QUARTERLY ISSUE #63 MARCH 2017

People share their stories of mental health recovery in work and life

Miss Galaxy International Shikye Smith

*Affordable Housing Peer Support Principles in a *Getting a Drivers’ Licence Forensic *SANE forums Hospital Flourish Australia Panorama #63, March 2017 Contributors Contents Is YOUR name here? About us Flourish Australia is committed to accesses Flourish walking alongside people with a lived Cover: Shikye Smith, Miss Galaxy Rodney* experience of a mental health issue International 2017 (Image credit: Australia’s Goulburn service as they progress along their recovery Georgina Vaughan Photography) Master M’s Mum* has personal, journey. We passionately believe 4 No Stopping Rod lived experience of mental health in mental health recovery. We are committed to providing the best 5 Master M’s Story! issues. possible support and encouragement for 6-7 “It’s Okay Not To Be Okay!” Shikye Alyce Smith is the reigning people to achieve their recovery goals 8 Patricia – My Peer Worker Miss Galaxy International across all of our 64 services in NSW and Southern Queensland. 9 Country Recovery Meredith* is a part time piano 10 You need a holiday! From Poppet teacher who accessed Flourish Flourish Australia Head to Hot Glass Gallery at West Australia’s PreEmploy service in Chair: Prof Elizabeth More AM Wyalong 2016 CEO: Pamela Rutledge 11 Bathurst & Back by Bus Martina* accesses Flourish 12 Guildford affordable housing Australia’s Tamworth HASI service Contact Flourish Australia project Claire Gillan is Manager at 1300 779 270 13-20 See supplements below flourishaustralia.org.au Flourish Australia, Moree 21 Trans Aged Care Glen Birmingham is a mental Panorama 22 Forensic Peer Workers are Coming health worker at Flourish Founded in 1996 in one of Flourish Together for Recovery Australia, Griffith Australia’s predecessor organisations 23 Panorama readers’ surveys: 7 (PRA), Panorama has grown to become Edwina Keelan is into creative a lifestyle magazine dedicated to Quick Questions about Panorama arts and accessed Flourish informing and encouraging the recovery 24 Supporting the Supporters: Carers Australia’s PreEmploy Service in journey of readers. Panorama is written, week at Broken Hill 2016 designed and produced almost entirely 25 Mental Health gets Royal support by people with a lived experience of Bo* works at Tamworth City mental health issues. 25 Open Employment for Perry Toyota and recently accessed 26-27 SANE Forums: a guide for new Flourish Australia’s Tamworth General Manager, Inclusion users HASI service Fay Jackson 28 Why are people with disabilities Publications Officer Keegan Hayden is a mental health being left out in the (political) cold? Warren Heggarty worker at Flourish Australia, Assistant Publications Officer 29 BOTH Dental Health Promotion at Tamworth Grant J Everett Five Dock Jim Booth is a senior cluster 30 Annual General Meeting 2016 Subscriptions manager with Flourish Australia Warren: (02) 9393 9021 Narelle Passlow is manager at Grant: (02) 9393 9022 ACTION Supplement Address: How to deal with CANSAS theme #9, Embark Cottage, Blacktown Publications Officer, 5 Figtree Drive, “Psychological Distress” Mark Orr is Chief Information Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127 13-14, 19,20 Slaying the dragons Officer, Flourish Australia E-mail of Negative Self-Talk and Negative [email protected]. Patricia* and Peter* are Peer Thinking au OR Grant.Everett@flourishaustralia. Workers with Flourish Australia org.au 14 A “Catastrophe” In The Making Georgina Vaughan Photography cover photo Disclaimer EMPLOYMENT Supplement Neil Fenelon event photos Panorama’s content is not intended 15 Feeling Valued (with Bo) Grant J Everett staff writer as a substitute for the advice of any 16 Automotive Trades: what specialised or qualified professional. Warren Heggarty editor Views expressed herein are those of employers are looking for *To protect the privacy of the the authors, not necessarily of Flourish 17 Upskilling with Wayne Petersen people who access our services, Australia, or any associated enterprises, 18 How to protect yourself from their families and carers, we their staff, management, employees, or crooked dealers in higher education sometimes used pseudonyms or service recipients. first names only.

Page 2 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia Professional Maintenance Services in your local community

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Contact Us for a FREE quote today! Phone: 9393 9270, 0429 317 992 Email: [email protected] Flourish Australia Address: Unit 2, 22 AnnePage St,3 / StPanorama Marys 2760 March 2017 I am confident that my little goals will be easy to do compared to this. I am proud to say that my illness didn’t stop me from getting my licence and buying a car to gain independence. I now encourage other peers who are also working towards achieving the same goal, that it can be done and to think that “if he can do it then so can I!”

Flourish Australia GOULBURN 42-44 Clinton Street Goulburn NSW 2580 1300 779 270 Now I don’t need to get picked up anymore and I am How to get YOUR licence able to drive myself. In NSW, you need to go through Roads and Maritime at www.rms.nsw.gov. I then practiced more on the computer au. Here you will find the Road Users No stopping and was able to build my confidence Handbook which you can view online or again and the next time I passed. This download. made me feel confident again. In Queensland go to the TMR (Transport I was supported to book driving lessons and Main Roads dept.) www.tmr.qld.gov. as it had been 13 years since I had au/Licensing Rod held a licence and I felt I needed to be reminded about the road rules and keep This flow chart shows the various stages my knowledge up-to-date. I completed of getting a licence in NSW only. on the road to five driving lessons before both I and the instructor were confident enough to freedom and book my test for my licence. This scared me and made me very independence nervous. Before having the official test I had one last lesson with the instructor

who kindly lent me his car to drive * Applies to under 25 year Hi my name is Rodney; I would like to in. When I finished my test I was very olds only tell people about achieving my long excited and proud to hear that I had term goal of getting my licence back. passed with 100%.

It all started when I was in Ron My next goal was to buy a car, which I Hemmings centre at Kenmore Hospital, was supported by family to do. It may three years ago. I began by practicing not be the car of my dreams but it on the computer to be able to pass the has helped me achieve independence test confidently. The first time I passed and freedom. This made me feel good the online practice test I felt good, I kept about myself to know that I was able to practicing as many times as I could to achieve my goal and even though it took make sure I passed more than I failed. I many steps and hard work as well as had support from my family, friends and some failures I did it in the end. Flourish Australia staff that encouraged Now I don’t need to get picked up me not to give up. anymore and I am able to drive myself.

I attempted the learners’ test three When I look back on the three year times and failed each time. When I process I feel that I shouldn’t have failed, I felt bad that I wasn’t able to worried as much and should have had complete it. I felt my illness was stopping more confidence in myself. Now when I me from achieving my goal; Flourish look at my current long term goals I can Australia staff kept encouraging me and see that they can be achieved if I work reminding me about my goal. on them.

Page 4 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia Master M’s Flourish Australia 80 Wynter Street TAREE 2430 Story! 1300 779 270 Master M’s mum found out that asking for help IS the right thing to do… and that recovery, like all important things can take time.

WARNING: this story refers to things she had given up completely on having a Master M’s mum started playing hockey that may distress readers. Remember, child. Due to unforeseen circumstances, again and slowly developed a new if you are struggling and need help you she lost her house in Melbourne and support network and close friends. Her can ring LIFELINE 24 hours a day seven had to return ‘back home’ to family in support facilitator went with her to new days a week on 13 11 14 www.lifeline. Sydney because she couldn’t work. This environments, supported her during a org.au meant she had to leave all her friends FairWork dispute, kept her grounded and supports behind her. Upon arriving and was pivotal in supporting her during In July 2016, Master M entered the in Sydney, her car broke down… this time. world. Master M is a miracle baby, two times over. It wasn’t until January of 2014 that she On 4th December 2015, Master M’s finally got a diagnosis for her mysterious mum completed her time with Flourish Master M’s mum had given up on physical health symptoms and began Australia. She had returned to work in having her own children after multiple treatment for it. But the mental strain of her field of training, played her first year failed IVF treatments. She was told it all those years of not knowing caught up of hockey in 16 years, spent time with was ‘unlikely’ that she would ever get with her and her ability to cope hit an all family and friends and was managing pregnant because of her physical health. time low. She knew things were bad, so her daily life independently again. She Over a long period she had gotten she went to the local hospital and asked also discovered she was nine weeks progressively more unwell, but no one for help. pregnant. had any answers why. This situation developed into a deep depression that Recognising that Sydney was not a After 12 months of physical healing from compounded over time, and with each healthy environment for her, she her condition, the doctors believed she failed attempt at IVF. relocated to Taree. Eventually, Master could attempt IVF again. This time, it M’s mum was referred to Richmond PRA was successful. Early July 2016, Master His mum didn’t know how to ask for (now Flourish Australia). M was born. Healthy and beautiful, help with how she felt. She had been he completed the recovery. If not raised with the belief that asking for Master M’s mum started working with for Flourish Australia’s program and help showed weakness and that she was a support facilitator on the 8th July support, Master M would not be here... strong enough to handle it on her own. 2014. She found it very difficult to adjust and perhaps neither would his Mum. to all the changes that had happened As the depression got worse, panic in the previous year. She tried really Recovery takes time. The time is worth attacks began. With things spiralling out hard, completed a DBT [Dialectical it. of control, Master M’s mum decided that Behaviour Therapy] program, went along she didn’t want to live like that anymore. to scrapbooking and art community The writer wishes to remain She decided to end her life in 2006. events and with the help of her support anonymous. Master M’s mum survived because a facilitator was able to move all her NOTE: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy neighbour happened to drop by shortly belongings from Melbourne to Taree. after and call an ambulance. (DBT) is a development of Cognitive She found accommodation at a local (thinking) Behaviour Therapy that aims caravan park which led to renting a two- It was a long road to recovery for to address the needs of people who bedroom unit and began a return-to- Master M’s mum and along the way she experience particularly intense feelings work program. discovered that asking for help was not a in reactions to certain life situations. bad thing. Everyone needs help at times On 4th December 2014, sitting down at DBT aims to help the person slowly build and it is a sign of strength to know your the beach deciding whether to live or on their strengths to enable them to limits, set boundaries and to be able to die, she evaluated everything that had manage emotional trauma in a more recognise when things are getting bad. happened. She came to terms with not effective way. ever having her own child and despite In 2013, Master M’s mum experienced not really feeling up to it, she chose to THANKS ALSO TO MICHELLE WISEMAN. six months of intense workplace live. bullying, her health was at its worst and Flourish Australia Page 5 / Panorama March 2017 Panorama magazine had the distinct pleasure of receiving a visit from Shikye Alyce Smith, the first ever Australian beauty queen to win the Miss Galaxy International pageant. As Shikye is going to use her position to raise awareness about mental health issues by serving as an ambassador for the Flourish Learning Network (you’ll hear a lot more about that in the future), we understandably had a lot to talk about!

SHIKYE: “My own experiences of mental illness began after I was robbed at knifepoint in Paris. As I wasn’t physically injured, I assumed that everything was Image credit: Georgina Vaughan Photography Image credit: Georgina Vaughan fine. But then I’d be walking down the street and I’d be short of breath, and I’d go into cold sweats, and I’d be shaking and my muscles would go limp, and I had absolutely no idea what was happening. It was terrifying. And then I started becoming fixated on certain things, like flicking power points on and off for no reason. Many other little habits started to appear, too. At my worst, I couldn’t sleep until the sun came up, because I had this theory that people were making a tunnel into my apartment and they were going to come out of my closet and kidnap me in my sleep.

