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Locals Encouraged To Support Mental Health Week Mental Health Week 2011 Gippsland MPs are encouraging community members to use Mental Health Week as a long-term platform to support people dealing with mental illness. By Russell Northe - 12th October 2011 - Back to News First initiated in 1985, Mental Health Week aims to activate, educate and engage the community about mental health.
Member for Morwell Russell Northe said steps were being taken to raise awareness and improve the lives of people dealing with mental illness.
"There are ways in which we can help to include people who are dealing with mental illness into our community," Mr Northe said.
"The most important thing is that we get the conversation going and start listening rather than skimming around the edges of this very important issue.
"For its part the Victorian Coalition Government has committed more than $1 billion to mental health and is currently reviewing the Mental Health Act.
"There is no immediate solution but by working together we can achieve some more positive outcomes for people dealing with mental illness."
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said it was important that people started to talk about mental illness issues beyond Mental Health Week.
"The issues surrounding mental illness are complex and there is a certain stigma which prevents mental health from being spoken about in our communities," Mr Chester said.
"It’s important that people who are dealing with mental illness understand that there is support available.
"We can remove the stigma associated with mental health but we need to start now and continue to work on it every day."
Anyone in need of assistance can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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