MENTAL ILLNESS -INFORMATION

Genetic Testing and its Relevance to Treating Schizophrenia (NZ)

One large area of interest is in knowing whether there are particular genotypes that make a person more likely to have the disorder. There are a number of "candidate genes" that have been shown to have an association with the disorder but none are either necessary or sufficient in themselves. It is likely that we will find there are genetic determinants that they are a part of that contribute and interact with a number of other factors such as prenatal and early life experiences - Dr Wayne Miles, Clinical Associate Professor at Auckland University. Details.

New Mental Health Line for Counties Manukau

Staffed by skilled and experienced mental health professionals, this service will operate during the 'after hours' period (5.00pm - 8.00am weekdays, plus 24/7 weekends and public holidays) and will ensure that clients, their families, other agencies and the community have enhanced access to mental health services during this period.

At 5pm on Monday 18 February 2008 the service commenced. Mental Health clients can assess this new service by simply calling their current Community Mental Health Centre or Specialist Service. From here they will have the capacity to connect to Mental Health Line.

Zeldox - Recently FundedTreatment (NZ)

SF Auckland staff recently met with Pfizer's Hospital Sales Representative (Auckland), Sandra Crous, who talked with the Fieldwork team about the recently subsidized atypical antipsychotic, Zeldox. As a newly available treatment option (in New Zealand) for service users diagnosed with schizophrenia, SF are happy to include Sandra's information about Zeldox in the interests of informing families and whanau of developments in the sector. Details

Child & Adolescent Bipolar Disorder: An Overview (NZ)

Child and adolescent onset of bipolar has is a relatively new concept which has not

been as well studied as adult bipolar disorder (Sanchez et al, 1999). The debate that is

still ongoing today around a definition of how this disorder is presented in children

and adolescents has not yet been cleared due to the lack of research into this phenomenon. This article is taken from Balance NZ.

Report of the Confidential Forum For Former In-patients of Psychiatric Hospitals (NZ)

The Confidential Forum for Former In-Patients of Psychiatric Hospitals was announced by the Government in 2004 and established in 2005. Its main purpose was to provide an accessible, confidential environment in which former in-patients, family members of in-patients, or former staff members could describe their experiences of psychiatric institutions in New Zealand in the years before November 1992 (at which date the current mental health legislation came into effect).

http://www.confidentialforum.govt.nz/

Journeys of Despair, Journeys of Hope (NZ)

Young Adults Talk About Severe Mental Distress, Mental Health Services and Recovery. Mental Health Commission Research Report 2006.

http://www.mhc.govt.nz/publications/2006/Journeys.pdf

New Zealand Guidelines Group (NZ)

The New Zealand Guidelines Group leads a movement towards the delivery of high quality health and disability services throughout New Zealand through a change in culture based on evidence and effectiveness. Here you can access all NZGG's evidence-based publications, as well as those developed by other New Zealand organisations. For each guideline, supporting resources and information, where relevant, is available. These include summaries, search strategies and consumer resources. Consumer resources can also be downloaded.

http://www.nzgg.org.nz

Family Carers And Mental Illness - SANE Research (AUS)

Families play a major role in providing day-to-day care for people with a mental illness, but improved support is urgently needed, especially in education for this role. Details

Impact Of Schizophrenia On Carers In NZ - The Cost Of Caring (NZ)

The New Zealand questionnaire contained seven main sections; demographics, time spent caring for someone with schizophrenia, costs associated with caring, questions regarding employment while caring, caring and unpaid activities, information about the person with schizophrenia being cared for and additional questions regarding caring. Details

MENTAL ILLNESS - LINKS

Bipolar Disorder

Balance NZ

The mission of Balance NZ is to provide support, education, advocacy and training to people (tangata whaiora) affected by bipolar disorder or depression in New Zealand.

http://www.balance.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=162&Itemid=1

Black Dog Institute (AUS)

The Black Dog Institute is an educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility dedicated to improving the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders.

