Mental Illness Fellowship Australia

MIFA’s core strength is in amplifying the voice of people affected by severe mental illness, their families, and friends.

We advocate for positive changes in all areas of social and public policy that impact on the quality of life of people affected, as well as families and friends. We create collaborative projects and communities of practice that support each other to be financially viable and deliver effective, quality supports.

MIFA’s knowledge and experience of the challenges and successes of people living with severe mental illness and their families is invaluable to our stakeholders and partners who need to understand these issues so that they can better tailor their products and services.

What we do

Deliver next-level advocacy

MIFA is leading a national advocacy alliance to deliver a national campaign to address the gap in psychosocial supports.

MIFA has brought together over 40 organisations from the sector – including lived experience organisations, National and State and Territory peak bodies, leading mental health service providers and MIFA Member organisations – to collaborate on this national campaign and deliver a united message to all governments in all jurisdictions about how to address the gap in psychosocial supports.

National Media Campaigns

MIFA will deliver two national awareness-raising and anti-stigma media campaigns for Schizophrenia Awareness Week in May and Mental Health Week in October.

These campaigns play a vital role in encouraging people to reach out when they need help, that they are not alone, and that recovery is possible.

Parliamentary Friends of Mental Health

MIFA convenes Parliamentary Friends of Mental Health events at Parliament House to raise awareness of mental health reform issues.

Federal politicians from all political parties attend. Speakers with lived experience, researchers and leaders in the mental health field share insights and solutions to some of the problems people face in the current mental health service landscape

Working with stakeholders

MIFA will continue to collaborate with peak bodies, other mental health stakeholders, and government and agency stakeholders in pursuit of our strategic priorities and vision.

MIFA collaborates directly with Ministers and Shadow Ministers, Government departments, the NDIA, the National Mental Health Commission, mental health peak bodies at the national and State and Territory levels and lived experience organisations to amplify the voice of lived experience and represent the needs and interests of MIFA’s Member organisations.

Formal submissions and consultations

Advocating through formal submission and consultation processes and through the parliamentary committee inquiry process is part of MIFA’s core business.

MIFA will advocate across multiple areas of mental health reform and policy reform through writing submissions, consultation responses and policy papers, and by appearing before parliamentary committee hearings to provide evidence.

Need help with Mental Health?

Finding North

Finding North is designed by and for people who understand what it’s like to experience mental health conditions. The website introduces you to information and supports that have worked for others and that may be helpful for you or the person you care about.

Find out more

Finding North Network

Finding North Network hosts a national online network aimed at growing Lived Experience Leadership. Bringing together current and emerging leaders, the network is a place to establish connections, discuss ideas, promote opportunities, and shine a light on the true power of lived experience.

Find out more

Forums

Our forums are a safe place to share your experiences of living with complex mental health issues. Our Lived Experience and Carer forums help you connect to people like you. You can read stories, reply to discussions or start your own.

Go to forums

Contact us

Want to find out more about what we do? Contact our office for more information.

Contact us

Mental Illness Fellowship Australia

Amplifying the voice of people affected by severe mental illness, their families, and friends.

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