(VIC) H & CS Psych. Services are going InterNet, and taking the consumers with 'em. From our understanding computers will be supplied to a number of centers so consumers can be trained on the net, throughout Victoria .. this project will be starting ASAP. More details could(!) be available from VICSERV: phone (03)94172866

(USA) On September 9, the Mental Health Association of South-eastern Pennsylvania and the National MH Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse ran a teleconference on electronic communications for mental health consumers and advocates.

This covered e-mail, mailing lists, and how the web can help find and use information that is beneficial to us. The teleconference comprised a panel presentation by experts followed by an open call-in question and answer session.

(NSW) Cathy Conroy from the Kenmore Hospital Consumer Advocacy group is looking for someone to evaluate their project other than an academic. Is there anyone who'd be interested in carrying out the evaluation of the project. Kenmore is in Goulburn so it would mean some travel to Goulburn. $PAYMENT$ is part of it. If you'd like to talk to Cathy about the project her ph. number is 048 273817, fax is 048 273 446. She's not on email yet although apparently Kenmore is gearing up for it. (thank you Meg for this item)

(VIC) "Psychiatry is marked by its almost total disregard of spirituality, in considering the mental health of individuals. ... the standard medical model of mental illness is based on rather mechanistic and reductionist theories about physiological, biochemical and genetic factors, and where they consult psychology, ego-based psychological theories predominate." Allan Pinches is a former metropolitan newspaper journalist and a mental health consumer activist. He is a consumer consultant employed at NEAMI (North Eastern Alliance for the Mentally Ill) in Preston, Victoria. This quote is taken from his essay "Spirituality is the missing link in psychiatry"

+ (NSW) Yvette Cotton from the DMDA has started a support group for students who have mental health problems in Sydney. They've met once and the next meeting is planned for October. So far there are eight people in the group. For more info write to PO Box 4082 Denistone East NSW 2112 or ring the Mental Health Information Service on 02 9816 5688. They hope to get a network going of students in universities and TAFES to address issues facing students with psych. disabilities...

+ THEMHS is the annual conference for mental health services AND consumers; this year, THEMHS was in Sydney during August. There were several consumer events, including the AGM of the Aussie MH Consumer network, and papers given by Aussie consumers.

+ (VIC) The annual general meeting of the Vic. Mental Illness Awareness Council will be held
16/10/97 at 1:30 pm. @ Brunswick Community Health Centre. enq. (03)9387 8317 BH

+ and goodbye to Lady Diana Spencer, a consumer ..