Authors:
Year: 2000
Event: 2000 TheMHS Awards
Subject:
Type of resource: TheMHS Awards
Award state: NSW
Award level: Exceptional Contribution
Award category: EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND
Abstract: Janet Meagher, AM, is an exceptional person and has to her credit amazing achievements despite living with a mental illness since her early twenties. At the beginning of a potentially successful teaching career, Janet suffered a severe psychotic breakdown resulting in several admissions to psychiatric hospitals in Sydney over a period of six years. In the last year of her hospitalisation at Gladesville Hospital, Janet was included in a comprehensive and concentrated rehabilitation programme, which eventually culminated in her commencing a TAFE course in library assistance. She was eventually able to move into the community to one of the hospital supported home units where staff support was gradually withdrawn over time. Rehabilitation was slow and difficult. Maximum staff support was needed to help her through each painful step. For instance, at first she had to be accompanied on the bus trip from the hospital to the city TAFE but on her first lone journey, her courage deserted her and she got off the bus and returned to the hospital. Janet eventually completed her TAFE course and was able to take advantage of a sheltered employment scheme in a government department. From there she graduated into community employment, eventually working for some years as a specialist library assistant in a large municipal library. Description of Facility/Organisation:
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