2 October 2009

Mental Health Forum highlights the importance of services working together

A St George and Sutherland Mental Health Forum for local service providers and others with an interest in the mental health of the community is just one of the many events planned to celebrate Mental Health Week, (4 – 10 October) across South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health.

Community Development Co-ordinator for the St George Division of Mental Health, Arna Rathgen, said the Forum is in keeping with the theme of this year’s celebrations: Building Resilience – Sign up, link in, get involved and is about strengthening links between service providers and others in the community.

“Organisation of the Forum has created significant anticipation and enthusiasm, with attendance fully subscribed. One hundred attendees representing service organisations, carers and consumers have confirmed their participation in the event,” Ms Rathgen said.

“The aim of the Forum is to develop recommendations for a mental health plan in the St George and Sutherland areas and to find innovative local strategies for provision of mental health services to those experiencing mental illness.

“The Forum is an initiative between South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health, State Government departments, local councils and local community based organisations,” she said.

Guest speaker, Jenna Bateman, Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Coordinating Council, will be discussing the importance of ensuring people with a mental illness are supported to be involved in community activities and access community services like any other members of the community.

“Associate Professor Meg Smith from the University of Western Sydney will be speaking from the perspective of someone who has experienced a mental illness, about the importance of community support in recovery from mental illness,” Ms Rathgen said.

“Current statistics show that one in five people will be affected or know someone affected by some form of a mental illness during the course of their life. Despite this high prevalence of mental illness in our society, there continues to be a great deal of stigma attached to the condition.”

“Celebrations like Mental Health Week allow us to bring the issue into the spotlight and let the community know what services are available for consumers and carers and assists us to identify those in need of early intervention,“ she said.


Media Enquiries: Maxine Brennan, 9113 2601, 0413 028 776