Our theme acknowledges the range of services that exist and proposes that by joining the dots, we can indeed create the sort
of community and community supports we aspire to. We propose that there are a great number of examples of quality practice that exist and if we more effectively make the links and share our knowledge, important community and social connections will follow.
This conference will showcase, present and discuss new ideas, promote innovation, and challenge the status quo. It will address issues that include social inclusion, economic participation,
freedom from discrimination and will address specific issues
around appropriate housing and employment opportunities
for people with mental illness.
This conference encourages mental health consumers’
participation and will address areas needing change and advocacy as well as highlighting quality practice in structures and services. This conference is tailored to mental health service staff, mental health consumers, carers and families, government staff, academic representatives, members of the community sector, students and members of the media.
International Keynote Speaker
Daniel B. Fisher, M.D., Ph.D.
Dan is Executive Director of the National Empowerment Centre, USA,
who has recovered from schizophrenia. He was hospitalised several times prior to becoming a psychiatrist. He is one of the few psychiatrists in the United States who publicly discusses his recovery from mental illness. He is a role model for others who are struggling to recover, and his life dispels the myth that people do not recover from mental illness.
Special Guest Speakers
Mary O'Hagen
Mary is a service user, a recovery expert and an international leader having worked at all levels in the mental health sector including grass roots self-help and advocacy, funding, consultancy, as a New Zealand mental health commissioner, and advisor to the United Nations. Mary has used mental health services in New Zealand, and has worked for over 20 years towards making a difference to the way people and services respond. She initiated the service user movement in New Zealand and was the first chair of the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry. Mary writes and speaks internationally about the perspectives of people with major mental health issues, recovery in individuals and systems, service user leadership, human rights and anti-discrimination.
Linda Beilharz
Linda is a community development worker with 17 years' experience. In August 2007, Linda was appointed to the position of Executive Officer of Women's Health Loddon Mallee. Prior to this Linda was a senior Manager at St Luke's Anglicare, with responsibility for coordinating the Community Capacity Building Unit. This role involved supervision of several community building projects in the region, leadership in the development of other community building projects, support to community development staff in the region, provision of community building training nationally and a secondment part time to La Trobe University's Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities. Linda's skills in working with community groups are complemented by research and management skills and a long-term commitment to prevention and social justice.
Further speakers to be announced.
REGISTRATION FEES
VICSERV &
Platform members |
Early Bird Fee* |
After 28 March** |
One day
Two days |
$150
$300 |
$190
$380 |
Others |
|
|
One day
Two days |
$270
$430 |
$300
$540 |
Consumers and carers |
One day
Two days |
$60
$120 |
$60
$120 |
Concession-card holders & students |
One day
Two days |
$60
$120 |
$60
$120 |
Please note:
| * |
Early Bird Registrations must
be received by Friday 28 March 2008. |
| ** |
Registration closes Friday 2 May.
|
To register now click here.
|
KEY DATES
Call for abstracts close
Acceptance of abstracts advised
Early bird registration closes
Sponsorship and exhibitor confirmation
Registration closes
Conference |
Fri 21 December 2007
Fri 8 February 2008
Fri 28 March 2008
Fri 18 April 2008
Fri 2 May 2008
Thurs 8 May - Fri 9 May 2008 |
For more information about the host of the conference, Psychiatric Disability Services of Victoria (VICSERV), go to www.vicserv.org.au
