He battles with some form of the illness each day, but once every 10 years he has a major episode requiring intensive care.

In the last three months, he has received more help for the problems he faces than he has in the 26 years since his diagnosis.

The Lake Heights man was linked to a new recovery-oriented program called the Illawarra Shoalhaven Partners in Recovery or ISPIR – a consortium of inter-agency co-operation that aims to support people with severe and persistent mental illness by targeting their personal needs.

For Mr Brown, that has meant linking him to organisations that can assist him financially with a major car service, helping him find a new place to live by negotiating on his behalf with Housing NSW, and making appointments with psychiatrists for regular medical attention.

‘‘It’s all about doing your recovery your way,’’ Mr Brown said. ‘‘They’ve helped me a hell of a lot more than anyone else has in the past.

‘‘They are also helping out with my social life and relationship problems and are constantly encouraging me to keep up with my TAFE studies.’’

Mr Brown attended a conference in Kiama on Wednesday of 100 stakeholders in the ISPIR program, which was also the program’s official launch.

Alan Beadnell, who chaired the Partners in Recovery conference, said the aim was to help people suffering a mental illness to access services that were appropriate for their personal situation by connecting them to the relevant organisations.

‘‘This program is there to help both consumers, their carers and services access the right help.’’

Grand Pacific Health is the lead agency co-ordinating the consortium that includes, among other organisations, Aftercare, Care Connect and the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service. 

To access ISPIR, contact 1800 228 987.