CPDP
Community Psychiatric Disability Programme
Member of Mental Illness Education QLD Inc.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Community Psychiatric Disability Programme Qld (CPDP) works by bringing people with a disability, their families and friends into a workplace or community setting to work directly with staff. They use their personal experiences and insights within a set agenda to provide an interactive framework for understanding and awareness of what this disability means. The types of issues faced by people, their families and friends, and the support and services available in the community and strategies for assisting someone to access available services.
The key focus and strength of the Community Psychiatric Disability Programme is our volunteer presenters. All with a personal lived experience of a mental illness.
THE ORGANISATION BEHIND THE PROGRAMME
This programme is auspiced by Mental Illness Education (Qld) which has a proven record in this field since 1991, being used widely in Education Facilities across Queensland.
THE PROGRAMME IS UNIQUE BECAUSE
It has been developed and is presented by people with the personal experience of the effects of a disability. Our presenters are chosen for their personal qualities and life experience rather than academic qualifications.
Our presenters are willing to discuss at first-hand personal experience. This is a tribute to their courage and commitment, as well as a measure of the pressing need to bring this huge problem into the open, and so take a first step towards dispelling the stigma so often attached to it.
The Community Psychiatric Disability Programme is a grass roots activity in operation. It is low-key style, is non-threatening and informal.
WHY IS THE PROGRAMME SO IMPORTANT?
Through this programme, we are working to replace the fear, ignorance and misunderstanding that lie at the root of negative community attitudes; with a real understanding of what a disability is and means. A network of support is becoming available because people are gaining insight and understanding; fears are being allayed; myths are being dispelled. A way to relate to people with mental illness is being learned, as is a way to relate to friends in whose family there is someone with a disability.
THE AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME ARE:
To provide accurate information about mental illness. This helps correct the many myths and misconceptions surrounding the disability and breaks down associated stigma and isolation.
To hear from those who have experienced an illness first hand. This encourages people to understand the issues faced by those with mental illness, their families and friends.
To allow those living with a disability in their family to know that their feelings can be understood by others. It alerts them to available supports and resources.
THE PRESENTATION INCLUDES:
- Basic information is given of depression, anorexia nervosa, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, etc
- Facts and statistics
- Peoples’ awareness of their own mental health is stimulated through discussion of contributing factors and coping mechanisms
- Community attitudes and impact including contributory and risk factors.
- Personal Experiences and insights of living with a mental illness.
- Valuable contacts in the community offering support.
- Strategies to assist and communicate effectively with a person with this disability
HOW DOES THE PROGRAMME WORK?
A Presentation team of two presenters (who are selected on the basis of set criteria and who undergo a training course, assessment and periodic reviews), work with a group of people for two hours.
At the end of the presentation, each person is given resource material on the issues discussed, and the facilitator is also provided with a resource kit for follow-up sessions if desired.
Behind the Scenes: Co-Ordinators (paid and unpaid) are responsible for contacting groups, promoting the programme, scheduling presentation times, and ensuring adequate supplies of presentation materials.
PRESENTERS COURSE DETAILS:
- Totally cost free to trainees.
- Course consists of seven, three hour training sessions with practical work.
- Course conducted by accredited and experienced trainers.
- Includes an RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) policy.
- Flexible entry and exit levels.
- Two levels of certification and graduates receive a “Completion” or “Graduation” Certificate.
- Course includes excellent Public Speaking and Personal Care components.
SPECIFIC COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE AT PRESENT:
Cultural Awareness Programme
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Teacher’s Professional Development Programme
This is a programme specifically designed for professional development of teachers and accredited with Queensland education department under their “Excellence in Teaching” programme.
Key Benefits
- Teachers are taught identification and management skills.
- Enables teachers to fulfil a caring rather than confrontational role.
- Assist teachers to continue and expand our school programmes.
- Students with a mental illness will be able to achieve more positively when working with caring and understanding school staff.
- Information package and ongoing support provided.
Programme Cost
Contact office for details.
Community Awareness including Emergency Services Programme
This programme has been developed for delivery to community organisations both government and non-government, to give a practical understanding about mental illness and it’s affects on the community.
Key Benefits
- Staff are taught identification and management skills.
- Enables organisations to become better corporate citizens.
- People with a mental illness will find it easier to access an understanding and caring organisation.
- Information package and ongoing support provided.
Programme Cost
Contact office for details.
Business and Organisation’s Training Programme
This is a staff training programme for business’, both government and private, that may be dealing with people with a mental illness or their carer.
Key Benefits
- Staff are taught identification and management skills.
- Enables organisations to become better corporate citizens.
- People with a mental illness will find it easier to access an understanding and caring organisation.
- Information package and ongoing support provided.
Programme Cost
Contact office for details.
Impact of Mental Illness on the Family Programme
This programme is specifically designed to help family and friends of people diagnosed with a mental illness. This programme looks at coping skills, stress management, and pathways to help for their loved one and themselves.
Key Benefits
- You are not alone.
Programme Cost
Free to family, friends and carer/consumer support organisations.
School Nurses Training Programme
This is a specific programme to give nurses including school based nurses an understanding of the issues facing people experiencing a mental illness and their carers.
Key Benefits
- Nurses are taught identification and management skills.
- Enables nurses to fulfil a professional caring role.
- Assist school nurses to continue and expand our school programmes.
- Students with a mental illness will be able to achieve more positively when working with caring and understanding school staff.
- Information package and ongoing support provided.
Programme Cost
Contact office for details.
Also tailor made programmes for specific situations or organisations.
We have numerous programmes to suit different facilities and all our lecturers receive a complete training programme free of cost and at all times receive support from both local Co-ordinators and State Office.
