The Disability Information and Resource Centre

The online Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for participation on a mental health Consumer Reference Group (CRG) is now open.

The CRG will provide advice to an existing well-established non-government body, which will be responsible for establishing the infrastructure of the new national mental health consumer organisation. It is intended these auspice arrangements will be in place for about two years to assist the new organisation to transition into independence with strong and sustainable foundations. The Government is currently giving consideration to a non-government body to undertake this auspicing role, and will be announced in the coming months.

The CRG will be comprised of members with a diverse range of experience, skills, knowledge and backgrounds; and who have a commitment to a shared vision leading to improved quality of life, social justice and inclusion for people with mental illness in Australia.

The Department of Health and Ageing is coordinating Expressions of Interest for the CRG through an on-line process. For the purposes of this process, the term ‘mental health consumer’ is used, and is defined as follows: “a person with a lived experience of mental health problems / mental illness”).

Information about the role of the CRG and how to apply is available at www.health.gov.au/mentalhealth.

Expressions of interest can be submitted until Monday 4pm AEDT 20 February 2012.

This 2 day workshop is being held in Port Augusta from 23-24 March 2012 by SAFE in Oz.

The workshop aims to give participants an insight into the headspace of one who self-abuses in order to better understand their ‘real’ world and experiences; focussing specifically on their thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Throughout the workshop participants are encouraged to employ strength based practice, in collaboration with their clients, as a means to discovering a myriad of healthier alternative behaviours to use in response to their inner trauma.

As self-abuse does not impact solely on the physical aspect of an individual’s life, the workshop links self-abuse to its impact on the, mind, spirit and social aspects of life and explores the related long term effects.

Also discussed will be the connection between self-abuse and suicide, BPD [Borderline Personality Disorder], mental illness, sexual assault, domestic violence and adolescence.

The presentation mode for the workshop is both interactive and activity based and includes ‘real’ case studies, PowerPoint presentation and DVD.

Each workshop participant is provided with a SAFE in Oz brochure, pen and presentation folder. The folder includes a workbook for each day which contains a copy of the PowerPoint presentation, activity pages and additional subject related reference material.

The activity sheets include strategies and tools for use with clients, while the reference material acts to enhance understanding and give insight into related topics.

Further information.

Registration Form.

SAFE in Oz in partnership with GROW SA will be presenting ‘An Introduction To Working With Individuals Who Self-Abuse’ a 2 day workshop.

Hove – 9th & 10th May 2012

The workshop aims to give participants an insight into the headspace of one who self-abuses in order to better understand their ‘real’ world and experiences; focussing specifically on their thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Throughout the workshop participants are encouraged to employ strength based practice, in collaboration with their clients, as a means to discovering a myriad of healthier alternative behaviours to use in response to their inner trauma.

As self-abuse does not impact solely on the physical aspect of an individual’s life, the workshop links self-abuse to its impact on the, mind, spirit and social aspects of life and explores the related long term effects.

Also discussed will be the connection between self-abuse and suicide, BPD [Borderline Personality Disorder], mental illness, sexual assault, domestic violence and adolescence.

The presentation mode for the workshop is both interactive and activity based and includes ‘real’ case studies, PowerPoint presentation and DVD.

Each workshop participant is provided with a SAFE in Oz brochure, pen and presentation folder. The folder includes a workbook for each day which contains a copy of the PowerPoint presentation, activity pages and additional subject related reference material.

The activity sheets include strategies and tools for use with clients, while the reference material acts to enhance understanding and give insight into related topics.

Further information.

Registration Form.

3 of Adelaide’s music & mental health project bands come together for a National Social Inclusion Week event on Wednesday, November 23rd from 1-3pm at the SA Folk Centre, corner of George St & South Road, Thebarton. Come and celebrate with The JMG Band, The Pulgi Band and Bach 2 Blues! A FREE event.

Social Inclusion Week is about caring, connection, inclusion and celebration, inspiring individuals and groups to look beyond their own ‘backyards’ and engage with those around them. In coming to terms with the effects of mental illness, people have used a range of approaches, including involvement in creative arts projects that encourage self expression, social interaction, teamwork and a sense of achievement through personal skill development.

For more information see www.socialinclusionweek.com.au.

You are invited to an exhibition of the art of Art Therapist and Phd Student Faith Thorley, entitled “The Art of Embracing Change”.

At the North Adelaide Community Centre at 176 Tynte St, North Adelaide.

The exhibition will run from November 1st to 10th and then from November 15th to December 16th.

All art works are for sale. Part proceeds of the exhibition will go to the Mental Health Coalition of SA to promote art making for mental wellness.

For full details click here to have a look at the flyer.

Join over 200 delegates from 100 regional and rural towns in Australia and New Zealand at the 3rd Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium

The conference “Impacts & Outcomes” will be held at the Mercure, Ballarat from 14th — 16th November 2011.

The conference will examine the mental health implications of Social Change, Financial Factors and Environmental Adversities.

These factors and others can severely impact on the mental health of individuals and upon community functioning, cohesion, and resource availability.

1. What lessons can be learned from our response to these changes?
2. How can mental health professionals prepare themselves, their clients and their communities, to deal more effectively with future negative occurrences in rural and remote areas?
3. How can the resources of government, mental health professionals, emergency services, and private practitioners, be better utilised for optimal benefit?

You can view or download the program on the conference website: http://anzmh.asn.au/rrmh11.

Below you will find the podcast from the DIRC Disability Forum “Families and Mental Health”, held at DIRC on October 6th 2011 and presented by Cindy Eggington BAppSc (Dis) (Hons).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:30:28 — 103.5MB)

Mental Health Week runs from October 9-15 2011.

There are many events scheduled during the Week. Download the Programme.

Further information can be found at www.mhcsa.org.au.

The next DIRC Disability Forum will be held on Thursday 6th October from 10.30am to 12.20pm.

The topic for the forum will be Families and Mental Health. The forum will be presented by Cindy Eggington BAppSc (Dis) (Hons).

Every day 330 Australians with serious mental illnesses are turned away from Emergency Departments, 1,200 Australians are refused admission to a public or private psychiatric unit. Every day more than 7 people die as a result of a suicide, and more than a third of those have been discharged too early or without care from hospitals.

Bookings are required.

Full details can be found here.

A presentation provided under the Mindframe National Media Initiative in partnership with the Mental Health Coalition of SA.

Wednesday 17 August 2011, 1.15pm – 2pm.

The presentation will cover:

• The evidence related to media reporting of suicide and mental illness;
• What you need to know when working with the media about mental illness and suicide;
• An opportunity to ask questions and contribute to the discussion.

RSVP by August 12.

For more information click here.