History

Mind commenced operation in Victoria in 1977 as Richmond Fellowship Victoria and operated under this name for 30 years until November 2007. Richmond Fellowship, which originated in Britain, opened its doors in Victoria at Edith Pardy House with the aim of supporting the recovery of people experiencing mental illness in the community rather than in institutional settings.

Established by Sally Ryan, Edith Pardy House was opened with grants of $43,000 and accepted its first residents on the 10th October 1977.

In the first year, 53 residents were accommodated. Now there are more than 60 programs across Victoria and South Australia supporting more than 2,000 people each year. Although the organisation has come a long way, the underlying philosophies of acknowledging people as individuals and supporting them to live independently as part of the community, are still at the heart of the organisation’s work.

Several residential services, outreach and other support programs were established in the 1980s, and following the closure of State Government psychiatric facilities in 1993, the organisation set up an intensive residential rehabilitation program for adults.

Five years later, Richmond Fellowship developed a youth residential rehabilitation program as a result of the Burdekin Inquiry into youth suicide, and expanded outreach services.

The organisation’s journey has been a challenging one which, in the early years especially, was filled with community prejudice and lack of understanding and support from government. Over the years communities campaigned vigorously against programs being established in their areas, a reflection of the stigma and intolerance people with a mental illness can face in their daily lives.

In-spite of these challenges the organisation was able to grow significantly during the period of deinstitutionalisation in Victoria with the establishment of a statewide framework of community based service delivery. During this period it has worked hard to build relationships with its neighbours and address the stigma associated with mental illness.

Over the years many valuable contributions have been made to the sector including the advocating for new services for people with psychiatric disabilities.

In 2005 the organisation moved into South Australia in response to a growing community need in that state establishing outreach and respite programs in Adelaide and Mt Gambier.

In 2007 Richmond Fellowship became Mind as it better articulates the role of the organisation as a provider of mental health services.

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