COPMI Project Update - (Jul 14, 2006)

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

Extension of COPMI Initiative Phase 2 Time Frame

Following discussions with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, the contract covering the funding of the COPMI Initiative (Phase 2) has been amended to enable the current phase to extend to mid 2007. This equates to a further 6 months in which the objectives of the current phase can be pursued, namely:
o To increase awareness and uptake of the COPMI good practice guidelines among individuals and services working with children of parents with a mental illness and their families in Australia.
o To promote and support education and training of the health and other relevant workforces regarding the COPMI resources.
o To increase awareness of the availability of resource materials complementary to the COPMI good practice guidelines and which are appropriate for children and family members affected by parental mental illness (e.g. children, young people, parents, family support people).

Further Developments of the COPMI Website

I have been asked to expand the ?Workers? section on the COPMI website to include more information for people like police officers and ambulance officers who may be called out to situations involving a parent with a mental illness and their children when the parent is very unwell. If people have some ?good news stories? to share about how police and ambulance officers have dealt well with these situations, I?d love to hear from you.
I have recently been advised that the 2006 ?Mental Health Memorandum of Understanding? between the South Australian Department of Health, SA Ambulance Service, SA Police and Flying Doctor Service includes a reference to ensuring that if a child or infirm dependant of a person requiring mental health assessment and care is identified, enquiries and arrangements shall be made to ensure the child or infirm dependant is adequately cared for. Any other similar ?good news stories? in the policy/procedure area involving police and/or ambulance officers would also be welcomed.

Elizabeth Fudge
Project Manager,
COPMI Initiative
Ph (08) 8161 6859
Fax (08) 81616983
fudgee@aicafmha.net.au
PO Box 387, Stepney SA 5069
http://www.copmi.net.au