Green MP Jan Logie to speak at panel on Rainbow Mental Health

Hamilton, New Zealand: Recently re-elected Green Party MP Jan Logie will be a guest speaker at a panel on the mental health of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trangender, Takataapui and Intersex people taking place on November 1st as part of the annual Hamilton Pride Festival.

“Discrimination and marginalisation can create mental health problems and we all need to acknowledge this and work towards a society without discrimination while building our own sense of community and individual resilience.” says Jan Logie.

The panel focuses on the very high levels of mental health issues among rainbow people, especially youth. Young people who are attracted to the same sex have the highest levels of suicide attempts of all young people in New Zealand according to research. Rainbow people make up over a quarter of all mental health clients in the Auckland area.

“But the panel is not just about the gloomy statistics,” says organiser Kaye McLaren. “Speakers will also talk about innovative practice with rainbow people. They will also share their personal stories of hope and recovery to inspire audience members.”

Counsellor Mani B. Mitchell will talk about mental health issues for intersex people. Kaupapa Maori counsellor Alexander Stevens and traditional healer David Kukutai-Jones will discuss cultural approaches. Sexual Health Advocate Siaosi Mulipola and Pasifika LGBTI expert Phylesha Brown-Acton will focus on issues for the Pacific rainbow community.

The panel also includes two youth representatives, and is funded by the University of Waikato’s Cultural Committee.

The panel will take place in Te Whare Tapere Iti at the Gallagher Centre for Performing Arts at the University of Waikato on 1 November 2014, starting at 3:0pm.

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