eNews July 2012

In this edition:

• Youth Competition Winner
• Talking about 'Lived Experience'
• CNLEF - Expressions Of Interest Now Open
• COPMI at 'Festofall'

Youth Competition Winner

Congratulations to Sophie Evans!

Thank you to all who participated in our youth video competition - and to those who forwarded the youth information to young people.

Congratulations go to Sophie Evans from Smokey Bay in SA, who came in personally to collect her prize (and wanted to thank her counsellor for leading her to our site!)

The most popular video message with kids and teens/young people in the "vote to win" competition was video number 9, with the message: "It’s good to take time out to do something you enjoy. It’s not selfish!"

Talking about 'Lived Experience'

COPMI's new terminology

In the past COPMI has referred to people with lived experience as ‘consumers' and 'carers’.  These terms are commonly used and understood by many people and indeed many people with lived experience strongly relate to them. However, an increasing volume of people with lived experience are finding that the terminology is no longer appropriate.

Many ‘consumers’ don’t consume services, many ‘carers’ see themselves as ‘husbands’, ‘wives’ and ‘children’ - not as 'carers'.  Due to an individual's unique circumstances these definitions often don’t work.

Earlier in the year the COPMI National Family Forum discussed the terminology we use and recommended that COPMI refer to ‘people with lived experience’ instead of ‘consumers and carers’.  This new terminology brings to the forefront that these people are exactly that - people – whilst acknowledging the reason they are involved with COPMI is due to their lived experience.

In line with this new terminology, COPMI has adopted the following recommendations:

People with lived experience will continue to be involved in every element of our work and the whole team is looking forward to developing new partnerships and fostering existing ones as we come into the new funding phase.

COPMI National Lived Experience Forum

Expressions of Interest now open!

The purpose of the COPMI National Lived Experience Forum (CNLEF) is to engage people with lived experience (consumers and carers) and use their experiences and perspectives to inform the planning, implementation and evaluation of the COPMI national initiative.

The CNLEF’s goal is to work in partnership and to be a resource for COPMI through strong connections with people with lived experience across all Australian states and territories.

The role of CNLEF members is to:

•    inform and advise the COPMI team on the lived experience perspective across all areas of the COPMI national initiative.
•    be a conduit for information sharing and gathering across networks to promote the COPMI national initiative.
•    be a model of excellence in lived experience partnerships, inclusion and participation, in the dialogue around issues related to children of parents with a mental illness.

CNLEF members are now being sought from people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences including:

•    parents with a mental illness.
•    partners of a parent with a mental illness.
•    young people and adult children of a parent with a mental illness.
•    carers of a child (under 18 years) who has a parent with a mental illness (e.g. grandparent, carer, foster carer, sibling.)

What does it involve?

Being a CNLEF member involves a time commitment. There are two face-to-face meetings per year, with teleconferences in between. Some meetings require some reading and thinking beforehand.

At COPMI we understand that life can be hectic and unpredictable, especially when mental illness is a part of family life. That’s why we’re flexible. We understand that not everyone will be able to attend every meeting and teleconference.

We also remunerate people for their time. We know that people with lived experience are the true experts and as such we always remunerate them for their time at meetings sharing their knowledge. We also cover all travel costs, accommodation, childcare and other expenses to allow people to attend our meetings and ensure no one is out of pocket.

Being a forum member involves you representing the views of you and your family as well as other people with lived experience you may know. It involves thinking about (and sometimes sharing) some of the challenges and achievements you have been through with your family. It's important to think about whether this is the right thing for you and your family.

To date our past forum members have overwhelmingly reported that belonging to the forum has enriched their lives and been personally rewarding and allowed them to contribute in some unexpected ways:

"It has been rewarding in so many levels seeing changes in people around me as a result of my dialogue feeling able and free to share important aspects of my lived experience." (Quote from past member)

How do I apply?

If you would like to apply to be a member of the forum, please complete an Expression of Interest form. Applications close at 12noon (AEST) Tuesday 7th August 2012.

>Online expression of interest form

If you have any questions please contact our Lived Experience Coordinator, Lydia Trowse, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on (08) 8367 0888.

COPMI at 'Festofall'

COPMI attended the Young Carers Festival (‘Festofall’) in Glenelg, South Australia at the end of June - to promote new resources for young people that are now available on the COPMI website.

The event provided young carers and their families with access to rides, waterslides, games and performances by a hip hop rapper at the ‘Beachhouse’.

COPMI's stall was well attended by young people and families who were able to check out the new youth section of the COPMI website, take away information, and participate in our 'vote to win' youth competition.

A great day had by all!

We're on Facebook and Twitter

Don't forget to like us on Facebook - and follow us on Twitter for the latest industry updates and COPMI news!