World Mental Health Day call to close the gap
Posted: October 10th, 2014
Today marks the World Mental Health Day, a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy.
Professor Pat Dudgeon, chair of NATSILMH, took the opportunity to call on the Government to take action on closing the gap which exists between Indigenous and other Australians in the area of mental health. Professor Dudgeon spoke about Indigenous Australians suffering psychological distress, mental illness and suicide at twice the rates of other Australians with evidence suggesting that the gap may be getting wider.
Professor Dudgeon was NATSILMH member, Dr Tom Palmer AO who called on the Government to prioritise the development of a mental health action plan in Indigenous Affairs.
“On World Mental Health Day 2014, we call on Australian governments to adopt a bipartisan approach and make closing the mental health gap a further priority for Indigenous Affairs,” said Professor Dudgeon and Dr Calma.
For more information on NATSILMH visit their website and to find events around Mental Health Day click here.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.