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (US)

The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) is a parent-led, not-for-profit, Web-based membership organization of families raising children diagnosed with, or at risk for, pediatric bipolar disorder.

http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer

Healthyplace.com (US)

For those who have already been diagnosed with manic depression and are in treatment, we want to help you learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder and to offer you support in your recovery. We want to give you up-to-date information about what bipolar disorder is (and what it isn't).

We believe that the more you understand about bipolar disorder and issues like medications, the more likely you are to get the full benefit of treatment.

http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/bipolar/index.asp

Borderline Personality Disorder

BPD Central (US)

If someone you love has BPD, this community will help you understand your situation, serve as a sounding board and reality check, and show you you're not alone in your struggles. Our community has many "neighborhoods" so you can find just the group(s) for you, including ones just for siblings, co-parents, parents, partners, and many more.

http://www.bpdcentral.com/index.php

Haven of Hope (NZ)

Do you live In New Zealand? Do you have a family member or friend who has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder? Have you been diagnosed as a borderline? Do you want to make connections with other people like yourself to share the journey? Do you want more information on Borderline Personality Disorder? If this is what your looking for then join us here at the Haven of Hope for Bravehearts, A website for those who travel the road to wellness, and those who journey alongside.

http://havenofhope.netfirms.com/

Cultural

CONNECT - Supporting Recovery (NZ) - Formerly AMHS

Committed to working with a recovery focus, flexibly and creatively to inspire hope, create choice and opportunities and encourage transformation and promote health and well-being. Services include: Residential, Asian Responsive Service, Dual Diagnosis, Peer Support and EDGE Employment.

CLICK HERE

Maori Mental Health Services (NZ)

A range of services is provided via two specific teams, Kapua Awatea and Maioha Tupuranga. Both teams are community based and provide services to tangata whaiora Maori who are living in the community of Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland).

http://www.healthpoint.co.nz

PIASSTRUST - Pacific Information Advocacy Support Services Trust (NZ)

PIASS welcomes referrals from all people irrespective of religion, culture, ethnicity, sex and age. It recognizes that service delivery can be strengthened by the interface of its own philosophy with the varying perspectives of other people.

The concept of fono is an important feature of PIASS. This characteristic has been adopted and implemented in the overall philosophy of the organization. This means that every person has a valuable role to play as all participate in enjoying the privileges and meeting their responsibilities within the organization.

PIASS provides opportunities for the disadvantaged. Some people in society are not able to compete equally with others. There are various reasons why this occurs. PIASS believes that it has a responsibility to provide people with a means of achieving personal and professional growth and empowerment.

http://www.piass.org.nz/default.htm

Refugees As Survivors New Zealand (NZ)

Refugees have suffered the loss of family, friends, their possessions, their homeland and their culture, and many have survived trauma and torture. The work of Refugees As Survivors (RAS) is vital in helping bridge the vast gap between the danger and suffering of an old life and a bright new future as a New Zealander.

http://www.aucklandras.org.nz/

Vaka Tautua (NZ)

Malologa Trust has gone through a huge change. The organisation has developed a joint venture with Pacific Information, Advocacy, Support Services (PIASS) Trust in forming a shared management company called "Vaka Tautua".

It is the vision of this new development to provide a menu of services for Pacific people in; Youth, disabilities sector, Mental Health sector, older people and in Research and Development. Through this vehicle, Pacific people can hopefully access services that they are entitling to.

http://www.vakatautua.co.nz/

Yan Oi Sei (NZ)

Yan Oi Sei is a registered charitable trust which aims to support individuals' mental wellness with particular emphasis in the Chinese community. Yan Oi Sei uses Mental Health Development approaches to design its services. Our focus is on building resilience among mental health service users, empowering them, their familiy and friends, as well as aiding in recovery and providing support for each other.

http://www.yanoisei.org/

Legal

Family Court of New Zealand (NZ)

Information on Mental Health Law, the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment & Treatment) Act 1992 as well as the role of the Family Court in mental health issues.

http://www.justice.govt.nz/family/what-familycourt-does/mentalhealth/default.asp#further

Mental Illness General - Organisations that offer support across the range of mental illness.

