The Mental Health Association of NSW (MHA) is pleased to see the Mental Health Commission of NSW has welcomed the 15 members of its Mental Health Community Advisory Council.

The Council has been established to advise the Commission on any mental health issue it considers appropriate or that is referred to it by the Commission.

Members have been appointed by the Minister for Mental Health, Kevin Humphries, to reflect the diversity of the NSW community and the Commission will rely on their expertise to help it refine a reform agenda to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people in NSW.

The Commissioner, John Feneley, said the appointments represented a crucial stage in the Commission’s development.

“The Community Advisory Council will be our first port of call when we are seeking advice about issues that may affect people’s mental health,” Mr Feneley said. “It is extremely important to us that the Council’s composition echoes the geographical and cultural diversity of NSW so all communities have a voice within the Commission. By calling on the Council to advise us, we can be confident any recommendations we make are truly relevant to the people they are intended to benefit.”

Find out more about the Council members at the Mental Health Commission of NSW's website.

SAMSN’s support groups are based on more than a decade of successful groups run by Psychologist Mark Griffiths through the Sexual Assault Service at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.

Hundreds of men found support through these meetings. Mark is now assisting SAMSN to run similar groups; each group will have two experienced facilitators to guide the two-hour meetings that run for eight consecutive weeks.

No matter what the details of your abuse, you can contact SAMSN about joining. Acceptance is an important feature of our joint recovery so the groups are open to men from different cultures and sexual orientation. There are clear guidelines to ensure confidentiality and a structure that ensures the whole focus of the groups is safety.

Men who have completed one of our 8 week groups can continue to use the support of other Survivors. SAMSN men meet once a month to continue their shared journey at relaxed meetings with the same support, same safety and same mateship.

“Don’t let those feelings of isolation back into your life,” says Mark Griffiths. “Keep in contact with SAMSN and in helping yourself, you will help SAMSN grow so it can help other men like yourself.”

If you decide you want to join a group, one of the psychologists who will be facilitating the group will get in touch, ask you some basic questions, and outline how the group functions. Participants who have a GP referral will be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $20.45 per session. SAMSN is happy to recommend GPs if you require one.

Date:      7 May – 25 June 2013
Time:     6pm – 8pm
Cost:      Full (f/t employed) $45 per session
               Concession (unemployed, f/t student or card holder) $35 per session
Venue:   Erskineville (details provided once confirmation received)

For more information contact SAMSN on 0479 195 756 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit their website.