Like Minds Gather to Challenge Discrimination

MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND
MEDIA RELEASE 09 April 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Like Minds Gather to Challenge Discrimination

People from around New Zealand working to challenge discrimination associated with mental illness will meet at the Like Minds, Like Mine National Provider Seminar in Palmerston North, 10-11 April, 2008, an event organised by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.

Like Minds, Like Mine is a programme to counter stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. The recently-released Like Minds, Like Mine National Plan 2007-2013 outlines how the programme will challenge discriminatory attitudes and behaviours by individuals, organisations, and communities over the next five years.

“The seminar is an exciting opportunity for national and regional providers to share ideas about their work as Like Minds moves from raising awareness to showing people what they can do to prevent discrimination,” says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation.

The Foundation is delighted that Aubrey Quinn, Michelle Te Ahuru, and Debbie Hager will be keynote speakers at the seminar. “Aubrey, Michelle, and Debbie are inspirational in their commitment to countering stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and have important messages as Like Minds turns its attention to confronting discrimination in our communities,” says Judi Clements.

Aubrey and his partner Michelle, the well-known faces of the latest Like Minds, Like Mine television advertisements, will talk about their experiences with the campaign. Debbie, a recipient of the 2007 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants, will talk about her work on a teaching documentary about the ‘silent’ issue of systemic discrimination against women who are denied access to domestic violence services because of mental illness or substance abuse. The keynote speeches will be delivered on the second day of the seminar.

ENDS

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