Justice & the mental health system

Wednesday, 17 August 2016 - 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Over the last century, Australia has taken a huge step forward for the human rights of those with a mental illness by working towards deinstitutionalization, taking into account the ineffectiveness of institutional care along with the possibilities of abuse and neglect in long-term institutionalization. Shifting mental health care into the community has become a priority for governing bodies. However, despite the closure of all traditional asylums an alarming number of individuals are incarcerated with treatable mental illnesses. Often these individuals needs and symptoms are poorly understood by law enforcement leading to unnecessarily traumatic conditions, poor support structures and ultimately exacerbated health conditions. Today, Brainwaves chats with Brett Collins of the unique prisoner advocacy organisation Justice Action about the great work they do to restore some balance into the system. For more information on the work Justice Action does visit http://www.justiceaction.org.au/.

Wednesday 5:00pm to 5:30pm
Challenging the mainstream, negative stereotypes of people with a mental illness ths program actively engages those living with a mental illness as researchers, interviewers, performers and program designers while promoting community mental health awareness.

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Members of Wellways Australia

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