Affinity Services (NZ)

Affinity Services operates using the recovery frameworks of Prof. Charles Rapp's Strengths Model and Mary Ellen Copeland's Wellness Recovery Action Plan (W.R.A.P.).

The Strengths Model involves working alongside people to identify their strengths in all areas of life, developing personal goal plans based on their dreams and aspirations and accessing community resources to achieve these goals.

http://www.affinityservices.co.nz/index.php

CONNECT - Supporting Recovery (NZ) - (Formerly AMHS)

Committed to working with a recovery focus, flexibly and creatively to inspire hope, create choice and opportunities and encourage transformation and promote health and well-being. Services include: Residential, Asian Responsive Service, Dual Diagnosis, Peer Support and EDGE Employment. More Details

Arataki Ministries (NZ)

Community based support for people with mental illness in Northland. Provider of residential, transitions, packages of care and community support.

http://nz.vicdir.com/comdetail-225666256-91024-0.htm

Black Dog Institute (AUS)

The Black Dog Institute is an educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility dedicated to improving the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders.

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

Challenge Trust (NZ)

Challenge has a client focused and recovery oriented philosophy and model of service. The model is comprehensive, eclectic and flexible, considers the whole person and aims to be culturally safe and progressive.

Challenge has identified three broad functions of service operation that are closely linked, fundamental and critical to successful service delivery. These are: Safety, Support and Rehabilitation.

http://www.challenge.co.nz/index.html

EQUIP (NZ)

Equip is a non-profit trust associated with Windsor Park Baptist Church covering Central Auckland, North Shore and Rodney District. Equip provides a range of mental health services, including:Rehabilitation, Workforce traing and a Suicide Prevention Service.

http://www.equip.net.nz/

Framework Trust (NZ)

Framework Trust delivers community based mental health and intellectual disability services in Greater Auckland from strategic locations throughout the city.

http://www.framework.org.nz/

MentalHelp.Net (USA)

Mental Help Net is an established and highly regarded Internet website dedicated to educating the public about mental health and wellness issues and concerns. Designed and maintained by Clinical Psychologists since 1995, the site provides scientifically accurate and up-to-date coverage while maintaining an independent editorial stance

http://www.mentalhelp.net/

Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (AUS)

The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (formerly the Schizophrenia Fellowships Council of Australia) represents people affected by severe mental illness.

MIFA was established as the national body with state and territory member organisations that run programs to support and represent people with a severe mental illness and their carers.

http://www.schizophrenia.org.au/

Mind & Body Consultants Ltd (NZ)

Mind and Body Consultants is a registered company in its tenth year of operation. It is managed and staffed by talented and professional people with personal experience of mental illness. The Company has a reputation for reliability and professionalism that is grounded in a culture of individual responsibility underpinned by a positive and supportive team environment.

http://www.mindandbody.co.nz/index.php?ti=20

Ministry of Social Development - National Directory (NZ)

The National Directory is a searchable online database. It lists information about family support organisations and the services/programmes they offer to support New Zealand families (we call the organisations in the National Directory "providers"). The purpose of the National Directory is to connect people with providers who can help them to cope with common issues and problems.

http://www.familyservices.govt.nz/directory/

Pathways (NZ)

Here you will find an overview of the wide range of mental health support choices that Pathways provides in 8 NZ regions.

http://www.pathways.co.nz/links_pw/pathways_1_1.php

PIASSTRUST - Pacific Information Advocacy Support Services Trust (NZ)

PIASS provides opportunities for the disadvantaged. Some people in society are not able to compete equally with others. There are various reasons why this occurs. PIASS believes that it has a responsibility to provide people with a means of achieving personal and professional growth and empowerment.

http://www.piass.org.nz/default.htm

Platform (NZ)

Platform exists to give voice to the non-government organisations (NGOs) that provide health and disability services in communities throughout New Zealand. We are an Incorporated Society funded by membership fees, philanthropy and fee for service contracts. Platform members have a committment to mental health and work collaboratively to find solutions that work for people and support New Zealand to provide leading edge mental health services.

http://www.platform.org.nz/page/5-Platform-Home

Rethink (GB)

Rethink, the leading national mental health membership charity, works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life.

http://www.rethink.org/

SANE Australia (AUS)

SANE Australia is a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness. SANE campaigns for improved services for, and attitudes towards, people affected by mental illness.

http://www.sane.org/

Schizophrenia Fellowship NZ Inc. - Supporting Families In Mental Illness (NZ)

New Zealanders affected by mental illness put up with a lot more than their symptoms - such as stigma and discrimination, lack of access to effective treatment and support and little or no help for family/whanau and friends. It doesn't have to be like this.

