Due to the effect of the abuse and subsequent events in my life, I've suffered many emotional problems
and mental illness. Depression, anxiety, psychotic breaks, post traumatic stress disorder and other things.
So I am passionate about mental health, promoting it, reducing stigma, getting better services for those who
often suffer in silence etc. Last year I was involved in a local Mental Health Promotion Project titled
'Journeys to Wellness'.
Consumers
and carers in my small town produced a book, Journeys to Wellness,
containing narratives, poetry and of their experiences of mental
illness, complemented by information and facts on mental health. Family members and consumers describe a range
of emotions as mental illness affects their lives, practical aspects of living
with someone with mental illness, and impact of suicide in a rural
community. Local consumers and carers
have taken responsibility for contributions, fundraising, production and layout
of the book, increasing their confidence and mental health through
participation in this project.
Partnerships were formed between local consumers and carers, the
Tenterfield community and Hunter New England Area Health Service, to support
the Journeys to Wellness project, a key aim of which is to improve mental
health literacy and reduce stigma around mental illness. Pre and post evaluation questionnaires are
being used to gauge knowledge and attitudes towards mental illness and
accessing mental health services. With
surprisingly positive feedback from the community, consumers and carers are now
planning future projects to promote mental health in their community.
The goals of the 'Journeys' mental health promotion project
were:
· To improve mental health literacy within the rural community of Tenterfield in NSW
· To provide a balanced portrayal of mental health, mental illness and suicide issues, to assist in reducing stigma in the local community
· To increase participation and develop the capacity of local consumers and carers to plan, implement and evaluate mental health promotion initiatives that address local priorities.
· Enhance the quality of life of local consumers
· To establish partnerships across a range of sectors in the Tenterfield community to assist in addressing priority mental health issues for the local community
· Develop a sustainable resource that may be utilised by other rural and remote communities in the Hunter New England Health Area of NSW to assist in improving mental health literacy and reducing stigma surrounding mental health issues
·
To assist in achieving the goals of the local
'See Saw - Balanced Portrayal of Mental Health Issues' mental health promotion
initiative.
I loved being involved with this project and for once of few times in my life, functioned well and very highly.
'Journeys' is still available on request on a CD. Contact me if you'd like a copy. The only cost will be postage,
very minimal.
E-mail: journeys_cd@hotmail.com
Subject Title: Journeys CD Required
This project was hugely successful and won 3 awards, including a statewide award.
It even got locals interested in making sure that our small town had adequate psychiatric facilities.
It doesn't matter how big or small your idea is, if you are passionate and patient, even
a small group like ours, can accomplish great things.
Give it a go.
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