CQUniversity Professional Doctorate graduate Felix Lo is now a senior associate in a city law firm but speaks most passionately about support for people with mental illness.

He reckons that people with the 'dual disorder' of mental illness and substance abuse are "dying in silence" and says this is a serious nationwide social health problem that needs to be addressed by policy makers and health authorities.

The former Hong Kong resident who gained three degrees at CQUni Sydney has in recent years been involved with Sydney's Gethsemane Community Inc, a not-for-profit organisation founded by Sr Myree Harris RSJ OAM.

"We lease a community house from the Office of Community Housing and have five separate tenancies," Felix says.

"Our residents have mental illness and their conditions are usually schizophrenia. Typically, they have very little or no family contact and have case mangers, GPs and are on medication. Each resident contributes about $70 weekly for all services.

"Although this nominal amount does not cover our expenses, it allows people to save in order for them to become independent.

"Our operation relies on donations and volunteers. The focus is on helping these people to develop living skills so that they have a choice of living independently."

Felix says he never thought he would be working with people with mental illness but it has turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

"Over 40 people have been through the Gethsemane Community. Five have died and Gethsemane buried three of them. About 18 former residents are now living independently and some are in aged care. Some have gone back to boarding houses or hostels. At least one is back on the streets when not in a homeless shelter. Those who want to stay in touch are welcome back for meals and can always call on us for assistance when in crisis.

"Every Christmas we organise a major project to provide personalised presents for about 743 people in 16 boarding houses, 19 aged care facilities to which boarding house people have gone; five group homes and some living on their own. We also have a project that enables interested people to send Christmas cards to those who are socially isolated."

Felix says he has known many people affected by mental illness who remained hidden because of isolation or perceived stigma.

"Alarmingly, there are so many people out there who have a ‘dual disorder' of mental illness and substance abuse. People who are doubly disabled in this way are increasingly found on the streets, in homeless shelters, in jail and are often unknown to the mental health services."

Schooled in 'British Colonial' Hong Kong, Felix says the pedagogy he experienced was dominated by 'Mode-1' linearity and characterised by regurgitation of 'hand me down' knowledge.

"The routine application of knowledge taught accorded with accepted educational norms and so was the widespread practice. In consequence, whether such education was a product of the Keynesian Welfare State or colonial administration, there was little opportunity for creative thinking and knowledge application," he says.

"My doctoral study with CQUniversity in Australia introduced me to Mode-2 complexity and transdisciplinary knowledge production, which entailed a major transformation in teaching and learning. This is an invaluable experience that will accompany me into the future."

Longer-term, Felix hopes to have the privilege of being called to the bar as a barrister. He hopes to continue to work with people with mental illness and to advocate for better and appropriate supported accommodation.

"Being a migrant myself, I am also concerned about the human rights and mental health of asylum seekers and refugees," he says.

Felix obtained his first degree with CQUniversity in 1999 when he graduated from the Bachelor of Business in Marketing.

"However, I never really enjoyed academic studies until I enrolled in my second degree of Master of Arts Administration (CQUni), which I completed in 2001.

"It was during this program when my interest in undertaking research began as it provided me with the opportunity to undertake my first major research project. That first-time experience was uniquely rewarding and as a result, planted the seed for the pursuit of doctoral research. Nevertheless, it was not until almost a decade later that I was in a position to realise this important goal. I completed the Professional Doctorate with CQUniversity this year.

"My other study paths include having completed the Master of Law and Legal Practice (UTS), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment; and, Diploma in Real Estate Management. I am currently on sponsorship to complete a graduate diploma in rehabilitation counseling at USYD.

"Over the years I have had different career paths in business management, most of which were compliance and property related. Thus, it partly explains why my doctoral dissertation was on affordable housing policy in New South Wales."