"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." - Aristotle Onassis
The Greens believe that all people who experience mental illness should be able to live free from stigma, discrimination and exclusion, and maximise their social and employment opportunities.
They should have access to high quality mental health care, threatment and support that is tailored to meet their specific needs.
This also means recognition of the vital roles of carers and more support for their services.
We believe that research and evaluation are crucial to reducing the incidence of preventable mental health problems, and improving outcomes for people experiencing and living with mental illness.
Lynn and the Greens are calling for the provision of adequate, affordable and coordinated services for all people with mental illness including community-based and hospital services.
This includes appropriate accommodation options and social support for people with ongoing serious mental illness.
There is also a need for increased funding for the promotion of mental health and well-being and, where possible, the prevention and early identification of mental illness, as well as increased funding for mental health research.
Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC - Member for South Metropolitan Region Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia