Australian anti-stigma campaign

'see me' welcomes Australian anti-stigma campaign

Suzie Vestri, Campaign Director of 'see me' has today warmly welcomed the news that Queensland will become the first part of Australia to have a comprehensive and government funded anti-stigma initiative.  She commented:
 
'At a time when budgets are tight, it can be tempting to think that tackling the stigma and discrimination of mental illness is a luxury.  It is not.  Research shows that tackling stigma saves money by reducing treatment costs, as well as by promoting employment and economic participation. To date, New Zealand, Scotland, England, Canada, the US and, more recently, Ireland have all seen the value in ending the stigma and discrimination of mental ill-health.
 
We welcome the Queensland campaign into the family of worldwide anti-stigma campaigns, a family in which 'see me' is a key member, and wish them all the best for the future.' 

08 June 2010 - Press release

Queensland Leads the Nation: Visionary Investment in Mental Health

Peak Body for Mental Health in Queensland, The Queensland Alliance, proclaimed a visionary investment in mental health from today’s budget, as Deputy Premier Paul Lucas MP revealed an $8.5M four-year initiative to reduce negative stereotypes about mental illness.

Queensland Alliance CEO Jeff Cheverton said, “This initiative will create understanding and change the way we include people with mental illness in our communities.”

“Queensland now leads Australia in responding to the negative attitudes which still survive in relation to mental illness.”

“This is a smart investment in Queenslanders’ health. While the investment is modest, its impact on Queenslanders will be significant,” he said.

“Reducing discriminatory attitudes towards mental illness means people are more likely to talk about their mental health needs and seek support and treatment early.  When treatment is sought early – rather than at crisis point – there is a significant economic benefit, by reduced call on hospital services or productivity loss.”

Research from the London School of Economics based on a similar Scottish initiative identified that for every £1 spent on the campaign there is an economy wide saving of more than £8.  Recently released research in New Zealand identifies similar returns on investment.

“Governments in England, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland and most recently Ireland, have all invested in anti-stigma mental health campaigns to reduce the costs to society of mental illness. Australia is the only OECD country not to do so - and so Queensland is leading the nation with this budget announcement today.  We hope the Rudd Government is watching”.

“Half of us will experience a mental health disorder at some point in our lives.  This initiative means we will no longer respond with fear and ignorance to these experiences.”

Contact:           
Karinya St Clair

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it      

Jeff Cheverton

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it