Page 29 - MDS final deliverable

CUSTOMER PROFILE: MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health participants rely heavily on MDS staff as it is often their only form of support. These participants will benefit the most from ongoing support and having a forum where they can share their stories, and in turn, support other like-minded participants.
Mental health participants can be victims of unfortunate circumstances and may have faced some form of trauma, violence or isolation. They may have tumultuous beginnings and are often suffering a range of emotional and physical issues as well.
Mental Health participants are usually in transition and in the process of getting their life ‘back on track’. This means getting back into a routine or entering the workforce once more. They are keen to develop new skills as they may no longer be able to do the work they had previously done due to the changes in their health.
Most participants do not know they have mental illness until diagnosis, which may be later in the process. They believe that if they had received assistance earlier, they would be in a better position and not have encountered the ‘trouble’ they had. Most of these participants do not have support from families and loved ones and therefore rely heavily on MDS support. They see the support workers from MDS as ‘beacons of light’ and turn to them when they are going through tough times. They believe MDS staff are caring, supportive and always there to lend a helping hand.
When applying for Centrelink, NDIS and Disability Support Pensions, people with mental illness have generally not been treated well and are often given the runaround. As a result, they are frustrated with government agencies, believing that these agencies are working against them rather than for them. It is apparent that MDS has a good reputation among the community and plays a role in helping them ‘gain respect’ when interacting with government agencies.
Participants with mental illness often feel judged by family and friends. They feel comfortable seeking support from others who share in their experience. There is a desire shared by mental health participants to help others who are going through a similar situation, so that others do not need to go through the same things that they have.
Participants with mental illness are usually satisfied with the assistance they are currently receiving as they can see their progress and leave the programs feeling better than when they first arrive. They are keen to be social and therefore always try to find things that can help them get ‘out of the house’.
Commercial in confidence 28