Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania E-news (7th May 2020)

Information and support for families, friends and carers of people with mental ill health

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MHFFTas E-news (7th May 2020)

From the CEO

Throughout the past month we have noticed many organisations giving out advice, information and what not to do in regard to COVID-19. Don’t panic, I’m not going to pass on what we already know. In fact I think we are all so well informed that most of us think of nothing else. Families and friends who support a person with mental ill health tell us about their experiences and the impact of this pandemic in ways we haven’t yet heard. They tell us about their own struggles with isolation, difficulties with affording to pay rent and buy groceries.

Challenges with finding new and different activities to share with their family member or friend to keep them busy because paid support groups and shared activities have been cancelled. Some families/friends/carers talk about how they miss what was their respite - a coffee out with a friend, visiting the library, a movie or a picnic with friends. Not formal respite but what each of us took for granted pre COVID-19.

One story impacted me and as I read it I wondered what we have become: an elderly mum shared her story about her adult son who lives alone and is trying to manage alcohol and drug addiction as well as serious depression and anxiety. He hadn’t been in touch with her for over 3 weeks and upon seeking him out mum discovered that he believed he couldn’t go outside his unit at all. He believed he couldn’t speak to anyone. He had no food and hadn’t eaten for 3 days. Mum took him to her home and after a few days he began to feel better.

We must hasten slowly as we give out advice and communicate what’s ok or not ok for our community.

Stay well and keep each other safe.

Maxine

Engagement Project Officer Position

We are have a vacancy for an Engagement Project Officer. The position is:

for 6 months, with a view to becoming permanent if funding permits
part time (1 day a week) – evening work required.

Read more or Apply

https://mhfamiliesfriendstas.org.au/have-your-say/

Surveys

At this challenging time it is VERY important for us to know the thoughts and feelings of families and friends. We really appreciate the time you take to complete the surveys so we can advocate on your behalf.

See the Surveys

Primary Health Matters (Issue 12 May 2020)

The latest issue has a number of articles of interest to families and friends, including an article about Alison Salisbury, the recipient of SANE Australia’s Hocking Community Award for 2019-20. (Pages 22-23)

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G6cPWCgvTOWmaY5pq0b3-w

Lived Experience Australia (LEA) Webinar

LEA are running a webinar series via Zoom on a Wednesday at 2.00 pm EDST for 30 minutes on a fortnightly basis. The next session is on May 20th on "Building Compassionate Links".

Find out more or Register

COVID-19 National Health Plan

A fact sheet about a package of measures to support the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of COVID-19.

Gift Cards

We are pleased to offer a series of 7 Tasmanian cards for sale. The cards include photographs from Mt. Anne, Frenchman’s Cap and Mt. Field National Parks as well as from the Florentine Valley. The photographs were taken by Nick Salisbury (1999-2019).

Nick died by suicide in May 2019. The photos have been made available by his parents.

Order or find out more

Staying Connected

Call 📞, email 💻 - Stay physically distant but socially connected

Please continue to send photos or ideas that make you feel positive and we will share them.

"The local little ones love spotting the teddy."

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