The award was presented as part of the Mental Health Achievment Awards on Friday 14 October 2011.

The Bayside Initiatives Group or BIG as they like to be known, operate in the Redlands.  BIG is a first point of contact for people who experience mental illness to engage with their community and develop a sense of belonging.

Established by consumers, the group encourages people to discuss experiences and strategies for living with a mental illness.

Individuals who facilitate the BIG programs are often volunteers that have originally come as members and have gone on to take leadership roles in the organisation.

Bernard Wilson CEO of Open Minds said “We congratulate BIG and hope the Earle Duus Award allows them to continue with the important work of supporting recovery that they are doing in the Bayside community”.

The full list of Mental Health Achievment Award category winners are:

Individual: Dr David Lie, for his significant contribution to the care of older persons living with a mental illness

Natural Disaster Response and Recovery – Individual / Organisation: Joint Winners, Kevin Freele Cairns Integrated Mental Health, Wayne Jensen, Innisfail Community Mental Health and Assoc Prof Brett McDermott, Executive Director, Mater Child and Youth Mental Health for their individual leadership and contribution following the summer of natural disasters

Natural Disaster Response and Recovery – Clinician / Clinical Team: Toowoomba Flood Recovery Team  for their initial and visible response to the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley disaster

Government Service / Program – General:  Joint Winners Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Homeless Health Outreach Team for their HHOT Service and Housing and Support Program, Department of Communities

Government Service / Program research and education: Recovery Oriented Certificate IV – Department of Education and Training and Department of Communities

Government Service / Program – Indigenous – Indigenous Young Women’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program, West Moreton Child and Youth Mental Health Service.

Consumer or consumer organisation: Gabrielle Villic, for her mentoring and leadership of consumer consultants throughout Queensland.

Carer or carer organisation: Suncare Community Services, for the services to families and carers on the Sunshine Coast

Non-government or community organisation: Bayside Initiatives Group

Open Minds is participating in the Week in many ways, such as hosting a Jamminn’ for OM client participation event on Sunday 21 August and as a partner for the Bang On A Beanie Campaign (led by Synapse) to be officially launched on Thursday 11 August at Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm.

To find out more on the events happening in your area, phone Toni Brearley on (07) 3896 4206 or Thea Isles on (07) 3896 4236.

What is ABI?? Read more here

The BANGONABEANIE Campaign will strive to encourage people to buy a blue branded beanie to support Brain Injury Awareness Week. By doing so, they will actively show support for anyone they know – loved ones, friends and colleagues – who are living with ABI. The profits from this unique new campaign will go toward improving essential services for people living with ABI, including support during the most crucial stage of recovery, the post-injury period.

BANGONABEANIE will be fun and, more importantly, informative and we formally invite you to join with us in this exciting new program.

Buy your beanie or t-shirt from any Open Minds office, or to sell them in your workplace please phone (07) 3896 4206.

Sam’s story was aired on Australian Story on Monday 27 June on the ABC network.

Sam Goddard and Sally Nielsen

Sam’s family were advised by medical specialists that Sam was likely to be permanently blind, he would not be able to recognise his family and friends and he would never walk again.

However, Sam proved to the specialist his determination and with his supportive fiancee Sally and family behind him, things changed. He is able recognise people, he is not blind and he is walking with minimal assistance.

Sam has transitioned home from hospital and is living with his fiancée and his family.  Open Minds ABI Support Workers are privileged to be working with Sam since he was discharged from hospital and are currently assisting him undertake his intensive home therapy program.  The support workers enjoy working with Sam and really feel a great deal of satisfaction seeing Sam slowly but surely achieve his goals, through lots of determination and hard work.

Watch Sam’s incredible journey online with Australian Story’s  iView.

Sally also spoke to Nova 106.9fm’s breakfast program on Tuesday 28 June. Listen here

Learn more about the Open Minds ABI Support Service.

