Major challenges ahead, say mental health advocate

MEDIA RELEASE
11 March 2009

Major challenges ahead, say mental health advocates

There are still major challenges ahead in countering discrimination associated with mental illness, say mental health advocates on the eve of a national gathering in Auckland this week.

The annual event, organised by the Mental Health Foundation, brings together service providers from all over the country working under the banner of Like Minds, Like Mine, a Ministry of Health-funded programme focused on reducing stigma & discrimination for with people with experience of mental illness.

“The significance of the Like Minds programme is not just in the television commercials, as fantastic as they are,” says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation. “The providers and voices at our gathering this week are out there in the community making a difference, delivering messages of hope, strength and recovery.”

Research conducted on behalf of the Like Minds programme last year showed that New Zealanders’ attitudes toward mental illness continue to improve. However, speakers at this week’s seminar know from personal experience that there are many issues which still need to be tackled. Two of these stories include:

• Philleen McDonald – Philleen’s journey in the mental health sector began some 12 years ago as an inpatient in a psychiatric facility. It was in this very facility that she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree (Social Policy). She has since contributed to various mental health initiatives, working at DHB level and in the establishment and co-ordination of a mental health NGO. Her passion for Maori health has inspired her to contribute significantly to Maori mental health workforce development. She will be speaking about the importance of mental health consumer leadership.

• Reverend Imoa Setefano – Reverend Setefano will be talking about his experiences as a young man, husband and father born and raised in New Zealand. As a junior pastor at the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, he understands the importance of social and spiritual leadership for Samoan people. He will share his lived experiences of mental illness and recovery and how best to break down stigma & discrimination amongst the South Auckland Pacific and Samoan communities.

Other keynote addresses include the Hon. Tariana Turia, Associate Minister of Health; Dr Peter McGeorge, Chair of the Mental Health Commission; Mike Gourley, producer and presenter of Radio New Zealand’s weekly disability issues series ‘One In Five’; and Kerri-June Clayton of Case Consulting Ltd, a mental health consumer-led training and peer support organisation.

“Our annual Like Minds seminar is our opportunity to learn and share with each other, to build our capacity to strengthen supportive environments. It’s about doing things better,” Judi Clements says.

“Everyone’s experience of mental illness is unique. Many people on the recovery journey are able to live well – raising families, holding down jobs, and participating fully in society despite the obstacles they sometimes face.”

ENDS

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