The Rainbow Out and About group lifts spirits of people with mental illness
When the symptoms of her schizophrenia cloud her world, Josie DeBono can find it near impossible to muster the confidence to head down to her local shops.
The 52-year-old, who has been battling the complex illness since she was 18, is slowly clawing back her confidence to socialise and participate more fully in society.
Mental Health Foundation ACT recovery mentor Kira Alsop said Ms DeBono’s story was acommon, but a new group initiative launched by the service aimed to reduce levels of social isolation.
Rainbow’s new Out and About group offers excursions on the third Thursday of each month to attractions around the capital.
Ms Alsop said being surrounded by familiar staff and peers experiencing similar struggles meant Rainbow was a “safe space” and the excursions aimed to keep a bit of that as members ventured out for activities.
Source: The Canberra Times