Consumer & Carer Participation

 

The COPMI Team is committed to participation in the COPMI initiative by parents with mental health problems and disorders, their children, and other family members.

 

Becoming Involved

Purpose of consumer and carer participation

Outcomes of consumer and carer participation

Opportunities for consumer and carer participation

Register Your Interest in Being Involved

Consumer and Carer Participation Strategy document (PDF 156 kb)

 

COPMI National Family Forum (CNFF)

CNFF Expression of Interest

CNFF Terms of Reference

 

Consumer & Carer Newsletter

Consumer & Carer Newsletter - Edition 1 - July 2008

 

Consumer & Carer Events

Bring It! Forum Canberra 2008

 

Becoming Involved

There will be a range of flexible and dynamic participation strategies to provide consumers and carers with a variety of opportunities to have their voice heard in the development and implementation of the national COPMI initiative (e.g. some participants may wish to be involved in the COPMI National Family Forum (CNFF) or provide advice on resource development whilst others may wish to participate as a peer researcher). You can register your interest by simply filling in the online form.

Purpose of consumer and carer participation:

• to build on the existing body of COPMI knowledge through reciprocal partnerships with consumers, carers and young people
• to acknowledge, value and incorporate the perspectives and understandings of consumers, carers and young people gained through their lived experience of COPMI issues
• to use the information gained to enhance COPMI knowledge, information and resources.

Outcomes of consumer and carer participation may include:

• providing a voice from a consumer, carer and young person's perspective to inform the work of the COPMI initiative
• identifying strengths within the COPMI arena
• identifying those COPMI areas that need further work or work that needs to be initiated
• acting as a conduit for receiving and sharing information through formal and informal networks and contacts.

Opportunities for consumer and carer participation may include:

• COPMI e-list
• the COPMI National Family Forum (CNFF)
• workshops
• peer reviewer for information and resources
• peer researcher
• participating in work force development - education and training of workers
• media and communication
• contributng to newsletters or COPMI news items
• participating in focus groups for particular communities or interest groups e.g. rural consumers and carers, young carers.

COPMI National Family Forum (CNFF)

In February this year, expressions of interest were sought from consumers and carers who were interested in becoming members of the CNFF. Four members have been appointed in this round. They are:

• Margaret Cook (Western Australia)
• Fiona Demunck (Victoria)
• Wayne Oldfield (South Australia)
• Deborah Ross (Queensland)

 

COPMI looks forward to working in partnership with these new CNFF members to progress outcomes in the arena of children of parents with a mental illness ('copmi') by gathering and sharing information through their networks.

After discussions with young people and workers it has been decided that young people would not be a part of the main CNFF but would contribute through focus groups or consultation at a regional level. This would occur with the young people participating in a leading role in the design and organisation of these groups. There may also be subcommittees formed and individuals engaged on a needs basis.

 

Contacts

Please contact Chris Alliston or Paola Mason for more information.

 

Chris Alliston Consumer and Carer Participation Officer

Ph (08) 8367 0888 (Extension 30)

Fax (08)8367 0999

allistonc@aicafmha.net.au

 

Paola Mason COPMI Project Officer

Ph (08) 8367 0888 (Extension 28)

Fax (08)8367 0999

masonp@aicafmha.net.au