April 2022
Hello everyone – we have exciting news this month!
Our annual One Door Mental Health Symposium will go ahead with in-person events this year, during Schizophrenia Awareness Week, at:
1. Liverpool Catholic Club on Monday 23 May, and
2. the Parliament of NSW on Wednesday 25 May.
Some of the great speakers we have lined up for you are Dr Jason Pace, Founder of Sydney TMS, Dr Sarira El-Den, Peter Meyer Fund Recipient, Alan Hough, Director at Purpose at Work, Karen Hooton, Senior Client Service Officer Specialist at the Department of Community and Justice, Dr Alyssa Milton, Post Doctoral Researcher at the University of Sydney, Donna Didlick, Project Director at Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia, and our Chairperson Dr Anthony Harris providing an spotlight on treatments with Cariprazine.
I'm pleased to announce that our Wellness Walk 2022 is confirmed for Sunday 9 October 2022, back at Government House for our usual fun and family-friendly event; to raise awareness for people living with mental health challenges and their families and carers.
One Door Mental Health has received funding from South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network (COORDINARE) to deliver the Commonwealth Psychosocial Support (CPS) program in Moruya, Nowra, and Wollongong. Psychosocial supports are non-clinical, community-based supports that facilitate recovery in the community, for people experiencing mental health challenges. We support people to manage daily activities, rebuild and maintain connections, build social skills, and participate in education and employment. The program is for adults (aged 16-65) with a severe or complex mental health condition who are not receiving NDIS supports. We welcome a new team of Peer Support Workers and other mental health support workers to One Door, to provide this much-needed program.
Our Head to Health 'Pop-Up' Clinic in Lakemba, funded through Central and Eastern Primary Health Network (CESPHN) is thrilled to announce a partnership with KidsXpress; who will deliver their education and therapy services to children and their caregivers alongside the Head to Health program.
One Door is heartened by the recent joint announcement from The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, The Hon. David Coleman MP, and The Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC; relating to the Bilateral Agreement on mental health and suicide prevention which will see an investment of $35.9 million for more Head to Health Kids Hubs, that will help improve access to multidisciplinary team care for children.
Our team hosted several events over the past month to reconnect with the people we support and our local communities. This included the highly successful 'Staying Connected When Emotions Run High' training for carers and professionals at Campbelltown RSL on 14-15 March. Over 70 people attended, and we received some great feedback from carers, such as, "I’ve learnt to celebrate the wins no matter how small, and always have a sense of humour. I’m on a journey with ups and downs. I’m going to be okay.” Thank you once again to facilitators Dr Annemaree Bickerton and Toni Garretty.
In April, we participated in the Inverell Shire Council's Connection Day on 2 April, alongside other community organisations, community groups, and businesses. The event featured entertainment, workshops, presentation, and competitions, with a focus on health and wellbeing. We acknowledged World Bipolar Day on 30 March by joining in with Bipolar Australia's 'Blow Bubbles for Bipolar' initiative. Check out how to make your own bubbles by downloading Bipolar Australia's kit here.
We look forward to welcoming back our CEO Kathi Boorman at the end of April, and hearing more about her experiences with the Social Impact Leadership Australia program.
You can contact me with ideas, information, questions at ceo@onedoor.org.au.
Warm regards,
Vivien.