Authors: Michael Macokatic, NSW
Year: 2015
Event: 2015 TheMHS Conference
Subject: 2015 Conference Book of Proceedings, Peer worker
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
Abstract: Under the NDIS framework Peer Work is influencing positive change for people experiencing a Mental Health issue. A Peer Workers’ ‘innate awareness’ of mental health issues, coupled with their experiences of receiving Mental Health Services themselves, ideally positions them to be working in support/advocacy roles in the area of Mental Health. Benefits are far-reaching, ranging from supporting people to apply for NDIS funding through to quality service delivery. This support can lead to empowerment, recovery, independence and people exiting programs because they’ve achieved the recovery they wished for. This may not mean an absence of symptoms. Recovery has a broader definition in mental health especially under the NDIS where the ‘severe and enduring’ category pervades. As Senior Peer worker with RichmondPRA I have listened to people share their stories, hopes and dreams. Recently after meeting with a person and their Partners In Recovery (PIR) Coordinator I received the following feedback –
‘Thanks very much for coming out to meet George and myself today. I have to say I have never seen George engage with anyone on a first meeting in such a relaxed and enthusiastic fashion as he did with yourself today – which is great.’
This paper will outline a Senior Peer worker's experiences in a trial site within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) framework.
This resource is only available for subscribers. If you have a subscription, please log in. Otherwise, click here to purchase a subscription.