“I never said anything about this to anyone. I just kept on dealing with it on my own, day by day. But then I came home to Australia, and my mum immediately noticed a significant change in my behaviour. She said, “You need to go and talk to someone, otherwise you’re not going to be able to cope.” And I said “No, no it’s fine.” Once I finally took the plunge to get help, though, I figured out that the weird things happening in my body were panic Miss Galaxy attacks, which are a symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It suddenly made sense, and I realised that International there’s absolutely nothing wrong with not being okay. It’s okay not to be okay! says: “I think we should all be taught the basics of what to look out for when it comes to mental health issues. One of the factors that made my experiences with PTSD difficult was that I had no knowledge of what this even was, let alone the details of what to watch for. “It’s okay not to Once you learn how to identify the nature of your issues, though, and you gain some techniques on how to combat be okay!” them, your life can change for the better. I’ve managed to overcome my illness Shikye Alyce Smith speaks to Grant J Everett and gone on to great things, and I want

Page 6 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia other people to do the same. would send me up the wall. But if I was Moulin Rouge in Paris for two solid myself and I won, I just had to keep years. It took Shikye a month to learn “One of the biggest reasons I didn’t get being me. So I took it all as it came, tried the show: an exhausting combination help earlier is because I thought it meant to stay calm, and did what I could to of splits, turns and leaps, as well you were weak, that you were crazy, enjoy every, moment because I knew as the famous can-can. Performing that something was wrong with you. I how fast it would go and I just wanted twice a night, six days a week, can believed the stigma, and it didn’t help to soak it all up while I could. When they understandably take a toll. Thankfully, me at all. Once I realised I had a mental announced I was the winner, though, I she loves it. health issue, though, it made me want just crumbled.” to speak out, to tell other people that it Music Art and Dance doesn’t define you, that it doesn’t make “I just want to show that I’m a normal you any less of a person. As Miss Galaxy girl from Fairfield. My mum was a single “Music and art: there’s just something International, I’m in a good position to parent and she did whatever she could. special about them. And you often find spread this message!” I was provided with all that I needed so I that people with a mental health issue could be the best that I could be. I think can be very creative. Of course, no Know you’re not alone a lot of people look at others and feel matter who you are, any form of art or that they haven’t had the same chances, performance requires practise. The only “I’ve posted things about mental health the same opportunities. But normal, difference between an amateur and a on my social media accounts. My family everyday people can achieve great master is time and effort.” members have seen them, and while things. Just being told that you can do they thought it was great that I was great things can make all the difference. “When it comes to dancing, a lot of kids brave enough to share this part of my On the other hand, you don’t know what see it as their safe haven. When they’re life, they wanted me to “keep a little demons people are living with, and it dancing and moving, they feel free. They bit of me for me.” I get that. But at the can often be the people who appear can do what they want to do and not get same time I’m happy to share my story the happiest who are privately fighting judged. They can just let their creative if it’s going to help others. After all, if hardest behind closed doors. So before juices run wild.” somebody had explained exactly what you think “I wish I was her, she has Shikye hates conventional forms of was going on inside of me and reassured everything,” remember that this might exercise, so she works out in ways that me that I’d be okay when I was going just be the surface.” through the hard times, it would have don’t feel like exercise. She recommends been a huge help. And because I didn’t Body image/Public eye something fun like Zumba where you have that, I want others to have it even jump around and listen to great high- more. They need to know they’re not “I’m in the public eye a lot, but I keep energy music. alone.” it as real as I can both in person and on “Before you know it, you’re knackered social media. I like to show me being and you’ve burnt a tonne of calories Interstellar Beauty Queen me. But there is a limit to how laid back without even noticing it. Compared to you can present yourself. At the end of jumping on a treadmill or going for a Miss Galaxy isn’t purely about pretty the day being Miss Galaxy is a job, so girls swanning about in ball gowns! run, it’s easy. Fun is the key. And exercise you have to look professional and act like dancing releases all those feelgood the part. But I try and do that while still “Contestants are expected to fundraise chemicals.” being me, so it’s not a façade.” for charity. Miss Galaxy Australia, for instance, is connected to the Make A Shikye has put decades of work into “Body image problems are a major deal getting to where she is. She may be Wish Foundation and Australia Zoo for young women, though I don’t think Wildlife Warriors. So I got into the beautiful, intelligent and well spoken, many of them will actually admit to it. but that doesn’t mean that Shikye community and worked for a greater But we’re only human: there will always cause, which is super rewarding. I think just hovered after winning the genetic be something we want to change. For lottery. Who she is today is the result a lot of people don’t know how easy it me, most of the pressure to look good is to give back. It doesn’t take much to of effort and time. Practise, practise, comes from within myself. Obviously I practise! One of the biggest reasons volunteer and help out where you can, want to portray myself in the best way and it’s a lot of fun. You meet people she’s gone so far is that rather than that I can and do it in a healthy and saying “I can’t,” Shikye simply identified from all different walks of life, and I’m all positive way.” about that, I love seeing new faces. Miss what she needed to do to be able to say Galaxy contestants are meant to be role “I want to go around to different schools, “I can.” models, to inspire the people around as I think something as simple as sharing them.” my story and the struggles I’ve faced would be helpful.“ Want to know more about the Flourish Being true to herself Shikye is a triple threat in the “When I was going for the Miss Galaxy entertainment world, as she can dance, Learning Network? Call International title, my tactic was act and sing. Following in the footsteps Kim Jones on of her Nan, a Tivoli dancer who toured just being myself. I thought that if I (02) 9393 9023 pretended to be somebody else and I Australia, Shikye has been dancing since won, then I’d have to keep being that age 3, and the highlight of her career kim.jones@flourishaustralia. other person for the next year, and that was performing at the world famous org.au Flourish Australia Page 7 / Panorama March 2017 Here is a picture of Patricia’s favourite flower the ‘Hibiscus’. It reflects the beautiful personality that she shows to those who seek her help and assis- tance. Source of Image: https://pixabay.com/en/hibiscus-close- blossom-bloom-374844/ (Pixabay – Free Images)

are also offered training in Intentional Peer Support and Mental Health First Aid. Mental Health First Aid provides you with the tools required for responding to someone effectively during a crisis. M: How far on the recovery journey does one need to be, to become a peer worker? P: Far enough to be able to recognise how valuable your lived experience is, and how it suitably qualifies you for a role as a Peer Worker. As with any other Meredith* came to Flourish workplace, your co-workers may also Australia’s PreEmploy Program have a lived experience of a mental in 2016 because she wanted to health issue. So with this in mind we are all partaking in a journey explore the idea of returning to M: What are the major duties in your work. Here she discovered the role? power of peer work! P: Administration, to adhere to funding requirements, intake interviews, research, delivering recovery groups, seeking assistance and support in their mentoring, providing emotional and own recovery journey. general support to people who access Patricia: My our services. Empowering people I had never met a Peer Worker before I through ‘person led recovery’. came to Flourish Australia and did not M: How did you come in contact with Peer Worker even know such people existed. Yet Flourish Australia? By Meredith the experience I’ve had with Patricia P: Through a referral from an allied my Peer Worker has been such a health professional who specialised in I first met Patricia, my peer worker, positive and enjoyable one! For the dramatic arts. I then began to participate at my PreEmploy interview in March first time I had someone who was in a Day to Day Living (D2DL) program. 2016. What first struck me about her is caring who understood my work fears Eventually I progressed to facilitating that she not only seemed capable and and challenges especially in the office D2DL groups through a supported efficient in her job but was also very easy environment. As a result, I have been employment program and loved every to talk to. She was not pushy in any way able to find tools and ways I can better minute of it. and hence made me feel relaxed in all manage my potential problems at work. M: What is the most rewarding part of our exchanges. During our next meeting The wonderful thing is that if I gain a your job? for the PreEmploy screening process, I position in open employment in the P: Hearing from someone, that they was able to share with her the personal future, I am still able to chat to Patricia have achieved what they first believed challenges which I needed to overcome if the need arises. It is beneficial to have they couldn’t achieve. so that I could be able to work in an a non-judgemental listening ear who M: What is the most challenging part of office environment. It was a relief to find can help me over any “humps” that may your job? someone I could trust and confide in emerge. P: Managing the administrative side of about my previous work challenges as things. it was something I seldom talked about If you are interested in becoming a Peer with many people. Worker read on to discover how Patricia got into her role. This is what she shared Well there you have it. I say three cheers I was eventually accepted into the with me in our interview; for Patricia our Peer Worker at Flourish PreEmploy program which made me Australia who plays such a vital role in very happy. During our first classroom Meredith: How long have you been a the wellbeing of so many individuals at training session, Patricia gave us a Peer Worker? Flourish Australia. You may get to work presentation about people skills which Patricia: Just under two and a half years with a peer worker like Patricia to assist she delivered in a very interesting and M: What made you become a Peer you in your own recovery journey! Worker? professional manner. I admired her *Meredith is the author’s ‘pen-name’ confidence and public speaking skills. For P: The passion for encouraging people to those of you who are not familiar yet, a explore their many skills and talents. If you are interested in returning to Peer Worker is a person who has a lived M: What does the training process open employment please call Clare experience of mental health issues and involve and how have you found it? on (02) 9393 9000 or email clare. is trained to walk alongside other people P: Fundamental training Involves [email protected] with a mental health challenge who are Certificate IV in Peer Work. Peer Workers

Page 8 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia Country Recovery By Martina from Moree

Nowadays I feel well for the first time. I have learned that being in relationships that are controlling can make you unwell. By giving me support when I needed it, the people at Flourish Australia have helped me gain a sense of hope for the future.

I have also learned to be very aware and mindful of the signs that you are becoming unwell. When this happens, you need to be proactive and get help straight away. This can save you going to hospital. The family background Many, many members of my family had mental health issues. Family on my mother’s side were in and out of hospital on a regular basis. It was on my father’s side too, but none of this was ever that I was told I had major post natal One of my first recovery goals was spoken of in our family. depression and furthermore I’d had increasing socialisation. Even though I depression most of my life. A psychiatrist sometimes didn’t feel like it, I knew I had I was the eldest of five children. My then diagnosed me with bipolar to make the effort, because it makes a mother was very controlling and had disorder. difference and really picks you up! mental health issues of her own. She strongly believed that her way was It was like a light bulb had been switched Awareness the right way. If any of the children on and as I read about it, I began to see I’ve grown very aware through my misbehaved she would scream, flog and the pattern throughout my own life. recovery. I know what my triggers are: humiliate us. We were terrified of her. For the next few years I travelled stress and pressure, physical illness, My father didn’t stand up for the from the country to the city to see my negative relationships, overcommitting children. As the eldest, I was often put psychiatrist, and learn more. to things. in charge of the others when mum was In my mid thirties, my marriage broke From time to time I still experience busy, and this is where I discovered my things like sleep disturbance, no nurturing nature. up. I realised all of my partners had been controlling in either a verbal or physically appetite, becoming clumsy, having I had been an A grade, model student, abusive way. I suppose I didn’t know tremors and lack of concentration as but from 15 years of age everything love any other way. well as emotional lows. But at least I see changed: I wagged school, started it coming now. My last hospital inpatient stay was in smoking, didn’t care about things, and The main things that helps alleviate the this just continued. 2012 for depression. Prior to this I would have episodes of depression lasting most downward spiral for me are healthy When I turned 17 I started working in a of the year and my last episode of mania relationships, medication, music and bank, against my mother’s wishes. was in 2010. reading. My faith in God has also had a significant positive impact on me.

