Time For Change
Keynote presentation at the International eMental Health Forum.
Keynote presentation at the International eMental Health Forum.
Keynote presentation at the International eMental Health Forum.
"A shove in the right direction, that was enough, I think it was just the fact that someone believed in me more than anything else, just someone saying you can do it" Evaluation Participant.
I led an evaluation of the first attempt at implementing the 'Housing First' approach to homelessness. Included a review of utilisation stats and interviews with clients, staff and stakeholders in Mental Health Homeless Team, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, Corrections, Housing NZ and Work and Income.
New Zealand is well known for its struggles with suicide, especially amongst indigenous Māori and young people. I was privileged to be the first lived experience member on the Ministry of Health Suicide Prevention Task Force to help develop the first Suicide Prevention Strategy.
A big part of the change many of us want to see is a more inclusive society. By reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness, the potential for recovery and integration is enhanced. I was strategic advisor to the governments development of our national plan to work towards this.
What happens when people leave a psychiatric ward? How can they best be supported to transition back home and live well? This was the focus of the 'Exit And Recovery' project I led for community peer support service and its local health provider.