Online Community Mental Health Support

### Online Community Mental Health Support

Have you ever felt that nobody really understands what you’ve been through?

A lot of people have had this experience. It is why community mental health programs are so important. We need places where people can come and talk, share experiences or just sit and listen and most importantly be listened to. Institutional style facilities usually struggle to do this.

If you are a carer, supporter, a person with lived mental health experience or anyone in anyway interested in community mental health you are very welcome to join this conversation.

Participants are free to say as little or as they like and privacy and confidentiality will always be respected.

“I’m a person with Lived Experience who has spent many years navigating and dealing with Victoria’s mental health system. I understand that finding someone who will genuinely listen is difficult. I can’t promise to solve all the problems, but I can promise to listen. Sometimes that’s where positive things start to happen. Some of the non clinical services I have offered or provided in the past include support with mental health tribunal hearings,  guidance with coming off psychiatric medication (tapering) , facilitating Open Dialog style meetings and guidance in finding alternative mental health professionals who work outside of the mainstream biomedical system.”

I’m am also involved in developing and promoting various non clinical mental health facilities and related programs in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne (Maroondah-Whitehorse area). I invite people in my area to get in touch and ask about or become involved in this important work. I am particularly interested in hearing from retired people who feel they would like to make a difference to people's lives as well as people with lived mental health experience who have recovered sufficiently to help others and would like to develop their skills and experience in a supporting role.

I invite others throughout Australia to take a look at what we are doing, explore specific needs and how they can be best addressed within your own local communities.

You don’t need a large bucket of money to do these things. What you need is a caring, supportive community and a desire to make a difference.