Francis Acquah

Francis is a leading and influential person in the mental health field. Francis has over 25 years experience as a Psychiatric Nurse across public and private health care settings. Francis is the Managing Director of Positive Mental Health Program Pty Ltd. He has undertaken numerous roles including Triage/Intake Nurse, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Clinical Nurse Educator and Community Educator. He has worked in a range of settings include Acute Mental Health Services, Crisis Assessment and Treatment Teams, ORYGEN Youth Health and The Melbourne Clinic. He has also worked as a Specialist Pharmaceutical representative with one of the leading pharmaceutical companies. Francis has interest in Trans-cultural psychiatry and has been a strong advocate for refugees and immigrants especially within the African community. Francis first raised issues about the Mental Health of Africans in 1990 during The African Studies Association of Australiasia and The Pacific (AFSAAP) conference Francis Acquah & Ann Benson, "Mental Illness on the African Continent: An Overview”. Francis organised the first community and professionals’ forum to educate African and mental health professional about mental illness. He is a Mental Health First Aid instructor and has used his experiences to educate the community about mental health and reduction of stigma. Francis has been involved in consultation and liaison with other Mental Health Services and other service providers to respond to the acute needs of people in psychiatric crisis. Francis provides education about mental health services to patients, their families and carers and non mental health agencies such as police, Department of Human Services staff and community based organisations. Francis has contribute to numerous forums and workshops to raise awareness about mental health needs of Africans, immigrants and refugees.

Francis is an active member of the African community in Victoria and a founding member of the Darebin African Resource Centre. He has been involved in various community projects such as working under the DEETYA funded project for the African Communities in Victoria. Francis participates in African cultural drumming and dancing and is a foundi