Mosaic’s key principles
Mosaic students engage in education, and are valued members of the University community.
Mosaic is a social justice service, opening university-level education to those who often to not have that opportunity. In doing so, it impacts positively on people's lives.
Mosaic is underpinned by two key principles. First, the program provides education, not therapy. Second, Mosaic participants are students, not patients or service users.
The educational focus, rather than traditional health focus, represents a new way of working in mental health.
Participants engage socially and educationally, increasing their self-agency, confidence, independence, and well-being. Mosaic’s place in the University shifts a participant’s mind from thinking about themselves as ‘a patient’ to ‘a student’.
Mosaic supports a whole-person approach to wellbeing, recognising the benefits of collaborative education and healthcare, where all stakeholders share a genuine commitment to improving the lives of people living in the region and beyond.
Mosaic students enrol in one or more courses, that are designed and delivered specifically for them, at Griffith University’s South Bank campus. The courses are open to adults (18 years of age and older) currently receiving support for their mental health, or who have experienced mental health issues. These are introductory courses that do not require any prior experience. There is an expectation that Mosaic students will have a genuine willingness to engage and learn.
Students not patients; Education not therapy.
Participants are referred to as ‘Mosaic students’, regardless of their mental health history, helping them feel valued within the university community. This shift challenges the negative impact of mental health labels, which can limit aspirations and hinder recovery. Mental health diagnoses and stigma often define a person's identity, narrowing their potential and keeping them stuck in the role of a ‘patient’ or ‘sufferer’. Mosaic encourages participants to fully engage in university life, helping them take steps towards recovery and build a positive identity beyond their mental illness. The university setting is crucial, as the space gives meaning to activities and shapes the experiences of those involved.
Mosaic at Griffith University thanks the Queensland Mental Health Commission for their contribution of funds toward the project.