Firstly, a happy Christmas to you.

UPDATE 24 DEC 97 .. news from the Aussie Mental Health Consumer Network .. an Update from the Australian Chairperson, Simon Champ ~

"Firstly, I would like to thank all those who elected me to the Network as Chairperson. I want to welcome the new committee members and those continuing to an exciting year of hard work as we try to further develop the Australian Mental Health Consumer Network.

This is only an interim newssheet, and in no way replaces the AMHCN newsletter. Since the THEMHS conference, the Network committee members seem to have been dogged by illness which has slowed our progress and delayed the Newsletter. I myself relapsed but am glad to be back and involved. This has left me with a lot of questions about how to this organisation running when all members are vulnerable to relapse of mental illness. I wish all members who are ill speedy recoveries.

We have all been saddened by the death of Alicia Fiorito. Alicia was one of the Victorian representatives to the Network committee. She brought much wisdom and goodwill to our first meeting of the network in Sydney during the THEMHS conference. Her contribution to the network will be greatly missed.

Commonwealth recognition of the value of the Network has come as we have been invited to provide two delegates to the much-discussed Peak body in Mental Health, the Mental Health Council of Australia. Pat Daniel's as Deputy chair and myself will become delegates to the newly formed council. I hope members will continue to raise issues they believe to be important at a National level with Pat or myself.

I am hoping that states will form branches of the Network during the next year so that our Network can draw on the views of consumers from all round Australia

I hope rural and cosmopolitan perspectives will be available as we try to represent consumer at various forums. Work continues on the drafting of a constitution with the view to future incorporation. We are currently looking at ways that the network may receive funding.

The Network turned one year old in September and during our second year we face many challenges if we are to be an effective voice and resource for consumers at a National level. Ultimately the Network depends on all its members and the committee welcomes input from members on all consumer issues and views as to how we can keep being a vital, relevant and powerful voice in the mental health debate that affects our lives.

We have had a request from Richmond Fellowship in Hongkong to some communications with consumers in Hongkong and the Asia Pacific Rim. Any interested consumers can write
c\- Douglas Holmes, 28 Ross Street, Glebe 2037 Australia, or direct Email on the Internet to rthk@netvigator.com. We have someone who is willing to act as an interpreter. This is just another request that has come our way since the network was formed.

The Network's e-mail address is now amhcn@rainbow.net.au For details of the current State delegates and other reports, check the de-facto Network Web page.

Our postal address is AMHCN, PO Box 1331, Rozelle NSW 2039, Australia
All the best for Christmas and have a wonderful New Year " (Simon)

(NATIONAL) On May 2,1998, Australian consumers will join a global Walk, inspired by the United States project "Walk the Walk: for lives touched by mental illness" on that day.

Globally, mental health activists and consumers/survivors and ex-patients of the public mental health system are mobilising their resources to create an offshoot of this project, called the Million Mad March, by and for c/s/x (consumer/survivor/ex-patient) individuals ..

The Million Mad March in the USA will take place at the "Walk...", in Washington DC, over 2 totally crazy days. The first day will be dedicated to a day-long consumer/survivor conference. On those days, Australia's own Mad Million will March in every capital city,(except NT & ACT so far) and a consumer/survivor conference in Sydney/Melbourne will open the event.

The march contact in Victoria is Rod, phone (03)9350 3035 AH. If you want to help with organisation please contact him. March organisers are needed for the other States too. The Aussie E-mail address for the march is MadMarch.au@madnation.org .. also check the US page on MadNation.

(NEW ZEALAND) A social worker in NZ is currently facing a disciplinary hearing because he acknowledged a client's right to refuse treatment, and he wasn't sectionable/commitable by law (the client, that is). His accusers are saying the consumer should have been forced to accept treatment - or that the s/worker did not try hard enough to engage him in therapy .. more in future issues

(VIC) Eight new one bedroom units in St Kilda, Melbourne for people with psychiatric disabilities were officially opened on 13/11 by the Victorian Housing Minister. The units have been built on Uniting Church land on the corner of Princes and Fitzroy Streets, and are the result of sustained cooperation between all levels of government, church and community groups, plus the private sector over nine years.

Support for the residents of the units is being provided by the Inner South Mental Health Service.

(INTERNATIONAL) The Clifford W. Beers National Mental Health Conference in Washington, DC

The National Mental Health Association and the National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse are presenting .. the largest cønsumer-focused training event in the USA. Coming Together in '98 has been specifically designed for consumers, Mental Health Association professionals and volunteers. This conference is presented by the National Mental Health Association and the National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse in the USA.

Where is it, you say? The Hyatt Regency Crystal City, conveniently located a bridge away from Washington, DC -- half a mile from Washington National Airport. When? June 6 - June 10, 1998
For more info, E-mail the KEY and mention this newsletter.

(NATIONAL) THEMHS is an annual conference for mental health services AND consumers in Aussie land & NZ; THEMHS was conducted in Sydney this year during August. There were several consumer events , including the AGM of the Aussie MH Consumer network, and papers given by Aussie consumers. Venue for THEMHS 1998 will be Wrest Point Casino (oh yes!), Hobart, Tasmania.