ABOUT US

Who are we?

 

The Canberra Mental Health Forum (U3A) is a community-based advocacy and support group. It is an independent voice for mental health reform in the ACT and surrounding area. Our membership is made up of people who are carers, people with lived experience of mental illness, community members who have a general interest in improving mental health services and others who are employed in various capacities in the health and community sector. The group enhances its members’ knowledge and understanding of mental illness and mental health services. Our emphasis is on the challenge from a caring perspective.

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What do we do?

We have regular monthly meetings and run a lively on-line chat forum, open to all.

 

Our members regularly meet with decision makers in the mental health arena, serve as carer or consumer representatives on mental health committees, actively contribute to current debate by inputting into government consultations, prepare formal submissions to government and liaise on a day to day basis with carers and people with a mental health/psychosocial disability. We also provide support to our members who request assistance with a family member in crisis.

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Current key focus areas include:

 

•  Improving the physical health of people with a mental illness

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•  Suicide prevention

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• Improved supported accommodation provision

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•  NDIS and mental health

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•  Drug and alcohol issues

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•  Ensuring the voice of lived experience is heard by policy makers and service providers

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•  Organising lunchtime forums

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•  Conducting ACT Mental Health Month activities

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How can you get involved?

 

We meet on the second Tuesday of the month from February to November in Room 3 at the Cook Community Hub, Templeton Street, Cook, ACT or by Zoom. 

 

Those eligible for U3A are welcome to join! Additionally we are keen to hear from others who may be interested in our online forum.