The SFNZ Charter sets our four core principles which provide a vision for a better life for New Zealanders with mental illness. Help for family/whanau and friends; an end to stigma and discrimination; access to effective treatments; support in the community.

http://www.sfnat.org.nz/

Totara House - Canterbury District Health Board (NZ)

Totara House is a specialist multidisciplinary service for young people (aged 18-30) who live in Christchurch (New Zealand) and are experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/totara/

VIBE (NZ)

We are innovative and unique. A Like Minds Like Mine project created and run by youth, for youth since 2002. Vibe is a community action network open to young adults in Auckland with experience of mental distress (/ philosophical challenges / madness / mental illness / mental health issues / mental health problems / being human) and a passion for positive social change.

http://www.vibecentral.org.nz/

Walsh Trust (NZ)

WALSH Trust has been a leader in the provision of community-based mental health support services in West Auckland since 1988. It is a uniquely home-grown service which is proud of it's community-based origins. The West Auckland communities are at the heart of WALSH Trust and represent it's life-blood.

http://www.walsh.org.nz/home.html

Webhealth - Counties Manukau (NZ)

Your online connection to Health and Social Services in the Counties Manukau DHB region. We believe that people have the strengths and abilities to find their own solutions to issues in their lives when they have access to the best possible information and resources.

http://countiesmanukau.webhealth.co.nz/page/countiesmanukau_3.php

Webhealth Waitemata (NZ)

Your online connection to Health and Social Services in the Waitemata DHB region. In collaboration with Raeburn House, Waitemata Webhealth provides another avenue of access to information.

We believe that people have the strengths and abilities to find their own solutions to issues in their lives, when they have access to the best possible information and resources.

http://waitemata.webhealth.co.nz/page/5-Welcome

Webhealth - Central (NZ)

Webhealth has been specifically developed to provide another avenue of access for people to connect with Health and Social Services. You will also find generic information relevant to those who require it. The aim is to provide the most up to date information to assist in keeping our community connected.

http://www.webhealth.co.nz/page/central_3.php

World Fellowship For Schizophrenia And Allied Disorders (CAN)

WFSAD strives to increase knowledge, understanding and compassion and reduce the fear, stigma, discrimination and abuse that accompany these difficult conditions. WFSAD and its member organizations focus on the humane treatment of people with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses and on their primary care, which falls frequently upon the family, most often the parents, and can last a lifetime. There is need for housing, rehabilitation, recreation and a decent life for those battling these difficult conditions.

http://www.world-schizophrenia.org/

Youth Horizons Trust (NZ)

Our wide range of community focused programmes have developed to work with young people who, as a result of their demographic or social situation, are perceived as being at risk of developing behavioural or mental health difficulties.

http://www.youthorizons.org.nz/our-organisation/

Phobias/Anxiety

The Phobic Trust of NZ Inc. (NZ)

The Phobic Trust's Mission Statement is to: Stimulate awareness and education of anxiety, phobic and compulsive disorders, alleviate the suffering of those involved, and provide input into the research of the cause and management of these disorders.

http://www.phobic.org.nz/

Psychosis

Early Detection in Psychosis - National Institute for Mental Health in England (GB)

Recent research underlines the value of detecting and treating clients at a very early stage of the disorder. Improving the care pathway between primary care and specialist services is one of the keys to achieving earlier detection and treatment.

http://www.earlydetection.csip.org.uk/

EPPIC - Early Psychosis and Prevention Information Centre (AUS)

EPPIC is a specialist early psychosis clinical program within ORYGEN Youth Health. ORYGEN is an organisation that consists of a specialist youth mental health service, a research centre, and education, health promotion, and advocacy activites. The main goal of ORYGEN is to integrate knowledge gained from clinical practice and research activities to implement and advocate for high quality mental health services for young people.

http://www.eppic.org.au/

Get Help Early (CAN)

This website is an Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) Youth and Family Education Initiative developed in partnership with the Ontario Working Group on Early Intervention in Psychosis

http://www.gethelpearly.ca/home.htm

Mindnz (NZ)

Mindnz is about psychosis including schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. It aims to explain what these illnesses are about, and share how others who are affected by them feel, cope and recover. Most importantly mindnz aims to correct fallacies about mental illness. Real understanding changes people's minds, hearts, and attitudes. Real understanding makes an illness of the mind less devastating for all involved. Discover how common mental illness is, and contrary to the popular stereotype, how even its severest form is now a treatable disease.

http://www.mindnz.co.nz/site/home/home_default.asp

New Zealand Early Intervention in Psychosis Society Inc. (NZ)

This website has been developed primarily for health profesionals working in the area of first episode psychosis. This site contains a number of resources for clinicians working with young people with first episode psychosis. These include copies of the national early intervention Newsletter, information on the National Executive Committee, including the FERNZ National Data Set, information on the National Training Forum, (including keynote addresses from the 2006 and 2007 Training Forums) and an introduction to the 'Mind Your Head' DVD, (including the new DVD-only version for wider distribution).

http://www.earlypsychosis.org.nz/

Psychosis Sucks (CAN)

This site promotes early detection, educates about psychosis and provides direction for seeking help.The main objectives of the EPI Program are to increase understanding of psychosis, decrease stigma associated with having this disorder and provide direct treatment.

http://www.psychosissucks.ca/epi/

Rethink (GB)

Our aim is to make a practical and positive difference by providing hope and empowerment through effective services, information and support to all those who need us. People who use our services and their carers are at the heart of our vision and we believe that all those who experience severe mental illness are entitled to be treated with respect and as equal citizens. We carry out research which informs both our own and national mental health policy and actively campaign for change through greater awareness and understanding. And we are dedicated to creating a world where prejudice and discrimination are eliminated.

http://www.rethink.org/

St Lukes Community Mental Health Centre (NZ)

We are a small specialist team that works as part of St Lukes Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC). We provide support to people between the ages of 18 and 35 who are experiencing a first 'psychotic episode' and who live in the catchment area for our mental health centre.

http://www.adhb.govt.nz/cmhc/StLukes/fep.htm

The New Zealand Early Intervention In Psychosis Society Inc. (NZ)

This site contains a number of resources for clinicians working with young people with first episode psychosis. These include copies of the national early intervention Newsletter, information on the National Steering Group, including the FERNZ National Data Set.

http://www.earlypsychosis.org.nz/index.htm

Totara House (NZ)

Totara House is a specialist multidisciplinary service for young people (aged 18-30) who live in Christchurch (New Zealand) and are experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/totara/

Resource & Referral

Mental Health Foundation Resource & Information Service (NZ)

One of the ways we support individuals and communities is through providing access to quality information and rersources on mental health and wellbeing. We encourage people to make informed choices and decisions about their mental health in ways that enhance their quality of life. We have a range of toolkits and educational resources focussing on enhancing mental wellbeing, community awareness & destigmatisation, for use in schools and community settings. A file of our services.

http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/

NZS.com Limited (NZ)

The NZS.com New Zealand Health directory contains a list of Health, Healthy, District Health Board, District Health Boards, Dhb, Health Care and Healthcare NZ websites.

http://www.nzs.com/health/

Stigma

Like Minds, Like Mine (NZ)

Like Minds, Like Mine is a public health funded project to reduce the stigma of mental illness and the discrimination that people with experience of mental illness face everyday in the community. This website provides information and resources on the project, looks at who is involved and how you can contribute to creating a nation that values and includes people with mental illness.