Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein with Ms Rhonda Wilson from ARAFMI
and the Minister for Mental Health Mr Jai Rowell
Minister for Mental Health and Assistant Minister for Health Jai Rowell and Member for Gosford Chris Holstein visited several sites in the Central Coast region on Tuesday, June 24, where local partnerships demonstrated the valuable work they do in providing on the ground services.
The pair met with Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill NSW (ARAFMI) Central Coast Association regional manager Ms Rhonda Wilson. ARAFMI is a community based organisation that provides support, referral and resources for carers of the mentally ill. Mr Rowell said he was pleased to see that the vital work of carers was being well supported as the impact of mental illness on families and carers often went unnoticed.
“The NSW Government is proud of the committed and locally engaged workforce that provides these services each day, often in extremely challenging circumstances,” Mr Holstein said. Mr Rowell and Mr Holstein also met with representatives from Hospital Art Australia in Umina, who provide artwork to mental health units and hospitals all over the state to enhance patients’ mental well-being.
“Hospital Art Australia does wonderful work for the wider community and is to be congratulated for their commitment and positive impact that their artwork provides,” Mr Holstein said. A visit was also made to `The Glen’, an Aboriginal Residential Rehabilitation Service based at Tuggerah that provides counselling, accommodation and work programs as well as a safe environment for those people who wish to do something positive about their addictions.
“Services like these provide the opportunity for people to build their self-confidence and sense of personal responsibility, so that they may re-integrate into the community and make a meaningful contribution,” Mr Holstein said. “The NSW Government is dedicated to keeping people out of acute hospital wards, emergency departments, and justice services, and providing opportunities for people to remain within the community for rehabilitation where possible. “The Glen is a fantastic example of how these services can be successfully delivered,” Mr Holstein said.
Media release, 25 Jun 2014
Chris Holstein,
Member for Gosford