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Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health will save lives
Jesuit Social Services strongly commends the Victorian Government’s commitment to establish a Royal Commission into Mental Health if re-elected next month. “It is heartening to see the Victorian Government show such strong leadership to tackle another deeply entrenched societal issue, after already completing a groundbreaking Royal Commission into Family Violence,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO…
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Isolation in detention has irreversible impact on young adults
James (not his real name) was a teenager when he was subjected to isolation in detention. For 22 hours a day, he was locked in his cell. For the other two hours he was permitted out of his cell with a small group of fellow prisoners. When James left prison and returned to the community,…
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Ombudsman report shows women with complex needs need better support
A report tabled by the Victorian Ombudsman today shows that a better response to women with disabilities and cognitive impairments in the criminal justice system is overdue, says Jesuit Social Services. The report, Implementing OPCAT in Victoria: report and inspection of the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, contains a range of findings spanning a week-long independent…
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Medically supervised injecting room will save lives
The two-year trial of a medically supervised injecting room at the North Richmond Community Health Centre in Melbourne’s inner suburbs will help save lives and create safer communities, says Jesuit Social Services. “Recently released data showed that deaths from drug overdoses in the Yarra Council area, which includes Richmond, have grown by 40 per cent this year,”…
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Mental health funding welcomed
An expansion of mental health support for people in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system will ultimately help to create safer communities, says Jesuit Social Services. The Victorian Government has announced its 2017/18 Budget will provide $43.9 million in capital funding to expand Thomas Embling Hospital, and $28.6 million over four years…
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Rising suicide rates show prevention remains a crucial part of mental health service mix
New data published this week showing suicide in Australia has reached a decade-high rate is an important reminder that suicide prevention is one of the most crucial elements of our response to mental health, says Jesuit Social Services. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ annual Causes of Death report reveals that the suicide rate in 2015…
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Lack of secure housing for people with disabilities the key factor behind re-offending
With the treatment of prisoners a key issue across the country following revelations from within the Northern Territory’s youth detention system, a group of people with acquired brain injuries (ABIs) and contact with the criminal justice system have cited a lack of housing and support for people with disability as the number one factor behind…
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Mental health services need long-term funding certainty
Recent Federal changes to mental health funding have created a rushed transition to a new model and insecure, short-term funding solutions, says Jesuit Social Services. The organisation’s Support After Suicide program has worked with people bereaved by the suicide of a loved one since 2004. It serves as a bereavement support and a suicide prevention…
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Suicide risk cannot be dealt with in isolation
New research showing the suicide toll exceeded the road toll in 28 electorates across the country is crucial in urging our country’s leaders to commit to a national suicide prevention program. But in many areas of Australia, the suicide risk cannot be dealt with in isolation from a complex web of persistent disadvantage, according to…
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Postvention support crucial in addressing rising suicide numbers
An increase in the number of people who took their own lives in 2014, as revealed in new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, is evidence that further funding and support is needed to tackle the crisis. The ABS’ annual Causes of Death report reveals that 2,861 people died by intentional self-harm in…