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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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People seeking asylum on Manus Island must be processed in Australia
In response to the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court’s ruling that Australia’s detention of people seeking asylum on Manus Island is illegal, Jesuit Social Services has called on the Federal Government to commit to processing the applications of approximately 850 people currently on Manus Island here in Australia. “Yesterday’s decision by Papua New Guinea’s Supreme…
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Proactive approach to family violence will promote safety: Jesuit Social Services
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the final report of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, publicly released today, and congratulates the Victorian Government for its commitment to implement all 227 recommendations. “Today’s report marks a critical opportunity for government, in partnership with community, to make real and lasting changes in the area of family violence,” says Jesuit…
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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…
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CatholicCare, Jesuit Social Services and MacKillop Family Services have offered to lead a coordinated response to house and care for the 267 asylum seekers at risk of being returned to Nauru, following Melbourne Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart’s call for action from the Catholic community. “CatholicCare, MacKillop Family Services and Jesuit Social Services have previously collaborated…
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High Court decision a violation of human rights
Jesuit Social Services has strongly condemned the High Court’s ruling that more than 200 people seeking asylum, including a number of babies born in Australia, can be sent from the mainland to Nauru. “Australia’s punitive and inhumane policies surrounding people seeking asylum have long been condemned internationally, including at the UN Human Rights Council,” says…
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Focus on vulnerable people crucial to Victoria’s 10-year mental health plan
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,”…
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Commitment needed to fix mental health mess
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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Launch of Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA)
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) has been officially launched at the start of World Refugee Week, which runs from June 14 to 20. Backed by leading Catholic peak organisations and convened by Jesuit Social Services, CAPSA aims to change hearts and minds across Australia in support of the abolition of harsh asylum…