We're sending candles to Canberra to spell out a huge message: "Fund Hope for Mental Health." This is for all of those in our community who have been touched by this issue. Click here to take part.
Sadly, today news of another life lost as a result of a broken mental health system has reached the front page again. Trevor Cologne sought to be admitted to mental health services multiple times before committing suicide. Every day, hundreds of Australians with serious mental illnesses who leave Emergency Departments aren't being admitted, or followed up with adequate mental health services, as a result of a lack of funds.
The government has been promising to fix our broken mental health system for years. Next Monday, we're going to hold them to that promise -- with a poignant and powerful message 'Fund Hope for Mental Health' writ large in candles on the lawns of Parliament -- where it can't be missed.
It's time to take this issue out of the dark. Click here to send a candle to Canberra -- just write your name and a short message of hope. Your candle and message, with thousands of others, will be used spell out our huge message on the lawns of parliament house.
It takes thousands of candles to make it work, and we want to be able to tell the assembled media and politicians that every single one represents a GetUp member who has attached a personal message. Click the image below to take part:
Together, in our push for mental health reform, we've signed a massive petition of over 100,000 people, run a national TV campaign, handed out over 1 million scorecards comparing the parties' policies, advertised in major national newspapers and held candlelight vigils across the country.
Everything we've done together -- and the incredible work of passionate community campaigners, healthcare professionals, carers and consumers over the years - has put this issue on the agenda. That's why right now the Government are analysing how much to put aside in this year's budget to solve this crisis. As they do, we need them to remember just how many of us are awaiting their decision.
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/HopeForMentalHealth
In 2008, on the eve of the national apology to Stolen Generations, we used candles to spell out "Sorry, the First Step" on the lawns of Parliament. It was a beautiful image that captured the national imagination as it was beamed across the world on the nightly news. This time, let's call on Parliament to fix our mental health system, and ensure our community's real needs aren't ignored in the next Federal budget.
For a great many Australians, this is an issue that's very close to home. Maybe it's your partner, parent, child, loved one, colleague or friend who's needed help. Maybe it's you. But it can be tough to talk about to your closest friends, much less your MP.
It's time to take this issue out of the dark. Send your candle to Canberra right now, and write your personal message of hope. Thousands upon thousands of candles on the lawns of Parliament will show just how many of us are watching and waiting for our Government to Fund Hope for Mental Health.
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/HopeForMentalHealth
Labor says they're determined to cut costs this budget -- but at whose expense? For years, mental health professionals, consumers and carers have been calling for more resources to fund vital services, early treatment and suicide prevention. In particular we've been calling for the Government to get the politics out of this issue by funding an independent Mental Health Commission to help prioritise Government funds.
So far, only Tony Abbott's Coalition have pledged meaningful funds to dramatically increase mental health spending if they were elected. Now, let's call on Labor to match that and show that they too, are serious about mental health reform.
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/HopeForMentalHealth
Thank you for shining a light on this issue,
The GetUp team
PS - The mental health overhaul we need will take more than budget allocations. But there are solutions which could help so many Australians if rolled out nationally. Here's just one example: there are 30 Government run Headspace centres across Australia. An extra $100 million a year would expand capacity in these centres and build an extra 60 across the nation. This alone would double the number of young Australians receiving treatment for mental ill health. The same amount would start rolling out early psychosis intervention centres (EPPICS) across the country. Click here for more detail about what mental health professionals including Prof. McGorry, Prof. Ian Hickie and Prof. John Mendoza are calling for.
If you or someone you know is in need of support and information contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the SANE helpline on 1800 187 263.
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