COPMI National Family Forum (CNFF)

In February 2008, Expressions of Interest were sought from consumers and carers who were interested in becoming members of the CNFF.

There are currently nine members who have been appointed.

They are:

Alexandra Athanasiadis

Victoria

I am:

  • A family person and have some traditional values because of my European background.
  • A primary carer for my mother who has a mental illness.
  • At uni studying youth work l. One day I hope to bring music and youth work together for young people.
  • A hip hop (rap) soul, jazz singer. I perform around Melbourne and am currently recording an EP.
  • Passionate about young carers/children with a parent with a mental illness and issues facing them. Raising awareness is very important to me.
  • I have been involved with the CHAMPS/PATS groups as a peer leader and also talk at conferences and education sessions for Carers Victoria and on radio about my lived experience as a young carer.

 

Joanne Cook

Tasmania

I am the mother of 4 children and became unwell with a mental illness 4 years ago. This has had a considerable impact on all members of my family. I am passionate about increasing awareness and understanding of how mental illness impacts on family life and to assist in reducing stigma around mental illness.

  • My professional background is in education and my speciality is in gifted education.
  • I have extensive experience in working with families.
  • My interests are in education, communication and research and I am an experienced public speaker.
  • Currently I am the Chair of TASCAG, the Independent Advisory Committee to the Minister for Health Tasmania.

 

Margaret Cook

Western Australia

My commitment to consumer COPMI (children who have a parent with a mental illness) issues and consumer consultancy arises from my life time of experience with mental illness and its impact on my childhood, my family of origin, my marriage and my own children.

I am aware that the challenge is for all service sectors to find ways to recognise and respond to consumers/ clients/ patients as parents and to support them in their parenting tasks and to pay attention to their children.  

This understanding informs me and my passion and long term involvement with the WA COPMI project. (Children of a Parent with a Mental Illness), and I read research and network extensively to stay up to date with the latest initiatives.

I am currently  one of the Co convenors of COMIC WA (Children of Mentally ill Consumers) auspiced by Mental Illness Fellowship Western Australia (MIFWA).We educate the community delivering workshops, educating students, develop resources with the Family Support Program (FSP) for children and their parents to support their own journeys living with mental illness in the family.

I have been actively involved in the Mental Health Consumer Movement for 14 years. I represent consumers on a wide range of boards, committees, and consumer reference groups at a local, State and National level.

It is my firm belief that children/parents/families must be at the forefront of any work that is undertaken and set by policy makers in governments. We will be creating a better future for all in Australia with hope and harmony.

 

Beth Daws

New South Wales
My name is Beth Daws and I am the mother of a 38 year old son who has schizophrenia and the grandmother of his 13 year old daughter who lived with us for 12 months.I have been involved with presenting programs to the registrars of several hospitals in NSW and am a Carer representative on the Family and Carers Mental Health Program in St George and Sutherland Hospitals. I have also done Advocacy courses and have trained as a facilitator for presenting Well Ways programs for carers. I believe that education is important for all carers and have pleasure in accepting this position on the CNFF.

 

Fiona Demunck

Victoria
I am 37 years old and a single mum with 4 children aged 14, 10, 4 and 2.  I was diagnosed with Bipolar about 5 years ago after many years of trying to get the right diagnosis.  My daughter who is 14 is my young carer.I am involved as a Consumer Rep for Skart/Skate (Supporting kids and the environment) Liason Group with Glastonbury Family Services and also a Consumer Rep for the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services with Barwon Health.I volunteer at Bethany Community Kitchen preparing meals.As a member of the CNFF I am also on the COPMI Information Resources Group and the COPMI National Reference Group. I am passionate about helping other people with mental illness, young carers and carers, and children of parents with a mental illness.

 

Lorna Downes

New South Wales
Lorna is the child of a parent with mental illness.  She has been working as a mental health educator of family and carers of people with a mental health problem since 2003.  Lorna has also worked on a number of camps for COPMI and young carers in both paid and voluntary capacities.  Lorna is passionate about making a difference for carers of people with mental health problems, particularly young carers.

 

William Heggblum

South Australia

I am a young carer who is 19 years old.  I care for my parent and brother who have mental and physical disabilities.  I have had depression. 

I am a Young Carer Ambassador for Carer’s South Australia and am on the Australian National Young Carers Action Team.  I have undertaken training in Media Awareness, Presenting with Impact and Leadership Fundamentals to name a few.  

I am currently studying for a Diploma in Counselling and am very interested in politics, policy and planning.

 

Wayne Oldfield

South Australia

In my role as a member of the CNNF I bring my lived experience of mental illness as a parent with 3 children and 4 grandchildren. (And over a decade of systems advocacy)My children were in their early teens when I was first hospitalised, on reflection their journey has been supported, by both the health system and the community, my desire would be for the current and future children of parents with a mental illness to be given knowledge, strength and support as they go down this road less traveled. I sit locally on the:

  • Aboriginal Health Advisory Committee, (Wakefield AHAC)  
  • Am the chair of the Aboriginal Health Alliance with service providers. The 7 chairs meet monthly in Pt Augusta as the SA Country Health Aboriginal Forum(AHF) and also
  • Board of the Aboriginal Health Council of SA that meet quarterly am one of 2 councilors elected from this board to sit on NACCHO’s that meets quarterly around Australia.
  • My presence on the Health Consumers Alliance Board, Social Inclusion Unit’s MH CAG, Patient Journey Initiative and Clinical Network (MH) allows me to remind the services of their duty of care to ALL rural South Australians.

I look forward to my role with COPMI

 

Deborah Ross

Queensland
Picture to come

My name is Debbie Ross and I am a mother of 3 boys, a recovery support worker, an experienced conference speaker and a mental health consumer. I am looking forward to working with COPMI on the COPMI National Family Forum.

  • I am currently employed by Queensland health and my work includes advocacy, interviewing, complaint procedures, facilitating groups, policy development and submission writing.
  • My lived experience informs my conference presentations and I enjoy presenting on different aspects of being a parent who is also a consumer.
  • I am also connected with 2 Townsville based NGO sthat provide services for consumers and families, including a 5 year involvement with CASPAS a support group for children.

 

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.

CNFF Terms of Reference

Contacts

For more information, please contact Lydia Du Rieu, Consumer and Carer Participation Officer


Last Modified: 07-09-2010 16:01:08
URL: http://www.copmi.net.au/cons_carer/nff.html
Printed from the AICAFMHA COPMI Internet site.