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February 28, 2012
Borderline Personality Disorder - CARER TIPS

Some tips from carers on looking after people with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Do you have any to add?

Some tips from carers on looking after people with Borderline Personality Disorder. Do you have any to add?

CARER TIPS FOR BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

1. Take the behavior less personally since it is not about you, but rather about the intense and confusing emotions of the person with BPD

2. Become aware of certain triggers, such as perceived abandonment or criticism, and try to be a bit more sensitive around these issues

January 30, 2012
ARAFMI NSW CEO Keiran Booth accredited as a Master Trainer for Mental Health First Aid

NSW’s CEO-Keiran Booth has just been accredited as a  ‘Master Mental Health First Aid Trainer’ by Official Mental Health First Aid authorities.  Mental Health First aid is a 12-hour course designed to give members of the public some skills to identify and assist someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis situation.

January 30, 2012
Neuroscience Research Australia calling for research participants!

Neuroscience Research Australia are looking for a total of 88 patients with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder (male and female) to take this medication for six weeks in addition to their ongoing anti-psychotic medication.

 

Neuroscience Research Australia are looking for a total of 88 patients with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder (male and female) to take this medication for six weeks in addition to their ongoing anti-psychotic medication. There will also be a 6 week placebo treatment phase.  For a criteria factsheet please contact Nick on Ph: (02) 9399 1683 or email n.vella@neura.edu.au

January 30, 2012
Summary of the NSW Mental Health Commission Bill 2011

The NSW Parliament will soon be debating and passing legislation to set up a new Mental Health Commission for New South Wales. Here is a summary of the Bill.

As most carers and consumers of mental health services will be aware, the NSW Parliament will soon be debating and passing legislation to set up a new Mental Health Commission for New South Wales. The Commission has been put forward as a means of allowing the NSW government to listen better to the experiences of consumers and carers as a means of improving mental health services. However, many issues about what it is to do and how have still to be completely resolved.

October 31, 2011
New Mental Health Commission Legislation

In honour of Mental Health Month the Minister for Mental Health, Hon Kevin Humphries has released a guide to the proposed NSW Mental Health Commission entitled, “DELIVERING REFORM to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the NSW community Legislation to establish the NSW Mental Health Commission”. Read our summary or download the guide to this legislation below.

In honour of Mental Health Month the Minister for Mental Health, Hon Kevin Humphries has released a document entitled, “DELIVERING REFORM to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the NSW community Legislation to establish the NSW Mental Health Commission”.

September 2, 2011
Bowen Theory and the Management of Manipulative Behaviour within Families Affected by Mental Illness

Aims of Family Systems Coaching: Carer Programme

 To provide a theoretical and experiential based model to help carers understand the biological and emotional forces within, that can overwhelm and cause chronic anxiety, especially when caring/ living with a person suffering with mental illness.

 To enable carers to distinguish between their anxiety and other’s and to develop the ability to self - regulate their emotion. This skill can increase their ability to make rational decisions rather than emotional, promotes increased confidence, reduces self- doubt /confusion and allows for clarity, honesty and open- communication which enhances connection in all relationships.

 The theoretical model will provide a source of reference and stability, an anchor for carer’s, which can help them identify and assess, what they want to do and what they are capable of doing, in their daily functioning and caring role.

 Objectives of Carer programme

 Provide education about Self

  • Create better understanding and development of interpersonal relational skills
  • Provide understanding of what chronic anxiety is and how to identify it - fusion
  • Know how to distinguish between emotional reactivity (an emotionally directed reaction) and a logical/rational response
  • Increase insight into one’s own Family of Origin
  • Increase awareness of own functioning / behavioural patterns
  • Increase knowledge of own emotional tolerance levels and how these direct decisions and affect relationships
  • Understanding of how one contributes to the family emotional unit and how to remain outside the fusion
  • Increase confidence, independence and emotional maturity
  • Develop strategies to remain true to self values and beliefs
  • Develop decision skills based on logic
  • Experiment with different behaviours / thinking in a safe environment

August 22, 2011
Mental health reform agenda presented at COAG

 Experts present Mental Health reform roadmap at COAG!

