history

Its widely known that during the final three decades of last century a convergence of events, political, social and medical, heralded a new and infinitely better way of supporting people with a mental illness. Institutions were closed and many with a mental illness re-joined their communities. But our communities were unprepared.

In 1982, David Leonard, then Director of Psychiatric Services at Dandenong Psychiatric Centre (DPC), convened a public meeting to gauge support for a volunteer service devoted to the needs of the mentally ill beyond the doors of the hospital. A small number of attendees formed the “Services and Support Group”, dedicated volunteers who, alongside the Centre’s staff, provided support to DPC patients.

The following year the Services and Support Group became a formal association and adopted the name “Eastern Regions Mental Health Association” or Ermha.

Over the next few years the volunteers developed and refined their charter, raised funds via the establishment of an op shop and received training to better help those who needed their support.

When a forceful man named Harry Karslake became president of Ermha in 1986, the association shifted gear. Harry attracted public funds to fit out and staff group homes because the correlation between homelessness and mental illness was so strong. It was Harry who famously said, “who can address their mental illness when living in drain pipe?”

By the 1990′s Ermha’s staff was growing as were the number of properties the Association managed on behalf of clients. A day program was underway and outreach programs were on the horizon. The all-volunteer op shop continued to be a hub of the organisation and a source of funds as well.

Now, in 2011, Ermha employs over 150 people at 14 service locations. We work with clients from all walks of life in order to help make recovery a reality.