PSA members working in key Government Agencies yesterday attended the 2005 Mental Health Forum, to detail ongoing problems within the South Australian Mental Health system.

Parole Board Chair and prominent Barrister, Frances Nelson, QC was the guest speaker at the Forum. Ms Nelson outlined her continuing concerns with the treatment and care of the mentally ill within the South Australian community.

The Forum issued the following communique:

“This Forum of public sector workers, from agencies as diverse as Hospitals and Prisons, Education and Justice, Housing Trust, Youth and Family Services and Mental Health Professionals across metropolitan and regional South Australia:

1. declares that all members of our community are entitled to proper levels of Government services to meet their needs,

2. recognises that those with mental health concerns, and their families and carers, have special needs,

3. calls upon the State Government to initially allocate an extra $100 million over the next five years to improve mental health services,

4. calls for ongoing education and training for staff involved,

5. calls for detailed Government plans for the future of mental health to be provided to staff and the community, and

6. determines to meet again within 3 months to continue to identify issues of concern and to prepare options for dealing with those concerns”.

(Chief Industrial Officer, Peter Christopher on 8205 3201 or email pgc@cpsu.asn.au)

PSA CAMPAIGNING FOR A FAIR DEAL

 
15 April 2005