Supporting Families in Mental Illness Nelson

SF Nelson

Supporting Families in Mental Illness

About Us

Our mission is: “The best possible quality of life for people with a major mental illness, and their family, whanau and carers”

SF Nelson ‘Supporting Families in Mental Illness’ is a branch of Supporting Families NZ, formally called Schizophrenia Fellowship (N.Z.) Inc. which was formed in 1977.

SF Nelson consists of a volunteer governing committee that holds an NMDHB contract to employ 2 fieldworkers – one in Nelson and one in Motueka/Golden Bay. SF Nelson is a free service and the fieldworkers can provide families with information about mental illnesses, treatment options, accommodation, medications, the mental health act, Consumer and Family rights or simply by providing a listening ear. The Fieldworkers can also offer support by helping families navigate their way around the mental health systems eg a fieldworker can attend and support the family at a meeting with mental health professionals.

The fieldworker also facilitates regular monthly Carers peer support groups.

SF Nelson supports families, whanau and carers of someone who has a major mental illness such as Schizophrenia, Bi polar disorder, major depression and other related disorders.

Families and whanau may self refer simply by phoning or emailing a fieldworker or contacting the office as per the details below

Address:

SFNelson

50 Halifax St

Nelson

Email:

Nelson FW : fieldworker@sfnelson.org.nz

Office: office@sfnelson.org.nz

To contact us:

Motueka FW: renee@sfnelson.org.nz

Nelson fieldworker: Vicky Pomeroy

Phone/fax: 03 546 6090

Manager/Newsletter editor: Susan O'Connell

Phone: 03 545 8162

Motueka: Fieldworker: Renee Alleyne

Phone/Fax 03 5287790

Chairman’s Comment

Have you ever felt lonely and that no one else understands what you’re going through when a member of the family experiences a mental illness? I can assure you that you are not alone and membership of SF Nelson can assist so much in increasing a family’s ability to survive this experience and be in better shape to help the family member recover. SF Nelson’s members offer support and understanding, the fellowship provided when attending membership activities can help you survive the stresses mental illness brings to a family and offer skills to manage the situations you face.

I believe the word fellowship, which was prominent in our previous name, spelled out so much of what we have to offer. The fellowship our members can enjoy allows families and friends who have a member who experiences a serious mental illness, to come together and share knowledge, experiences and laughter with, other families who have had similar experiences.

Until a member of a family has a mental illness no one truly understands the impact on the remainder of the family and often the ongoing stresses. Membership of SF offers families the opportunity to meet people with like experiences (who do understand) and to participate in activities that assist families to recover from the stresses caused by a mental illness. We have organized various activity groups such as, writing, walking, art and socializing. Members who participate in such groups have formed new friendships, learnt new skills and most of all enjoyed the fun and rebuilt their self-esteem.

I realize it can be rather daunting when turning up to an activity group or a meeting especially when you may not know any other people in the room. I’ve done this and with much apprehension, but the assistance membership of SF gave to me was extremely helpful in coming to terms with where I was at the time and in helping me decide where I wanted to be.

SF Nelson has a “mix and mingle” meeting at the Nelson Hearing Association rooms on the 1^st June. A meeting such as this is often a good place to start as you can listen to an interesting speaker and meet other family members.

Membership application can be made at any of our meetings or anytime via Susan at the SF Nelson office. The $20 subscription is used towards branch activities such as Wednesday Club in Motueka and Thursday Club in Nelson and the combined Mid winter and Christmas functions for families and service users. The advantage of having greater membership numbers for SF Nelson is that it adds weight to SF Nelson’s influence when putting proposals to mental health policies and this is surely in the long term interest of families with a member who experiences a mental illness.

Dick Brown

President

SF Nelson

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Useful Phone Support Options:

Nelson Hospital Switchboard (for after hours emergencies)

Nelson: 546 1800

Motueka (toll free): 528 1160

Murchison & Golden Bay: 0800 835 5342

Lifeline: 0800 543 354

Men’s line 0800 636 754

Youthline: 0800 376 633