Commission criticises discrimination

9 March 2006
Media release: for immediate release

Commission criticises discrimination

The Mental Health Commission is calling for a fair deal now for a Waikato man with a history of mental illness, sacked from his job as a census collector.

“This man was integrating well back into the community,” Chair Ruth Harrison said.

“He lost his job because someone approached a newspaper about his past. We know he was doing a good job. His area manager told the newspaper he was doing a great job. As she has been reported as saying he has been suffering for what he did for 13 years

“But now, just because the media has exposed his past he has lost his job. This man deserves a fair go now. Our forensic services in New Zealand are world class and have an outstanding record of treatment and rehabilitation.

“Patients leave these services with carefully thought out plans for integration into the community, which is carried out in a slow and careful manner.

“People’s ability to find meaningful work is an important part of their rehabilitation.

“For this man, as is the case with any of us, the opportunity to contribute to society in a positive way, such as through paid work, is a key ingredient of good health and wellbeing.

“Sadly this has now been stripped from this man,” Ruth Harrison said.

ENDS

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