Recognition of our hard work behind the scenes in a milestone era for mental health reform
As the US psychiatry movement gained momentum in the early 60s, Australia’s Commonwealth Fund conducted a study of mental health services there and in the UK, focused on preventative consultation to keep the mentally ill in the community. It was a springboard for recognition of our progressive thinking and passionate advocacy for the social citizenship of people on their mental health recovery journey.
The same year Queen Elizabeth visited Surry Hills (pictured), in 1963, our central headquarters and workshop were officially opened at Buckingham Street by His Excellency, Sir Eric Woodward, Governor of NSW.
More workshops followed, in Newcastle and Wollongong.
1964 – Knowledge brings progress
A Royal Commission into Callan Park led progressive Psychiatrists to push for the establishment of The NSW Institute of Psychiatry, established by an Act of Parliament in 1964 to provide specialised mental health training for medical and healthcare professionals, government organisations and the wider community.
We followed the Institute’s lead in our pro-active mental health training, and research partnerships exploring all aspects of mental health.
The Civil Rights movement fought for greater freedoms in the 60s and the high stone walls, fences and trenches of Callan Park were taken down, shedding the stigma of ‘asylum’ and triggering an ‘opening up’ of psychiatric hospitals NSW-wide.
1966 – Independence and collaboration
Standing on our commitment to being an independent voice on matters of mental health and policy, we were reluctant to rely upon government funding. As growing demand on psychosocial services pushed resources to exhaustion, we launched an Art Union in 1966, successfully tapping into new funding streams as we shared the possibilities for mental health recovery with the wider community.
The same year, the emergence of an Australian Psychological Society shaped a new recovery model that combined cognitive thinking therapy with psychiatric rehabilitation, medications, and services like ours that build a person’s capacity and opportunities within their community.
Our stand for inclusive communities took hold as legal reforms overturned discrimination built into Australia’s migration policy. The shift in social attitudes was fuelled by furore over the deportation of 5 year old Nancy Prasad (pictured).
1969 – A new Outlook
Creating inroads to residential accommodation is an important aspect of the practical support we’ve provided since the late 60s, when we collaborated with the After Care Association on housing solutions for a large number of long term patients discharged into the community.
The Outlook, our heritage boarding house between the mountains and sea near Wollongong, was opened by the Minister for Health in 1969. It continues today to provide a secure, supported home environment, where people can build self-confidence and self-sufficiency for living independently.