EMBARGOED:
Media Alert for World Mental Health Day (Thursday, 10 October)
Enid Lyons Alcove, Parliament House – Speeches from 8.50am
Post Bondi Junction – clear shift in community
attitudes towards severe and complex mental illness
The extent to which Australians believe the Federal Government should increase support for people with severe and complex mental illness to reduce the risk of a repeat of the 13 April attack that killed six people in a Bondi Junction shopping centre will be unveiled on World Mental Health Day.
To be released in Parliament House six months following the tragic event, a YouGov poll of 1,619 Australians will reveal how events of the past year have made many Australians more aware of the impact of illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Poll findings will also highlight agreement that severe mental illness is no less deserving of government funding than other diseases.
Commissioned by Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia, Psychosis Australia and Boehringer Ingelheim, the nationwide poll will reveal strong community support for the major political parties to release plans to address severe mental illness ahead of the next Federal Election.
Tony Stevenson, CEO of Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia said: “As a federal election approaches our goal is to engage with all sides of politics to ensure severe and complex mental health is never again placed in the too hard basket.”
Drop-in Breakfast from 8.00-10.00am
Thursday, 10 October in the Enid Lyons Alcove
Speeches from 8.50am, including:
- Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care
- Hon. Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health
- Senator Hollie Hughes, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
- Tony Stevenson, CEO of Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia
- Hannah Hyatt, Mental Health Advocate and Lived Experience Worker
- Dirk Otto, General Manager of Boehringer Ingelheim Australia and New Zealand
Media Release available on Thursday, 10 October.
Media Contacts: John Morton, 0416 184 044 or Houry Mayissian, 0415 685 600