1. Marvelous Mental Health Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre Presented by Cathy Connop

2. History My background as a Psychiatric Nurse. Starting at Farnham St (FSNLC) in 1989 – close to Royal Park Psychiatric Hospital. 1993 – 1998. De-institutionalisation process of the Mental Health system.

3. Challenges 1993 - Number of Mental Health clients increased at FSNLC. Staff and other clients found it difficult to deal with Mental Health clients. Stigma and lack of understanding connected with Mental Health issues. Mental Health clients often not taking their medication, displaying strange behaviour

4. Solutions Approached Manager of Macaulay CSA for assistance. Partnership with Macaulay CSA developed. Staff trained to deal with Mental Health clients. Case workers would arrange appointment times for MH clients and stay if required.

5. Solutions (cont.d) Joint membership of MCSA and FSNLC committees. First special needs cooking class started as a joint project with FSNLC and MCSA clients. FSNLC supporting MCSA’s Day Program application. MCSA had large premises with a drop-in centre and own programs.

6. Several shared FSNLC/MCSA programs. –Healthy Cooking Classes –Vietnamese Men’s Group –English, Literacy and Computer classes. Men's cooking and gardening program started in 2003. Developed the Community Garden. Initial Programs

7. MCSA and Boomerang Club merged with Doutta Galla CHS. DGCHS had a separate Mental Health and Complex Needs program. Increased number of supported accommodation units in the community. Very stable period, system working well. Changes

8. Changes (cont.) Collaborative Recovery Model introduced. Designed to assist Mental health workers work with clients living with illness. DGCHS Mental Health & Complex Needs Program and Boomerang Club closed which put increased pressure on organisations such as Neighbourhood Houses to offer more programs.

9. Present Time DGCHS merged with Yarra and Western Region CHS to become Cohealth. Partnership developed with Norfolk Terrace Community Care Unit. Joint Community Garden Project based on FS model established. Programs running at FSNLC –Boomerang Network

10. Present Time –Singing Group –Art and Craft class –Flourish (Well-being Group) –Cohealth Client Working Group –English and Literacy Program –Computer Training Program –Healthy Cooking Program –Gentle Exercise class

11. Mental Health System INW Admission to Royal Melbourne Hospital Psych Unit if very unwell. Upon discharge - Waratah MHS with a community care plan; Psychiatrist, medication Clients allocated a case worker, referred to community programs, eg FSNLC. Discharged into Arion or Norfolk Terrace if not able to live independently.

12. Case studies: Norfolk Terrace Gardening Project

13. Case studies: Boomerang Network

14. Case studies: Special Needs Cooking classes

15. Points to Ponder What experience have you or your organisation had with MH clients? Do you know the MH service providers in your area/do you have any partnerships? Do you have any mental health specific programs? Do you know the mental health system in your area?