Awareness is the Greatest Agent for Change - 18 Years of Action
Tracks
Auditorium and Virtual via OnAIR
| Thursday, November 9, 2023 |
| 11:05 AM - 11:35 AM |
Overview
Alison Thorne and Lourene Liebenberg, Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group
Speaker
Lourene Liebenberg
Executive Member
Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group
Awareness is the Greatest Agent for Change - 18 Years of Action
Abstract
The Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group (DMHAG) is a well-established group of like -minded, passionate people who work together to raise awareness of mental health. The group is not-for-profit and works to increase mental health literacy and signpost the way to mental health services and resources in Deniliquin and surrounding areas. While not providing clinical services, the group facilitates network meetings and works along side service providers, consumer and carers in the mental health and wellbeing space.
The group has been consistently active for the past 18 years and is a model for what may be achieved through local grass roots community action.
The group aims to;
1. Increase Awareness of Mental Health to:
• Consumer and Carers/Family
• Health Care Providers
• General Public
• All levels of Government-Local, State and Federal
2. Provide Network Meetings and Forums for service providers to stay updated on the capacity and nature of service delivery of all providers of mental health services in Deniliquin
3. Facilitate Consumer Access by providing and publicizing a coordinated, local reference point for Agencies and Groups providing Mental Health Services, specifically through the website denimentalhealth.org.au
4. Decrease Stigma, associated with Mental Illness by facilitating Mental Health education opportunities at various venues, including all media outlets and promoting coordinated special community projects e.g., Mental Health month
5. Lobby/advocate for an increase in all mental health Services and funding, esp. in local and regional area when an opportunity presents itself.
The group organizes events, produces resources, networks, works with the media and provides training to individuals, workplaces and community organizations. In recent times the group has been successful in obtaining grant funding to support their activity.
This presentation highlights what is possible to achieve when a community identifies a gap and is motivated to make the change.
The group has been consistently active for the past 18 years and is a model for what may be achieved through local grass roots community action.
The group aims to;
1. Increase Awareness of Mental Health to:
• Consumer and Carers/Family
• Health Care Providers
• General Public
• All levels of Government-Local, State and Federal
2. Provide Network Meetings and Forums for service providers to stay updated on the capacity and nature of service delivery of all providers of mental health services in Deniliquin
3. Facilitate Consumer Access by providing and publicizing a coordinated, local reference point for Agencies and Groups providing Mental Health Services, specifically through the website denimentalhealth.org.au
4. Decrease Stigma, associated with Mental Illness by facilitating Mental Health education opportunities at various venues, including all media outlets and promoting coordinated special community projects e.g., Mental Health month
5. Lobby/advocate for an increase in all mental health Services and funding, esp. in local and regional area when an opportunity presents itself.
The group organizes events, produces resources, networks, works with the media and provides training to individuals, workplaces and community organizations. In recent times the group has been successful in obtaining grant funding to support their activity.
This presentation highlights what is possible to achieve when a community identifies a gap and is motivated to make the change.
Biography
Lourene Liebenberg has practiced in the mental health space for the past 30 years. As an Occupational Therapist, she brings a wide range of skills to the table.
Having worked in the NGO space in Deniliquin for 6 years prior to venturing into solo private practice for the following 15 years, Lourene understands the mental health needs of rural communities. She is an experienced Mental Health First Aid Facilitator and has a passion for increasing awareness of all things mental health.
Lourene is currently part of the Deni MHAG team co-ordinating and delivering multiple projects and initiatives across the region.
Ms Alison Thorne
Acting Chairperson
Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group, Murrumbidgee LHD
Awareness is the Greatest Agent for Change - 18 Years of Action
Abstract
The Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group (DMHAG) is a well-established group of like -minded, passionate people who work together to raise awareness of mental health. The group is not-for-profit and works to increase mental health literacy and signpost the way to mental health services and resources in Deniliquin and surrounding areas. While not providing clinical services, the group facilitates network meetings and works along side service providers, consumer and carers in the mental health and wellbeing space.
The group has been consistently active for the past 18 years and is a model for what may be achieved through local grass roots community action.
The group aims to;
1. Increase Awareness of Mental Health to:
• Consumer and Carers/Family
• Health Care Providers
• General Public
• All levels of Government-Local, State and Federal
2. Provide Network Meetings and Forums for service providers to stay updated on the capacity and nature of service delivery of all providers of mental health services in Deniliquin
3. Facilitate Consumer Access by providing and publicizing a coordinated, local reference point for Agencies and Groups providing Mental Health Services, specifically through the website denimentalhealth.org.au
4. Decrease Stigma, associated with Mental Illness by facilitating Mental Health education opportunities at various venues, including all media outlets and promoting coordinated special community projects e.g., Mental Health month
5. Lobby/advocate for an increase in all mental health Services and funding, esp. in local and regional area when an opportunity presents itself.
The group organizes events, produces resources, networks, works with the media and provides training to individuals, workplaces and community organizations. In recent times the group has been successful in obtaining grant funding to support their activity.
This presentation highlights what is possible to achieve when a community identifies a gap and is motivated to make the change.
The group has been consistently active for the past 18 years and is a model for what may be achieved through local grass roots community action.
The group aims to;
1. Increase Awareness of Mental Health to:
• Consumer and Carers/Family
• Health Care Providers
• General Public
• All levels of Government-Local, State and Federal
2. Provide Network Meetings and Forums for service providers to stay updated on the capacity and nature of service delivery of all providers of mental health services in Deniliquin
3. Facilitate Consumer Access by providing and publicizing a coordinated, local reference point for Agencies and Groups providing Mental Health Services, specifically through the website denimentalhealth.org.au
4. Decrease Stigma, associated with Mental Illness by facilitating Mental Health education opportunities at various venues, including all media outlets and promoting coordinated special community projects e.g., Mental Health month
5. Lobby/advocate for an increase in all mental health Services and funding, esp. in local and regional area when an opportunity presents itself.
The group organizes events, produces resources, networks, works with the media and provides training to individuals, workplaces and community organizations. In recent times the group has been successful in obtaining grant funding to support their activity.
This presentation highlights what is possible to achieve when a community identifies a gap and is motivated to make the change.
Biography
Alison Thorne is a Registered Nurse who has worked in mental health drug and alcohol services since 2002. She has post graduate qualifications in Advanced Nursing and Mental Health and since 2012 she has had operational responsibility for Community Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol services across Murrumbidgee Local Health District. She is a proud resident of Deniliquin and in her spare time voluntarily acts as Chairperson of the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group, a grassroots community organisation working to increase awareness and mental health literacy across the Southern Riverina area.
Conference Chair
Anita McRae
Senior Manager System Integration
Murrumbidgee PHN
Moderator
Shinade Hartman
AST Management
Mel Stewart
Director
AST Management
Justine White
Event Manager
AST Management
Presenter
Lourene Liebenberg
Executive Member
Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group
Alison Thorne
Acting Chairperson
Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group, Murrumbidgee LHD
