Breathe Easy Project
Project: breathe easy – lifting the burden of smoking
Start Date: February 2008
Estimated Completion Date: July 2009
Summary
MHCC is working in partnership with the Cancer Council NSW as part of their Tackling Tobacco program to address the issue of smoking and disadvantage in NGO services.
This project is specifically focussing on MHCC’s member organisations and people with a mental illness and will look ways to reduce the disadvantage resulting from smoking. To date a survey has been sent out to members to investigate current attitudes, practice and policies around smoking. A report of the findings will soon be available.
Anticipated Outcomes
- A better awareness of the need to address tobacco smoking;
- Enhanced capacity of organisations to address tobacco smoking;
- Reduced rate of tobacco smoking.
Who is involved
- Jenna Bateman, CEO (in consultation with Board);
- Carla Cowles, Project Officer;
- Cancer Council – Anita Tang (Director of Health Strategies) & Jon O’Brien (Senior Program Coordinator of Tobacco Control);
- Reference Group – members from New Horizons, On Track, Neami, SSWAHS CCC, Mission Australia, The Samaritans;
- Steering Committee – members from Schizophrenia Fellowship, Neami & Cancer Council;
- MHCC members as demonstration sites – TBC.
Opportunities for involvement
- Input from surveys to be distributed – consumers & member organisations
- Members with an interest in participating as a demonstration site - TBC
- Information forums
- MHCC will also seek input from individuals and/ or agencies with specific expertise as needed.
Contact
Carla Cowles carla@mhcc.org.au, phone ext. 112
For information about the Cancer Council’s Tackling Tobacco program go to http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/editorial.asp?pageid=2210
Resources
Smoking & Mental Health Seminar
As part of the breathe easy project MHCC will be holding a seminar to examine and discuss some of the beliefs and evidence around smoking and mental illness. Dr Mark Ragg and Dr Tanya Ahmed will present their findings from a literature review conducted for the Cancer Council for the tackling tobacco program. The purpose of the seminar will also be to inform and encourage individuals and organisations on what they can do to address smoking in relation to mental health and to present some of the findings so far from the member survey conducted and future steps for the project.
When: Monday 8th December
Time: 9.30am – 12pm
Venue: PRA, Conference Room, Level 10, 1 Lawson Square, Redfern
Parking and transport: The venue is located across from Redfern Station and parking is available at the parking station, (Cnr Marion and Gibbons St - entry Gibbons St) for $10 flat rate per day.
Who: The seminar is open to consumers, carers and staff and anyone concerned or interested in the issues between smoking & mental health.
Cost: Free – places are limited so please register to attend.
To register for the seminar download a form and return it by Monday 1st December to Carla Cowles carla@mhcc.org.au, P: 9555 8388 ext 112, F: 9810 8145.