The companionship of others on our personal life journeys is important to all of us. The encouragement they give, the inspiration they provide, and the sense of belonging it delivers inspires a quiet hope in us. The associated benefits of reducing a sense of social isolation and loneliness have not only positive mental health but also positive physical health outcomes.
Tammy and Geoff’s personal stories this month highlight the importance of these issues in mental health recovery. And this is why providing opportunities to connect with others has been an important part of Flourish Australia’s work for the last 70 years.
One of the first things the organisation did was arrange a social dance in Callan Park Hospital in the Inner West of Sydney, with people from the community entering an otherwise forbidden space. That progressed into a social event in the community when people were discharged from hospital – an important part of supporting the transition of people back into the community after long stays in hospital; helping them maintain a sense of belonging and safety in challenging world.
Mental health stigma and discrimination existed then, and still impact significantly on the ability of people with lived experience of a mental health issue to be part of their local communities. This is why it is important for continued, and arguably increased, investment in non-clinical community mental health supports – something an unmet needs report noted was not currently available to around 500,000 people across the country.
Supporting people to live contributing lives, building their confidence and supporting them to bring their amazing skills and experience to making open, respectful and inclusive communities not only has benefit and sense of achievement for them; it has a direct benefit for all of us.
Directly addressing mental health stigma and discrimination, and countering the many myths about “mental illness”, will help us get there. That is why the new National Autism Strategy 2025-2031 and the National Roadmap to Improve the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People 2025–2035, are also such welcome developments.
I hope you enjoy reading this month’s newsletter.
Mark Orr AM
Chief Executive
