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Petition Seeks Better Mental Healthcare Options in NZ – SIGN TODAY

February 15, 2013 9:51 pm ⋅

Petition to Provide Healthy Choices for People in Mental Healthcare in New Zealand 

A petition has been created to request The Minister of Health and the New Zealand Government take measures to improve access to psycho-social, holistic treatment options, evaluate the impact of current mental healthcare and reduce reliance on medication and compulsory treatment.

http://www.change.org/petitions/to-the-new-zealand-government-minister-of-health-honourable-tony-ryall-provide-healthy-choices-for-people-in-mental-health-care-in-new-zealand

Why sign this petition? 
Because lasting recovery comes from life change and life change is not inspired by medication and restricted freedoms, it is inspired by support, psycho-social skills, cultural connections, nourishing lives and therapeutic interventions. Signing this petition will help  send a message to government and ministry that the current status of things is inadequate and needs to change.

What does the petition say? 
We, the undersigned support Annie Chapman in her cause, and hereby request
  1. An independent inquiry into the impact of current mental health treatment for people diagnosed with a mental illness, relative to:
    • Their human rights
    • Their dignity as citizens
    • Their physical health
    • The cost/benefit ratio of long-term high-dose psychiatric medication (taking into account the costs to the health system and to the individuals, of physical side-effects of high-dose medications).
2. We also request that District Health Boards are required to provide, to those diagnosed with mental illness, greater access to health-promoting psycho-social, holistic (mind/body) and culturally diverse treatment options, and aligning with options that research has proven successful here in NZ and other countries in

    • Improving long-term recovery outcomes
    • Reducing dependence on psychiatric medication
    • Reducing reliance on compulsory treatment orders
Posted in: Community Participation, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Politics and Policy, Psychiatric Medication, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

Problem Gambling Foundation Launch ‘No More Pokies Auckland’ Campaign

January 25, 2013 1:52 pm ⋅

Press Release: 17 January 2013

No more pokies Auckland. Choose a healthier future for our children

That is the theme for a campaign, endorsed by more than 20 organisations, which is being launched with a video of children sharing their hopes and dreams for the future.

The ‘no more pokies Auckland campaign’ aims to encourage people to ‘say no to more pokies’ and ‘choose a sinking lid’ when the Auckland Council begins consultation on its gambling policy from 18 January. Tony Milne, National Manager of Public Health at the Problem Gambling Foundation, says a sinking lid is the best option the Council has under current legislation to keep the number of pokie machines down in Auckland.

“A sinking lid means no new licenses can be granted for pokie venues and machines can’t be transferred if a venue closes,” he says. “That means that over time, the number of venues and pokie machines will reduce.” The Class 4 Gambling (Pokie) Venue Policy is being developed for Auckland Council to replace the policies of the seven legacy Territorial Local Authorities. Auckland ‘Supercity’ currently has 305 venues and 4,183 pokie machines excluding the 1,649 pokie machines at SkyCity Casino that will not be covered by Auckland Council’s policy.

Tony Milne says both Manukau and Waitakere Councils had adopted sinking lid policies and it would be great to see Auckland Council follow their lead. “We don’t want any more pokie machines in Auckland,” he says. “They aren’t just a ‘harmless flutter’. Pokies are dangerous and addictive machines often described as the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’. “Most adults (84%) never use pokies and approximately six percent use them monthly or more. Four in ten regular users will have a gambling problem or are at risk of developing one.”

“Of the people who seek help for a gambling problem, over 70 percent of them say that pokies are their main form of gambling and 80% of those who seek help have suicidal thoughts.” “We know the harm that pokies can cause and don’t want them to be part of the future for our children,” Tony Milne says.

To view the campaign video and make a submission visit www.NoMorePokies.org.nz

Facebook www.facebook.com/NoMorePokiesAKL

Twitter @NoMorePokiesAKL

Ends

The No More Pokies Auckland campaign is endorsed by the following organisations: The Anglican Diocese of Auckland, Asian Family Services at the Problem Gambling Foundation, Changing Minds, Child Poverty Action Group, Every Child Counts, the Gambling Helpline, Hapai Te Hauora Tapui Maori Public Health, Mapu Maia (Pasifika Unit at the Problem Gambling Foundation), the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, Methodist Mission Aotearoa, Otara Health Charitable Trust, Papakura Marae, Public Health Association (PHA), the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, the Salvation Army, South Auckland Family Violence Prevention Network (SAFVPN), South Seas Healthcare, Transitioning Out Aotearoa (TOA), UNICEF NZ and Whare Tiaki Hauora.

