Unlike some mental health organisations, Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria works directly with people with a mental illness. We work across the state, across the range of mental illnesses. We also work with carers, government and the judiciary making us the perfect contact point for media looking at the realities of mental illness in Victoria. Much of our expertise is equally relevant to national media.

Our mental health experts have featured in media ranging from The 7.30 Report to local newspapers and ranges from CEO level to program workers, people with mental illness, their carers, families and friends.

Our mental health spokespeople are frank, credible and available. They can tackle: 

• Mental health services in Victoria. What are the stats? Who’s affected and how? Have we got the services we need?

• Housing. Hospitals v community care. Why can’t people with a mental illness find suitable accommodation? What are the barriers to better accommodation? Where do people with a mental illness live when there’s nowhere for them to live?

• Employment. Why should employers take on someone with a mental illness? How does having a job help someone recover from mental illness? And why might someone you work with not want to tell you about their mental illness?

• Community Education. What is the role of the family in recovering from mental illness? What’s life as a carer like? How can an average person do their bit to make life better for someone with a mental illness?

• Stigma. Why do fear and stereotypes surrounding mental illness persist? What are the myths and what are the facts? What role can the media itself play in stopping the spread of stigma?
  
  
• Police training around mental health issues. MI Fellowship wants to work with police to find non-violent solutions to crisis situations, helping both officers and people with a mental illness.

For all media enquiries please contact Hootville Communications on 03 95017 5411, 0419 394 826 or gareth@hootville.com