Media releases Archives - Page 3 of 29

Ombudsman report shows women with complex needs need better support
- 30 November 2017
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…
Medically supervised injecting room will save lives
- 31 October 2017
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,”…
Mental health funding welcomed
- 18 April 2017
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…
Rising suicide rates show prevention remains a crucial part of mental health service mix
- 29 September 2016
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…
Lack of secure housing for people with disabilities the key factor behind re-offending
- 4 August 2016
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…
Mental health services need long-term funding certainty
- 9 June 2016
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…
Suicide risk cannot be dealt with in isolation
- 26 May 2016
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…
Postvention support crucial in addressing rising suicide numbers
- 9 March 2016
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…
Focus on vulnerable people crucial to Victoria’s 10-year mental health plan
- 10 December 2015
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the Victorian Government’s 10-year Mental Health Plan, and in particular its commitment to ensure all Victorians can achieve “good mental health… particularly those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable”. “We agree with the Victorian Government that the state’s current mental health system is struggling to adequately meet the needs of vulnerable Victorians,”…
Commitment needed to fix mental health mess
- 24 November 2015
The redesigning of mental health services in Victoria by the previous state government has proven disastrous for vulnerable people and Jesuit Social Services welcomes the Andrews Government’s commitment to ‘work with service providers to fix the mess and ensure Victorians who most need help can get it’. Central to the recent changes was the introduction…

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