Support services

I am a 60-year-old female who has mental health issues including bi-polar and borderline personality disorder.

Up until a few years ago I attended an adult education course two days a week and a dayprogram I attended three to four days a week in Warragul and run by mental health organisations.

I loved it. We had outings, camps, learnt crafts, and computers, cooking, had guest speakers and participated in activities in the community.

We had discussion groups learning about metal illness and I socialised with others. It ran for 20 years and I’m sure that all these activities helped me stay mentally well for most of the time.

And I made great friends. This all stopped suddenly when funding ceased. I became very depressed. The friends I’d made I never saw again as I always felt that it was better to meet at organisations not at my home. Because of confidentiality I didn’t know their surnames, addresses or phone numbers. A few of my friends, (most in their 40s have since died), No one from the organisation I attended ever contacted me to see how I was coping or let me know of any other services that would be suitable for me. I was lost.

I live alone and don’t have car. I was interested in the article on page 19 in The Gazette on May 14 about Matt Runnalls about Mindful Aus and mental health.

I agree with a lot he was saying but it’s the first time I’ve ever heard about this organisation. I never go out and I’m sure there are a lot of others like me. I’ve heard of the National Disability Insurance Scheme but I don’t know what they do.

I don’t have a computer or internet so I get all of my information from reading The Gazette. I’ve never received any mail about the NDIS I have few friends and family and I wouldn’t want to burden them with my mental health issues. I would say I’m fine because I don’t want them worrying about me. They all have their own issues to deal with.