Our thinking Archives - Page 3 of 32 - Jesuit Social Services

Vulnerable young people need support, not stigma
- 3 January 2018
Focusing on punitive measures as a means of tackling crime deprives us of the opportunity to constructively discuss effective solutions that address the causes of alienation and disengagement young people often experience, writes Jesuit Social Services Communications Coordinator ANDREW GILLETT. Jesuit Social Services has been working with young people who have been involved with the…
Anti-Poverty Week: small things matter in our quest to eradicate poverty
- 15 October 2017
Anti-Poverty Week (October 15-21) is a chance to reflect on issues of poverty and hardship, both locally and globally. ANDY HAMILTON SJ writes that small things matter in our quest to eradicate poverty. We usually think of poverty as something that afflicts third world nations. But it is also present in Australia – shamefully so,…
Improving mental health services benefits the whole community
- 3 January 2017
We must ensure mental health services give people the help they need before they reach the acute end of the criminal justice system, writes our CEO, JULIE EDWARDS. Almost one in five Australians will experience a mental illness over any 12-month period. One particularly vulnerable group is people who come into contact with the justice…
Disadvantage must be considered as a central issue in response to disability
- 12 August 2016
Jesuit Social Services recently provided a submission to the discussion paper of the Victorian state disability plan for 2017-2020. The Victorian state disability plan is a government policy framework for improving the way services and environments work for people with disabilities. Our submission, highlighted the issues for people with cognitive disabilities in the criminal justice…
Homelessness is a scandal and must not be allowed to continue
- 1 August 2016
National homelessness week is always an embarrassment. And rightly so. We pride ourselves that we are a respectful society, but there is no greater sign of disrespect than to allow people to be homeless. Nothing eats into our self-respect more than to wonder where we and our family will sleep tonight. Too many Australians are…
Calling for Just Justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cognitive impairments
- 21 June 2016
In the Northern Territory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cognitive impairments are being indefinitely detained in prison despite not being charged. In 2014 the Australian Human Rights Commission found that the inability of both the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments to provide adequate accommodation and support services for four Indigenous men with disabilities…
New mental health funding model brings uncertainty and instability
- 10 June 2016
Yesterday (June 9), Professor Patrick McGorry from Orygen, the world-leading youth mental health program, ensured that mental health is given the focus it deserves during the federal election campaign with a powerful address to the National Press Club. Professor McGorry called for government spending on mental health to increase from 7 per cent to 13…
2016-17 Victorian State Budget responds to needs of a growing population
- 5 May 2016
The 2016-17 Victorian State Budget has been welcomed by the community and social services sector. The Budget responds to the needs of a growing Victorian population with investment of $925 million in education infrastructure, $3.2 billion on public transport and funding for child and family services (including $133 million for Maternal and Child Health Services…

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