COPMI Project Update - (Mar 31, 2006)

AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022

News this week from Paola Mason, a COPMI Project Team member and co-convenor of COMIC (Children of Mentallly Ill Consumers)

As usual, time has flown by (we all seem to be so very busy) and I felt it was time to update everyone with what is going on from my perspective. On COPMI National issues there still seems to be such positive collaborative practice occurring even though each state is at a different level. I have had the opportunity to participate at various meetings and it?s still very enlightening to see and hear that there are so many positive workers from all levels contributing. An example is the training programs ? it was interesting to hear at the COPMI Workforce Development Roundtable what has worked well and what could be improved. It was also interesting to note that no one model seems to fit all as there are differing needs in either practice methods or sectors. Of particular interest is the need for effective evaluation, not only of the training programs effectiveness but also of the need to building evidence that consumers (parents), carers and children are benefiting.

From the perspective of South Australia we have received some funding from The Department of Health to develop, implement and evaluate a pilot training program ?Families in Mind? which will conclude in June. We initially surveyed sectors (health professionals, workers in government and non-government organisations) consumers and carers, identifying what topics were considered to be high priority. The information gathered has allowed us to formulate the program (many areas were considered high priority but we also need to keep in mind and practice, what will be effective within the means of our funding) and I can state that we have tried to be very mindful of all issues. We will be pilot testing the program initially in the Southern Metropolitan Region and rurally. Once these have been undertaken there will be an Evaluation undertaken ? remember, this all has to be completed by the end of June 2006. Yes, I and the SA COPMI team have been quite busy too.

Other good news (if you haven?t heard about it) is the Carers Legislation in South Australia ?I am please to say that Young Carers are one of the principles ? a lot of lobbying and advocacy in this arena is paying off ? congratulations to all that have worked hard in this arena.

I am sure that you all know that I am a parent and a carer of a parent. This recently has been taking up more of my time because there are ageing issues occurring. (A whole new arena for me, but we are managing ? sometimes better than others). I am still very keen and enthusiastic about working on COPMI issues especially when I start to see that there are some changes occurring. I am still learning the art of ?Patience? ?Slowly, wins the Race? but more importantly I am still learning, I am learning how much effort (paperwork, consultation etc etc) and how many people it takes to move mountains. What?s incredible is that It Can Be Achieved.

To everyone involved in COPMI, well done, you?re all incredible individuals and more importantly there are families out there who are and will benefit from it all.

Paola