campaign runs this spring. While the campaign has been a success, it unearthed a glaring problem for the Society: our shops use different names in different states. In WA, they are known as St Vinnies; in NSW, as St Vincent de Paul Centres; and in Tasmania as Vinnies. The National Centres Committee of the Society decided to adopt the single name of Vinnies for all centres, and signage is now being changed. The real benefit of this new look for our Vinnies shops will be a consistent public identity, an enhanced reputation as a good place to shop, reduced cost for advertising, and hence more funds in support of the Society’s good works.
A window dressed in white caught the eye of a passing journalist who reported that the Vinnies store in Lutwyche, Qld, had a whole section for that special day.
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The final installment in this four-part series looks at how to support someone with a substance use disorder. By Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorn Using alcohol or drugs does not in itself mean that a person has a substance use disorder. Substance use disorders include any of the following: • Dependence on alcohol or drug; • Use of alcohol or a drug which leads to problems at work, school or home, or to legal problems; • Use of alcohol or a drug at a level which is causing damage to health. The damage may be physical (such as hepatitis from selfadministration of injected drugs) or mental (such as depression secondary to heavy consumption of alcohol). The symptoms of substance dependence are: • Tolerance for the substance (person needs increased amounts over time or gets less effect with repeated use); • Problems in withdrawal (person experiences withdrawal symptoms or uses the substance to relieve withdrawal symptoms); • Use of larger amounts or over longer periods than intended; • Problems in cutting down or controlling use; • A lot of time is spent getting the substance, using it, or recovering from its effects; • The person gives up or reduces important social, occupational or recreational activities because of substance use; • The person continues using the substance despite suffering from its ill effects. Approximately 8 per cent of Australian adults have a substance use disorder in any year, with men more than twice as likely to be affected as women. Alcohol use disorders are about three times as common as drug use disorders (see table below). Cannabis accounts for more drug use disorders than any other illicit drug. These figures do not include tobacco-smoking, which affects around a fifth of Australian adults. Type of disorder
Males
Females
Persons
Alcohol
9.4%
3.7%
6.5%
Cannabis
2.7%
0.8%
1.7%
Stimulants
0.3%
0.1%
0.3%
Sedatives
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
Opioids
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
Any substance use disorder
11.1%
4.5%
7.7%
Table: Percentage of Australian adults who suffer from a substance use disorder in any year
People with substance use disorders also tend to have other mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. The Record – Spring 2006 Page 24
People with psychotic disorders also have a high rate of substance use disorders. This is often called ‘dual diagnosis’. One reason for this association is that many people use alcohol and drugs as a type of self-medication for anxiety, depression or psychosis. Users of alcohol and other drugs report that these substances can have a calming effect. However, alcohol and drug use can also cause other problems in a person’s life and heavy use may contribute to or exacerbate a mental health problem.
Alcohol Alcohol makes people less alert and impairs concentration and coordination. In small quantities, alcohol causes people to relax and lower their inhibitions. They can feel more confident and often act more extroverted. However, alcohol can also make people more prone to aggression and antisocial behaviour. If a person is feeling suicidal, they are more likely to attempt suicide if they are under the influence of alcohol.
How much is too much? The effects of alcohol vary from person to person (health, age, diet, other drugs). Women are advised to drink less than men because their bodies tend to break down alcohol more slowly. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends at least two alcohol-free days a week. For men, it is recommended that no more than four standard drinks are consumed per day. For women, it is recommended that no more than two standard drinks are consumed per day. Alcohol-free days are recommended because research show that a person has to use alcohol regularly to become dependent on it. Even people who drink at low levels over time will acquire some tolerance to alcohol. People who only drink intermittently are less likely to develop a tolerance to alcohol and withdrawal symptoms. Many Australians have a mild degree of alcohol dependence. An early sign of dependence is finding it hard to stop drinking after two or three drinks. People who drink at high levels over a long period may develop physical or psychological problems. The World Health Organisation developed an AUDIT Questionnaire to assess alcohol problems. It consists of 10 questions that can help indicate a drinking problem that requires further attention. A copy of this questionnaire can be found in the complete Mental Health First Aid kit, which is free to download at www.mhfa.com.au.
