About MIFNQ

About MIFNQ
We are a specialist mental health services provider in regional Queensland with offices in Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and the Sunshine Coast.

What We Do
If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness and need support we can help you with rehabilitation and managing your recovery.  You are not alone.  One in five people will experience mental illness at some point in their lives and that means many more people will be affected by it.  If you are the carer of a loved one with mental illness we can help you with support services, referrals and respite.

Our Fellowship
We are part of a national alliance of mental health service providers – the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA). MIFA is a not-for-profit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organisation of people with serious mental illnesses, their families and friends.

We are also a member of Mi Networks, an initiative of MIFA. Mi Networks is our promise that we can help connect you to information and services you need. From the moment you walk in the door or pick up the phone, we will welcome you. We will listen and discuss your needs. Many of our staff and volunteers have some understanding of what you are experiencing, in part because they’ve experienced mental illness or have cared for someone living with mental illness.

Information Hub
At MIFNQ we can help you with up to date information on mental illness diagnoses and treatments; we can also help individuals and families to access services including mainstream health and welfare services in the community.  For people living in rural and remote areas of Queensland, MIFNQ offers a free telephone service for information and counselling.

At our head office in Townsville, we have a well-stocked library comprising books, CD, DVD and videos.  We also stock a number of resource books and materials for those undertaking studies in Mental Health to come and browse through.

Education and Support
Our Well Ways programs can help family members and carers of individuals with a mental illness.  These programs rely on the first hand knowledge of people who have experienced caring for someone with mental illness. Support groups also meet regularly in Townsville, Cairns and Mackay, and we can help with respite, advocacy and housing.

Educating the community about mental illness is an important way to reduce stigma.  MIFNQ run several education programs;  Standard and Youth Mental Health First Aid Cources and Living Proof, our school-based education program.  Events such as Schizophrenia Awareness Week and Mental Health Week raise awareness in the community.