From the CEO
Hello everyone
It is with excitement that I start this update with the news that the date has been locked in for this year’s Wellness Walk. I hope you will join us for this family-friendly event on Sunday 15 October 2023 as we walk across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Wellness Walk is your opportunity during Mental Health Month to take steps to support people who are living with mental ill health and their families, friends, and carers. You can register here.
Over the past 2 years, we have undertaken a consultation process with our supporters to learn what is most important in their relationship with us. Overwhelmingly we have heard about the loss of community and the wish to be involved as we advocate for change. Events such as our recent Symposium on World Schizophrenia Awareness Day have also demonstrated the importance of connecting with each other to share information, perspectives, and experiences. The outcome of this consultation has been the establishment of the One Door Mental Health Fellowship. By investing in opportunities to connect with you and fostering your connections with each other, we hope to better understand the needs of our community and give you the opportunity to make a difference for people living with mental ill health and their families, friends, and carers. I warmly invite you to become a Fellow and you can find more information here.
On Friday 25 August, One Door will join with schools, workplaces, and communities across Australia to celebrate Wear it Purple Day. This simple act of wearing purple can demonstrate to rainbow young people that they are seen, supported and respected, acknowledging all have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming. This year’s theme is ‘Write Your Story’ emphasising the importance for young people to take ownership of their narratives and to share their experiences in their own voices.
Two weeks ago I attended the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) bi-annual conference in Townsville. The conference was attended by the CEO of each MIFA Member organisation, as well as a delegate from each of their Boards. Dr Gerry Naughtin and Dr Stephen King from the NDIS Review attended a roundtable workshop where the group discussed and proposed solutions to improve equity and access to psychosocial support services and reduce gaps in services for people living with severe and complex mental illness. MIFA is continuing to advocate in this space and you can also have your say as part of the NDIS Review here (closes 25 August).
Finally, you may have heard that One Door is going through a time of change and it is with a heavy heart that I want to inform you of the recent closure of Hercules House in Chatswood and West Street in Nowra. The changes in the mental health sector that started in 2016 and the negative financial impact of Covid-19 pandemic have combined to present significant and ongoing challenges in keeping these NDIS services open. We have focused intently on generating operational and financial improvements over the past 12 months and our team have worked incredibly hard to try to avoid this devastating outcome. The Board and Executive team were incredibly saddened that we have needed to close these centres and acknowledge the impact on our staff and the people we support in these communities. Now, more than ever, I am committed to advocating to government about the need to address the viability of the NDIS so that we can keep much-needed services open for people across NSW.
Until next month…
Kathi