MEDIA RELEASE

July 9, 2012

Mental Health Foundation pleased to see action on family violence

The Mental Health Foundation has been part of a group which influenced Auckland Council to incorporate prevention of family violence into its 30-year plan.

The Auckland Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children, which includes the Mental Health Foundation, was developed in 2006 in reaction to concerns regarding responses to domestic violence in the city. Earlier this year the coalition approached Auckland Council in the hope of developing a city-wide strategy to prevent family violence. The council has included a directive in its 30-year plan, launched on July 1, to prevent family violence and create safe families and whanau.

Mental Health Foundation chief executive Judi Clements says violence in the home can seriously affect women’s mental health.

“Women who have experienced violence have increased rates of depression and anxiety, stress related symptoms, pain, phobias, drug and alcohol dependency and suicidal thoughts,” Ms Clements says.

“The council’s move to incorporate prevention of family violence in its plan is quite a significant step and we are pleased by the way council has taken up the issue. It is good the council has recognised this as something we need to do and is joining the effort to prevent family violence,” Ms Clements says.

One of the actions Auckland Council is taking is the formation of regional networks. The first is likely to meet in August.

The Mental Health Foundation also acknowledges the work of, the Women’s Refuge, which has its annual appeal and awareness week on July 16-22.

“The Women’s Refuge does a great job with very limited funding. The Mental Health Foundation sees room for more specialised services supporting women who have been severely traumatised by violence in the home – a service that is not available at present. It is not always appropriate to put a woman who has experienced mental distress related to violence on medication or commit them to an inpatient unit. What is more helpful is recognising their situation, acknowledging their feelings and supporting them as they find solutions that are right for them,” she says.

“We will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with other organisations in the Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children and with both Women’s Refuge and the Auckland Council on preventing family violence,” Ms Clements says.

In addition, the Mental Health Foundation’s resource and information service has material available to help people experiencing family violence. Resources can be requested by phone (09) 300 7030 or email info@mentalhealth.org.nz.

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