Victorian Women & Mental Health Network
VWMHN publications
Increasing safety and gender sensitivity in mixed sex psychiatric units
Click here for the VWMHN Winter 2011 newsletter.
Background
In 1988, a small group of concerned women identified crucial gaps in the mental health services available to women. Services were often experienced as unsafe and little attention was paid to the particular needs of female consumers. These early advocates for change were drawn from consumers, carers, mental health workers and interested community members. The Victorian Women and Mental Health Network (VWMHN) was born out of their commitment.
Statement of Purpose
To promote awareness of the issues that impact on women’s mental heath and the development of women-sensitive services that recognise women consumers’ lived experience, their potential to be partners in their recovery and their role in advocating for services that are responsive to their needs.
Network Objectives:
- To create opportunities for women consumers, carers and service providers to work together in addressing mental health issues, and to share their experiences and information
- To promote systemic change in order to make mental health policies and services more responsive to women’s needs
- To develop partnerships with key mental health and women’s organisations to promote responsiveness to women’s mental health issues
- To promote opportunities for training and education in women’s issues and women-sensitive practice
- To promote research into women’s mental health issues
How might you be involved?
Your work or lived experience may have provided you with particular understanding of the health issues that impact on women who experience mental health concerns. The VWMHN offers a range of ways to become involved and utilise this knowledge. You can:
- Attend Network forums
- Join one of our working groups
- Become involved in writing articles to promote positive change or contributing to reviews of mental health policy
- Or, just keep up with women’s mental health issues by being on the mailing list and receiving regular Network Newsletters and updates.
Becoming a member of the VWMHN
Membership is open to all women including staff of mental health services, consumers of mental health services, and any other women in the community with an interest in women and mental health issues.
For further information please contact:
Cheryl Sullivan via email or phone 0417 386 706.