For further information please contact:

Tony Milne

National Manager of Public Health

Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand

Ph 021 59 32 59

Andree Froude

Communications Director

Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand

Ph 027 489 4801

Posted in: News, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: ,

Glenn Inquiry into Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Seeks Community Input

January 23, 2013 2:40 pm ⋅

In July last year Owen Glenn announced that he would fund an independent inquiry to establish why domestic violence and child abuse remains such a major problem in New Zealand and to identify what needs to be done to address this issue.

If you have personal experience of child abuse or domestic violence or work with those who do the Glenn Inquiry team would like to hear from you!

Visit their newly launched website for more information at www.glenninquiry.org.nz

Follow the link below to check out the first newsletter from the Glenn Inquiry https://glenninquiry.org.nz/uploads/files/TheGlennInquiry_Newsletter.pdf

 

 

Posted in: Community Participation, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Service-User Movement, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

New Changing Minds Website Live

December 20, 2012 1:00 pm ⋅

Changing Minds saw their brand spanking new website go live on Monday 17 December 2012.

Pop along to changingminds.org.nz  to find out more about Changing Minds, link in with a community forum, sign up for their newsletter, join the Reference Advisory Group, meet the team and join in on upcoming projects to increase self-determination and service-user leadership.

Posted in: News, Online Resources, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: ,

Curious.org.nz Website Relaunched by Rainbow Youth

December 20, 2012 12:27 pm ⋅

PRESS RELEASE: 15 December 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Rainbow Youth

Have you been wondering what happened to the website curious.org.nz? Well ponder no more as the cat’s out of the bag: Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier hub of information, resources and cool stories for queer and trans* youth, curious.org.nz, is completely revamped and back online.

Rainbow Youth website committee and staff have spend the past six months restructuring the website – which was taken down due to technical issues – into a forward thinking site which is accessible to young people across the country.

Rainbow Youth Board Chair Duncan Matthews says over the last few years curious.org.nz has established itself as an important resource for queer and trans* youth. “The relaunched hub retains this original purpose but is now completely designed around regional management by youth for youth. I hope everyone enjoys using curious.org.nz as much as I’ve enjoyed being part of its creation.”

Curious.org.nz has a new visual layout and is fully integrated with social media for better engagement. Features include a search bar and a map of Aotearoa New Zealand which clicks through to blog rolls in each region of the country. These are to be facilitated by groups in each area and will include info on local meet ups, resources, events and news.

Rainbow Youth Executive Director Thomas Hamilton says it’s exciting to see curious.org.nz running again. “It’s important that the website is sustainable and manageable for our small organisation, and that the information, resource and content comes from a youth perspective.

“We fully intend to incorporate the health and well being promotion that was included in the previous version of curious.org.nz, but this platform will grant more national collaboration from youth organisations and be more sustainable economically.”

And the best part? Keeping with Rainbow Youth’s youth run, youth led model, curious.org.nz will continued to be developed and shaped by the people who use and engage with it. “Our volunteers have started the project,” says Hamilton, “And more work will be needed to successfully integrate the regions nationally. This will be fun!”

So what are you curious about? Rainbow Youth urges you to check out the site, share the information with friends and family, and if you’ve got a suggestion or would like to add information to a region, then email info@curious.org.nz to put your request forward.

Rainbow Youth thanks @clintyminty for his effort and experience designing the website, Webwise for turning the design into a website, and 247hosting.co.nz for hosting the website free of charge. Curious is funded thanks to the generous donations received through wtf.org.nz.

Ends

For interviews or more information, contact:
Thomas Hamilton – thomas.hamilton@rainbowyouth.org.nz – 021529778
Duncan Matthews – duncan@rainbowyouth.org.nz

Posted in: News, Online Resources, Rainbow / LGBTQI+ Community, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , ,

Hikoi Seeks National Big reTHiNK about Mental-Health Services

December 16, 2012 1:18 pm ⋅

Media Release: 11/Dec/2012.


Annie Chapman, a former support worker for a mental-health trust in Porirua, is on a mission to reduce reliance on “medical mental healthcare” which she says can result in dependence and disempowerment, in a bid to promote healthier mental healthcare.

This summer, Chapman will spend five months walking the length of the North Island to advocate “change and choice in mental-health care“.

