Consumer Advocate
Evan Bichara is the Consumer Advocate for the Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit (VTPU). Evan comes from an Egyptian background and speaks Arabic and Greek fluently. In addition to working in the VTPU’s Service Development and Education Programs, Evan provides consultation to planning and advisory panels; provides talks about mental health to community groups; has been the Victorian Delegate of the Australian Mental Health Consumer Network (AMHCN) and the Chairperson of the AMHCN's CALD Consumer Subcommittee. Evan has worked in a voluntary capacity in welfare organisations and has been a Community Visitor for the Office of the Public Advocate. Evan convenes the "Spectrum of Cultures" consumer group whose members comprise CALD consumers of Victoria’s mental health system. This state-wide group is open to any consumer for either friendship support or "confidence building" and for advocating on transcultural issues in mental health. In his spare time Evan has been a soccer coach and referee for Soccer Australia, and enjoys power walking, aerobics, swimming, gardening and reading. Evan strongly believes that consumer participation in mental health services, and physical activity can enhance one's well-being and lighten the burden that sometimes comes with mental illness.