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Mi Networks

The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) has member organisations across Australia, with close to 100 ‘front doors’ in metropolitan and regional locations.

MIFA's national mental health information and referral service, Mi Networks, assists people affected by mental illness and those who care about them by providing information, support and links to the kind of on-going assistance they may need.

Currently, MIFA has member organisations operating in most states and territories of Australia. These include:

  • Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW
  • Mental Illness Fellowship of WA
  • Mental Illness Fellowship of South Australia
  • Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland
  • Mental Health Carers Tasmania
  • Mental Health Fellowship of Australia (NT)
  • Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland
  • Mental Health Foundation ACT
  • Aftercare
  • SOLAS
  • Bridges Health & Community Care

For more information:

  • Call 1800 985 944 from anywhere in Australia (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm)
  • Free and confidential service
  • Check the website for more details and online resources

Last reviewed: December 2015

Information from this partner

Found 19 results

Thinking about suicide Finding help if you’re feeling suicidal

Thinking about suicide does not mean you are a bad person, or weak, or flawed. It doesn’t even mean that you really want to die - it only means that you have more pain than you can cope with right now. Remember, no problem lasts forever. Don’t solve a temporary problem with a permanent solution. You are feeling this way for a reason, and there is help available, now and in the long term.

Read more on Mi Networks website

Has someone close to you died by suicide?

Has someone close to you with a mental illness died by suicide? If so, you are not alone. When someone close to you dies by suicide, it affects how you feel and are able to cope. When that person had a mental illness, you may feel additional grief that is difficult for you and others to fully understand

Read more on Mi Networks website

When sadness won’t go away depression and related disorders in young people

You know a young person who feels down or worried all the time. They may have stopped doing things they used to enjoy, or become withdrawn and antisocial. Is it just part of growing up, or is it a sign of something else? Could it be drugs? How can you tell? Should you be worried? This factsheet has been written to help you decide if action is needed, and what you can do to find treatment and support.

Read more on Mi Networks website

Antidepressant Medication

The best treatment for depression may include psychological treatment, medication, and support in the community. While some people may only need psychological, ‘talking’ treatment, this Factsheet answers commonlyasked questions about antidepressant medication. How do antidepressant medications help?

Read more on Mi Networks website

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)? ECT is a form of medical treatment for severe depression, bipolar disorder and psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia. It may be recommended when symptoms are severe or other forms of treatment are ineffective. A carefully-controlled electrical current is passed through the brain, affecting the brain’s electrical activity and producing an improvement in depressive and psychotic symptoms

Read more on Mi Networks website

Healthy Living

A healthy lifestyle is important for everyone. When we look after our physical health, we feel better too – fitter, more relaxed and better able to cope with things. This is especially important when you have a mental illness. There are lots of ways of being healthy that feel good as well as doing you good.

Read more on Mi Networks website

Depression

Clinical depression is an illness, a medical condition. It significantly affects the way someone feels, causing a persistent lowering of mood. Depression is often accompanied by a range of other physical and psychological symptoms that can interfere with the way a person is able to function in their everyday life. The symptoms of depression generally react positively to treatment

Read more on Mi Networks website

Self-harm

What is self-harm? Self-harm means any behaviour which involves the deliberate causing of pain or injury to oneself – usually as an extreme way of trying to cope with distressing or painful feelings.

Read more on Mi Networks website

Smoking and mental illness

Why change smoking habits? People with a mental illness can, and do, quit smoking, for a number of very good reasons.

Read more on Mi Networks website

Antipsychotic Medication

The best treatment for psychotic illness usually includes a combination of antipsychotic medication, psychological therapy and community support. This pamphlet answers commonly-asked questions about antipsychotic medication (antipsychotics).

Read more on Mi Networks website

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