Alcohol use disorder and other mental health problems There is a high rate of other mental health problems in people who have an alcohol use disorder. For example, people with alcohol dependence are over four times more likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder or depression and are six times more likely to have symptoms of psychosis. The National Health and Medical Research Council has recommended that people with mental health problems take particular care with their drinking. They may need to consider not drinking at all if they cannot keep within the recommended drinking levels or if their symptoms persist. People who are depressed and sometimes drink excessively have a much greater risk of self-harm and suicide. Heavy drinking can also make the symptoms of anxiety and depression worse. While drinking alcohol can bring some relief from anxiety in the short term, it can lead to worse symptoms or anxiety or depression in the long term, particularly with high levels of consumption. Alcohol use is also association with poorer outcomes for people who suffer from schizophrenia. As well as a high rate of mental health problems in heavy drinkers, there is also a higher rate at the other end of the spectrum, in non-drinkers. Nondrinkers have higher rates of anxiety disorders and depression than moderate drinkers, who tend to have the best mental health. The reasons for this association are not fully understood.
Tobacco Tobacco is so widely used that we do no usually think of it as a mental health issue. However, there is a high rate of mental health problems in people who smoke tobacco. Smokers are more than twice as likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder or depression, and are more than four times more likely to have symptoms of psychosis. Tobacco users are also more likely to have a substance use disorder involving alcohol or other drugs. Which came first is not always clear.
Cannabis (marijuana) Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia, with 39 per cent of people aged 14 or over having used it at some time in their lives. For most people, use is only occasional. Only about 2 per cent of the population have a problem with cannabis abuse or dependence. However, cannabis, use is associated with other mental health problems. Adults who use cannabis are more than twice as likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder or depression and have more than three times the risk of suffering from psychotic
symptoms. Adolescents who use cannabis are more likely to suffer from depression, to have conduct problems, to drink excessively and to use other drugs. Again, which came first is not always clear. There is an association between cannabis use and schizophrenia. The more frequent the use of cannabis, the greater the risk of a diagnosis of schizophrenia over the next 15 years. It is believed that chronic use of cannabis may precipitate schizophrenia, but only in vulnerable people.
Amphetamines Amphetamines belong to the category of stimulant drugs and have the temporary effect of increasing energy and apparent mental alertness. Amphetamines come in many shapes and forms and are taken in different ways. They can be in the form of a powder, tablets, capsules, crystals or liquid. Amphetamines are known on the street by such terms as ‘crystal’, ‘base’, ‘ice’ and ‘shabu’. People use amphetamines for different reasons. Some use these drugs to get ‘high’ and dance all night. Others use them to stay awake for long periods of time. Amphetamines can reduce tiredness and increase endurance. However, as the effect wears off, a person may experience a range of effects including depression, irritability, agitation, craving, increased appetite and sleepiness. A particular mental health risk is amphetamine psychosis or ‘speed psychosis’, which involves symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia. The person may experience hallucinations, delusions and uncontrolled violent behaviour. The person will recover as the drug wears off, but is vulnerable to further episodes of psychosis if the drug is used again.
Ecstasy Ecstasy or MDMA is a stimulant drug which also has hallucinogenic properties. It is used as a ‘party drug’ by some young people. In the hot and crowded conditions of dances, users can develop an adverse reaction which in extreme cases can result in death. To reduce this risk at dances, users need to maintain a steady fluid intake, and rest and cool down. When coming off ecstasy, users often experience depressed mood. The long-term effects of using ecstasy are of particular concern. There is a considerable evidence from experiments on animals that ecstasy damages nerve cells in the brain that use a chemical messenger called serotonin. Research on people who have regularly used ecstasy shows that they have altered levels of serotonin, memory problems, changed appetite, loss of sexual interest and a range of mental health problems. St Vincent de Paul Society Australia Page 25
Heroin Heroin is a type of opioid. Opioid drugs also include morphine, opium and codeine, all of which derive from the opium poppy. Heroin produces a short-term feeling of euphoria and wellbeing and relieves pain. However, the drug has a high risk of creating dependence. Although it receives a lot of publicity, heroin is not a widely used drug in Australia. Less than 2 per cent of the Australian population reports having used heroin at some time, and less than 1 per cent report using it in the past year. However, heroin overdose is a major cause of death for young adults in Australia. Non-fatal overdoses are also common in users. Most people who are dependent on heroin have associated problems such as depression, alcohol dependence and criminal behaviour. Heroin users are also at high risk for suicide.
