Mental Health Community Based Program—phase one
The Mental Health Community Based Program:
- supports families, carers, children and young people (aged 16 to 24 years) affected by mental illness
- seeks to build on family strengths and improve resilience and family functioning, particularly for Indigenous families and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- is linked 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 family functioning and social support for families, carers, children and young people (aged between 16 and 24 years) affected by mental illness
- improves capacity for communities to support families and carers affected by mental illness
- increases resilience and coping skills for program participation, and
- increases awareness and understanding of mental health issues in the community.
In June 2007 two projects 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) project, and
2. Carers workshops for families coping with mental illness.
These projects targeted prevention and early intervention, with a particular focus on Indigenous families and those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.
Family mental health support services project
FMHSS projects 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.Summary of demonstration site and project details
The following organisations have been selected as demonstration sites:| State | Organisation | Demonstration site |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | Marymead Child and Family Centre | Canberra |
| New South Wales | Centacare—Wilcannia Forbes | Lachlan, Bathurst, Orange, Central Tablelands, Far West |
| Queensland | Centacare Catholic Family Services | Bundaberg. Hervey Bay, Wide Bay / Burnett |
| South Australia | Centacare Catholic Family Services | Murray Lands |
| Tasmania | Anglicare | Hobart |
| Victoria | Drummond Street Relationship Centre | Inner Melbourne, Boroondara |
| Western Australia | CLAN WA (Community Lind and Network) Incorporated | South East Metropolitan |
Carers workshops for families coping with mental illness
This project is being 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 will deliver approximately 100 Carers Workshops nationally with at least four workshops in each jurisdiction. The workshops will be delivered to around 2000 families and provide 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.
In addition to the workshops, the Mental Health Council of Australia will also develop a national reporting mechanism for family members and carers to assist in the identification and analysis of issues. This will mainly be done through the Internet and as part of the workshops and will also contribute to the evidence generated by the project.