25 FEBRUARY 2000
a web newsletter for psych. consumers in Australia

VicSERV has approached the Victorian Government for funding for consumer consultants to be employed in psychiatric disability support services. This may establish consumer participation as a " built-in" component of psychiatric disability support services. Already the PDS sector, which is community managed has a track record in consumer participation and advocating for consumers.

So far consumer consultants have only been employed in clinical MH services .. from Allan Pinches

A key finding of the Victorian Burden of Disease Study just released was that mental disorders account for 26 per cent of non-fatal diseases in Victoria, followed by nervous system and sense organ disorders. Depression is apparently the leading cause of non-fatal diseases in Victoria, and women are more prone to non-fatal health problems while men are more prone to major diseases and injuries. Other major disease groups cited are: cardiovascular disease (22 per cent); followed by cancer, neurological and sense disorders.

The study report is available at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/phd/9909065/index.htm.

The study describes the causes of ill health in Victoria from 176 diseases, the major risk factors and makes projections to the year 2016.

The medical journal, the Lancet has published research about "schizophrenics" [volume 355 pg 614] , concluding that crimes committed by consumers appear to be related to the use of various drugs. Data for the research was sourced from MH and criminal records in Victoria and showed that the closing of many psych. institutions with the consequent transfer of many consumers into community care was NOT a significant factor. Increased conviction rates over 20 years for schizophrenics matched the pattern of offences in the general population.

Links .. Lateline, the ABC show, addressed psych. community care last year ... www.abc.net.au/lateline/stories/s28791.htm

an interesting article by therapist Bernie Neville on planetary pathology .. www.onthe.net.au/psychoz/february/featart1.html

"I think I unconsciously chose people that are emotionally crippled in some way or who need mothering in some way because I think it comes very natural to me, it fulfills ... a need in me to be mothered."
Madonna [Ciccione]