What cause substance use disorders? Different substances affect the brain in different ways. People use substances because of these effects, which include increasing feelings of pleasure or decreasing feelings of distress. Some substances cause dependence, in which case the user may eventually take the substance mainly to reduce their withdrawal symptoms. The table below shows the risk of dependence from various substances. Substance
Pleasure giving
Physical withdrawal symptoms
Psychological withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol
Moderate
Strong
Moderate
Tobacco
Strong
Slight
Strong
Cannabis
Slight
Slight
Slight
Amphetamine
Moderate
Slight
Moderate
Ecstasy
Moderate
Slight
None
Heroin
Strong
Strong
Strong
Substance use typically starts in adolescence or young adulthood and some proportion of these users will develop a substance use disorder depending on the properties of the drug. If a person has not started using a substance by age 30, then it is unlikely they will ever develop a problem with that substance. Most of our knowledge about the causes of substance use disorder relates to alcohol but the causes of other drug disorders are likely to be similar.
Causes of alcohol use disorders There is no single cause of alcohol use disorders. Rather, there are many factors which increase a The Record – Spring 2006 Page 26
person’s chances of developing such a disorder. These include: availability and tolerance in society, social factors, genetic predisposition, alcohol sensitivity, learning and other mental health problems.
First aid for substance use disorders Step 1: Assess the risk of suicide or harm If a person is thinking of suicide, alcohol will increase the chances that they will harm themselves or complete suicide. To help a person who is suicidal, follow the steps listed in the Summer 05/06 issue of The Record in relation to Depression. (You can also find these steps in the complete Mental Health First Aid manual at www.mhfa.com. au) If the person is injecting drugs, it is important that they use in a way that it does not result in other harm to themselves, such as infectious diseases or overdose. This approach is called ‘harm minimisation’. Drug injectors need to use new needles and not to inject alone, as accidental overdose is always a possibility. If there is an intentional or unintentional overdose, the person may become unconscious. Any unconscious person needs immediate medical attention and their airway kept open by rolling them onto their side, clearing their mouth and tilting their head back gently and facing down slightly, so that any vomit can drain out. A conscious person needs monitoring as they may deteriorate into unconsciousness.
Step 2: Listen non-judgementally • Listen to the person without judging them as bad or immoral. • Do not be critical of them. You are more likely to be able to help them in the long term if you maintain a non-critical approach. Try not to express your frustration at the person for having substance use problems. • Don’t give glib advice such as ‘show some will power’. • Avoid confrontation with the person unless necessary to prevent harmful or dangerous acts.
Step 3: Give reassurance and information Help the person to realise that: • They have a real medical condition; • Substance use disorder is a common illness;
• Some people are more prone to these disorders than others; • Problems are available to help people deal with alcohol or drug problems; • Often depressive and/or anxiety disorders may underlie a substance use problem and there are effective treatments for anxiety and depression (see previous issues of The Record).
Step 4: Encourage person to get appropriate professional help People who have a substance use disorder often do no want to change. The person could be in any of the following stages: 1. Precontemplation: The person sees no need to change. 2. Contemplation: The person has thought of the pros and cons of their substance use but is not sure about changing. 3. Preparation: The person is ready to take action to change. 4. Action: The person is attempting to change and avoiding situations which might trigger their substance use. 5. Maintenance: The person has changed and is working to prevent themselves from relapsing back to substance misuse. 6. Relapse: Unless the person is at the stage where they are prepared to change, it is unlikely that any treatment will succeed. People who are ready to change are those who see the disadvantages of their substance use as outweighing the advantages. The best way to help people who are not ready to change is to try and discuss, without moralising, the disadvantages of their substance use. There are several types of health professional who can provide help for substance use problems:
GPs For people who are ready to change, the best help is to see a GP about the problem. It is known that people are more likely to reduce their substance use if the GP gives information on the harms involved and gives clear advice to cut down or stop substance use.
Drug and alcohol specialists For people who have more serious drug or alcohol problems, a GP may refer them to a doctor who specialises in this field. A person can also be referred to a drug and alcohol counsellor for ongoing support.
Family and friends Family and friends are a very important source of support for a person with a substance use problem.
