Shine

Shine is the national organisation dedicated to upholding the rights and addressing the needs of all those affected by enduring mental illness including, but not exclusively, schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder and bi-polar disorder, through the promotion and provision of high-quality services and working to ensure the continual enhancement of the quality of life of the people it serves.

Organisational Ethos
Shine believes that:

* People with severe enduring mental illness should at all times be accorded the rights, entitlements and opportunities available to any other member of society on an equal basis, and should be empowered to participate in the life of the community to the fullest possible extent;
* Families and carers, the majority of whom are the primary providers of mental healthcare in the community should be accorded full recognition and support by the institutions of the State, and be empowered to address their own needs;
* A history of mental illness should not be a cause of discrimination, stigmatisation or prejudice in any form, nor should it inhibit the right of the individual to equal access to training, education and employment/opportunities;
* We should foster a partnership and collaborative approach with all relevant agencies.

Objectives:

* To promote the development of parallel self help groups for people with psychosis and enduring mental illness and their family members and carers;
* To empower people with psychosis and enduring mental illness and their family members and carers through support, individual advocacy, information and education;
* To promote the right of all those affected by psychosis and enduring mental illness to person centered and appropriate services, which will support the process and goal of recovery;
* To engage in public awareness activities aimed at challenging discrimination and stigma, and advocating for the rights and needs of all those affected by psychosis and enduring mental illness;
* To campaign on behalf of all those affected by enduring mental illness to influence policy changes in the provision of mental healthcare services.