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A consumer is a person using, or who has used or will use a mental health service (Reality Check, MMHA 2004).
The word consumer is used in Australia because it means that a person with mental illness when using a mental health service has rights just like any customer that uses a service whether it is a private business or a public health service.
They have rights equal to other citizens to health care, income, education, employment, housing, transport, legal services, equitable health, high quality treatment, the right to complain, the right to advocacy, the right to participate in mental health policy and the right to live and work in the community to the full extent of their capabilities without negative discrimination. (adapted from the Mental Health Statement of Rights & Responsibilities, Canberra 1991),
These rights apply equally to consumers from CALD backgrounds. CALD refers to the wide range of cultural groups that make up the Australian population and Australian communities. It includes groups and individuals who differ according to religion, race, language or ethnicity (Reality Check, MMHA 2004).
The information in the Consumer section of this website is designed to education, inform and promote recovery and participation of CALD consumers in the Australian community. As well as personal stories of recovery from CALD consumers themselves, it contains educational information, resources for CALD consumers participating in the mental health system, updates on MMHA National Consumer projects such as the CALD Speakers Bureau, the National CALD Consumer Reference Group, CALD state/territory reference and self help groups and information and factsheets about mental illness and recovery both in English and in over twenty languages. We welcome any opinions that CALD consumers may have to improve our website and also any personal stories of recovery that CALD consumers may wish to submit to the website. Any work that is submitted is subject to prior approval by the organisation.
Last Updated: 12 May 2010
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