The marriage The recovery journey As told to Claire Gillan Later, I found myself with young children Photo by Jim Booth of my own, but in a controlling marriage. The last time I was discharged from the My husband was not sympathetic to the hospital inpatient unit I became involved with the Community Mental Health situation and I hated living and wanted Flourish Australia to die. Team in Moree. MOREE My mum spoke to my husband and I joined Flourish Australia in 2013, and I feel this, in combination with a change Unit 6 Auburn Street Moree told him this was serious, and that he NSW 2400 couldn’t brush it aside. She rang the to a better medication helped me find women’s hospital in Sydney and made further traction in my recovery. 1300 779 270 an appointment for me. It was here Flourish Australia Page 9 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia You need a Noel Hogan Centre, 13-15 Kurrajong holiday! Avenue Leeton NSW 2705 5/26 Ulong Street From Poppet Griffith NSW 2680 Head to the 1300 779 270 Hot Glass Gallery at West Wyalong

Flourish Australia’s services run regular of new things about how different trees In the West Festival. Did you know that field trips as part of their monthly and plants are used. India and Australia have ties dating calendars of activities. These calendars back to the 1792? The British settlers are put together by the people who We visited the Exclusive Hot Glass in the young NSW colony were starving access our services together with the Gallery with unique handcrafted glass but were rescued by a supply ship staff. Here is a peek at one such outing creations. All the glass is hand made on dispatched from Kolkata (Calcutta) in from the Leeton and Griffith services. the premises by Elaine Marshall, Glass India. Seven years later, Australia made Artist. its first export: Coal from Newcastle to One of the first thing the Leeton/Griffith India. By 1840 a ship was leaving Sydney We had some lunch at one of the local people visited on their West Wyalong for India roughly every four days, which bakeries. While eating and reflecting outing was the Poppet Head. In case you is better than the rail service from on what we had done so far, we were don’t know what a poppet head is, that’s Sydney to West Wyalong! a picture of it at bottom left. It’s part of surprised to find that we were running a mine. Mining is part of the history of out of time, and there was so much The group enjoyed their day out learning West Wyalong and there are even some more to see! So we broke up into two about another town’s history. So much old miner’s huts still there like the one groups as some people wanted to see so that we plan to return to West pictured above. the op shops and second hand shops Wyalong to finish off our mission, do and other people wanted to do the West a bit of sight- seeing and also visit the We were able to enjoy West Wyalong’s Wyalong Heritage walk. nearby Lake Cowal gold mines. Reported Wetlands Walk where we learned plenty by Glen Birmingham In October, West Wyalong held an India

Page 10 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia for more in future.

For only $400 a head (food, transport and their entry to Jenolan Caves includ- ed), it doesn’t get much better. Two big factors in keeping costs down was get- ting a group rate and booking everything well in advance. A lot of the participants are already saving for next year! If you want to take part, the next trip is in October 2017.

As always, everyone had a fabulous time. Next year it’s hoped that Flowerdale, our Liverpool D2DL program, will take part, Bathurst & back by bus too. The more the merrier! Reported by Narelle Passlow and Grant J Everett.

Do you love going on holidays? Explor- Kanangra Boyd National Park and the ing new places, seeing unfamiliar sights, Jenolan Caves Reserve. As these environ- trying the local cuisine, alternating mentally-sensitive log cabins were pretty Flourish Australia services between fun and relaxation as much as remote, it was a good opportunity to get at Blacktown, Penrith you want? It’s something that everyone back to the simple life: no Internet, no Richmond (Hawkesbury), Foxtel and no mobile phones. However, needs to do now and again to recharge Bathurst our batteries and recover from our busy the great views and peace and quiet lives. were a nice change. Each cabin had four bunks and a queen bed, and had 1300 779 270 Just as they’ve done for the last six to be booked in advance. As the name years, three of our Day 2 Day Living indicates, Jenolan Cabins is only a ten Centres - Penrith, Blacktown and the minute drive to Jenolan Caves, making Some other highlights included... Richmond - offer the people who ac- it an attractive choice for people who cess our services a chance to go on a intend on visiting the caves affordably. In * Touring the Mt Panorama Motor long trek, have fun and unwind in new addition to Jenolan Caves, they also took museum surroundings. The participants decided a trip to Oberon (which is around half an that their destination for 2016 was go- hour from Jenloan Caves). * Doing a lap around Mt Panorama ing to be Bathurst and Jenolan Caves. A total of seventeen people who access Narelle Passlow had an unexpected * Visiting the Mineral and Fossil our services made the long, four-and- duty: as she was the only person in the Museum a-half-hour trip to Bathurst (including group who knew how to light a fire in a * Checking out some very smart stops). The bus trippers had plenty of slow-combustion fireplace, she was the animals at the Bathurst Sheep and chances to stop, grab a refreshment and designated Fire Lighter during their three Cattle Show stretch their legs, and thankfully the trip night stay. This was very important, as it was lots of fun. Like every year, Peter was very, very cold. * Buying old-fashioned sweets at the Cochrane went above and beyond the Little Hartley Lolly Shop call of duty by driving for the entire trip. The group had a lot of cave tours to choose from, but decided on The Chifley * Having a BBQ with the Bathurst due to the fact it was the most relaxed branch of Flourish Australia and the most accessible. They enjoyed the one-hour tour, and hope to go back

You need a

Their itinerary was planned out in holiday! advance. The group took a drive all the way to Lithgow, stopping for lunch along the way, then headed to Jenolan Cabins for a total of four days and three nights. These charming little houses are on the edge of Blue Mountains Wilderness, and offer amazing views of the mountains,

Flourish Australia Page 11 / Panorama March 2017 As these flats will be private rental properties, getting one will require the same process as renting anywhere else: you’ll need references, proof of income paperwork, 100 points of ID, and you’ll need to pay a bond (which is usually equivalent to four weeks of rent) up front. In case you aren’t familiar with renting privately, tenants are usually expected to sign a 12-month lease at the start. If you’re a good tenant, then your chances of extending this lease will also be good. Responsibilities Renting a home involves certain responsibilities, and they’ll all be clearly spelled out. Breaking the rules of your rental agreement can lead to eviction, Guildford affordable housing project so it’s very important that you know what’s expected of you. Like any other flats, tenants cannot keep pets (except in By Grant J Everett That means you don’t need to have a some circumstances, such as guide dogs) mental health issue or any other sort and won’t be allowed to smoke inside, One of the greatest elements of of preexisting connection with Flourish either. You’ll also need to make sure independence is to live in your own Australia if you want to move into one of you don’t damage anything, such as the home, a place where you are the boss. these apartments. However, when you combine a state- walls, doors, windows, carpet, or fixtures wide shortage of properties, rising rental Due to the nature of our organisation, like taps or sinks, or you’ll have to pay prices, and the very real threat of having this project isn’t motivated by profit: for repairs out of your bond. These flats to move out at the drop of a hat, finding the Guildford development has always will all be inspected every few months to (and keeping) your own place can be revolved around the core idea of offering make sure they are being appropriately difficult and stressful. Renting a decent affordable housing solutions for people cared for, but there will be lots of notice home seems to be something that’s who are having trouble making ends to ensure your home looks its best for moving further and further out of reach meet. the inspection. for many of us, even for people who are employed. Offering choice A measured decision Expanding our scope A definite positive to our apartment It goes without saying that there’s a lot block is that it has three unit sizes to more to building an apartment block Flourish Australia wanted to do cater for different budgets and space than simply whacking together some something about this issue. So, it was needs. All up, there will be 19 two- bricks! Due to the large scale of the decided that our organisation would bedroom units, 16 one-bedroom units, Guildford project, we had to make sure dip its toe into the real estate market and 6 studio apartments. The two- the entire Flourish Australia board and by building an affordable block of bedroom and one-bedroom apartments senior leadership team was on board apartments in Guildford. Guildford was will have their own underground before a single tradie loaded up his ute. chosen because it’s situated midway parking. Nowadays, it’s reached the point where between Parramatta and Liverpool, an any additional decisions are handled area that contains a lot of people on low Figuring out exactly who gets to live in by a small team of upper management. incomes, making it an ideal location for these flats will be a task for Community We’ve examined every step, but people who work, and it’s also a good Housing Limited, a not-for-profit progress has been steady. option because the organisation that The Guildford project should be finished local property prices delivers affordable in the first quarter of 2017, with its first are pretty reasonable Flourish Australia maintenance housing to some of residents moving in a couple of months for Western Sydney. crews will be looking after the the most vulnerable Guildford apartment block by people in our after that. The outcome of this project It’s important to mowing the lawns, cleaning community (people will have a huge impact on what we can note that although the hallways and windows, and who are homeless, offer the wider community. So while it’s Flourish Australia keeping the gardens in good people with disability, far too early to be making any educated deals predominantly shape. single parents, guesses, everyone is very excited by with people and so on). Any this new venture and we hope it’s the who have a lived administrative details first of many worthwhile examples of experience of mental health issues, such as leasing paperwork and other community development. our Guildford flats will be available documentation will be looked after by a to tenants outside of this scope, too. Community Housing Provider. Page 12 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia Detachable four page supplement Each Issue covers a This month’s theme: new CANSAS theme! CANSAS # 9 March 2017 Psychological ACTION Distress 1. Accommodation. 2. Food. 3. Looking after the home. 4. Self care. 5. Daytime activities. 6. Physical health. 7. Psychotic symptoms. 8. Information on condition and treatment. 9. Psychological distress. 10. Safety to self. 11. Safety to Others. 12. Alcohol. 13. Street Drugs. 14. Company. 15. Intimate relationships. 16. Sexual expression. 17. Childcare. 18. Basic Education. 19. Telephone. 20. Transport. 21. Money. 22. Benefits. (Plus other special topics from time to time)

b) Make it more difficult for us to things that make me happy like going to succeed in a job the beach or doing some artwork. As I Slaying the recover it will be possible for me to get c) Lower our quality of life closer to my goals. dragons of d) Contribute to depression Overgeneralising e) Make it harder to build or maintain relationships This is where a person reaches a broad, Negative generalised conclusion based on just one Let’s look in more detail at certain types piece of evidence. of negative self talk. We will see if we Self-Talk and can find ways of counteracting their toxic Example: I went out with a man who effect with a rational comeback! was unfaithful to me. All men are Negative unfaithful Filtering Questionable underlying belief: If one man is unfaithful, therefore all men are This involves looking at only one part of unfaithful. Thinking a situation to the exclusion of everything else. Rational comeback: the world is full of people who do good things and people by Meredith Example: I feel down because I had to who sometimes do bad things. Each quit my job Negative thinking or negative self-talk person is different. I have to take each can be among the biggest barriers we Questionable underlying belief:My person as they come . It is incorrect to face when embarking on the road to feelings depend entirely on whether I assume that all men are the same. recovery. It can be like a little ghost am still working for that company or not sitting on our shoulder constantly and whether I have employment. Mind Reading whispering lies, discouragement and irrational thoughts into our ear, every Rational comeback: I am now free This is when a person bases assumptions time we try to do something. Negative from a job I was miserable in. This is a and conclusions on their “ability” to self talk can originate from many great opportunity to look for a job more experiences such as:- suitable for me!

a) Negative things that have been said to us by others Polarising

b) Experiences of difficulties in This is where a person perceives important relationships, or traumatic everything at the extremes, either black life events or white with no grey in between. It also leads to mood swings. Things are c) Constantly comparing ourselves all great or all horrible and there is no unfavourably with others, or to middle ground. impossible ideals (like fashion models) Example: I have mental health issues, so I will never be able to live a normal life d) Internalising social stigma and be happy like other people. associated with mental health issues. Questionable underlying belief: My If we persist with these types of negative happiness solely depends on whether I thinking patterns, it can have enormous have a mental illness diagnosis or not. impact on our lives. For instance it can:- Rational Comeback:Even though I have a) Make us less physically healthy a mental health diagnosis, I can still do Page 13 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia ACTION page 2 know (or THINK they know) other if it was to do with me! problems related to managing me and people’s thoughts. my fellow colleagues.

Example: My workmate Georgina seems Catastrophising Questionable underlying belief: very silent and has a very mean and Whenever my supervisor is highly This is where a person always expects angry look about her today. I must have stressed it must be caused by me in the worst in every scenario. The done or said something to upset her. some way. accompanying story is a description Questionable underlying belief: When of how one actual person got so Rational comeback: My supervisor people look mean angry or upset it must carried away by his own tendency to has many responsibilities and stresses be due to something I did or I said catastrophise that he began to fear at home, too. I am not aware of there death. being any problem with me, so the Rational comeback:Just because problem is likely to have other origins. Georgina is in a negative mood today does not mean it has anything to do with Personalising me. She could be feeling sick or have When a person interprets everything in Control Fallacies concerns or troubles outside of work. ways that reflect on themselves. This is when a person feels their life Possible action: I could ask Georgina Example: My supervisor has been very Slaying the Dragons... what is the matter and find out for sure stressed out lately. It must be because of Continued on page 19

‘That went well,’ said the surgeon of the endoscopy and other testes. But then he added ‘How are your nerves?” Wayne’s stomach was surgically completely nor- mal! No sign of any tumours.

