Mental HealthFoundation joins the campaign to save ADL

People with experience of mental illness are likely to be disadvantaged due to funding cuts proposed by the Ministry of Justice.

The ministry has proposed reduced funding for specialist disability services offered by Mangere-based Auckland Disability Law (ADL) from next June.

The Mental Health Foundation supports the campaign to save ADL which offers services to people with mental illness free of charge.

While people with experiences of mental illness can have a lawyer appointed to them under the Mental Health Act, many have additional and often complex unmet legal needs and ADL has been able to help. The reduction in funding means this service is likely to be lost.

“Some people with experiences of mental illness find it difficult to find a lawyer due to stigma, miscommunication and other barriers,” Mental Health Foundation chief executive Judi Clements says.

“ADL assists a number of people with mental health diagnoses who are experiencing difficulties with things like welfare, housing, employment, discrimination, problems with neighbours, privacy and education. We absolutely support the campaign to keep this service,” she says.

The Mental Health Foundation is one of more than 100 individuals and organisations that have supported the campaign Save Disability Law, which was launched on 5 July. Supporters can sign a letter to Justice Minister Judith Collins which calls on the Government to guarantee on-going funding for direct specialist community legal services.

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