Campaign Crusader: Rose Cuff

Rose Cuff – Satellite Foundation

Despite the gruelling nature of the work, the difficulties securing funding for support programs, and the stigma attached to mental illness in the community, Rose Cuff has been inspired every day of her working life to assist those who suffer from mental illness, as well as their families.

“I am completely overwhelmed by the hundreds and hundreds of families and children I have met in my working life, by their lives and the things they have to overcome,” Rose says.

Having worked in the field of mental health since her first job as an occupational therapist in a psychiatric hospital in London in 1981, Rose was aware of an absence of independent funding for support programs for families and children where a parent is mentally ill. Motivated by her colleagues and clients, Rose established the Satellite Foundation six years ago.

The Satellite Foundation aims to offer support on a voluntary basis to children, young people and their families where a parent has a diagnosed mental illness. This includes depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bi-polar affective disorder, panic disorder, eating disorders, personality disorders and phobias.

“The idea of the satellite is that we can put people in contact with each other by being an overarching body. The thing with mental illness is that families can get so isolated,” she says.

The Foundation offers a range of programs, including weekend camps, after-school group programs, school holiday group programs, peer leadership training and parent support group programs.

Its first camp took place in March this year in Warburton. In partnership with the Shire of Yarra Ranges and Eastern Health, the Foundation hosted 22 children on a three-day camp providing outdoor and craft activities as well as team building and peer support exercises.

“Interspersed with the activities, we promoted discussion about mental illness and health, looking after self and what you do if things go wobbly at home, crisis plans, support networks, how you get to school if Mum is in hospital,” Rose says.

“Underlying all of the programs is the principle of peer support, providing activities where people with similar experiences can come together to socialise and learn from each other, build confidence, foster friendships and self-esteem.”

Rose, who also has a full-time role as the statewide coordinator of Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness (FaPMI), moved to Sydney in 1986. She says that while discussion about mental illness has come to the fore in recent times, Australia still has a long way to go in terms of providing adequate and equitable support programs.

“ As far back as I can remember I have had a real interest in and passion for trying to reduce the awful stigma about mental health,” she says. “The inequality of it has become so huge.”

The Satellite Foundation will run a two-day music workshop in September and a family day to be held at the Abbotsford Convent in October.

In Australia, it is estimated that around 20% of adults are affected by some form of mental disorder every year.

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