Authors: Maxie Ashton, Ursula Winfield, Chris Bock
Year: 2000
Event: 2000 TheMHS Conference
Subject: book of proceedings, CONSUMER ISSUES, PEER WORK, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, ACUTE INPATIENT UNITS, EARLY PSYCHOSIS PROJECT, TOBACCO PROJECT
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
Abstract: In 1999/98 the North Western Adelaide Mental Health Service and the Schizophrenia Fellowship embarked on a project employing people with personal experience of mental illness as peer workers within rehabilitation services.
The peer workers shared their experiences, and the skills and strategies that they have found useful in living with mental illness.
Since this beginning, the role of Peer Worker has developed into a number of other areas. This paper will give an outline of the original project and describe the new projects that are developing with the involvement of peers.
New developments have included:-
* Early Psychosis Project, working with relatives and friends, providing information and support.
* Tobacco Project, leading Quit Tobacco Programs.
* Medication Education Project, developing and providing information about anti-psychotic medication.
* Individual Community Support - providing support and skills development for individuals living in the community.
* Striking A Light - training Govt. workers
* Acute Inpatient Units -helping people develop skills and knowledge and most importantly to rebuild hope.
The involvement of Peer Workers in service delivery projects is developing and proving to be an effective new direction in mental health services.
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