Annie Chapman’s One Woman Walking: Hikoi for a Big reTHiNK of Mental Healthcare Choices begins in Cape Reinga on December 12th and finishes five months later in Wellington. From December to May Annie will be stopping at towns along the Te Araroa Trail for community meetings to screen short stigma-busting films, discuss what a truly empowering mental-health system would look like and support the Petition for Better Mental-Healthcare Choices, which Annie will present at The Beehive in Wellington in May. Donations to cover costs are gratefully received. Any additional funds raised will be donated to Hearing Voices Network Aotearoa NZ, which provides information and support for people who experience voice hearing.

“I have witnessed life long dependence, drug withdrawal problems and the limited effectiveness of some psychiatric medications,” Ms Chapman says. “Research suggests positive and empowering alternatives exist for better long term outcomes,” she continues.

Chapman advocates a reduced systemic reliance on medications as the first-line treatment for mental-health problems. Ms Chapman wants to see funded access to psycho-social interventions and treatment options for people with mental-health problems to reduce long-term dependence on pharmaceutical interventions and compulsory models of treatment. “We need personal advocacy and psychotherapeutic help promoted and more tailored advice about diet and exercise provided,” says Chapman, “Walking can be one of the most effective anti-depressants there is,” she adds.

Miriam Larsen-Barr, from the Like Minds team at Mind and Body Consultants who coordinate the ongoing Like Minds Big reTHiNK Festival, comments, “We are proud to include One Woman Walking as part of the official Big reTHiNK calendar of events. The message that people with mental-health problems need whole-person approaches to empower their recovery is an important one.”

“It is time our society did some serious analysis. Let’s use our legendary Kiwi kindness and ingenuity to create mental-health services that offer hope of real recovery,” comments Chapman.

Find out when One Woman Walking is visiting a town near you

www.rethink.org.nz/?page_id=1692

> KAITAIA KICK OFF MEETING
>>>Wednesday 20th December
>>>11am to 1pm
>>>at Te Ahu Community Centre

www.facebook.com/events/317503728358665/

For more information contact: Annie Chapman | 0221739954 | anniechapman@actrix.co.nz

One Woman Walking Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hikoi-for-healthy-choices-in-Mental-Health/150792058391076?ref=ts

One Woman Walking Blog:
http://hikoiforhealthychoices.wordpress.com/

Follow this link to find out more about The Hearing Voices Network Aotearoa NZ  www.hearingvoices.org.nz 

Posted in: Community Participation, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

Monitoring Reports on Rights of People Living with Disability Released

December 10, 2012 9:02 pm ⋅

Earlier this year you may have provided feedback on the Human Rights Commission’s Wider Journey Discussion Document. The Commission would like to thank everyone for taking their time to share their knowledge, expertise, advice and pointers, all of which were considered in drafting the final reports.

As a result of feedback and further development of this work the Wider Journey document has been split into three separate reports. These reports were launched on the 3rd of December 2012 to help mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The three reports are:

1     Better Design and Buildings for Everyone: Disabled People’s Rights and the Built Environment

2     Better Information for Everyone: Disabled People’s Rights in the Information Age

3     Political Participation for Everyone: Disabled People’s Rights and the Political Process

The full reports and short summaries of each report are available in Word, PDF, Easy Read and NZSL on the Commission’s website here. Braille copies are available on request.

Information in these reports has also informed the Commission’s first annual monitoring report on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, also launched on the 3rd of December.

Posted in: Disability Issues, Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Online Resources, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Service-User Movement, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Take It From Us in Top 3 at Annual Micie Awards

December 6, 2012 7:54 pm ⋅

In the annual PlanetFM Micie awards last night, mental health radio Take It From Us placed in the top 3 for “hits” on the PlanetFM website, planetaudio.org.nz. That’s three places better than the show’s 2011 Top 10 ranking of sixth, and is a credit to the enthusiastic work of technical assistant, Declan Curran, in establishing a Facebook presence, and separate email to promote Take It From Us, and emphasise the on-line opportunities for listening to broadcasts.

Take It From Us has won six Micies now in six years, and host Sheldon Brown sends out a big thank you to all our guests, listeners and supporters.

