TasCOSS Proposal is Practical, and Worthy
The Tasmanian Greens today acknowledged Mental Health Week and called on the Bartlett Government and Liberal Opposition to support the latest TasCOSS “Our Island, Our Voices” Issues Statement which seeks a commitment from all three political parties to commit to a number of practical measures that will assist and support Tasmanians living with a mental illness. [1]
Greens Health spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said the “Our Island, Our Voices” Statement calls on the three parties to support the following initiatives as part of their election campaigns:
1) Allocate funding for a social marketing strategy to address stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness in the Tasmanian community;
2) Fund a new service in the community sector to work with employers and industry groups on strategies to identify and manage mental illness in the community;
3) Develop a strategy to support Tasmanian’s living with acute mental illness to access mainstream education and training, including at the Tasmanian Polytechnic; and,
4) Increase core funding for mental health services over the next four years.
“I am calling on the Liberal and Labor parties to join the Greens in announcing, during Mental Health Week, their support for TasCOSS’ worthy and practical initiatives to assist people living with a mental illness to obtain and retain employment,” said Ms O’Connor.
“We need to make it easier for employers to harness the skills and talents of people living with a mental illness, and the initiatives suggested by TasCOSS will definitely kick-start this process in Tasmania.”
“Personal testimonies from those living with a mental illness, and their families, make it clear that it is difficult for those living with a mental illness to get a good job, and to then keep that job while enduring their illness.”
Ms O’Connor also said that she will be attending today’s Mental Health Week “Let’s Make a Difference” event at the Botanical Gardens in Hobart.
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Health Spokesperson
