www.republicans.org.nz

Date 30th April 2008

Press Release For Immediate Release.

Gielen Tackles Depression

Jack Gielen, Republican spokesman on Mental Health and Candidate for Hamilton East claims "depression is rife in New Zealand."

I have been striving to support disturbed and disadvantaged people for a long time. Suicide still is a serious concern. Too many people have died and others have been left in a dysfunctional condition. Men are marginalised and the de-fathering of families under this Labour Government continues to devastate our society.

"Mental Health priorities are ignored. Deinstitutionalisation has failed. We have to do much better than turn trouble people loose in shopping malls," said Mr Gielen.

Pro active crisis intervention was needed for such people. Greater funding for organisations that do valuable support work was long overdue. Mr Gielen has been attempting to pilot social support with accommodation and counselling in the Hamilton Area.

"The cracks in society are getting wider. Just raising awareness about depression is not enough. Where are the support programmes? Depression often leads to Job losses putting families under tremendous stress," adds Gielen

Republican mental health policy is to reverse the sinking lid on funding, replacing bureaucrats with real resources. Safe houses, sheltered villages, homeless shelters and men's refuges need to be established, for the disadvantaged.

"Pro active youth strategies are needed in schools to develop positive lifestyles before another generation of troubled people snap the safety net said Mr Gielen."

The Republican policy plank of family restored is also a proactive drive to counter social dysfunction and depression in what is fast becoming our state of grief.

ENDS

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