Our Affiliates (CoMHWA)
Consumers of Mental Health WA
About CoMHWA
Consumers of Mental Health WA (Inc) (CoMHWA), is a WA based mental health consumer organisation, run by consumers. We are a community based, not for profit organisation, with deductible gift recipient status from the Australian Taxation Office and are subject to the Associations Incorporation Act (1987).
Our name change to Consumers of Mental Health WA (Inc) (from West Australian Mental Illness Awareness Council Inc or WAMIAC) was registered on November 4, 2008 however our organisation was first registered as an incorporated association on June 16, 2005.
Still in its developmental stage, CoMHWA is working hard to build a solid foundation, and aims to support the development of a WA Consumer Peak Body. We are working on activities such as writing funding proposals, newsletters and brochures, developing policies and procedures, web pages and Strategic Planning. To date, we rely entirely on the voluntary efforts of our management committee and welcome interested persons to join our growing membership as a general member or on our management committee.
Please support us by becoming a member today. Consumers, Consumer Groups and others (Associate members) welcome.
Mission/Purpose
Our purpose is to provide a peak representative and consultative body for mental health consumers, governed by consumers, to advance the use of the consumer experience in developing excellence in mental health service provision by promoting health, wellbeing, social inclusion and personal recovery in service systems, public policy and the broader community of Western Australia.
We are a community based, not for profit organisation, with deductible gift recipient status from the Australian Taxation Office and are subject to the Associations Incorporation Act (1987). Our organization was registered as an incorporated association on June 16, 2005, with our name change from WAMIAC to Consumers of Mental Health WA (Inc) - (CoMHWA) was registered November 4, 2008.
What we do
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CoMHWA Objectives
| To promote respect for, and uphold the dignity and human rights of consumers and all members of the broader community. | To ensure the association maintains full accountability, transparency and accessibility. | |
| To promote health, wellbeing, self empowerment, social inclusion and recovery as the foundation to enhancing the quality of life of consumers. |
To provide with, and for members, a wide information and consultation network. |
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| To promote excellence in the provision of a broad based range of services to consumers. | To maintain a participatory interest and links relating to research and emerging trends in mental health. | |
| To provide advocacy, individual and/or broad based systemic, with, and for, consumers. |
To actively engage in collaborative practices within working partnerships and consultancy with members, stakeholders and others. |
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| To provide an understanding of consumer perspectives and a comprehensive, broad based and informed consultation service to Government, non government organisations, other interested parties, and the broader community, to raise community awareness. |
To provide support through a broad based education and training service in mental health and wellbeing, mental illness, discrimination, stigma, and the recovery paradigm. |
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Values/Principles
CoMHWA agrees to uphold the following values and principles in all our dealings with members or external organisations or people we may have contact with in the course of our business.
| Respect | Diversity | Kindess | Collaboration | Consultation |
| Participation | Social Justice | Equity | Confidentiality | Anti Discrimination |
| Acceptance | Integrity | Accountability | Transparency | Self Empowerment |
CoMHWA Membership
CoMHWA invites new members. Download Application Form or call us to have one sent out to you.
We have three categories of membership available:
a) Individual Members - any person who:
i. Identifies as having experienced mental or emotional distress or received a diagnosis of mental illness.
ii. Identifies as a mental health consumer and has been, or is, a consumer of mental health services.
b) Consumer Group Members – any group who:
Has a substantial proportion of their committee of management comprised of people who identify as having an experience of mental or emotional distress.
c) Associate Members – any individuals or organisations who:
Has knowledge, experience or qualifications may be beneficial to the Association and who have an interest in the associations association’s purpose and objectives. (No voting rights)
**In addition: Each member must subscribe to the association's objectives.
Management Meetings
The committee is responsible for strategically directing the Association to ensure its objectives are met.
When: the second Monday of every month.
Time: 5 - 7pm.
Who: Management Committee Members and interested members on request.
