Reports: Schizophrenia Fellowship Symposium

"Working on Wellness; Succeeding Together"

19th May 07  

The fellowship continues their tradition of holding a Symposium during Schizophrenia Awareness Week and providing stimulating speakers and thought provoking discussion on topics of current interest. The topic this year was "Working on Wellness - Succeeding Together". It included presentations from various areas for improving wellness for those living with a mental illness, their families and friends.

  • Wellness for Consumers
  • Wellness for Carers I Friends
  • Wellness through Research
  • Wellness through appropriate funding from Government
  • Wellness through better services

 Anne Black attended the Symposium and has kindly submitted these notes.

Judge Frank Walker as president of SFNSW gave the introduction.

He mentioned that there are strong signs that most of the promises made by the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier during the last eighteen months are being delivered.

More good news includes the HASI supported accommodation program, which will help 3000 people, and the encouragement of GP's to do more Mental Health training and the covering of longer consultations for GP's. Also Medicare will now cover psychologists.

He encouraged all members to continue to lobby for the coming Federal election.

Housing continues to be a big issue. Previously 1200 units for disabled were funded by capitol money of which mental health received a share. This money was withdrawn.

Those consumers paying private rent should not have to pay more than 18% of their pension. The pensions do not go up because the rents have increased.

The other main issue is that consumers should not have to pay for medications when they are on CTO's.

Judge Walker introduced the next speakers who included Dave Owens, Assistant Police Commissioner and his assistant who have been responsible for putting together the program "Working in Partnership" - Strategy for responding to Mental Health in the Community. This has led to the establishment of the pilot program the Mental Health Intervention Team of the NSW Police Force. Their research came from the USA where they observed similar teams in several cities to decide what would work in NSW. Sam Cochrane from Memphis spoke at the seminar last year about that city's mental health crisis team CIT and Memphis was one of the cities visited.

Chris Roach, the Mental Health Project Officer from the NSW Ambulance Service then told of the education of mental health and training of ambulance officers, which has begun and will continue in the ambulance service. Mental health training has not reflected the workload in the past as mental health problems cause the third most calls to the service.

Dr Anthony Harris spoke of two new antipsychotic medications.

Ziprasidone, which is new in Australia and now on PBS. It possibly has fewer side effects than Clozaril but is probably not as effective.

Asenapine is still in the trial phase.

Tom Whitford from Brian Dynamics Centre told us of his research into brain/neural synchrony in Schizophrenia which is discussed in the upcoming editorial of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Regina Osten from Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Program outlined the Family and Mental Health Program. Jan Doyle then explained how this program works in Sydney South West Area.

The Keynote speaker of the seminar was Professor Michael Berk from Australian Psychosis Research Network on "Latest Research".

Some of the things mentioned by Professor Berk;

  • Five out of the top ten causes of disability in young people are psychiatric disabilities.
  • Intervening in the prodrome phase of early psychosis will give a better outcome
  • Community support, quality of social network and lifestyle techniques are paramount.
  • Cannabis doubles onset of disorder. We need to work aggressively towards getting people off it.
  • Impact of nicotine means clients will not respond as well to medications. Again we need to be aggressive with the message.
  • Diet is important. More "roots, shoots and fruits" and less sugar, fat and salt.
  • Alcohol in excess is also toxic.

Mental health is grossly under resourced in terms of research. Some of the benefits of the relatively newly formed APRN are

  • Best researchers in a multi-disciplinary team
  • Increase in sample sizes
  • Linking of approaches
  • Coordination multi level neuroscience studies

 We heard from two consumers. Cindy Rees told of her way of staying well and coping with her illness. She feels her knowledge of her illness is vital to her dealing with it. She uses self-­help books and maintains a healthy lifestyle. She mentioned the Trieste model and gave us the website http://www.triestesalutementale.it/english/index.htm

Ian Mason spoke of his battle on a day-to-day basis with his illness. He then told us about his work with the "FUDGES Program" and the positive feedback it has been given by consumers in the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai area. This is a telephone support program run by clients for clients after discharge if they wish to participate.

Gillian Malins, Executive Office, "MH Copes Project" was the final speaker of the day.

Congratulations to the Schizophrenia Fellowship on another great seminar. This year it was wonderful to hear positive news regarding the education and commencement of programs for the police and ambulance services. A big thank you to the SF for the advocacy and direction that helped establish these programs.