Mental Health experts, Frank Quinlan, Patrick McGorry and David Cappo provided a special briefing to the Prime Minister, State and Territory Premiers and Chief Ministers, on the challenges of mental health issues facing all state governments at COAG last week.

August 18, 2011
Canberra Forum- More Than Medication: Critical Conversations about Medication, Mental Health and Recovery

Tried and experienced other mental health treatments beyond medication? Then join the conversation at this forum in  Canberra on 12 October 2011! 

University of Canberra, with the ACT Health Directorate and Inside/ Out and Associates, will present a forum Critical Conversations about Medication, Mental Health and Recovery on Wednesday 12 October at the Ann Harvey Conference Centre within University of Canberra.

Discussions around mental health treatment beyond the efficacy and hazards of medication will be the focus. The aim is to surface those with lived experience of mental illness and their carers to talk about other treatments they have explored and their experiences with them compared to straight medication.

July 15, 2011
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Personality Disorders are an on-going pattern of inner experiences and behaviours that are invasive and inflexible; have onset in adolescence or early adulthood and lead to physical and emotional distress or impairment of wellbeing and functionality. They are characterised by unstable interpersonal relationships, lack of a solid sense of self or identity, being easily bored, experiencing feelings of chronic emptiness, exhibiting extreme anger, obscure affects (e.g., emotions), and obvious impulsivity that begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts. Read on to learn more or to get information about our upcoming workshop.

What is a Personality Disorder?

According to the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV-TR), a Personality Disorder is defined as an on-going pattern of inner experiences and behaviours that differ noticeably from expectations of the individual’s culture. Personality Disorders are considered invasive and inflexible; have onset in adolescence or early adulthood and lead to physical and emotional distress or wellbeing and functional impairment. The disorder may stabilise over time. (2000)

June 30, 2011
Judging Judges Judgement

SYDNEY Magistrate, Brian Maloney, has attracted widespread community support following a judicial commission report which deemed him permanently incapacitated due to his recent diagnosis of a bipolar II disorder.

However, particular issues apply to Magistrates and Judges due to the nature of the role they fill in our government system.  The ability to supervise judicial officers on the discharge of their duties is limited because of the need to preserve judicial independence; an issue which will not apply in most other workplaces. This article explores this issue in more depth.

SYDNEY Magistrate, Brian Maloney, has attracted widespread community support following a judicial commission report which deemed him permanently incapacitated due to his recent diagnosis of a bipolar II disorder.

June 24, 2011
Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating

The aim of the workshop is to provide professionals with sufficient knowledge to be able to identify people who either have, or may be at risk of developing an eating disorder, make initial contact with them, provide relevant information and possibly refer for specialist treatment/intervention.

When: 23rd August, 2011

Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm

Where: TBA

Cost: $175

Enquiries: Suzanne Wood, Mental Health Training Unit Coordinator

Phone: 02 8922 9083

Email: suzanne.wood@ wesleymission.org.au

Registrations close : 12th August,2011

March 21, 2011
Mental Health Reform Update

The  Federal Minister for Mental Health and Aging, Mark Butler gives an update on what the Gillard Government is doing to advance vital reforms in mental health across Australia.

I’d like to take this opportunity to update you on what the Gillard Government is doing to advance vital reforms in mental health. We know that mental health is an issue that is firmly on the minds of many Australians.

 As I am sure you would be aware, the Prime Minister identified mental health reform as a major priority for this term of government. That is why she appointed me as the first ever Commonwealth Minister for Mental Health.

October 12, 2010
IN THE MEDIA: Teens overestimate mental health stigma

A study by the Australian National University's Centre for Mental Health Research has found adolescents tend to overestimate the extent of the stigma surrounding depression.

The following article from www.smh.com.au reveals the results of a recent study of more than 1000 teenagers by the Australian National University's Centre for Mental Health Research.

The research found adolescents tend to overestimate the extent of the stigma surrounding depression. This is problematic as it reduces the inclination to seek help.

Read the full article.