Help for mentally ill to kick habit

The Mental Illness Fellowship of WA is hosting the Tobacco Free Program for people with mental illness in Fremantle.

Project officer Joyce Vidot said the program began in South Australia in 2003 and has had a lot of success in helping people reduce and eventually stop smoking.

‘There are 17 per cent of the population in Australia that are still smokers and of these people, 38 per cent are living with a mental illness,’ she said.

‘These groups are really important for people living with mental illness to address their tobacco issue because the group is confidential, non-confronting, educational and very supportive.

‘People living with mental illness have enough concerns with just daily living. These groups offer an added means of support and we help people to formulate their own plans with open discussions.’

Visit www.mifwa.org.au for more information.