For media enquiries please contact Josie Cole on (07) 3896 4246 or frm@openminds.org.au

Professor Paul Mazzerole is Pro Vice Chancellor (Arts, Education & Law) and Director of the Violence Research and Prevention Program at Griffith University. Paul holds a PhD in Criminology, a Masters in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor Sociology.

In making the above announcement I also wish to acknowledge the resignation and service of Louise Cox who has stepped down from the Board after six years. I would like to sincerely thank Louise for her substantial and generous contribution of expertise and time to the mission and purpose of Open Minds.

Bernard Wilson
Chief Executive Officer

The brand new 2011-2012 Book includes offers from: Coles and KMart, Baguette, Pineapple Hotel, Pizza Capers, Restaurant II, The Caxton, Wagamamas, Dreamworld, Mantra Resorts and hundreds more.

The Entertainment™ Book is a fantastic fundraising activity for Open Minds with $13 from each book sold going toward supporting Do It Club.

Purchase your copy today online, or by completing and returning this form via fax to (07) 3896 4200 or post to:

Open Minds

PO Box 8142

Woolloongabba Qld 4102

“Imagine what it must be like to wake up every day in your own home and not recognise anything….not the room or the clothes you’re wearing, not even your partner or your children.”

60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes met Open Minds client Nicole Caird and her husband Brad to find out more about living with an acquired brain injury, in this case caused by a very common virus.

Nicole has been a client of Open Minds since 2010, receiving support for over 10 hours per day, five days per week.

Read more about Nicole’s journey here, or to watch the full 60 Minutes interview click here.

We wish Nicole, Brad and her family our very best for her rehabilitation and recovery ahead.

The redevelopment of our website has been made possible through funding from the Queensland Government Gambling Community Benefit Fund. It has been a big project and we hope you are as excited as we are when reading about our programs, services, achievements and how you can get involved. Our thanks are extended to Marketplace Communications for their project management, design and expertise.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and clients, we thank you for your support of Open Minds and we look forward to continuing our vital work together in 2011.

Bernard Wilson
Chief Executive Officer

The results were released on 17 February 2011 by The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) for the reporting period to December 2010. DEEWR is the lead government agency providing national leadership in education and workplace training, transition to work and conditions and values in the workplace.

Paul Hethorn, Employment Services Manager, explains that Disability Employment Services (DES) is designed to increase the employment participation of people with a disability and support them to secure and maintain sustainable employment.

“The value to the individual and the community of paid employment in maintaining one’s wellbeing, lifestyle and life’s pursuits is invaluable,” said Paul Hethorn, Employment Services Manager.

“It is a privilege to enter the lives of those we work with as they explore choice and opportunity for employment,” he added.

Every six months, Open Minds’ DES contracts are rated against local and national competitors. A four-star rating places Open Minds as performing among the best providers in linking jobseekers with employers, linking jobseekers to suitable work and sustaining it.

Open Minds delivers both specialist (psychiatric) and generalist (all disability types) contracts. We were awarded four stars of a possible five for both contracts. The evaluation incorporates a review of the efficiency, effectiveness, quality and accessibility of Disability Employment Services.

Open Minds Employment Services also provides a peer-supported Job Club. Job Club is an important facet of our Employment Services delivery, encouraging participants to share information, build new skills by participating in training, seek advice on building resumes, learn interview techniques and understand the principles of workplace ethics, performance and conduct.

Open Minds currently supports in excess of 70 employers to realise the business benefits of employing people with disability.

For more information on Open Minds’ Disability Employment Services phone (07) 3896 4222 or visit the Employment Page.

Employment Services

In 2011 The Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane event will be bigger and better than ever! Competitors of all ages and fitness levels will take part in the annual event, making it Queensland’s biggest fun run.

You’re invited to join the Open Minds Team – you don’t need to be an elite athlete to join in, just choose the 10km or 5km course and nominate Open Minds as your preferred charity, then run or walk your way across the finish line. You can be part of a physically and mentally healthy Brisbane!

For more information about joining our team, phone Josie Cole, Fundraising Manager on (07) 3896 4246.