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May 4, 2012
Are you a healthy sibling of someone with schizophrenia? You're invited to take part in new research!

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES AND NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH AUSTRALIA are recruiting for healthy siblings, between the ages of 18-45 years, of people who suffers schizophrenia to take part in new research.  Here are the Research details, along with who you need to contact if you're interested in taking part.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES AND NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH AUSTRALIA are recruiting for healthy siblings, between the ages of 18-45 years, of people who suffers schizophrenia, to take part in new research.  Here are the Research details!

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.

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.

August 14, 2011
Seeking people with Schizophrenia and their carers, for paid market research!

Recruiting now! Schizophrenia sufferers and their carers for paid market research. Contact Murray Gale or Shannon at QRA, recruiting for particpants, at (02) 9371 0311 or 0425 030 311 or office@qra.net.au, asap! 

Ward 6, (www.ward6.com.au),   a Surry Hills based Market Research Company  is seeking people suffering from Schizophrenia and their carers to take part in paid market research.

In particular, Schizophrenia sufferers and/or their carers, using a depot in the treatment of their illness are being sought.

July 28, 2011
What is a carer?...

In the last issue, the role of ARAFMI’s (the Association of Friends and Family of the Mentally Ill) , as the peak carer organisation specifically set up by carers of people living with mental illness to support other carers facing challenges in their role, was explained.  In this issue, the focus on mental health carers continues, to firstly explain “What is a carer?” more specifically the characteristics of a mental health carer, and how State and Federal Mental Health laws define them.

In the last issue, the role of ARAFMI’s (the Association of Friends and Family of the Mentally Ill) , as the peak carer organisation specifically set up by carers of people living with mental illness to support other carers facing challenges in their role, was explained.  In this issue, the focus on mental health carers continues, to firstly explain “What is a carer?” more specifically the characteristics of a mental health carer, and how State and Federal Mental Health laws define them.

 Definition of a Carer

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.

May 27, 2011
Physical health and mental illness

A life expectancy 20 years lower than the general population. That's the estimated gap in physical health between those with a mental illness and other Australians.

A life expectancy 20 years lower than the general population.  That's the estimated gap in physical health between those with a mental illness and other Australians.  The warning comes from Associate Professor Sharon Lawn from the Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit at Flinders University in Adelaide, inteviewed on ABC radio's LifeMatters

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2011/3220311.htm

April 20, 2011
Youth mental health and jobs

Mental illness is a barrier to employment and training. Almost a third of the people on the disability pension have a mental illness.

Mental illness is a barrier to employment and training. Almost a third of the people on the disability pension have a mental illness.

A federal parliamentary inquiry is examining the barriers that exist in education and the workplace.

We hear from youth mental health researcher Eoin Killackey who is making a submission to the inquiry.

 

(ABC LifeMatters audio):

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2011/3189669.htm

March 11, 2011
The endless, hopeless; the burden is getting me down

It has been 18 years of caring for Chris; he has once again left her devastated....

It has been 18 years of caring for Chris; he has once again left her devastated. Janet’s son Chris was diagnosed with Schizophrenia when he was 20. Janet is now in her mid-60s. His illness has sometimes made her feel hopeless.

It's not just about the glass he threw at her when she last visited him. It's not just about the cruel words he yelled at her.

It is the never ending burden which tears her apart.

Chris has been in and out of hospital many times. He has escaped from hospital three times and has been returned by police twice.

November 23, 2010
MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMER AND CARER STIGMA SURVEY

The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) is undertaking a consumer and carer survey about the behaviour of health professionals towards people with mental illness.

As the peak national body for mental health the MCHA is committed to ensuring fair and equitable mental health services for all Australians.  We understand that feelings of discrimination, victimisation, or negative judgement create a real barrier to effective engagement in mental health treatment. 

October 26, 2010
National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy, 2009

The Government Strategy to address the barriers that are faced by people with a disability and/or mental illness that make it harder for them to gain and keep work.

The Strategy was released by The Hon Bill Shorten MP, former Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services and Senator the Hon Mark Arbib, Minister for Employment Participation, on September 14, 2009.

It aims to address the barriers that are faced by people with a disability and/or mental illness that make it harder for them to gain and keep work.

To find out more, read the attached report.