Tandem Inc

Disability peak body

Tandem Inc

Tandem Inc. welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Review of the National Disability Advocacy Program Discussion Paper. Our submission focuses on the recognition and inclusion of family members/carers who support people with psychosocial disability (Mental Health) in advocacy in Victoria

Tandem, formerly known as the Victorian Mental Health Carers Network, was established in 1994 and is the Victorian peak body for families/carers of people with experience of a mental illness or emotional distress. Tandem is a not for profit, community based organization. Tandem promotes and advocates for family/carer involvement in treatment and recovery of people experiencing mental health difficulties, family/carer participation in planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health services and appropriate support for families/carers. Our principal areas of work are: systemic advocacy, contributing to mental health policy development, information provision, development, delivery and promotion of family inclusive training for the mental health workforce, development delivery and promotion of training for families/carers in being effective carer representatives and administration of the Victorian Carer Support Fund on behalf of area mental health services.

Tandem works collaboratively with the Mental Health Consumer peak body VMIAC as well as service providers to support service delivery improvements resulting in better health outcomes overall for people experiencing mental health difficulties and their families/carers.