AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022
COPMI Project Update - 07/05/2004
After the launch
Since the launch of the COPMI project resources I've caught up with many of you in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, where I've been involved in a number of presentations and displays. It's been wonderful to meet the many people around Australia committed to better outcomes for children and their families. As reported in the last AICAFMHA News In Brief, the Hon. Trish Worth announced an extension of the COPMI project at the launch and although details of the contract extension are still being finalised, I hope to travel to every State and Territory over the coming months to promote the "Principles and Actions" and resources further.
One of the groups I met with recently were the Divisions of General Practice staff involved in the National Primary Mental Health Care Initiative, and we look forward to working with them in the future to improve GPs awareness and skills in supporting children of parents with a mental illness.
Resources in your local library?
Many of the families we spoke to in our consultations thought that books for children and families about mental illness should be available in local libraries. If you have ordered or received copies of "Family Talk" and "The Best For Me and My Baby", please consider giving one to your local library (and don't forget your workplace/staff library). The postage costs of sending one to every library in Australia are prohibitive for our project and librarians we've spoken to also say that they prefer to stock items that have been recommended to them as coming from a reputable source. Please help people in your community gain access to information - you may also like to suggest other books for your library to purchase in this field.
You can order copies of "Family Talk" and "The Best For Me and My Baby" online at www.copmi.net.au (see the Downloads section).
Supporting Mothers With Mental Illness: International Approaches
Anne Barrett, from Western Australia, has completed her final report about international approaches to the complex issues surrounding the support of mothers with mental illness and their children. Although acknowledging that there are no "magic, quick-fix solutions" she believes the most effective strategies are those that "dilute fears, build bridges and facilitate change". Contact Anne directly if you would like a copy of her report at reesanne@iinet.net.au
Elizabeth Fudge
Project Manager,
COPMI Initiative
Ph (08) 8161 6859
Fax (08) 81616983
fudgee@wch.sa.gov.au
http://www.copmi.net.au/
PO Box 387, Stepney SA 5069
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