‘You drink a fair bit don’t you?’ said the surgeon, referring to blood tests that A showed he had alcoholic liver damage. This damage actually had no symptoms and was only discovered because of his ‘Catastrophe’ other concerns. All of Wayne’s doctors advised him to in the give up drinking straight away. Strange- ly, although he had been beside himself with anxiety over his ‘imaginary’ can- cer, the news that he had alcoholic liver making disease did not alarm him at all!

Wayne’s real battle was alcoholism, and it took another six years before he stopped drinking! His priorities were From a very young age, Wayne was of- Wayne’s GP told him it was probably obviously out of order. ten anxious, thinking the worst of every reflux and told him to take antacid. His situation. He also tended to avoid ACT- psychiatrist told him it was only a one The reason Wayne came out of this is ING upon problems, which emphasised in a million chance that it was anything that he (eventually) took ACTION about his sense of helpless victimhood. serious like cancer. Wayne however felt his unreasonable fears. it was ‘obvious’ that he was the one in a 1. Made an appointment for a trained Aged 32, Wayne had been constipated million. He even began to make prepara- surgeon to look into his stomach and from new blood pressure medication tions in anticipation of increasing illness take a video of it to confirm the actual and began feeling a ‘twinge’ in his and death, tying up his affairs and clear- truth stomach. After a couple of weeks, he ing out his desk at work. clearly recalls suddenly thinking to 2. He gave up drinking so his diseased himself “I’m going to die of stomach Despite all this, he still heard another liver could heal and regenerate. cancer”. He also recalled feeling as voice telling him that he was being silly though he ‘deserved’ to die. and over-reacting. Wayne didn’t know While talking to me, Wayne was able what to believe, but thought that believ- to share in hindsight that it would have This was despite there being no ing the worst was safest. been helpful to have chosen a safe per- evidence of any serious disorder. The son to talk to about his anxieties who next day his brother-in-law saw him It came to the crunch two months later could help him overcome them sooner. and commented “You’ve lost weight”. when Wayne, with some encouragement Someone like a Peer Worker. Instead he Wayne took this as a sign he was wast- from his family, worked up the courage chose to live with his debilitating delu- ing away from cancer. to have a series of hospital tests to find sion for over three months . out the truth. By Meredith Flourish Australia Page 14 / Panorama March 2017 Detachable 4 page supplement Panorama Employment Panorama’s Disability Employment Service Bulletin for Ostara Call Ostara on 1300 334 497 workers also talked with me about strategies that could help me deal with issues. This particularly helped when I was sick and in Banksia Mental Health Unit.

When I was young I moved from Tamworth to Queensland and then back to Tamworth. I wanted to be a spray painter or a panel beater, and I’m still interested in those industries.

What I’m really happy about now is going to work each week freedom at Tamworth City Toyota. I wash cars there on Thursday, and then I’m at Tamworth City Prestige on Fridays. I’m now hoping I can get the profession I wanted – maybe car detailing is the next step. After a few months at Toyota, I’m just starting to feel good about it all. It’s really great to feel valued, and being paid each week is just that - I can even buy things that I couldn’t before. Rachael at Best Employment (a community based disability employment service in Tamworth), and Deslee at Flourish Australia have really helped me to gain a sense of meant I could be off the street, and achievement. Those are feelings I in a clean, warm bed. This meant Feeling valued haven’t felt for a long time. everything to me. By Bo from Tamworth During this time, I’ve learnt to I’ve made quite a few friends, and be patient with people who are I’ve always enjoyed cars and wanted had a few challenges along the way. supporting me. I am learning about to work in the vehicle industry, but One big challenge has been the staff being responsible for what I do. My in 2003, I became unwell. I found at Flourish Australia understanding ultimate goal is to one day be fully it hard to concentrate and my me and my needs, and me trusting independent and graduate from the memory was poor. I was diagnosed them. We worked through this by HASI General program. with schizophrenia. getting together and trying to solve It was in 2004, I became aware problems by talking and going out As told to Keegan Hayden of Flourish Australia (then known for lunch - I started to feel better. Photo By Jim Booth as RichmondPRA) through HASI Once we got through that, they (Housing and Accommodation Flourish Australia Support Initiative) in Tamworth. supported me by getting me involved in activities with other people. 129 Marius Street I’d been homeless for a while and They also support me in the HASI Tamworth NSW Terry from MINOA (Men in Need of program. I started to enjoy being 1300 779 270 Accommodation) signed me up. It around other people, plus support Page 15 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia Panorama Employment page 2

demonstrate A to E, stability may well be advertisement lists the duties similar to What employers are in your future –Editor). the previous job, so they are looking for someone who might already have some looking for Experience and qualifications you might grasp of what panel beaters do. need to gain for this employer Personal qualities include B, D, E, F, I and G. Heavy vehicle smash experience K. High level of personal commitment H. Car-O-Liner experience an and attention to detail advantage L. Professional presentation [just be- (We found this site that explains what a cause you are a tradie does not mean Car-O-Liner is and what sort of qualifica- you can’t be well presented, at least tions you need to use one www.car-o- at the beginning of your shift!] liner-us.com) Vehicle Detailer and Experienced Panel General Hand Beater/Spray Painter A family owned company (can you see a In an advertisement for another family pattern developing here?) with 30 years Automotive owned accident repair business, they of fast, friendly quality service is looking put more emphasis on the tasks you for a detailer and general hand. Duties will be performing, but they emphasise will include ordering cleaning materials, Trades a high level of autonomy. This suggests cleaning the workshop, maintaining and they are looking for someone who servicing equipment. Who doesn’t like cars? After reading Bo’s knows the ropes fairly well: story on the previous page, we thought Personal Qualities include A, C and E there might be a few readers interested DUTIES: Removing and repairing dam- above plus: in following a similar career path. aged panels, cutting and joining struc- tural parts using specialist equipment, M. Can-do attitude So, we looked through some actual grinding and sanding surfaces, realign- advertisements for people in the fields ing damaged frames using a measuring N. Work under pressure at times of panel beating, spray painting, vehicle system. In another ad for a detailer/general detailing and automotive general hand hand, (yes, family owned), they include to see what employers are looking for. the following tasks which are prob- If you want to prepare for employ- This might give you an idea of what to ably fairly standard in this sort of work: ment, you need to find out what focus on if you are thinking of working in Washing cars, applying leather treat- employers are looking for. Look this area. ment, applying paint protection prod- through job ads in the field you ucts, moving the cars around the yard are interested in and note down and giving customers lifts. Panel Beater the various qualities and qualifica- A family run business with ‘the most cur- tions as we have done here. Then rent technology available’ advertised for work at attaining them one by Like working on machines? one. That’ll keep you busy! a panel beater. The advertisement em- See our article on Aaron the phasises personal qualities which might diesel mechanic in March 2016 provide an opportunity for someone who does not have a lot of experience: Personal qualities that you might pos- Panorama. sess already: A, B and E above, plus: Detachable four page supplement Personal qualities that you might pos- Call Ostara Panorama #1 I. Good communication skills 1300 334 497 2016 sess already Employment RichmondPRA’s Disability Employment Service bulletin for Ostara

New vehicles are coming up all the time and you have to be up on them. There is constant retraining. Experience and qualifications you might Aaron’s So you have to be very well A. Works well in a team environment Apprenticeship established to be self-employed. P.E.: Do you have a favourite type need to gain for this employer Aaron was formerly a resident of big truck? at RichmondPRA’s Grevillea Aaron: I like Volvo trucks [FH series Heavy Vehicle Motor Cottages (see story on page 12 pictured at left]. They are mostly, of March Panorama). We spoke electronic, really comfortable to Mechanic (Also known to him about his future plans in drive. They’re a good truck. B. Able to work with minimal super- as Diesel Mechanic/ the field of Diesel Mechanics. Aaron spoke to Warren Heggarty. Truck Mechanic) Aaron was in the middle of his Thanks to Alex Avenarius for his help. apprenticeship when he became J. Qualifications as a panel beater Duties unwell and needed to take time vision off, including a period at Grevillea Diagnose, overhaul, repair, Cottages. tune, maintain and test heavy vehicles. Use instruments to detect With the help of HASI he has now mechanical faults in circuitry, moved into his own place and has ignition, timing, fuel injection, plans to look for work so he can (There are lots of courses and ap- compression, braking, wheel continue from where he left off and C. Reliable and hardworking balance and alignment complete his apprenticeship. Repair and maintain hydraulic Panorama Employment: what components that power attachments exactly do diesel mechanics work prenticeships available. Look at this such as hoists, booms, scrapers, on? Trucks, trains? buckets and augers. Repair faulty Aaron: Trucks. We work on motors, parts using oxy, ARC, TIG and MIG gearboxes, brakes, final drive or welding, hand fitting or machining diffs… site run by the NSW Business Cham- processes. D. Focused on the customer P.E.: So there’s a bit of everything. Personal requirements How long does it normally take to complete and where? • You should enjoy practical and Aaron: Four years. I have already ber www.apprenticeshipcareers.com. manual activities completed most of the modules. • You need an aptitude for I did it at Wetherell Park TAFE. mechanical things It’s really good there. It’s a block • It helps to be good at maths release training program. You do E. A strong work ethic and pride in • The job can be physically three weeks on the job and one au or look up TAFE in your state) demanding, so you need to be week in class. I like doing it that fit enough way because you are able to get more involved in the theory or your work More information practice. Autoskills Australia: 03 8610 2500 P.E.: So you can focus more. And [email protected] what happens at the end of the www.autoskillsaustralia.com.au course? Aaron: If you complete all the modules, you get a Trade If you are interested in a Certificate. F. A stable employment history: Prestige Panel Beater career in the automotive industry in general, this video of Harley P.E.: Can you go into business for Davidson mechanic Heath Blair yourself? will encourage you! You can find Aaron: I would prefer to be an it on the autoskills australia web employee, at least to begin with. site: player.vimeo.com/video Perhaps I can look at my own /42528302?portrait=0&color business later on. You never stop A prestige auto company advertised for =D6E100 learning. The longer you go with the (Don’t let this one put you off. This might job, the more you have to learn. PageMarch 15 /2016 Panorama Monthly Page 15 / Panorama EmploymentFebruary 2016 not sound like your past, but if you can an apprentice to work on posh cars. The Page 15 / Panorama Employment

