ERMHA CEO Peter Waters.This is the final week of Star and Eastern Regions Mental Health Association’s (ERMHA) Stop the Stigma campaign. But this does not signal the end of the battle to overcome the stigmas associated with mental illness that are preventing funds from reaching support services and groups such as ERMHA. With a change in attitude towards mental illness, Star readers can make an immediate
difference that will help Stop the Stigma against a stable of
illnesses that do not discriminate in who they affect.
ERMHA CEO Peter Waters had these words to say to conclude the Stop the Stigma campaign.
THIS year has seen the fifth successful year for the annual MIDDWAY (Mental Illness Doesn’t Discriminate What About You?) and ERMHA Community Festival and Walk for Mental Health, with about 1000 people in attendance.
Organisers, concerned that the hot and blustery conditions might keep people away from this year’s event, were delighted when the local community again came together showing their support for mental health and acknowledging the difficulties faced each day by people living with a mental illness, and their carers and families.
Each year the Community Festival and walk gives people from a wide spectrum of the community an opportunity to express their concern and show their support in a very tangible way.
Feedback from the participants of the 2006 event was extremely positive with a growing number of services agencies and individuals donating their time to this important community action.
Special thanks to Jane Boldiston, Deirdre Byrne, Peter O’Neill and Kim Kerr, who organised the event and ensured that every element ran to plan.
Thanks also to our sponsors: The Victorian Government, through the Department of Human Services, Southern Metro Region; The City of Greater Dandenong; Commonwealth Carers Respite Centre, Southern Metro Region; St John of God, Pine Lodge Clinic; Dandenong Rotary Club; Cornerstone; Star News Group; The Dandenong RSL; Dandenong Market; and 97.7fm Community Radio 3SER.
Without whose continued support this event and the other activities of the MIDDWAY alliance would struggle to continue.
