The opening of Mind Australia’s annual EIPSRS art exhibition will mark a significant chapter in Cate’s recovery and growth.
Cate is a participant in the Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response Service (EIPSRS) program, which provides short-to-medium term psychosocial support for people who are ineligible for, or have not yet accessed, the NDIS. The program delivers one-on-one and group-based support to help people experiencing mental health challenges manage their wellbeing, engage with their communities and develop practical life and social skills.
This time last year, Cate was new to the EIPSRS program and still finding her feet. The 51-year-old from Melbourne’s inner-north participated in and attended the annual art exhibition at the Docklands, but by her own admission, she was a very different person.
“For me, the art exhibition last year was an overwhelming experience. Just being amongst all those people, after having been isolated for so long, I felt like I kind of just survived it,” she said.
“Before joining Mind and the EIPSRS program, I was an outpatient at a psychiatric clinic receiving intensive support. I reached a point where I no longer needed that level of care. I was well enough to start going back into the real world, but I had been unwell for so long that my social circles had disappeared and I didn’t have any family support – I could go weeks without speaking to anyone except medical professionals and my children.
“Stepping out of that and feeling safe and supported was incredibly daunting. I tried doing social stuff on my own, but I kept encountering barriers and struggled to navigate by myself.
“I feel like a different person now. I feel whole, and I don’t feel like I’m broken anymore.”
Cate’s progress has been a steady journey over the past 18 months – one that she is rightly proud of and attributes to the support of Mind, the EIPSRS program and Chris, a Community Mental Health Practitioner within the EIPSRS team.
“Chris really helped me navigate the process of being discharged and getting back into the world,” Cate said.
“Having access to Mind has been life-changing. I feel like I’m continuing my healing and recovery rather than bouncing around between services. I’ve made enough inroads to stand on my own two feet, and I have the confidence, skills and experience to do that.
“I think I always knew what I needed to do, I just needed someone there to help me do it. And for me, Chris was there.”
The EIPSRS program’s group activities have played a significant role in Cate’s journey, helping her challenge social barriers, build confidence and explore creativity as an outlet for self-expression.
“For me, groups have been a way of doing something that isn’t consciously focused on mental health. Art and creativity have given me permission to play, have fun and focus on doing something that’s not just for survival,” Cate said.
“The groups have given me confidence to try new things and taught me the value of filling my cup and sustaining myself. They’ve also shown me that it’s not selfish to prioritise my wellbeing and do things that just make me happy.
“And now long-term I also think I can do something at the creative level too. Previously, it felt like there was nothing but closed doors around me. Now, it feels like those doors are finally opening.”
At the EIPSRS program’s peer-led art group Cate has been practicing collage and weaving (pictured above).
From Thursday 18 June, her work, as well as paintings, photographs and sculptures from other EIPSRS participants, will be on display at Kindred Cameras Gallery in Docklands. The Mind Metro EIPSRS Art Exhibition will be open to the public until Tuesday 30 June 2026. An opening event will be held between 12:30-2:30 pm on Thursday 18 June.