AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022
| Date update submitted | 13th October 2003 |
| Program Title | New England Area Health Service COPMI Project |
| Contact Person/s | Jodie Shipp |
| Organisation | Child & Adolescent Intervention Program, New England Area Health Service |
| Address | Dean House P.O. Box 83 Tamworth NSW 2340 |
| State | NSW |
| jlshipp@doh.health.nsw.gov.au | |
| Telephone | 02) 6766 4900 (mob 429100037) |
| Facsimile | 02) 6766 4923 |
| Program Description | The New England Area Health Service COPMI
project aims to support and promote the mental health and well being of young
people across the New England Area whose parents have mental health issues.
Objectives of the Project are as follows: * to provide opportunities for young people to develop postivie relationships & support from peer groups * to promote protective factors & enhance resilience in young people * to provide opportunities for respite (time out) & fun * to provide education to young people regarding mental illness, coping strategies & their own well being. * to provide opportunities for community collaboration, therefore building capacity for sustainability of the programs * to provide education to the commuity to increase mental health literacy & support of COPMI * to provide opportunities for young people to make a positive contribution to the community & opportunities for peer leadership * to increase COPMI resources accessible to young people & the community * to reduce risk factors & promote protective factors for children aged 0-5 whose mothers have a mental illness. The objectives will be met through the following activites: * a series of fun days and sleepovers *developing a network of support people and mentors who may be linked in with young people *Telephone counselling through Young carers NSW *Developing community partnerships & providing education *recruiting and training community volunteers for the fun days & camp *an annual camp in partnership with a community service organisation or other agency *Kids Helpline Peer Skills Training to be implemented into the New England Area, specifically for COPMI aged 14-16. *Development of an information brochure and poster to be distributed and displayed in public areas such as GP's surgeries *COPMI newsletter developed in conjunction with young people and distributed quarterly *development of an indigenous resource specific to COPMI *development and maintenance of a database of all available supports and resources for COPMI target group in the New England Area. *development of a combined mothers group/playgroup for mothers who have a mental illness with children 0-5. |
| Evaluation Information | *Pre & post fun day evaluation forms collected
from young people and leaders *Referral questionaires to ascertain how people find out about the service and the number of people accessing the service. *Anecdotal feedback |
| Evidence | The project is based on a literature review, networking with other service providers (especially other services providing programs for the same target group), and discussion of needs with the young people involved. The project meets identified priorities in the Mental Health Promtotion, Prevention & Early Intervention National Action Plan (2000); New England Area Mental Health Service Strategic Plan (2000-2005); National Mental Health Standards; NSW Aboriginal Mental Health Policy 1997; New England Area Child & Family Health Strategic Plan (2002-2005); Principals & Actions for Services and People working with Children of Parents with Mental Illness (Draft) - AICAFMHA; Children of Parents Affected by a Mental Illness Scoping Project 2001; National Mental Health Strategy - Promoting the Mental Health & Wellbeing of Children & Young People: Populations with particular needs. |
| Any other information | For more detailed information of the project please feel free to contact Jodie Shipp. |
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