My Name is Michael and I Have Schizophrenia…… a Love Story
Tracks
Mossman - In-Person
| Friday, November 8, 2024 |
| 9:20 AM - 9:40 AM |
| Mossman Ballroom |
Overview
Michael Marsh, FUNLHN SA Health and Dr Judith Keith, BHFLHN SA Health
Speaker
Michael Marsh
Peer Support Worker
FUNLHN SA Health
My Name is Michael and I Have Schizophrenia…… a Love Story
Abstract
Michael was diagnosed with treatment resistant schizoaffective disorder 30 years ago. He had been well managed on clozapine for most of that time and was working as a Peer Support Worker in the Whyalla Mental Health Team. When Judy relocated to Whyalla for Psychiatry training they soon became friends and eventually married.
Following a number of events, Michael had a relapse of his psychosis and mania. They experienced many difficulties and barriers when trying to get help. This was despite their extensive experience and knowledge of the mental health system. This presentation aims to highlight these challenges to inform opportunities for better, more responsive mental health care for both patients and carers.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Challenges accessing mental health support in a rural environment.
2. Importance of listening and understanding your patient.
3. Impact when a (clinician) partner becomes a carer.
Following a number of events, Michael had a relapse of his psychosis and mania. They experienced many difficulties and barriers when trying to get help. This was despite their extensive experience and knowledge of the mental health system. This presentation aims to highlight these challenges to inform opportunities for better, more responsive mental health care for both patients and carers.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Challenges accessing mental health support in a rural environment.
2. Importance of listening and understanding your patient.
3. Impact when a (clinician) partner becomes a carer.
Biography
Michael has worked in the mental health sector for more than 20 years and has been able to use his lived experience with treatment resistant schizoaffective disorder to promote well-being in consumers with mental illness. He is a lived experience representative on a number of government and non-government committees including the OCP Lived Experience Advisory Group, SA Health Psychotropic drugs committee, Towards Zero suicide prevention committee, SA Health, Country Outback Health Advisory Group. He has also contributed to research and teaching through University of SA and provided Lived Experience to Hearing Voices simulations.
Dr Judith Keith
Psychiatry Registrar
BHFLHN SA Health
My Name is Michael and I Have Schizophrenia…… a Love Story
Abstract
Michael was diagnosed with treatment resistant schizoaffective disorder 30 years ago. He had been well managed on clozapine for most of that time and was working as a Peer Support Worker in the Whyalla Mental Health Team. When Judy relocated to Whyalla for Psychiatry training they soon became friends and eventually married.
Following a number of events, Michael had a relapse of his psychosis and mania. They experienced many difficulties and barriers when trying to get help. This was despite their extensive experience and knowledge of the mental health system. This presentation aims to highlight these challenges to inform opportunities for better, more responsive mental health care for both patients and carers.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Challenges accessing mental health support in a rural environment.
2. Importance of listening and understanding your patient.
3. Impact when a (clinician) partner becomes a carer.
Following a number of events, Michael had a relapse of his psychosis and mania. They experienced many difficulties and barriers when trying to get help. This was despite their extensive experience and knowledge of the mental health system. This presentation aims to highlight these challenges to inform opportunities for better, more responsive mental health care for both patients and carers.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Challenges accessing mental health support in a rural environment.
2. Importance of listening and understanding your patient.
3. Impact when a (clinician) partner becomes a carer.
Biography
Judy is currently a Stage 3 Psychiatry Registrar based in Whyalla and expects to become a Psychiatry Fellow before the end of the year. Judy studied medicine as a mature student and chose Psychiatry as her specialty following internship. She had always been interested in rural medicine, so was especially keen to take the opportunity to train in Whyalla. Judy is a trainee representative on the RANZCP Rural Psychiatry Training Pipeline steering committee.
