COMMUNITY SUPPORT AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN TACKLING MENTAL ILLNESS

Publicity and promotion of mental health issues in recent years had helped change community attitudes towards mental illness, Communities Minister Warren Pitt said today.

Mr Pitt highlighted the need for community acceptance and support for those affected by mental illness while launching Mental Health Week at Southbank Piazza.

Mental Health Week runs from October 8 to 14, with World Mental Health Day on Tuesday 10 October.

"It’s a good thing that as a community we are becoming much more open about mental illness - that we are bringing the problem out of the shadows and into the light”, Mr Pitt said.

“It was not long ago that the subject of mental illness was hardly mentioned. In fact, it was a subject to be avoided if possible.

“This year’s Mental Health Week theme – ‘Link up for life: Get Back Out There’ – conveys a strong message that emphasises the need for greater community involvement in mental health support and understanding”.

Mr Pitt said the personal, social and financial cost of mental disorders was high and rising.

He said it was estimated mental health problems affected one in five Australians in any 12-month period.

“It has been clearly demonstrated that strong social ties, participation in worthwhile and interesting activity, and a sense of purpose are all linked with better physical and mental health”, Mr Pitt said.

“At the same time, being socially isolated or inactive threatens our health and well-being.

“Mental Health Week is a time to highlight the issues associated with mental illness and the very damaging effect of the stigma so often associated with it”, Mr Pitt said.

Media contact: Joe Begley 0408 701 379