* * Management meetings are open to CoMHWA’s broader membership. Requests to attend meetings can be made by email or phone or letter at any time. We welcome ideas and feedback but ask that they be submitted as agenda items in advance to allow sufficient time to be heard. It is the CoMHWA executive and general management committee members who hold voting rights at management committee meetings. The management committee may complete some business prior to guest members arrival to avoid long waits.
Questions, feedback and suggestions can be forwarded to our committee at any time.
In addition to management meetings, at times we gather fortnightly for ‘learning gatherings’ where we work on projects and organisational development activities.
We also meet in sub-committees that do project work – such as planning and designing workshops, brochures and various events.
Meet your current Committee
Chair: Agneta Hyland
Vice Chair: Lyn Mahboub
Treasurer: Michael Livingstone
Secretary: Anna Richards
Members: Helen Le Cordier, Amanda Olsen, Sheila Stephens, Sean Harrold and Rhianwen Beresford
The management committee of CoMHWA consists of people who support the objectives of the Association and satisfy the eligibility criteria of membership. The most important virtue in belonging to the committee is the willingness to contribute and to learn. The expertise and experience they bring to the table, with a belief recovery is possible, informs their energy and enthusiasm. Committee members are elected following nomination at the Annual General Meeting.
CoMHWA History
A Step back in time... CoMHWA was formerly called the West Australian Mental Illness Awareness Council Inc (WAMIAC). This early incarnation of CoMHWA was officially formed in 2005. Its' development (not unlike in other countries) is the result of many late night discussions, coffee shop gatherings and consumer meetings where the ideas and plans for an independent consumer organisation germinated over many years.
The foundation to Perth's consumer passion within WAMIAC was forged within previous consumer organisations, projects and groups such as AMCWA (Association of Mental Health Consumers, WA) and Cardi (name coined by an indigenous consumer/worker as it means 'mad' in an aboriginal dialect), also Health Consumer Council's MHCAP (Mental Health Consumer Advocacy Project) and CCT (Consumer Consultant Trial in the South Metropolitan Area Health Service) to name a few.
Certainly a number of dedicated individuals across Perth have contributed to the current climate. Indeed, even other states have supported our development, in that our current constitution and first policies were modelled on the Victorian Consumer organisation Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VIMIAC), and it is fair to say, that it is on the shoulders of those who have gone before us that we now stand.
On September 22, 2008 our organisation (WAMIAC) held our annual AGM. During the meeting, following democratic process, the membership voted and the new name of Consumers of Mental Health WA (CoMHWA) was initiated. This name was officially registered by DOCEP on November 18, 2008.
Acknowledgements
GREAT APPRECIATION TO RICHMOND FELLOWSHIP WA (RFWA)
We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to RFWA CEO, Joe Calleja, and the RFWA board and RFWA staff in general for their very generous support. Joe Calleja, wearing his many hats, is renowned for championing the cause of consumer recognition and involvement. It is thanks to RFWA that CoMHWA has a fully equipped office at the RFWA Cannington Head Office.
WE ALSO APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF:
- West Australian Association Of Mental Health (WAAMH)
- Hon Helen Morton – ongoing support
- Connect Groups (Formerly WISH)
- Leone Shiels
- Mental Health Division WA.
- The Mental Illness Fellowship WA (MIFWA).
- The Hearing Voices Network Australia (HVNA).
- The Division of Mental Health WA.
- Children of Mentally Ill Consumers WA (COMIC).
“The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.” — Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy; United States Senator
Downloads
CoMHWA Constitution & Objectives
CoMHWA Membership Application Form (Complete and mail it to the address below).
CoMHWA 2007/2008 Annual Report
CoMHWA 2008/2009 Annual Report
CoMHWA Brochure
CoMHWA Comment Newsletter 1
CoMHWA Comment Newsletter 2
CoMHWA Comment Newsletter 3
CoMHWA Information Email
Contact Us
Consumers of Mental Health WA (Inc)
ABN: 95581286940
C/- PO Box 682, BENTLEY, WA 6982
Ph: 9350 8824 (message)
Email:
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Please Note: This site is distinct from the WA Health Department's COMHWA - Consumer Outcomes in Mental Health Western Australia. Details of which are accessible at www.comhwa.health.wa.gov.au
