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Mental Health Advocate Wins Tattersall’s Award
Mental health advocate Nicci Wall has been recognised with a Tattersall's Award for Enterprise and Achievement for establishing the Melton Depression and Bipolar Support Group in Melbourne’s outer western suburbs.
Because of her ongoing, voluntary work, Nicci will receive a trophy, a $5,000 personal prize, and $15,000 for SANE Australia, which will go towards funding support programs for the mentally ill. SANE Australia is a non-profit organisation, which helps people affected by mental illness, their family and friends.
Nicci suffered from mood swings and outbursts, extreme feelings of highs and lows, thought to be severe depression, for over 20 years before being diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder. Nicci says at times she felt like she was ‘going mad’ and the feeling of losing control was ‘extremely scary’.
Nicci now receives professional care, counselling and suitable medication, and wants others in her position to be given the same assistance to help get their lives back on track.
“I have the confidence to speak out about mental illness,” Nicci says “Others do not have the ability to speak about what they are going through, and face the stigma of being mentally ill head on. My aim is to ensure funding for mental health programs is increased and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness,” Nicci says.
A biological predisposition to the illness has contributed to Nicci’s daughter suffering from the illness. Nicci tried to get suitable help for her daughter at the height of her illness, exhausting all avenues to find professional care in her suburb of Melton. After making 19 phone calls to various health bodies, she was told there were only two support groups, and both were located over one hour’s drive from her home. Although this experience angered Nicci, it was also the catalyst for her to establish the Melton Depression and Bipolar Support Group, and to ensure that other people in the same situation receive the education, support and resources they need when they hit rock bottom.
Establishing the Melton Depression and Bipolar Support Group is one of Nicci’s greatest achievements, but recognising there is much work to be done to advocate on behalf of the mentally ill, Nicci’s also involved in an ongoing capacity with mental health research and political lobbying at the State and Federal Government level.
Nicci Wall’s initiatives include:
At her own expense, attends forums, conferences and information sessions to keep informed of the latest treatment and research for mental illness.
Ran a campaign to entice psychiatrists to work within the Melton Shire.
Co–ordinates petitions, mail outs and funding requests.
About the Award
The Tattersall’s Monthly Award for Enterprise and Achievement consists of a personal cheque of $5,000 for Nicci Wall and a cheque for $15,000 for her nominated not for profit organisation, SANE Australia.
“The Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise and Achievement is one of Tattersall’s most significant community initiated programs that honours those prepared to ‘have a go,’ whether it be overcoming physical disabilities, heroic deeds or helping someone in need. Nicci Wall is a great example of what this award represents, having demonstrated persistence and determination above the norm,” said Tattersall’s Sponsorships Manager, Peter Franich.
Nicci Wall, along with eleven Tattersall’s Monthly Award for Enterprise and Achievement recipients, are in the running to win the 2007 Tattersall’s Annual Award for Enterprise and Achievement, with a $15,000 personal prize and a further $75,000 for the recipients chosen beneficiary. The award will be announced at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne in August 2007.
3AW People’s Choice Award
The 3AW People's Choice award will also be announced in August 2007. This award is for the most popular Tattersall’s monthly winner as voted by 3AW listeners.
Contact: The SANE Australia Helpline is 1800 187 263 or go to www.sane.org
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