Authors: Mind, The Bouverie Centre - Victoria's Family Institute Psychosocial Research Centre, North West Area Mental Health
Year: 2011
Event: 2011 TheMHS Awards
Subject:
Type of resource: TheMHS Awards
Award state: VIC
Award level: Finalist
Award category: Non Government Organisation (NGO) Provided Services
Abstract: Building Family Skills Together (BFST) Mind provides an in-home evidence-based service to families in Melbourne with an adult family member who has a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia or significant mood disorder. BFST Mind targeted ‘hidden families’ that infrequently access services; parents with a mental illness, elderly parents caring for an adult child with mental illness or families from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background. The aim is to improve family relationships, and support recovery through learning more effective ways to communicate, and resolve daily challenges encouraging accomplishment of individual goals and aspirations. The evaluation of BFST Mind showed improved mental health and social connectedness of consumers and decreased burden for their families, confirming the effectiveness of this approach. Mind BFST piloted the initiative, in partnership with The Bouverie Centre, the Psychosocial Research Centre and North West Area Mental Health Service. The Federal funding will continue for 3 more years. Description of Facility/Organisation: Mind is one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit, non-government providers of mental health services. With more than 60 programs across Victoria and South Australia employing 530 staff, Mind supports recovery for over 3000 clients including 500 young people with severe mental illness yearly. Mind grew operating income by 24 per cent to $32.5 million from 2007/2008. Funding is primarily from State and Federal Governments. Mind supports people with mental illness in their recovery, to help them live well in the community, with or without symptoms. We work with people who have a range of often complex issues resulting from mental illness, and their families and carers, and have been doing this work for over 30 years in Victoria and now for more than four years in South Australia. Mind’s programs emphasise the development of strong relationships between staff, clients and carers/families, and other mental health professionals. Carers and family members are recognised as valued partners in the provision of care to Mind clients.
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