Mental Health Community Based Program - phase 1 

The Mental Health Community Based Program:

• targets families, carers, children and young people (aged 16 to 24 years), Indigenous families and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds affected by mental illness
• seeks to build on family strengths and improve resilience, family functioning, social support and coping skills particularly for Indigenous families and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• links to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health outcomes, by contributing to prevention and early intervention for target groups in the community context
• develops a sound evidence base and practical framework for broader mental health intervention in a community context
• empowers and strengthens families through information, education and skills development
• develops more effective parenting, relationships, and communication strategies employed within families that are affected by mental illness
• provides enhanced support for children of parents with a mental illness
• improves the emotional health and wellbeing of family members and carers
• increases awareness and understanding of mental health issues and the impact of mental illness on families
• improves capacity for communities to support families and carers affected by mental illness
• increases awareness and understanding of mental health issues in the community.

In June 2007 two activities were funded under the Mental Health Community Based Program to support families, children and young people affected by mental illness:

1. Family Mental Health Support Services (FMHSS) and
2. Carers workshops for families coping with mental illness.

1. Family mental health support services project

FMHSS activities target prevention and early intervention, with a particular focus on Indigenous families and those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. Seven pilot sites were nominated to deliver support service for families affected by mental illness through the existing Family Relationship Services Program providers.

Locations

2. Carers workshops for families coping with mental illness

This project has been delivered by the Mental Health Council of Australia under the Mental Health Community Based Program to provide coping and management skills for family members and carers of people with mental illness with a particular focus on Indigenous, people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, rural/remote areas and youth.

The Mental Health Council of Australia has delivered approximately 100 Carers Workshops nationally with at least four workshops in each jurisdiction. Workshops for specific target groups included twelve for CALD groups, eleven for Indigenous carers, seven for young carers, one for carers of people with eating disorders and one for carers of forensic patients.

More than 1,500 mental health carers from across the nation came together in small groups. The carers attended workshops delivered by the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) in partnership with local organisations where they talked about the issues and concerns they faced as carers of those with a mental illness. The MHCA visited 116 locations throughout Australia with two thirds being rural or remote.

The workshops provided practical skills on how to support a family member with mental illness, access available government and community services, and self-care for carers and family members.

Minister Macklin launched the report from the Workshops: Adversity to Advocacy on 21 October 2009. The report identifies fifteen key issues identified by mental health carers based directly on their stories, experiences and ideas. A copy can be accessed through the Mental Health Council of Australia website.