Life is not black and white

Consumers and Carers Forum – for people affected by mental illness

 

On Thursday 27 November, members of the South Queensland community who have been affected by mental illness are invited to attend the Consumers and Carers Forum hosted by Partners in Recovery Gold Coast, supported by FSG Australia (FSGA), Mental Illness Fellowship Queensland (MIFQ), Aftercare, Ozcare and Mental Health Association Australia (MHAA).

Taking place at Helensvale Cultural Centre between 5pm and 8pm,the evening will provide members of the community with an opportunity to find out more about the mental health services and support available in the region. They will be invited to share experiences, ask any questions, and to help shape the future of a better mental health system.

Every year over a quarter of Australians are affected by mental illness. People with mental health issues are often faced with many barriers as a result of their illness. One of these barriers is the stigma and discrimination that can often make the illness escalate. This can impact dramatically on all areas of their life including relationships, work, and general day-to-day living. Mental illness can also have a dramatic impact on the loved ones and carers of someone living with a mental illness.

Vicki Batten, CEO of FSGA said,

“This informal evening is about starting the ‘real’ conversation, moving past the black and white issues, and introducing some of the colour that leads us to positive solutions. The conversation that starts with ‘I don’t need to recover from mental illness. I need to know how to live the best life I can and I need to help other people understand how it is for me.’ This will be a great opportunity to contribute to real change”.

People who care for someone, or people who have a mental illness, are encouraged to go along to this free information forum that promotes conversations around mental health, and strategies that can be used to improve outcomes for both carers and those living with a mental illness.

If you or someone you care about is affected by mental illness, make sure you get along to the forum. Free refreshments will be available for those attending.

To attend the event call (07) 5588 7350 or email dianab@fsg.org.au.

 

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INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: If you would like to arrange an interview with Partners In Recovery (PIR) or FSG Australia about the forum please contact Clare Southwell on 0448 720 549.

 

NOTES TO MEDIA

 

About Partners In Recovery (PIR)

 

Partners in Recovery: coordinated support and flexible funding for people with severe and persistent mental illness with complex needs (PIR)

 

PIR aims to support people with severe and persistent mental illness with complex needs and their carers and families, by getting multiple sectors, services and supports they may come into contact with (and could benefit from) to work in a more collaborative, coordinated and integrated way.

 

Through system collaboration, PIR promotes collective ownership and encourages innovative solutions to ensure effective and timely access to the services and supports required by people with severe and persistent mental illness with complex needs to sustain optimal health and wellbeing.

 

Gold Coast Partners in Recovery (PIR) is a three year Department of Health collaborative initiative.The Gold Coast PIR Organisation includes Medicare Local as the lead agency in partnership with FSG Australia, Aftercare, Mental Illness Fellowship Queensland, Mental Health Association Queensland and Ozcare.

 

To access the PIR program please call the intake line on 1300 130 339 or email PIR@mentalhealth.org.au.

Visit online at www.pirgoldcoast.com.au.

 

 

About FSG Australia:

 

FSG Australia (FSGA) is a not-for-profit community organisation and centre for Social Enterprise, offering a wide range of innovative services in disability, mental health, aged care, family services and children’s services. FSGA also operates several retail social enterprise initiatives including an Op Shop, Cafe, Green Shop, Nursery, Co-working Space and Green Shop.

 

Today, FSGA is determined as ever to achieve our vision for a community that connects with all people and is free of social injustice.

 

FSGA is one of the largest community organisations in Queensland and operates from Maryborough on the Fraser Coast through to Ballina, with its head office based on the Gold Coast. FSGA now has presence and services operating in and around the Ballina Shire in NSW.

 

With over 640 staff and up to 300 volunteers between its 14 regional locations, FSGA provide a service to around 2,500 per month.

 

For more information visit www.fsg.org.au