Belinda McCormack has been praised during the launch of a new DVD resource for undergraduate nurses, portraying her journey 'living with a mental illness'.

Helping to launch the DVD, Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman noted that mental illness affects everyone, either directly or via the experiences of friends or family members.

Mental health client's story becomes authentic teaching tool

Belinda proudly displays the new DVD, with project supporters at the launch L-R Dr Lynne Steele, Wendy Hoey, Matthew Johnson, Professor Happell, Professor Bowman and Colette Le Page (front)

"When I was a radiographer it caused a lot of fear among radiographers and probably accident and emergency as well when someone presented who had a mental illness... it is ignorance which causes the fear and lack of care for the patient," Professor Bowman said.

Professor Brenda Happell said Belinda's story "takes us beyond diagnosis and enables us to see the person she is, with the same wishes, dreams and ambitions that we all have".

"She has faced more challenges than necessary because of the attitudes of other people she has encountered.

"This DVD is better than any textbook and it represents engagement and leadership. The participation of service users in education is a recommended approach, rather than a top-down approach where the clinician knows best.

"CQUni is one of, if not the leader, in genuine, engaging partnerships with service users."

Belinda McCormack

Professor Happell recognised Belinda and other health service consumers present who are actively involved in development of new curriculum, "not just as advisers but also in writing of parts of the course materials".

"We are also hoping to engage them as teachers," she said.

"CQUniversity is walking the talk in terms of consumer participation in a way that's genuine and will contribute to the education of nurses who in the future will become leaders and will hopefully promote more positive opinions and views about people with mental illness."

Professor Bowman said the DVD represented the type of initiative which was important in CQUniversity's quest to become Australia's most engaged university.

"We are not just about injecting knowledge into the community; it's about working with the people in the community," he said.

"Belinda, you are as valuable in teaching these subjects as all the books in the library and all the professors."

Professor Happell acknowledged her industry partners for support they had given, "particularly Matthew Johnson***, Wendy Hoey* and Dr Lynne Steele** ... they are a fantastic addition to what is a wonderful resource".

DVD director Colette Le Page was thanked for her creative input and Associate Professor Lorna Moxham was thanked for "embracing the idea and wanting it to be a big part of the new undergraduate course".

Professor Happell said she had been very impressed with Belinda's capacity to put opinions forward among stakeholders on a health working group.

"I'm pleased she has since agreed to be a consumer rep on our steering group for the undergraduate program. Belinda has a great sense of humour ... any reservations our non-consumer reps had very quickly dissolved as they could see she is a fabulous person."

Inquiries about this DVD can be directed to b.happell@cqu.edu.au

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* Wendy Hoey is Acting Nursing Director, Central Queensland Mental Health Service

** Dr Lynne Steele is Consultant Psychiatrist, Rockhampton Mental Health Service

*** Matthew Johnson is Nursing Director, Rockhampton Hospital Education and Research Unit