QTMHC is a mental health service committed to the ongoing meaningful participation of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) consumers in mental health services. To fulfil that commitment, QTMHC employs two Consumer and Carer Participation Co-ordinators to develop participation avenues for consumers and carers guided by the best practice model of CALD consumer participation in mental health developed in 2005, described below. These avenues include community development, carer development, consumer development, personal development, advocacy and self help sessions.
Some activities include: a consumer perspective education program, focus group research on CALD peer support, evaluations of the clinical service, and a self-help sessions, for example, on diet and mental health. If you are a CALD consumer or carer or if you know of someone who would like to participate in mental health service development and self development, please contact us.
CALD Consumer Participation in Mental Health Project (2002-2005). This three year project developed a best practice model of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) consumer participation in mental health. The project involving nine communities explored the views these communities have about mental health and mental illness (See report here ), which informed the implementation of strategies to increase levels of community mental health literacy and engage with community leaders to then engage with mental health consumers. Consumers grouped by culture and language affinities and facilitated by skilled bicultural community workers provided direct input into the development of the model of participation in mental health related services and activities. ( See report on the model here )
To download a brochure on the program, please click here.
For further information, contact:
Mr Dennis Gatbonton or Ms Maria Teresa Montenegro-Vega
Consumer/Carer Participation Co-ordinator
Monday & Tuesday 9am-2.30pm
Ph. (07) 3167 8333
Fax (07) 3167 8322
Email: dennis_gatbonton@health.qld.gov.au
Email: maria-teresa_montenegro-vega@health.qld.gov.au