Page 16 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia Panorama Employment page 3 The Intellectual Disability Foundation of supervisors will speak with them to St George, Ozanam Industries, Centac- check. After that we’ll present an infor- are, DSA, Castlereagh Industries, Civic mation session and provide Expression Industries, Multitask, Catholic Care and of Interest (EOI) paperwork to anyone Thorndale Industries, and we have suc- who wants to take part. Finally, we’ll cessfully completed two rounds of train- assess the language and literacy skills of eeships with the House With No Steps. all our potential students to ensure they are competent enough to complete the Are your graduates moving onto bigger traineeship. and better things? Who pays the teacher? One success story involves a class from The House With No Steps. We ran The federal government has incen- traineeships for ten participants at their tivised Flourish Australia with wage Minchinbury Packaging ADE. From this support for this purpose. So long as a class, six participants gained the skills, student remains an employee of Flourish qualifications and confidence to find Australia during their training, then the open employment elsewhere. Of the organisation will continue to receive Upskilling remaining four students, one became enough government funding to cover all Flourish Australia has been bringing in a forklift driver, two were promoted to costs. The students and the organisation external teachers to help our workers supervisors, and the final member of the are not out of pocket for the training; in earn real qualifications in the hopes of class was happy to just keep doing his fact, the organisation will often achieve providing a better tomorrow. WAYNE original job. a healthy profit from the training. On PETERSEN, founder of the Academy of that subject, we believe that our classes Are mature age students easier to teach Workplace Learning, spoke about these will be funded by the National Disability than younger students? classes. Insurance Scheme when it rolls out. There’s a big difference between child- Which Flourish Australia locations have What are your future plans? hood learning and adult learning, as you taught at so far? adults will only learn what they’re inter- We have expanded our scope to offer I’ve been training workers at the West ested in. This means I have to make the more course options, such as a Certifi- Ryde, Harris Park and Marrickville training engaging, exciting and enjoyable cate I in Vocational Pathways, a bridg- branches since May 2015. A total of 47 to ensure the class doesn’t zone out. ing course that would be very useful people started the Warehouse Opera- Thankfully, feedback tells us we are hit- for anybody who needs to build on tions Certificate III course, but these ting our targets. It’s nice to know I’m not some basic skills before tackling a more traineeships take two years so none of putting anybody to sleep! advanced certificate. We’ve also been them have completed it yet. Before this putting together courses for traineeships The Academy’s core mission is to train I used to teach a Certificate IV in Mental for Flourish Australia peer workers that people from the disability and mental Health (non-clinical) to Flourish Australia operate with a similar funding method health sectors. Any particular reason for peer workers. as the current traineeships. this? Historically, how is the graduation rate My personal history plays a big part of your students? in this. For starters, my Poppy had an Interested in taking a big acquired brain injury, and my mum I’ve helped students to complete 400 step towards your dreams? traineeships over the last decade, and always taught us to love people who we are very proud of our 100% gradu- were different and to not be scared of See your manager about ation rate. Our figures are so high be- them. Also, my younger brother had contacting the Academy of cause of the extensive work we put into autism, and I was his primary carer for designing our training material and by most of his life. In addition to that, my Workplace Learning! ensuring that all our potential students wife Lorraine and I have a 39-year-old have the competency required to gradu- son who lives with schizophrenia. I also academyowl.com.au ate. We also spend three face-to-face managed to recover from post traumatic hours with our participants each week stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing 1300 189 417 to be sure that they understand (and trauma as a child. complete) their assessments. Note that What process do you have to go our graduation figures don’t include any through in running a course at one of Sources: participants who leave the organisation Flourish Australia’s community busi- or become sick and are unable to com- www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-12/tafe-ap- nesses? plete it (around 15%). prenticeships-to-curb-dropout-rate/5386038 First, somebody from the Academy will Have you worked with many other non- “NSW TAFE program aims to reduce high talk with the manager about the suitabil- apprenticeship dropout rate,” by Mohamed government organisations? ity of running one of our courses. From Taha and Allan Clarke, 8th of July 2014 I have run classes for organisations such there we need to know if the employees www.ade.org.au/what-are-ades as New Horizons, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, have any interest in taking part, so the Flourish Australia Page 17 / Panorama March 2017 Panorama Employment page 4

for. Even though the government has VET-FEE HELP rejigged the VET system, you cannot put blind faith in all the bugs having been Living with mental Protect yourself removed. health issues? Looking for And because many cases are still be- a job? Ostara can help! from crooked dealers fore the courts, it is not possible for Panorama to give you a list of the dodgy in higher education colleges. However, bear in mind the rules 1300 334 497 shown in the green box. By Warren Heggarty Our Disability Employment Service (DES) locations are as follows: Under the VET FEE-HELP loans system of Panorama also asked the Department of Education and Training what Flour- funding vocational education, unscrupu- Ostara Liverpool lous providers used high pressure tactics ish Australia staff can do if one of the people who access our services gets into Suite 5, Level 2, and inducements to sign people up to 224 George Street courses. Often the people were living difficulty with the student loan set up. For example, if they have been taken LIVERPOOL NSW 2170, on welfare and unable to carry the cost PH 9393 9360 of the education. Worse, it seemed that advantage of while acutely unwell. You should advise the person to gather as Fax 9602 9727 many people were not even completing [email protected] the courses that were leaving them out much information as possible and pass this on to the Commonwealth Depart- of pocket. Some who were signed up Ostara Caringbah ment of Education and Training VET FEE were not even aware they were en- Level 2, Suite 205 HELP. But there is no guarantee that the rolled. 304-318 Kingsway Department would be able to help, so Caringbah NSW 2229 According to a report in The Australian again: Beware! PH 9393 9134 newspaper, the old system ‘ransacked Fax 9531 7612 more than $6 billion from the public Some previous rort reports [email protected] purse in four years.’ • Some agents and brokers have alleg- The federal Education minister Simon edly been passing on people’s Tax File Ostara Redfern Birmingham described it as a ‘monu- Numbers to multiple providers. Suite 204, Level 2 mental disaster’ and has announced that 140 Redfern St • The government continued to provide Redfern NSW 2016 a new system would be introduced from funding to $140 million over three years January 2017. PH 9393 9220 to a private college despite the fact that FAX 9698 7121 Under this new scheme there will be students enrolled in it saw immediately [email protected] limits set on loans, providers will need to that it was a scam. prove their good faith, and only courses • An instructor who worked for one Ostara Armidale that align with industry demand will be private college testified to the Federal First Floor Office 26, eligible for VET Student Loans. Barriers Court that ‘not a single student from 188-192 Beardy Street, to new providers entering the market one cohort of 80 studying on line’ ever Armidale NSW 2350 will be set much higher to stop those responded to her emails. PH 0423 566 623 who are not genuine. Fax 6771 3812 • ‘A woman fined $120,000 for fabricat- [email protected] The moral of the story is that you have ing 11 bogus qualifications in aged and to be very careful what you sign up disability care used them to trick the training regulator into setting up her own private training college.’ • The workplace can be a great source of free training. • One report claimed that the VET FEE- Panorama Employment HELP loans scheme ‘has created massive • VET- FEE HELP is a LOAN. wealth for several private college own- Flourish Australia Employment Services ers…’ Loans have to be repaid. General Manager: Marty Golding, Program Manager, Disability Employment According to Rick Morton of the Austral- Services: Julie Duong. Panorama • Be especially careful of ian The ‘rush to get training certificates Employment is a regular supplement of agents and brokers. Don’t deal for the family day care sector, which has Panorama magazine, Contact Warren. with anyone offering “free” been seriously rorted by more than $1 [email protected], merchandise billion, was fuelled by the $6 billion fraud [email protected]. of the vocational education sector in a (02) 9393 9021, 5 Figtree Drive, Sydney symbiotic raid on government funds.’ Olympic Park 2127. • Don’t give your tax file © 2016 Flourish Australia number to anyone unless you Information taken from reports by Julie Hare, Kylar are sure of their credentials. Loussikian, Rick Morton and Natasha Bita of the ISSN 1838-6679 Australian Newspaper and Eric Bagshaw and Kelsey Munro of the Sydney Morning Herald throughout 2015 and 2016. Page 18 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia ACTION page 3 Panorama ACTION Page 3

Slaying the dragons... objective reality. It’s accurate to judge all people in a Continued from page 14 particular group by one member of that Rational comeback: Feelings can change group. Also, my idea of a good sense of even if facts stay the same. No one is humour applies to all nationalities. is totally controlled by a force outside entirely “smart” or entirely “stupid”. We themself or that they are somehow are all a mixture of qualities. Sometimes Rational Comeback: Maybe Hans is magically responsible for everything. I make poor choices but that’s just part different from other Bavarians. If I met of being human. We LEARN from our more Bavarians I might think differently. Example: My little toddler fell off the mistakes. Anyway, maybe Bavarians have a monkey bars and broke his arm. It’s all different idea of what is funny or not my fault as his mother. I should have funny. been looking more closely to what he Fallacy of Change was doing. This is the assumption that other people Blaming Questionable underlying belief: will change to suit you if you pressure Whenever my child gets hurt it is them enough. The illusion is that Bad things that happen are always because I was not looking out for him happiness depends on bringing about someone else’s fault. properly. It’s because I am a bad mother these changes. Co-dependency relies heavily on this fallacy. Example: The cause of my depression Rational Comeback: it is part of normal must be due to how my family treated human development that toddlers are Example: If my mother would only stop me when I was a child very hard to supervise and also accident bossing me around I would probably feel prone. I can only do my best. Accidents more comfortable with her Questionable underlying belief: There do happen. Life is not perfect. is always a causal effect or someone to Questionable underlying belief: The blame when bad things happen to me. quality of my relationship with my Hence whenever I suffer from problems Fallacy of Fairness mother depends on her changing her like depression or low self esteem it behaviour. must be due to my family. This is when a person judges other people’s actions by what is and what Rational Comeback: It is very unlikely Rational comeback: It’s true that I grew isn’t fair. The problem is, everyone has that I can (or even should) change my up in a dysfunctional family, but my a different view of fairness so everyone mother’s behaviour towards me. What I depression can be due to many other is bound to feel hurt or wronged CAN do is learn to be assertive with her factors in my environment. It is also somewhere along the line. and change how I relate to her. possible that my own unchallenged beliefs and behaviour might be Example: If my husband really cared contributing. In any case, blaming about my wellness he’d take on more Global Labelling doesnt’ aid recovery. responsibility with the house and kids This involves making a broad judgement Questionable underlying belief: How on very little evidence Shoulds much my husband cares about my wellness is defined by the amount of Example: Hans comes from Bavaria. This is where a person operates from a housework he takes on. He has no sense of humour. Therefore rigid set of rules about how everyone Bavarians have no sense of humour. (including the self) should act. Rational Comeback: My husband does a lot of other things that show how Questionable underlying beliefs: Example: As a married woman I should much he cares about my wellness: he’s attentive and tender toward me, he reads to me in bed and does all the yard Slaying the dragons is continued on page 20 OUT and ABOUT work. He also works very hard at his job (which pays my doctor’s bills). I can talk Flourish Australia to him about feeling overburdened by June and Jennifer can smell the housework and all the demands the something cooking in the kids make on me. If we work together, Kitchen at Flourish Australia we might find some solutions. Derby Street Penrith, cour- tesy of Fred on his student Emotional Reasoning placement. This is the mistaken belief that everything you feel must necessarily be true

Example: I feel stupid therefore I must be stupid

Questionable underlying belief: My subjective feelings always reflect

Page 19 / Panorama March 2017 19Flourish / Panorama Australia March 2017 Panorama ACTION page 4 Slaying the dragons... Meredith Continued from page 19 Sources:Flourish Australia is a leading not-for-profit organisation provid- ing community based support and employment services for peo- never feel attracted to another man Pathways to Recovery – A Strengths Recovery Self-Help Workbookple living by Ridgway, with McDiarmid, a mental Davidson andhealth Ratzlaff issue. apart from my husband (book) Grevillea As a social enterprise of Flourish Australia, Figtree Conference Questionable underlying belief: My 15 Styles of Distorted Thinking: https://access.ewu.edu/ caps/selfhelp/stressmanage/distortthinkCentre provides outstanding event facilities and delivers posi- feelings should always conform to a rigid tive social outcomes through the provision of training and em- set Cottageof rules ployment opportunities to break the cycle of unemployment and isolation so often experienced by people with lived experience of Rational Comeback: I’m as subject to mental illness. a wide range of emotions as any other human being. It is not wrong to have Being employed gives people a sense of purpose and goes a long feelings. However, I have a choice as way to improving their wellbeing. to how I act on those feelings. So I will Each employee is trained and mentored in events and catering choose closure not to act in a way that may be management. Vocational services give employees tailored train- detrimental to my family. ing, mentorship and direction along with access to TAFE courses.

