Mental Health Foundation Endorses Campaign

MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND MEDIA RELEASE

04 September 2007

Mental Health Foundation Endorses Campaign For Action On Family Violence

The Mental Health Foundation welcomes the launch today, 4 September, of the Campaign for Action on Family Violence, a joint campaign between the Ministry of Social Development and the Families Commission to increase awareness and understanding of the issue of family violence in our society.

Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation says:

“We welcome this initiative from the government and support the aims and goals of the project in increasing awareness and understanding of family violence and its many impacts.”

Of particular concern to the Foundation is the correlation between a person’s exposure to family violence and significantly increased rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, as well as increased rates of problem behaviour, substance misuse and relationship difficulties.

”We know that good quality nurturing relationships across childhood, adolescence and adulthood are especially important for a person’s ongoing psychological wellbeing. Witnessing violence in the home can lead to worse mental and physical health for decades after the abuse, and the ongoing consequences for victims of family violence can last a lifetime.”

“Early recognition and intervention of family violence, and creating a social climate that supports positive behavioural change in this area, can play an important role in the prevention of depressive disorders throughout a person’s life time and break the cyclical nature of family violence.”

The Foundation is committed to working together with the Campaign for Action on Family Violence to support the aims and goals of the campaign and welcomes the initiate for the positive influence it will have on the wellbeing on all New Zealanders.

ENDS

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