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Peninsula Carer Council News Update
April 2015
1. The Challenge.
It is not easy being a family or a professional carer of a person with a mental illness. It is not easy being a
person with a mental illness. In her book ‘’ Death Didn’t Want me. Now I have Life ‘’ Hannah Dee has
written about the challenges she has faced as a person with Borderline Personality Disorder. Hannah has
given all of us very powerful advice.
‘’Place these bars before my hands and I will rip them wide with anger!
Place flowers before my hands and I will care for them and handle gently’’
2. Research. – Open Dialogue.
PCC members are continuing to watch with interest as the Open Dialogue treatment is practised in an
increasing number of psychiatric services worldwide. It appears that the extra time given for therapy and
counselling and listening to patients and carers at the initial interviews is increasingly successful for
improved health outcomes .It is probably too late for older carers of chronically ill patients often suffering
long term side effects of medications but the PCC is determined not to give up hope for improved quality of
life.
3. How’s Your Mental Health? Information Session at Hastings March 24. Special thanks to Lindy Alcorn from
Alfred Health Carer Services- her hard work and meticulous attention to detail ensured a very successful,
inspiring event. There were 150+plus participants including 31 services, at the Hastings Expo showing the
Impressive range of services available on the Mornington Peninsula. Everyone certainly welcomed the
opportunity to Connect, Learn and Grow.
A number of participants anxiously enquired if there are plans to reopen regular Drop-In Groups to increase
the opportunities for social interaction.
Agencies displaying at the Forum
Agency
Alfred Health Carer Services
Contact Number
1800 052 222
Al-Anon Family Groups
1300 AL ANON (1300 252 666)
Alcoholics Anonymous
1300 880 390 (Peninsula 24/7)
1300 222 222 (National 24/7)
Alcohol & Other Drugs services
1300 665 781
beyondblue
1300 224 636
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Carers Victoria
Dept of Human Services (Centrelink)
Employease
Grow
8781 4200
1800 242 636
www,dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/carers
9761 2156
1800 558 268
Headspace
9769 6419
MI Fellowship
9784 6800
Mind
9686 4900
Mornington Peninsula Shire
1300 850 600
Neami National
1300 379 462
Partners in Recovery
9784 6800
PHaMS (MIFellowship)
9784 6800
PhaMS (MIFellowship) Employment
9784 6800
Peninsula Carer Council
1300 550 962
Peninsula Health Mental Health Program
1300 792 977
including CCT, YPARC, APARC, MH HARP, GLBTIQ CAG
Peninsula Support Service
Peninsula Young Veterans Welfare Centre (PYVWC)
Salvation Army - Hope for Life Program
5970 5000
0431 913 520
8878 4784 / 0419 330 433
SHARC/Family Drug Help
1300 660 068
Stepping Up
1800 828 466
Tandem
8803 5555
Westernport Community Support
5979 2762
Westernport Secondary School
5979 1577
VMIAC
9380 3900
4. Navigating the mysteries of Electricity Bills At the March Support Meeting Mick Leyden from Carers
Victoria presented clear information about the structure of electricity billing and eligibility for concessions.
For further information click www.carersvictoria.org.au/electricity. Then read the brochure
http:www.carersvictoria.org.au/assets/Files/EnergyBrochure.web.pdf.
(we have hard copies available)
View the videovideo.com/118204067
5. For regular updates of PCC activities don’t forget to regularly check our websitewww.peninsulacarercouncil.org.au ( thanks to Nyorie and Jacinta)
6. Carer Support Meeting –3rd Monday each month. 7.30pm High St. Centre 26 High St Frankston.
Next Support meeting. Monday April 20.
7. Drop- for Cuppa & Chat – 2nd Tuesday each month ,any time between 10am-12 Field of Dreams Café.
Beach St Frankston. Next Drop-In – April 14.
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8. The Mornington Peninsula is a great place; we are fortunate to have excellent services. We cannot choose
where we are born, our DNA, our ethnicity, our mental capacity - we can choose however to take time to
listen and to understand. With thousands of others I marched last week to support refugees and asylum
seekers, some of whom are suffering severe mental illness. What a difference it would make if we put up
Welcome Signs, perhaps flowers, instead of bars.
Aline Burgess , on behalf of the Committee
Peninsula Carer Council Inc
c/- Headspace Centre (Thursday only)
62 Playne St. Frankston 3199
Email :[email protected]
www.peninsulacarercouncil.org.au