Family and friends can help the person to seek professional help. Also, they can help reduce the chances of relapse after a person has quit. People are more likely to start using again if there is an emotional upset in their life and the family can try to reduce this possibility.
Step 5: Encourage self-help strategies There are a number of booklets available to assist quitting alcohol or drugs. These are available from the Australian Drug Foundation, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and SANE Australia. A national telephone QUITLINE 13 18 48 exists for tobacco use. Support groups may be a useful source of mutual support and information. There are support groups for both substance users (Alcoholics Anonymous) and for their families (AL-ANON, Drugs in Family).
Contacts Australian Drug Foundation: www.adf.org.au – an independent, non-profit organisation working to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug problems in the Australian community. Drug Referral Information for Schools: www.dris.gov.au/index.htm – an information tool to support the referral of students with drug and alcohol issues to community-based services. It covers services in all Australian states and territories. Centre for Education and Information on Drugs and Alcohol: www.ceida.net.au – part of NSW Health in Sydney and works to increase the number of effective strategies to reduce alcohol and other drugs related to harm. This website also has useful links to related websites. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre: www.med.unsw.edu.au/ndarc – based at the University of NSW and funded by the Commonwealth Government; aim is to increase the effectiveness of treatment for drug and alcohol problems in Australia. Website has information and online ordering for some excellent cheap booklets on different drug problems. SANE Australia: www.sane.org – has for sale two quit-smoking guides, one for consumers and one for supporters.
This is an edited extract from Mental Health First Aid, developed at the Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, by Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorn. For a free, complete version of Mental Health First Aid, go to www.mhfa.org.au. St Vincent de Paul Society Australia Page 27
Poor always with us – I
Humble example
Congratulations on the Winter 2006 issue of the Record in its presentation and diversity of content. Our Lord and Saviour gave us an important message about poverty when he chided those who protested that the money for his expensive foot massage should have been given to the poor, when He told the: “The poor you always have with you.” Consequently, it is difficult to understand the need to target the Government on the grounds that the recent federal budget “boosts inequality” when as Christians we must recognise inequality to be an essential element in Creation. The emphasis in contemporary Catholic “social justice’ on the rights of the weak and the obligations of the strong amounts to a bending of the truth. Certainly the well-to-do have obligations to society, but so do the monetary poor. It would have been engaging if Dr Falzon, in his talk with Stephen Crittenden, had been able to constructively invoke the great Apostle to the Gentiles on the subject of wages policy. “For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: ‘if any one will not work, let him not eat’.” An organisation like the St Vincent de Paul Society should be capable of at least contemplating the government initiative in the light of these words of St Paul, instead of rejecting the new policy out of hand. The Federal Government has the right to determine how our taxes are spent, and it also has the obligation to do what it can to counter the serious abuses which have crept into the social security system. Ray Harty Yeronga QLD
Thank you for another informative Record (Winter 2006 edition). We thoroughly enjoyed the article “Eyes Wide Open”. Alicia gave us interesting insight into their experiences and the photos were both enlightening and delightful. What a wonderful example our SVDP Young Vinnies members are to us all. They have shown great love and generosity in building relationships with the Aboriginal people of remote Northern Territory communities. This is such good work. The humility and respect shown by these young members of our Society to communities and people in need is both admirable and inspiring. It is a reminder to us all of the importance of building stronger relationships with the traditional owners of this land. We can so easily fall into the trap of expecting the Aboriginal people to adapt to “our ways”, but how much do we know and understand of “their ways”? Well done Young Vinnies! Jeanette Goosen Lilydale, Vic
Poor always with us – II In 1970 I joined St Vincent de Paul Society Manly Vale conference. With a couple of breaks due to work and moving, I have been a member ever since. I was conference president for more than four years and similarly at Mosman. Apart from local calls, I have made many visits to other areas. I believe I can claim to have had a good deal of experience with SVDP The Record – Spring 2006 Page 28
activities at conference level. From time to time over the year I have seen theories (or philosophies) advanced regarding the operation and make-up of the Society, which have sounded reasonable and have some merit but, if followed through, would very likely have adversely affected the purpose of the Society. One of these, I am sorry to say, seems to have surfaced again. The particular philosophy I am referring to is based on three premises: 1. Resources are limited and must be carefully guarded; 2. Donors to the Society expect that the money they provide must be used with great care. 3. The essential thing is to get our clients up on their feet and productive. This is termed “breaking the poverty cycle”. As I have stated, most of these have varying degrees of validity, but if given too much weight, the person in need may well suffer. Aid that could be given may be reduced, curtailed or not provided at all.
In my view, the primary object of the St Vincent de Paul Society is to help the needy. That is it, full stop. Everything else is secondary. There is no fixed limit regarding time or the amount of help provided. The person in need should be helped in accordance with the level of their peers. If anything, we may err on the side of generosity. There is no time limit on poverty. The Good Book tells us: “the poor will always be with us”. The donors give their money and expect us to help the needy as much as we are able. If we run short of funds in the process, we do the best we can and trust that the Lord will send some more via kind benefactors. Trust in Him. Of course, we must exercise good judgment. Every case is different. A visit or two will normally reveal the best way to deal with the particular client. However, we should remember that people are people and may not always agree with our solution to their problems. Failure to follow our advice fully should not be a reason for withdrawing aid. There are those who are able to bounce back. We provide assistance once and hear from them no more. There are those who will deliberately try to defraud us. There are those who may look to us automatically when the bills come in, when they could deal with them themselves. There are those who need help in managing their money. BUT, there are also those who are caught in a situation which persists. Examples of this are deserted wives with children, people unable to fully cope mentally, the chronically ill, carers in general. I am sure any conference will have examples of those needing long-term assistance. Government assistance is fine but is limited by red tape, regulations, a by-the-book outlook, and can be very impersonal. If the Government met every need, there would be little need for charitable organisations. We are there to cope with the deficiencies, also to make the human approach. On a visit, we must discuss in a friendly manner the problem, and if genuine, do the best we can to alleviate it, no matter how long it takes. I believe that this should be more evident in our Rule. Tom Crogan Mosman NSW
Energy revolution I am in receipt of your Winter edition. I am particularly pleased with the article by Fr Bruce Duncan, entitled “Global warning”. I have read this over and over, and, in the main, I totally agree with him. It his a “cord” with me when I read: “We need a new economic model”. Indeed we do – we need a financial system whereby the money is more evenly spread between the “haves” and the “have nots”. I have been concerned about the polluted atmosphere for some time and have been gathering as much data on the subject as I can. I have compiled an article, “The Energy Revolution”; the information being gathered from various sources. I enclose a copy for your perusal. I thank you for a splendid magazine. Keep up the good work. Henry Leigh Townsville QLD
Out of touch I have worked in the homeless service system for 16 years and often enjoy reading material produced by the St Vincent de Paul Society. I wasn’t thrilled by the cartoon in The Record (p15, Winter 2006). It depicts four raggedy homeless men sleeping rough. Not only is this image inaccurate (most of the homeless are young, many are female and most do not sleep rough), it also panders to the derro stereotype; the creaky notion that the homeless are grizzled, middle aged men who are poorly groomed and utterly bereft of a future. I’m sure you would agree that these are bogus and negative images which need to be overcome if we are to engage the public in a positive understanding
of this escalating social problem. Given Vinnies’ excellent work as community educators and advocates, I would not have expected such a retrograde cartoon to accompany an otherwise reasonable article about the Federal budget’s impact upon the disadvantaged. The article refers particularly to the 1.2 million kids living in poverty – surely this would have provided better source material for social satire. We all know that the disadvantaged do not generally look any different from the prosperous, and you could certainly ride a train sitting next to a homeless person and never realise the nature of their situation. What makes poverty so hard to overcome is the middle class notion that there is the deserving poor and the hopeless. This latter category, of which the homeless are usually included, are forgotten people, and the result is that we now have an affordable housing crisis that looks like it will only be resolved when pitchfork wielding revolutionaries march into parliament. In short, I would suggest that a cartoon such as yours contributes to a cartoon understanding of homelessness
and therefore represents the very opposite of the noble mission of the Vinnies. I understand that offense was not intentional and I hope that this little drawing represents just a minor glitch in an otherwise noble effort. Chris Middendorp Editor’s response: In fairness to the illustrator, it needs to be mentioned that he was asked to illustrate the interview between Stephen Crittenden and John Falzon, not the article about the federal budget.
The Record welcomes letters but we reserve the right to edit them for legal reasons, space or clarity. Articles will be published only if full name, address and phone numbers are provided, although the address will be withheld from publication if so requested. Post to The Record, PO Box 373, Summer Hill, NSW 2130, or email to rita. williams@svdp.org.au Everyone whose letter is published in the next issue of The Record will receive a free book.
On reflection
Continued from page 30 seems to be the most difficult for many people. Some questions might help my reflection: Do I affirm the particular gifts God has given me? Do I think well of myself? How do I care for myself, my body, my mind? What are my legitimate needs? How do I fulfil those needs? Do I forgive myself when I fail? Do I treat myself with gentleness and compassion? Am I warm and understanding towards myself? I conclude the prayer with an Our Father. Reflective writing
After the prayer, I reflect on my experience. I notice how I felt during the prayer. I write about my experiences in my prayer journal. If it helps, I write answers to some of the dot point questions above. Fr Michael Smith SJ is the Rector of Jesuit Theological College in Melbourne.
People are funny! How often do we meet someone and say, ‘They should be in a book’? Author Brian Meade has met lots of them, and has done just that. He takes us to the fictional town of Connemara and introduces us to many of the intriguing and amusing characters from the local parish—as well as a few of the visiting bishops!
A PEOPLE WATCHER’S PARADISE RRP $22.50 (incl GST) Available from your religious book store or direct from the publisher.
David Lovell Publishing PO Box 822 Ringwood 3134 Tel 03 9879 1433 Fax 03 9879 1348 St Vincent de Paul Society Australia Page 29
Teach me to love Distilled into a couple of commands, the message of Christ is revealed through an intimate encounter. By Fr Michael Smith SJ
S
t Vincent de Paul wrote: “It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer. Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity.” The life of a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society is characterised by love of the poor. However, this love must not be unbalanced. Jesus says, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” with the clear implication that whatever we do for our neighbour, we must also and first do for ourselves. In other words, it’s a package deal. We have two people we must love: ourselves and our neighbour. We can’t love another without loving ourselves. What is love? A good working definition of love is the desire to see another person satisfied, happy and secure. This desire is not just a feeling. Feelings can be transient and ambivalent. Rather, love is: • a decision – “I am going to love you” • a commitment – “I am committed to your satisfaction, happiness, and security” Love is centred on the other person. When I decide that I am going to love you, I am in effect saying that I am going to provide, as best I can, whatever promotes your true happiness. This is love. Sometimes, of course, it is difficult to know the most loving thing to do, say or be in a particular situation. On one The Record – Spring 2006 Page 30
day, love may mean that I celebrate the success of the one I love. On another day, love may mean that I sit quietly with the one I love who is in pain. Love may mean that I am tender to the one whom I love. Love may also mean that I lovingly confront my friend with the truth. Consequently, love is an “art”, not a “science”. We learn to love. Here is a prayerful reflection on Jesus’ command: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Gospel
One of the scribes asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the first of all?” He answered: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mk 12:29-31). I express my desire to God
God our Father, please help me to understand these commandments so that in carrying them out I might give you glory and praise. Prayer
I imagine that Jesus is standing near me. He is looking at me lovingly. I ask him, “Lord, what is the greatest commandment?” He calls me by my name and says: “Jenny, love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
I gently repeat these words and allow them to resound in my heart. I try to grasp what they mean for me. I speak with Jesus about how I might best love God. Some questions may help: In my relationship with God, do I tell him what is on my mind and in my heart? Do I praise and thank God for all he has given me? Do I desire God to be first in my life? After some time of reflection, maybe five minutes, I move to the second commandment and reflect on it in the same way. I hear Jesus call me by my name and say to me: “Matt, you shall love your neighbour.” I speak with Jesus about how I might best love my neighbour. My neighbour means my parents, my brothers and sisters, my children, my friends, the people I work with, those in special need and so on. Some questions may help: In what ways do I affirm the goodness of others? How do I help others? Do I listen carefully and compassionately to others? Do I forgive others their failings? Do I treat others with gentleness and respect? Am I warm and understanding towards others? Finally, after some time of reflection, maybe five minutes, I hear Jesus call me by my name and say to me: “Margaret, you shall love yourself.” I speak with Jesus about how I might best love myself. This commandment Continued on page 29
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