The Gladstone Observer 16/08/13
Election Candidates from various political affiliations enunciate approaches to mental health issues.
Hazel Alley - Family First, Paul Bambrick - The Greens, Bruce Diamond - Independent, Peter Freeleagus - ALP, Michelle Landry - LNP, Robbie Williams - Katter's Australia Party
Hazel Alley - Family First
Mental illness affects many, not only those troubled by such things as unemployment, homelessness or addiction, but also the young and soldiers exposed to trauma and combat. With the release of the Obsessive Hope Disorder report showing no significant improvement in the nation's mental health position, greater collaboration in reform and co-ordination of services and policies is needed. Education in the public sphere to encourage people to seek assistance would increase positive outcomes. Suicide prevention, the distress of our farmers, and Aboriginal mental health must be amongst our greatest concerns. In seeking answers, any system to be effective must enable individuals to live a life that contributes to society.
Paul Bambrick - The Greens:
The Greens advocate flexible, multidisciplinary whole-of-person care in-hospital, in the community and in neighbourhood houses to promote strong communities and well-being.
I will support expanded services and agencies including Headspace and the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program to enable people with chronic mental illnesses, and their carers to live and participate more fully in their communities. Youth and primary producer suicide rates in CQ must be addressed. Returned service personnel suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder need more support. I have worked with vulnerable youth as a Green Corps coordinator and seen first-hand what support and care can achieve.
Bruce Diamond - Independent
Mental illness affects so many people from all walks of life it certainly deserves more attention from both sides of the political fence and Independents, and not just funding to help those who suffer from this 'disease', but more support into how we as a society can combat the causes and help those who suffer including their families who also need support.
Depression and mental illness have been linked and the former hits us all at some time. None of us are immune. We all need to do our bit to help those who lead a sometimes-tragic life due to mental illness.
Peter Freeleagus - ALP
Federal Labor has a very positive local health record in CQ with new adolescent mental health Headspace services targeting early psychosis intervention for children and young people already open since April this year in Mackay and another to open in early 2014 in Rockhampton.
Labor has delivered the largest-ever comprehensive mental health package including $571.3 million nationwide for increased and better co-ordinated services for those with severe and persistent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
There's also been a sixfold increase in funding for suicide prevention and more than 1000 schools participate in the Kids Matter mental health initiative.
Michelle Landry - LNP
The LNP is committed to delivering better mental health services and better employment for mental health, we are also discussing the possibility of a National Mental Health Research Centre.
We will take real action and support better mental health services with Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centres.
New headspace sites, better employment opportunities for those with serious mental health problems and boosting outside services that job agencies can provide to clients with mental health issues and a Mental Health Workforce Training Institute are also on our agenda.
Robbie Williams - Katter's Australia Party
Mental health is a bigger issue than we think. It affects from the young to the elderly. People know more about other diseases, but don't really understand about mental illness. I believe more funding should be allocated to research to find out about causes and prevention and for the long-term care for sufferers.
Access to low-cost pharmaceuticals is needed to help alleviate the burden. Mental health professionals go over and above what they are paid to do. They are genuine caring people and we tend to burn these people out. That leads to a high turnover of staff and people who need continuity of care aren't getting it.
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