Listen live on 104.6FM at 12.30pm every Tuesday or online www.planetaudio.org.nz

OR if you missed the broadcast, listen for the next seven days @: www.planetaudio.org.nz/takeitfromus

Catch up on the last four shows online: www.likeminds.org.nz

And don’t forget our new Facebook page @ Facebook.com and type take it from us in the search box; our email is takeitfromus@mail.com for any feedback and comment/suggestions for shows

Posted in: News, Online Resources, Service-User Movement ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

passport changes for transgender travellers

December 6, 2012 7:40 pm ⋅

New Zealand’s transgender community is now able to change their gender on their passports by a simple declaration.

Read the full article on The NZ Herald Website

Posted in: Human Rights and Legal Issues, News, Rainbow / LGBTQI+ Community, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , ,

AttitudeTV Awards Promote Contributions made by New Zealanders Living with Disability

December 2, 2012 4:05 pm ⋅

http://artsaccess.org.nz/andrew-blythe-wins-attitude-artistic-achievement-award

Andrew Blythe wins AttitudeTV Artistic Achievement Award.

Auckland artist Andrew Blythe has won the Attitude Artistic Achievement Award 2012, announced last night at a black tie gala evening at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre.

Since 2000, Andrew’s passion for painting has been supported by Toi Ora Live Art Trust, a creative space (community arts centre) in Grey Lynn, Auckland. Toi Ora provides studio space and tuition for people who have experienced mental illness.

“We were thrilled that Andrew won this award,” says Erwin van Asbeck, Director, Toi Ora Live Art Trust. “This caps off an amazing year where he’s had a lot of national and international exposure. Now, we’re looking forward to Andrew’s next show at the Tim Melville Gallery in the first half of 2013.”

In July, Andrew was highly commended in Arts Access Aotearoa’s Big ‘A’ Artistic Achievement Award 2012. Through his art and with the support of Toi Ora, Andrew has found a way to keep well. His art is a full-time job and he has been exhibiting his works over the past nine years in numerous group shows, as well as two solo shows in at Satellite Gallery and at the Tim Melville Gallery, both in Auckland.

He was also one of the artists with work in Arts Access Aotearoa’s “Original Voices” exhibition, on at the Pataka Museum of Arts and Cultures in Porirua, in September. With Stuart Shepherd, his paintings have been shown in Paris, at the New York Outsider Art Fair, and at the MADmusée in Liège, Belgium in August and September this year. Most recently, his work featured at the Darren Knight Gallery in Sydney.

http://artsaccess.org.nz/whats-new/sensational-art-by-new-zealand-artists-in-belgium-gallery

Stuart says “His work is extremely consistent and assured, and he seems to have an intuitive radar that guides his composition. Andrew contributes to the international language of abstraction.” Erwin says that Andrew’s work has developed hugely since he’s been coming to Toi Ora. “His wellness has also flourished to the point where he is living independently.”

Other Attitude Award recipients are Erin Gough (Youth Award), Neelusha Memon (Courage in Sport), Adam Hall (Sport Performer),  Sir Murray Halberg (Hall of Fame Inductee), Invacare (Attitude ACC Employer Award) and Nola Burgess, who won the Attitude Making a Difference Award. Sharon Davies won the Spirit of Attitude Award and Attitude ACC Supreme Award, heading off strong competition from more than 20 other national finalists.

The Attitude Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of New Zealanders living with a disability and have grown out of the Attitude TV series, which screens on TV ONE on Sunday mornings. “The prime objective of the Attitude Awards is to create more awareness and consideration of the contributions made by New Zealanders living with disability,” Robyn says.

ACC is proud to be principal sponsor of the Awards. Ralph Stewart, ACC Chief Executive, says: “The recipients of this year’s Attitude Awards have pursued life with a positive attitude, strength and determination. They demonstrate that with ambition and the right support it’s possible for anyone to achieve their goals, regardless of the obstacles they face along the way.”

Full list of winners and locations:

Attitude ACC Supreme Award and Spirit of Attitude Award

  • Sharon Davies;  Swanson, Auckland

Attitude Hall of Fame Inductee

  • Sir Murray Halberg; Auckland

Attitude Sports Performer Award

  • Adam Hall; Wanaka

Attitude Courage in Sport Award

  • Neelusha Memon; Wellington

Attitude ACC Employer Award

  • Invacare;  Mt Wellington, Auckland

Attitude Youth Award

  • Erin Gough; Christchurch

Attitude Artistic Achievement Award

  • Andrew Blythe; Sandringham, Auckland

Attitude Making a Difference Award

  • Nola Burgess; Gisborne

–       Ends    –

For more information contact:

Helen Johnson, Project Manager- The Attitude Awards

Posted in: Disability Issues, News, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , ,