Communicating with Families

MMHA Consortium member and carer, Kaliope Paxinos, is coordinating a national project investigating the level of involvement carers have in mental health treatment plans.

Kaliope's project aims to explore how mental health services clinicians interpret the policy as stated in the National Mental Health Plan 2002-2008.

While the policy stipulates that services should work collaboratively and in partnership with all parties such as clinicians, consumers and family/carers, Kaliope questions why this partnership is not working effectively.

As a carer who has worked with many families from various cultural backgrounds, Kaliope says she has identified a huge gap in the way some clinicians communicate with carers/families.

"There is no doubt that lack of funding and training is playing a significant part in how clinicians work with families/carers. I have some good reasons to believe that this lack of effective communication and guidance is a social justice issue. With the Federal Government introducing the concept of social inclusion, I feel it may be the right time to start my project," she says.

Kaliope is therefore keen to speak to as many families from CALD backgrounds from across the country to learn about their experiences.

"I feel this is an untaped area and, from my own experience, the knowledge about how to communicate with the person whom you are caring for is paramount."

In the meantime, Kaliope will be presenting the ideas behind her project at a public forum in Melbourne on Wednesday 25 June. Organised by the Inner South Transcultural Network, Kaliope will talk about her personal experiences and observations as a carer for more than 20 years. Her paper titled: "Communicating with Families" will focus on all Australian families with a main emphasis on CALD carer/families.

Kaliope will also highlight effective and non-effective ways of communicating between family members, consumers and service providers to facilitate the recovery process.

Date: Wednesday 25 June 2008

Time: 3.30pm - 5pm

Venue: Prahran Mission Cafe-Ground Floor

211 Chapel St. Prahran

RSVP: Nadine 03 96929543

If you wish to assist Kaliope with her project - please contact MMHA directly - 02 9840 3333 or email: admin@mmha.org.au