The ability to interact with others, achieve goals and make a Being Right productive contribution provides a boost for participants’ self- Warren Heggarty esteem, helping them with their recovery journey. This is where you continually need to justify yourDedication point of view and or a waycan-do of behaving. attitude as Located in Sydney Olympic Park, Figtree is a purpose-built con- Thiswell makes as compassion: it impossible to these listen towere a new all ference facility, which can be tailored to suit your individual perspective.part of the operation of Grevillea event requirements. Cottage, a PARC project operated by BandRichmondPRA Member 1: I’m and discouraged Mt Druitt because Hospital Our versatile, open-plan venue is flooded with natural light, has peoplefrom 2015-2016are complaining which about came our music. to state-of-the-art, integrated IT and audio visual facilities, free on- Banda close Member at the 2: Perhapsend of the the style financial is too site parking and full access for people with a disability. rockyyear. Figtree is easily accessible by public transport and is located Band Member 1: It’s certainly not too rocky! within walking distance to hotels, restaurants and entertainment The project was all too short-lived How can anyone say that? I think you’re just venues within the Sydney Olympic Park precinct. tryingbecause to be the too criticalfunding and was putting only our band down!available for a limited time. In We have a range of delicious menu options to cater for any event the course of Grevillea Cottage’s or budget and a separate, open-plan art gallery for exhibitions, operation, the project provided displays, trade shows or cocktail functions. Heaven’smany learning opportunitiesReward that will be useful for future endeavours. The To discuss your event or meeting needs, please email: Fallacydata they collected will also provide Ifevidence you always for do thefuture right programs. thing you will [email protected] eventually be rewarded (even if doing the rightPARC thing means means “prevention ignoring your ownand needs). or phone recovery centre.” The idea was to Example:provide Ifa I wayever I fordo thepeople wrong to thing, avoid 0420 505 907 or 02 9393 9000 howeverhospital small admissions, it may be, God either is going with to a punishstep-up me. (moving from home into the cottage) or with a step-down Questionable(moving from underlying the hospital belief: into My the actionscottage). are Youa direct can cause read of themore bad aboutor good thingsthis in that the will March happen 2016 to me. edition of Panorama. Rational Comeback: I must use common- senseOutgoing to ensure manager, I cater for Alexander my own well being andAvenarius, survival. said that the step-up part of the program was particularly As you can see there are many ways one can successful. think negatively. These thoughts can affect our emotions and eventually our actions. Try “This has demonstrated that a PARC to pinpoint any that you may be practicing. can be a genuine alternative to an Perhaps you can record your thoughts in inpatient admission for some people a journal. Write down the event, negative experiencing a deterioration in their thought then try to rethink it and give a more mental health.” positive, rational comeback. You could try writing these ‘comebacks’ on an affirmation Once again, Alex said, it has also card and read it every morning. It may shown, “the great value of close be difficult at first but with practice it can partnerships between (NSW) Health become easier. and NGOs (like Flourish Australia) Wishingand the you amazing all the best things in your that recovery such journeycollaboration against negative achieves self for talk. the people we support.”

PageFlourish 20 / Panorama Australia March 2017 Panorama - FlourishSeptember Australia 2016 - Page 29 Trans Aged Care

Story by Edwina Keelan, photo by Ed- wina Keelan

I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of this land where this story takes place. We walk on this land lightly. And I and would like to acknowledge Laurel Walter from The Gender Centre over 55’s group for her participation and input into the development of this piece of writing

-Edwina

April May* is a mature-aged and men stay in touch with their and be of use to the community,” April Transgendered Australian Woman who community.” April explains. “Later, we adds. “You can get so lost in the stuff of was born male but has lived for many are going visit some more people at a everyday.” years as a woman after going through hospital and a nursing home. All we do the sex change process in the 1980’s. is just call in to see how they are and see “There are so many ageing Trans She also has a lived experience of mental if they need company. We don’t aim to women and men, and a lot of them are health issuse’s. April is a very colourful make pests of ourselves! We just want becoming isolated. The big fear about and cheerful person to talk to, and to let them know that we are here for being separated and isolated is the onset there is a lot of real fun and laughter them, an ear to listen or a shoulder to of depression, or even suicide. Keeping whenever she is around. cry on.” up a connection keeps people alive and involved.” April is currently participating in ACON’s “I have a TAFE qualification in aged care (Aids Council of New South Wales) Aged nursing, and I am qualified to work in April says there is especially a need Care Volunteer Program which provides that role in people’s homes,” April says, for this kind of service in remote outreach to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, “but this particular volunteer role relies communities, and she visited one person Transgender and Intersex people in Aged more on social skills.” recently who was overwhelmed with Care facilities, respites, hospitals and tears to see her because no one else private homes. The volunteers are also That’s good news, as chatting and ever visited! now going out to remote communities making social connections are what April *April is not her real name and was as well. does best! omitted by the writer for privacy reasons. “It’s about helping aged trans women “I want to get back into the work force

Some stories really do need to be told! Panorama is where we read about people’s recovery journeys. If you have a recovery story, no matter how modest it may seem to you, it is sure to strike a chord with a reader. Who knows, your story could start another person’s recovery journey.

[email protected] [email protected] Flourish Australia Page 21 / Panorama March 2017 different.

They advise management and clinical staff about how a person with lived experience might experience situations within the system, and about how to improve that experience. They do not advocate on behalf of individual patients, unless the issue may have broader application.

Adapted from a presentation given by Mark This is a very challenging project because Orr and Peer Consultants Peter and Patricia in custody, personal choice can clash on 24th August 2016 Coming with public safety . On the one hand, people in the forensic Moving On Group Together for hospital have the same right as anyone to support for their recovery from Reported by Consumer Consultant mental health issues. On the other hand, Patricia Recovery the justice system has to manage the possible risk to the community. I have been facilitating a Moving On Peer support principles come to group which is aimed at providing a the Forensic system A person who is in custody may well see sense of ‘hope’ to people who have support for their mental health issues as been referred to a medium security Peer support can benefit people with something forced upon them. unit. Peter and I initially shared ideas mental health issues who are in prisons and developed the 15 week pilot or who are staying in secure settings How do we encourage a person to program together. I tend to use ice like the Forensic Hospital at Malabar take greater control over their lives breakers to get people warmed up for NSW. Flourish Australia has been when they are in custody? How can a session. One of these included having working with Justice Health to make it such people become empowered to people sing or recite a favourite line all happen. participate in the community when they of a song to the group.The Moving On are deliberately separated from that group is going to be run again this term The Together for Recovery project is community during their time in custody? on a wider basis. an initiative of Justice Health and the How do we achieve this without putting Forensic Mental Health Network that the public at risk? A highlight of last year was just before aims to improve consumer participation Christmas when I joined a handful of in a high secure mental health facility in staff and patient volunteers to visit NSW. This is a very challenging project because in custody, personal the courtyards of each ward singing Christmas carols. We sang carols The people who will benefit include: choice can clash with public safety . including the Aussie version of the • Persons found not guilty of an offence jingle bells song (which is so funny) and by reason of mental health issues, Silent Night amongst a few others. One or who are unfit to plead because of Because these sorts of questions need of the people (patients) sang a solo to mental health issues. Some people use to be addressed, the project so far has the others in one of the wards. It was a the term ‘forensic patient.’ involved the Consumer Consultants very touching experience. working with , Senior Management, • Inmates of prisons who develop Policy and Procedure and Clinical Read more reports on peer support mental health issues while in custody Governance committees. principles in the forensic system in the next issue of Panorama, June 2017 • Other people with mental health Consumer Consultants Peter and Patricia issues who are considered to require ‘a operate as peer workers within Flourish high secure environment’ by the justice Australia, but at the Forensic Hospital system. their roles at the moment are a little Page 22 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia Editorial

Readers’ Surveys: 7 Quick Questions About Panorama

encountered a number of businesses Recently, we have been distributing Thank you (you might be able to think of a few survey forms to as many of our yourself) who have been generous in readers as possible so that we can To those people who have taken their support of Flourish Australia’s find out what YOU want to see in the trouble to complete one of activities. Advertising in Panorama Panorama. the surveys, thank you for your would be an additional way for such time and your ideas. You have not good corporate citizens to help us out. One clear message we have already only provided valuable feedback, received is that many people who access but you have given us even more We also recognise that our readers Flourish Australia’s services are not ideas to improve the magazine and are consumers. Not just in the now- able to get hold of a copy of Panorama. to help us to expand our online superseded sense of “consumers of This became very apparent when we operation (and possibly other mental health services,” but consumers surveyed people attending recovery media as well). of all kinds of products. A large forums in rural areas and found that percentage of our readers are on very some people don’t get to see Panorama low incomes, true, but for many of you at all. We are working on ways of So why don’t we just print more that need not be a permanent situation. improving this situation, but in the Panoramas more frequently? meantime, if you have been missing out People living with mental health issues DO have buying power as demonstrated on Panorama, make sure you ask the This is what we want to do, but we don’t by the story on page 4 of this issue staff in the Flourish Australia service want to do it at the expense of other where Rod got himself a car. This is an which you attend. They will be happy to services that we provide. Especially as example of how consumption can be a help you out. Panorama has no cover charge, we need part of recovery. to find ways of covering the cost that Only five years ago, Panorama was set don’t affect all those other services. up for an organisation which was only As editor, my aim in exploring the possibility of paid advertising is to about one third the size it is now. Rapid This leads us to one of the controversial expand Panorama’s size, frequency, growth has meant that even though we topics which appeared in the four page coverage and quality; and also to are producing more Panoramas than survey you might have seen in our recognise that the people who access ever before, it is sometimes a bit of a December issue. stretch. our services at Flourish Australia have buying power like everyone else. Part of the aim in collecting the data is to Advertising make sure we work out the right number Panorama is ITSELF an advertisement to provide to each service of Flourish Not surprisingly, the question of whether for the work of Flourish Australia and its Australia. We also want to reach services we should take paid advertising has people. We hope that people who are outside of Flourish Australia. perplexed some readers. We would like looking for recovery services will hear to reassure you that the management of about our Flourish Australia through the In short, we have gone from twenty sites Flourish Australia and their predecessors stories in Panorama. to over sixty sites and there are several have always been right behind Panorama thousand people to cover. (including financially) as an integral part When the surveys have been tallied of our overall services. up we will report back to you. In the Also because Panorama is currently a meantime, If you would like to give quarterly magazine, it can be a long Another area of concern is whether we feedback about advertising or any other wait between issues and this has been would run advertising that conflicted topic regarding Panorama, please don’t compounding the problem. with our overall recovery ethos and hesitate to do so by contacting the non-clinical emphasis. We don’t think it editor at the address below. If you are having problems getting hold is appropriate, therefore, to advertise of a Panorama magazine, call us on (02) pharmaceuticals, for example. Whatever 9393 9021 or email us at: appears in Panorama, including Warren Heggarty, advertising, has to be about recovery. Publications Officer, [email protected]. Flourish Australia, au So what were we thinking of? To give 5 Figtree Drive, Sydney you an idea, consider our current Olympic Park, 2127 sponsors. Over the years, we have Flourish Australia Page 23 / Panorama March 2017 Carers’ Page Caring may include help and support in any of the daily activities of the person being cared for. It may include physical and personal care and assistance such as dressing, lifting, showering, feeding or providing transport. Think of this example: purchasing a portable air conditioner for a sick family member to make them more comfortable in convalescence is part of the caring Supporting the process. Commonly, carers are responsible for supporters the management of medications. Carers provide emotional, social or financial support. Caring may also involve helping the person they are caring for the community an enormous amount According to Carers Australia, “the to be organised, reminding them to of money, or that carers are an ‘integral chances are that you personally are a attend appointments and dealing with part of the health system.’ It may be that carer, need a carer or know a carer.” 12% emergencies. the actions of carers take pressure off of the population, or 2.8 million people the health system but it is impossible to In the case of some illnesses or are carers. Many people who live with put a dollar value on it. What carers do disabilities, the demands placed upon mental health issues of their own are often goes far beyond what professionals carers are truly onerous. Think of those also carers for others! are able or even permitted to do. caring for aged relatives in the late Carers are people who are either on stages of dementia, or for children with Carers often sacrifice their own time, the carers pension or provide unpaid multiple disabilities needing round the money, careers and sometimes even well care and support to family members clock care. being to take on this role. and friends who are frail, aged, or live Caring is so important that Panorama with a disability, mental health issues, or Think also of the anxiety experienced is going to devote regular articles to chronic illness. This includes people who by a carer for someone who has a drug it from now on. If you are a carer and have addictions to alcohol and other or alcohol problem, or who might be have a story you wold like to share with drugs. thinking of harming themselves or even Panorama readers, please don’t hesitate ending their life. It has often been said that carers save to contact us on 02 9393 9021. company, feel special, chat, laugh, be a fact that carers make an enormous creative and partake in a delicious lunch. contribution to our many communities, and the role they play is valued at over Flourish Australia’s community arts $60 billion a year, or more than $1 billion coordinator, Jane Miller, helped run a week (according to Carers Australia). the arty side of the day. She liaised with Marylin, a volunteer from Lifeline Want to learn something about carer Connect, to hold a fun class where respite and other kinds of support? You would-be-artists could paint pots and can call the Carer Line between 9am and tiles. All the tiles that were decorated 5pm, or visit the Carers Australia website on the day will be used to brighten up at any time. Carers’ Week a wall at Lifeline Connect’s Broken Hill office that honours Carers Week 2016. 1800 242 636 in Broken Hill www.carersaustralia.com.au This was just the beginning. In order Want to know more about Carers Week For Carers’ week 2016, Flourish Australia to ensure that next year’s Pamper, so you can get involved in Spring next Broken Hill organised a brand new Pots and Paint event is even better, year? the participants were provided with event called Pamper, Pots and Paint in www.carersweek.com.au feedback forms. There were lots conjunction with Lifeline Connect at (Photos provided by Andrew Kelly) Broken Hill. Funded by CarersNSW in of positive comments on the good conjunction with Flourish Australia the company and yummy food, and overall event was held in the Lifeline Connect everything was reported to be great. office, which is where the local carers of Flourish Australia Broken Hill tend to congregate regularly. The participants were also asked about how they felt before the day’s activities BROKEN HILL This was a golden chance for these as well as after. Generally, the guests 142 Argent Street reported that they went from feeling selfless carers to do something for Broken Hill NSW 2800 themselves and their own wellbeing, to average at the start to excellent by be able to take time to enjoy some new the end. Mission accomplished! It’s 02 9393 9515 Page 24 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia Open Employment for Perry It is really great when a person who accesses our services leaves us!

