I came to that particular volunteering position at M.H.A ( through making a simple random choice of the possible volunteer options), then advertised as available in my area. What I first found surprising, was this so called ‘peak Mental Health body’ fully occupying, an expensive sized two storey building on Richmond’s Church Street. Containg tons of empty partitioned offices, including a massive board-room, and just one full regular staff person – the paid manager. The size of the premises, was clearly a gross financial waste. Yet here M.H.A was, simultaneously going about : eagerly seeking both public donations and being supported by Government grants. If the manager ever left the office durng working hour periods to carry on ‘other so called M.H.A interested business’ – at times, quite regularly – it was then left to us volunteers, to handle ALL incoming phone calls.

Being what M.H.A supposedly represents: it naturally attracts a few touch & go ‘life-line’ type calls. We, as volunteers in most cases, had no trace of expertise or qualification, whatsoever – to handle such calls. Imagine then, the possible ramifications – if any legal investigation ever took place, had such a call ever gone ‘terribly wrong’. What an unconscionable situation area, in which to place well meaning volunteers! Some of the other volunteers, I did notice, were recruited from Centrelink on ‘office work programs’. Just one or two others were there, getting ‘credits’ as a part of their Course work experience towards a later paid Mental Health career. I witnessed their genuine personal frustration – all these people were getting no real experience or benefit whatsoever, from M.H.A. As for any typical Office staff briefings …non existent! Simply, they were left to become bored at times, with no directed work to do. Being blameless: all some could sanely do to pass the time, was to read the daily newspapers. I contend their services were being abused and exploited. When members of the public requested Mental Health Foundation help advice information, they were sent out perhaps, a couple of printed slim useless uninformative brochures. If they then really insisted for more, they got – well out of date information – procduced via piles of old photocopies, found in some disarranged filing cabinets. When M.H.A handled the yearly Vic Govt Health Week functions each year while I was there, I can state it was a complete schmozzle. Finally, one day at M.H.A,- seeing the rudderless and non-consequential nature of what it was achieving or proported to be, I exploded and told the manager “I do not know what the F..K I am doing here”. Then I walked out the door, for good.
How silly and ridiculous M.H,A was, as I realise, reflecting back . A so -called Foundation to promote lessening of stress, yet within its own walls… it was busy generating it. I saw the rising stress levels being generated on other people, present . Worse still, that it was from an organisation that tragically PRETENDS to help those, needing mental – health help. All I found M.H.A did, was in fact go about duping the public and Victorian Government, from giving much needed resources elsewhere where it would provide…. real Mental Health benefits.

The final M.H.A hypocritical upshot, for me : last year, out of sheer curiosity, I checked the M.H.A website. To my amazement I found that they were promoting their then upcoming Annual M.H.A Fundraising Ball. The venue…. the Melbourne Crown Casino Ballroom !!! It leads to only one possible fair conclusion. That Prof.Burrows and the rest of his M.H.A cohorts, given their position ‘starring under all those tacky glitz Casino chandeliers’ must have no sense – what moral or social shame, is. In such circumstances, though somewhat ironically – gleefully ‘following the money where it appears to be’. At the same time, being so incredibly crass and insensitive. Apparently not wanting to see the regular connection seen, between peoples’ unaffordable gambling losses and that of forms of mental depression and illness, walk together hand in hand. Or perhaps ring a bell to them? I think not.