Media Release
Shadow Minister for Mental Health
Queensland Senator Jan McLucas
A grass roots campaign to raise awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental illness has reached the Far North, following the arrival of beyondblue's big blue bus in Cairns today.
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Queensland Senator Jan McLucas met the beyondblue staff on board their bus which is visiting hundreds of cities and towns across the country as part of their journey for better mental health.
Local employment provider, Worklink hosted the bus at their Westcourt premises today where free information about depression, anxiety and ways to stay well was available.
"People with mental illness and the sector that supports them have worked hard to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness," Senator McLucas said.
"beyondblue's roadshow is continuing to encourage awareness in our community which in turn helps people to seek out help when they need it.
"We have come a long way in raising awareness and improving support and treatment for people with a mental illness, but there is still a lot more work to do."
Senator McLucas said Federal Labor made mental health a priority in government and helped to grow awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues within the community.
"During our time in office, we announced Australia's largest ever mental health package and it is critical that the Abbott Government commits to delivering the full benefit of this," she said.
"It is therefore critical we continue to urge the government to continue to properly fund well targeted services to all people experiencing or affected by mental illness."
Senator McLucas said today's visit is a reminder to the Abbott Government that cuts to mental health funding following the completion of their review later this year would have serious consequences for people with mental health issues, including young people.
"There is widespread concern that the review is a precursor to the Abbott Government delivering major cuts to mental health programs and support," Senator McLucas said.
"People living with a mental illness are already among the many vulnerable Australians on the Abbott Government's hit list."
The Abbott Government tasked the National Mental Health Commission to undertake the review which is to focus on efficiency and effectiveness. It is due to present its report in November this year.
For more information on the blue bus roadshow, visit http://www.beyondblue.org.au
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