Seriously, that is the measure of our success at Flourish Australia that a person embarks upon their recovery journey and forges a future for themselves, leaving us behind.

One person who achieved this recently is Perry Grayson who used to work in a supported employment Mental health band. role at Prestige Packing Co Marrickville. gets royal “All of us know someone who has been through difficult emotional times, and When he obtained employment support we know how hard it can be to see a on the open market, Perry sent the way forward. William, Harry and I feel it following note to us via Peer Worker is our duty to do what we can, with your Grant J Everett Alma at Marrickville. help, to shine a spotlight on emotional The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and well-being and highlight the support that ‘Before I started working at Flourish Prince Harry want to change the way we is out there to prevent or manage the Australia Marrickville I was a mess. talk about mental health issues. The trio pain at difficult times.” I could barely get out of bed in of royals are asking people to recognise the morning. I thought I'd never Kate spoke about how people often keep that mental health problems can be ex- be work-ready again. But Flourish their problems hidden because they’re perienced by anyone, and the sooner we Australia gave me a positive, friendly too scared to admit they are struggling. reach out to help a friend or a loved one atmosphere and the motivation to get out of the house and interact who is in difficulty, the better. “This fear of judgment stops people with other people. I made some from getting the help they need, which For instance, the Duke has gone on friends among staff and other can destroy families and end lives.” record as saying that mental workers. health was “not a dirty Harry spoke passionately “We all have ‘Working at Flourish Australia gave word” and “we all have about the value of teaching mental health like me the recovery-based support to mental health like we do everybody about mental return to the workforce. I enjoyed physical health, good or ill”. we do physical health first aid. health, good or working in a team with others like “The more we all talk about ill.” “It’s not rocket science, me to get jobs done. I think it's this, the more collectively as but most of us don’t know safe to say that I wouldn't be ready a society we can do to sup- -Prince William what to do if a friend or to work in open employment if it port one another. But not family member is suffer- wasn't for Flourish Australia. seeking help at those times when it all ing. Having some basic knowledge, and ‘Thanks for all of your help and seems too much, or we are depressed or having the confidence to act on your positive vibes!’ anxious, can impact the rest of our lives. knowledge, can make a huge differ- Put simply, the three of us want to make ence to those around us. We don’t want Thanks for that Perry. It would be asking for help no longer a big deal.” prejudice and fear to stand in the way really great if all of the people who of people getting the help they need to “Personally, in my work at the air ambu- access our services could one day cope with life.” lance, I see how colleagues and families take this step! help each other through traumatic mo- Sources: ments.” www.headstogether.org.uk/

“World Mental Health Day: Make asking for help no big deal, urge “The three of us have learnt a lot in the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry,” The Telegraph, past few months as we met people. “ 10th of October 2016

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/10/duke-and-duchess-of- “The more we talk about mental health, cambridge-to-ride-on-london-eye-with-prince/ the more normal the topic becomes, and “Very royal tourists! William, Kate and Harry will take a spin on the the more we feel able to open up and London Eye as part of their engagements to mark World Mental seek support.” Health Day,” Siofra Brennan, Daily Mail, 5th of October www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3823001/Kate-William-Harry- Next stop...? Kate was on the same page as her hus- visit-London-Eye-World-Mental-Health-Day.html Flourish Australia PagePage 25 / Panorama March 2017 available day or night, you can take part provided by SANE. After filling out the in it anonymously, and you don’t need to online form and confirming your email make an appointment or have a referral. address, you’ll be ready to go! Since the forums were first launched, a very caring and supportive culture has The best way to learn more about the SANE developed in this online community, and SANE Forums for yourself is to jump in new faces are always welcome. and get involved. If this is your first time on the site, then the Lived Experience In addition to being divided into many Forum has a section specifically used Forums diverse “threads”, or subjects, all the for new users to say hi and share a little existing posts are split between two bit about themselves. It’s as simple as a guide for new users core forums: one is for people with typing in a bit about yourself and hitting by Grant J Everett a lived experience of mental health post. issues, appropriately called Lived The SANE Forums are a safe, respectful Experience, and the other is targeted If you’ve got something specific you’d place where anybody over the age of 18 towards people who care for - or like to raise and there’s no existing can get involved in anonymous peer-to- otherwise support - a loved one, called thread on the subject, then you can peer discussions about mental health. Carers. Some of the threads include always start a new discussion topic. A These forums allow participants to tell Our Experience & Stories, Looking After good length for a post is up to 200 or their stories and serve as a source of Our Wellbeing, Enjoying Time With 300 words, or 1 to 4 paragraphs. Shorter support during the hard times. They Others, and Something’s Not Right. As is better, as longer posts don’t tend to provide an opportunity to support the SANE Forums have been running for get as many replies. It’s also a good idea others during the rough times of some time now (since May 2014) there to be clear about why you’re posting this their journeys. In just a few years the is a considerable stockpile of existing new thread and what you are hoping SANE Forums have become a thriving discussion topics that cover just about will come of it. If you need advice from community where members look out everything you’d need to know about the community about a particular for each other online, form mutually mental health. For instance, do you want issue, then make sure that you ask your beneficial friendships and reaffirm that to learn how look after yourself? How to questions clearly. If you’re just sharing we definitely aren’t alone on the path maintain your own mental wellbeing? your thoughts, it can be helpful to say to recovery. And while the core focus of How you can spend your time with other so. the forum is on mental health, you don’t people in healthy ways? The SANE Forum is one of the largest of need to have any sort of diagnosis if you Although anybody is able to jump in and its kind in Australia. It reaches people want to get involved. Anonymity is a very across all states and territories, and is important part of the Forum process, read any of the existing threads without restrictions, to get the most out of the provided by 48 different organisational as SANE wants all members to feel as websites (including Flourish Australia). though they can share their personal Forums you need to become a member. Once you register a profile you can To date, more than 224,000 unique experiences without the worry of being visitors have checked out the forums, identified. contribute to the discussions as opposed to just reading them. Thankfully, and over 6,880 members have registered If the SANE Forums served as your first creating a profile is quick and easy: all and actively participated. point of contact with the mental health you need to bring with you is an email system, you’d be off to a good start. For address, and you can get one of those Everything in moderation starters, simply knowing that you aren’t from various sources such as Gmail. To If you haven’t heard of a “moderator” the only one going through a particular register your profile you have to choose before, it’s somebody who actively keeps hardship can be wonderfully affirming, a login name (not your real name), pick track of what’s happening on a forum and feeling that people understand your which forum you want to contribute to, to ensure that it runs as intended. To struggles is so very encouraging. You can choose a password, provide a valid email carry this out, half of a moderator’s job learn new techniques that have worked address, and give them your postcode. is making sure that everybody obeys the for other people or be pointed in the So, to be clear, you don’t have to provide rules and behaves in a civil manner, and direction of individuals and organisations any sensitive information (bank details, the rest of their time is spent helping who may be in a position to help you, or mother’s maiden name) in order to sign the forum to run smoothly. Moderators you may simply feel as though you are up. In addition to choosing a unique stay behind the scenes and rarely being heard! Most of all, these forums username, each member of the SANE enter the online conversation unless are a great opportunity for people with Forums need to have an Avatar picture something distressing arises, such as similar experiences to connect up and to represent them (NOT a photo of strong swearing, or if they notice that share valuable life advice. In fact, a yourself). You can upload an image somebody is in acute distress and needs peer-to-peer forum like this one actually of your choice, such as your favourite immediate support. They might also has some advantages over what the cartoon character or mythological contribute to the discussion if they feel medical model has to offer: it’s free, it’s creature, or choose one of the pictures flourishaustralia.saneforums.org

Page 26 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia their opinion will be helpful. also specific procedures for taking care of members when they share about self- The SANE Forums have enlisted a total harm or suicidal thoughts. About SANE of five Flourish Australia staff members to work as moderators. They work from Other common moderator tasks include: Flourish Australia has partnered Monday to Friday, contributing around with many other not-for-profit non- 10 hours of work a week, but the SANE • Asking open-ended questions in government organisations over the Forums are kept in working order by threads in order to encourage years, and SANE Australia is one of well over 30 moderators across the conversation amongst members our allies. We have a lot in common: for starters, our shared mission is country. Between them, these dedicated • Building relationships with (and helpers are able to moderate the Forums to support Australians affected by between) members, ensuring that mental health issues to lead better 24-hours a day, all year round. Mind nobody feels alone or unheard Australia, Mental Illness Fellowship lives, and to constantly advocate for a clearer public understanding of Queensland, PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & • Being themselves! Taking part in the mental health. SANE is composed of Depression Australia) and Turning Point discussions helps to build a rapport many different initiatives that deal have also provided moderators for this with the members cause. with the many ways that mental • Modelling desired behaviour health issues can have an impact on So what is a moderator’s job on the the community. For example: the SANE Forums, exactly? First off, the • Responding to help-seeking posts SANE Speakers program provides moderators are encouraged to be a part with respect and support an opportunity for people with of the conversations. While the majority a lived experience to contribute • Having fun! Many posts can have of discussions that happen in the their unique voices to SANE’s work a heavy tone, so bringing some SANE Forums are between community with corporate, government and lightheartedness at appropriate members - and that’s the way it should non-government organisations, the times is encouraged be! - moderators also provide welcome media, and the broader community, advice, encouragement and support. IMPORTANT: SANE Forums are peer- as well as providing feedback on the They will also look out for any members to-peer support services, which means development of new information who seem to be going through a tough that the information that’s provided resources. This program has an time. The aim is to let the community is designed to complement, not impact on advocacy and research. lead the conversations, but to provide replace, the services offered by health StigmaWatch, on the other hand, support where it’s necessary. care professionals. SANE Forums are works to improve the representation NOT crisis support or professional of mental illness and suicide in the Secondly, there is an extensive Duty counselling, so if you or someone you media. of Care framework in place for any know is in crisis and needs urgent posts from members that breach the help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or community guidelines, such as illegal Emergency on 000. or discriminatory comments. There are

