MENTAL HEALTH WEEK Mental Health Week kicks off this week (5-11 October 2014) and coincides with World Mental Health Day on October 10. This week is an opportunity to check our own mental health, and that of our family and friends, Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said today. “Mental Health Week aims to promote better mental health and to continue to break down the stigma associated with mental illness,” Mr Neumann said. “People with mental illness, their families and friends, and the organisations that support them, including many right here in Ipswich and the Somerset region have done fantastic work in recent years to raise awareness, but there is still a way to go. “That’s why I am getting behind this year’s campaign. We need to continue to talk more openly about mental health issues and ensure people know there is support out there if they need it.” Almost half the total Australian population would experience a mental health disorder at some time in their lives. “Improving support and treatment for people with a mental illness is an important public health objective and is why Labor in government announced Australia’s largest ever mental health package. “We are now mid-way through Labor’s mental health reform program and it is critical that the Abbott Government continues to deliver the full benefit of Labor’s package.” Mental Health Week is a reminder to the Abbott Government that cuts to mental health funding following the completion of their review later this year would have serious consequences for people with mental health issues, including young people. “Following unprecedented cuts to hospitals, preventive and primary healthcare, there is widespread concern that the mental health review is a precursor to the Abbott Government delivering major cuts to Australia’s system of mental health prevention, treatment and support,” Shayne Neumann said. “People living with a mental illness are already among the many vulnerable Australians on the Abbott Government’s hit list.”
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 05:43:50 +0000
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