Flourish Australia Page 27 / Panorama March 2017 political process. If PwD had more political but also for the rights of my peers - that I power then I don't think we would be was approached by Dignity for Disability fighting for our human rights on a daily to stand as a candidate at the March 2010 basis. If more PwD were involved in the South Australian election. overall workforce and community, the personal contact and interaction they In unexpected circumstances I was elected have with others could be a powerful to the Legislative Council, becoming method of changing attitudes towards, something of an “accidental politician”. and misconceptions about, People with How has the experience of being a Disabilities. politician been so far? What other factors do you believe are Amazing. I am up for re-election in 2018, responsible for the lack of people with and the time since I was first elected in disabilities becoming politicians? 2010 has gone so quickly. It's a very busy There are financial barriers. In South life, but I seem to be suited to it. Australia it costs $3,000 per candidate How will your work in politics bring about to run for Parliament. It may also be that lasting change? politics is not a career choice that is being discussed with young people - whether or I think I have made a difference by showing not they have a disability. that a young woman with a disability can Why are People be an MP. Australia also has a National What are the odds of more people with Disability Insurance Scheme now, and I with Disabilities disabilities climbing the ranks in politics? being left out in the personally take credit for ensuring that The workforce is currently trying to South Australia has a Disability Justice (political) cold? diversify itself, but "diversity" tends to Plan. refer to gender and multiculturalism more I have a constituent workload that is The Honourable Kelly Vincent, Member of than disability. If diversifying the workforce studded with examples where people the South Australian Legislative Council, includes increasing the number of people have been given a better, fairer deal due started her political career with a Facebook with disabilities, then it may filter through to my advocacy. The education system in campaign. Since then she’s been fighting to the world of politics. for those of us who live with disability. South Australia has been the subject of a What would you suggest to somebody parliamentary committee which I moved PANORAMA: How many People with who wants to get involved with politics? for and chaired. Disability are there in Australian politics? Join a political party. Turn up, dress as well We are currently looking at issues of elder HON KELLY VINCENT: Two, including me. as you can, get your name known, read abuse with another committee, and I Rob Pyne, member of the Queensland a lot, fundraise. But don't get typecast also put up the terms of reference for a Legislative Assembly, is the other. Given as a token person with a disability: be committee on co-morbidities. These are that almost one in five Australians have a serious, get taken seriously, and learn issues where our society has not been disability, it seems very likely that others the written and unwritten rules. Take an doing well, and through my work we have may have “invisible” conditions such as interest in your community, write letters been able to shine a light and examine hearing or vision loss (which are very to newspapers, start online petitions, get what is going wrong. common as we age). along to council meetings as an observer, I hope that my push to have universal ask questions. Why don’t people with disabilities have design principles (see Panorama’s article more representation in government? How did you break into politics? ‘Design with disability in mind’ in March 2016) enshrined in state planning law will Politics, as a profession, has become a My political journey began when I be the beginning of long lasting change in bastion of stale, male, pale representation. started a campaign to advocate for a new our built environment. People with Disabilities are not the only wheelchair. I was 20, and still using the cohort of our population missing from same wheelchair I’d had since I was 10. It Making sure that Auslan interpreters parliament. was way too small and it was causing me are included in emergency services problems. announcements is an ongoing battle in Do you think that some politicians have a South Australia, once we get that right I lived experience of mental health issues, Although Disability SA were fully aware am sure that will lead to a lasting change. but they keep it quiet? of my need for a new chair, I had been I do know that the next wheelchair user waiting more than 18 months and I just that comes to work in parliament house Yes, statistics of the general population got fed up. So I set up a campaign on will have a much easier time getting in would suggest that some politicians have Facebook, and all of a sudden people and out of the building and getting to mental illness. Whether they keep it from all over Australia and the world were accessible facilities due to the renovations quiet due to fear of stigma or for political interested – including local ABC Adelaide that had to be undertaken when I was reasons, only those affected would know. radio. elected. I've really put my stamp on the place in that way! What will change when people with I became a regular on morning radio, disabilities have more representation? telling ABC listeners the latest update in [email protected] my wait for my wheelchair. It was through If people from any marginalised group kellyvincentmlc.com are represented in parliament, it allows this wheelchair campaign - where I was that group to have more say in our not only advocating for my own rights, Page 28 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia BACK ON TRACK HEALTH Your Physical Health brought to you by Jade Ryall, program manager, B.O.T.H.

what messages had taken hold. People Finally, people were asked what kind noted that the most important things of health promotion they would like to they had learnt were take part in next. The two most popular answers were Weight Loss or Women’s • The effects that sugary drinks and and Men’s Health. poor diet can have on your teeth

• The importance of brushing your BACK ON TRACK HEALTH teeth twice a day (in the old days it Recommended health screening used to be THREE times a day!) tests • Self-checking (skin, teeth, breasts) • How to go about visiting a dentist • Skin exams • Dental checkups Some of the things that people dis- • Testicle checks What’s happening in health and cussed were • Pap tests beauty at the local level with • Pregnancy Flourish Australia? • Wanting to reduce their sugar • Blood pressure intake • Blood tests • Obesity tests Dental Health • Brushing their teeth more often • Electrocardiogram (ECG) To evaluate how pleased the people • Diabetes Promotion at • Breast cancer were with the workshop and whether • Prostate cancer Five Dock it met their expectations, a ballot was • Bowel cancer held using happy faces and sad faces. OK everybody, first let’s have a quick • Eye health Fortunately, there were no sad faces in • Bone density quiz first: the ballot box! • STIs (if sexually active) 1. Describe one factor in good oral health

2. List two signs of poor oral health 3. Identify a healthier alternative to Expand regular soft drink

4. Name one effect that smoking has on teeth your

5. Who would you go to for help if you have a problem with your oral repertoire: health Flourish Five Dock hosted a Dental Join a CoP Health Workshop in Spring 2016. Five people who participate in the BH-HASI (Housing and Accommodation Support today Initiative) program went to Five Dock office to take part. Communities of Practice share an interest or passion for something they do and want to learn how to do it better as they interact regularly with each Everyone got a gift back which included other. For information on how to start a new community of practice, contact a dental pack (tooth brush, tooth paste, Janet Ford, Professional Practice Manager, mouth wash and floss), fact sheets on 02 9393 9003, [email protected] food and dental health and a fact sheet illustrating the best way to clean your Communities of Practice currently operating within Flourish Australia teeth. Physical Health: contact Jade Ryall at Olympic Park on 02 9393 9007 The workshop included a video presen- Peer Workforce: contact Debra Gibbons at Hervey Bay 02 9393 9560 tation, a slide show, demonstrations, and Supporting Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People and opportunities to interact. Communities:contact Jade Ryall at Olympic Park on 02 9393 9007 At the end of the workshop, participants had a quiz with five questions to see Flourish Australia Page 29 / Panorama March 2017 Every year, we have some of the NDIS is an enormous opportunity for inspirational people who access our people with disabilities to be empow- services tell their story at the AGM. A ered.” participant at New Outlook, Melanie Declouett (pictured at left with CEO -Alastair McEwin Pam Rutledge) has been involved As time goes one, employers aren’t with our organisation for the last saying “can’t can’t can’t” as much, two years, and she was good enough and tend to be saying “How can we to share her recovery journey with make this work?” However, Alastair us. Her future plans are to be a peer gave another example about a guy worker, and an advocate for mental who’d nailed a job interview and was health. promptly offered the job, but the Annual “Throwing myself at every opportu- moment that the employer found nity that has been offered to me by out he had bipolar disorder the job Flourish Australia has been crucial was snapped away. General to my recovery. I’m a newbie to the Alastair was also very encouraged by mental health journey, having only our emphasis on peer support. become unwell five years ago. And Meeting one strategy that has worked for me Michael Macokatic, one of our has been to replace all the negative Senior Peer Workers from the Hunter symptoms of my mental illness by region, did his very best Johnny Cash 2016 filling my days with so much that impersonation, starting with Ring of By Grant J Everett the ruminating, anxiety, depression Fire and finishing with Folsom Prison and mania has become just a distant Blues, the song that Johnny Cash The first Annual General Meeting memory. It’s easy to stay well when used to blow away Sam Phillips from since we launched our new name you’re a part of a supportive, pow- Sun Records in 1954. Michael and Flourish Australia was held on 16th erful group like Flourish Australia, his band perform at clubs and pubs November. The event was lives- rather than as a stigmatised minor- around the Hunter region. treamed across NSW for anyone who ity. I would like to show the medical couldn’t make it in person. After professionals that we are unique I wonder who will be performing at Uncle Ray Davison did the Welcome and individual humans who should the next, 2017 AGM. There’s one to Country, and Paula Hanlon (bot- be treated with respect, compassion way to find out and that’s to be tom right) acknowledged Consumers and understanding, and not treated there. Past, the proceedings began. as our diagnosis or the label we have Want to see the 2016 AGM for your- “For people with lived experience, been given.” self? Check out the livestream here: the supports available today are -Melanie Declouett immeasurably greater than those livestream.com/weddinglive-sydney/ flourish-au offered to our peers in the past. Alastair McEwin is the disability We have a focus on the individuals’ discrimination commissioner, repre- www.flourishaustralia.org.au/sites/ needs, the potential for growth, and senting the Australian Human Rights default/files/AnnualReport2016_0. having a rich and full life, to be able Commission. He has a background pdf to achieve our dreams, our goals, in arts, law and business, and has and have ambitions that previous occupied many elite roles. As some- times would not have encouraged. ” body with a hearing impairment, Alastair has experienced exclusion -Paula Hanlon and stigma firsthand. However, he “Rather than giving orders, we walk had some inspiring stories of inclu- beside the people who access our sion and empowerment. services, and offer them support and 2017 is the year when the NDIS is encouragement Thank you for your fully rolled out. Alastair’s views on it strength, wisdom, and the inspira- are very clear: tion you provide. This year has been another one of significant change “The NDIS is life changing. For and reform in the mental health sec- thousands of years, people with tor.” disabilities have been told to accept what they’re given, to just take what -Pamela Rutledge they’re given, and be grateful. So the

Page 30 / Panorama March 2017 Flourish Australia Panorama Online is “Brushes with live! All the staff at the publications department (both of us) are very Life 2017” proud to announce the official launch of Panorama Online Magazine! We’ve Art workshops + exhibition cherry-picked the best consumer recovery A celebration of hopes and dreams and good mental stories, watershed health! Throughout the year, the Taree branch of events and other Flourish Australia provides FREE art workshops every seminal articles to live month. Materials, instruction and light refreshments on in digital form. Our clean, easy-to-use, are all provided for no cost, and no artistic experience is attractive website will required! keep our finest material in circulation for many Artists are also welcome to take part in the Brushes with years to come, and Life exhibition in October, too, for the chance to win this is truly the start acclaim and prizes. of a new era for our magazine. The issues we Contact Flourish Australia to book your place in the deal with will continue to be hot topics for the workshops or the exhibition, or if you need more details. foreseeable future, and Panorama Magazine will continue to be there for all the people who access our services 1300 779 270 tomorrow, just like yesterday. Where?Where? Uniting Church Hall, Main Street, Cundletown When? First Thursday of the month, 10am to 2pm Panorama Online Workshops are held on the 2nd of March, 6th of April, Magazine 4th of May, 1st of June, 6th of July, 3rd of August, 7th of September, 2nd of November and 7th of December. As .com the Brushes with Life exhibition is held in October, the workshop does not run that month.

Flourish Australia Page 31 / Panorama March 2017 Learn While You Work

«Are you living with mental health issues? «Would you like to get back to work but feel unsure about where to start?

If you are on a disability support pension or live in an NDIS rollout area, you may be eligible for supported employment at one of Flourish Australia’s Community Businesses. As a community business employee you will have access to vocational training and recovery groups so you can build your skills and experience, while furthering your mental health recovery journey. You can even do tertiary qualifications onsite, including: Cert. 3 in Warehouse Operations and Cert. 3 in Horticulture. We can also support you to access other courses at TAFE and Community Colleges. When you feel you are ready to enter the open workforce, we are here to support you with the transition.

«««NEWSFLASH««««« Flourish Australia is a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider. We can answer your NDIS questions and support you to acccess our services. Contact us to find out more: 02 9393 9000

At Flourish Australia Community Businesses we currently have supported jobs available in: Packing and Light Assembly at Marrickville or Harris Park. Property maintenance, lawn mowing and professional and specialised cleaning services at St Marys, Warwick Farm and Marrickville.

Contact Us to find out more! Phone: 02 9393 9000 Email: [email protected] Web: flourishaustralia.org.au