FOR RELEASE
18 September 2017
Richmond Wellbeing Says “YES” to Marriage Equality and No to Discrimination
Richmond Wellbeing, Rainbow Tick accredited mental health service, is committed to improving the mental health outcomes of all Western Australians, and is asking the community to support the YES campaign for the Marriage Equality Survey posted out to households this week.
“We feel it is important to express our support for the YES campaign because we have a fundamental belief in human dignity and the importance of acceptance,” said Richmond Wellbeing Chief Executive Officer Neil Guard.
“As leaders in a sector that services vulnerable populations, we have a responsibility to speak out against discrimination and inequality,” he said.
It is well documented that systemic discrimination has clear impacts on the physical and mental health of minority groups such as LGBTIQ communities, as referenced in a 2016 report from the Centre for Social Research in Health UNSW, Australia and ACON (AIDS Council of NSW).
Statistics from the National LGBTI Health Alliance note that 37.1% LGBTIQ people aged 16 and over reported being diagnosed or treated for a mental disorder in the past three years, and 57.2% of Transgender and Gender Diverse people aged 18 and over have been diagnosed with depression in their lifetime.
The 2016 report goes on to highlight research that suggests marriage equality will lessen the systemic discrimination experienced by LGBTIQ people and therefore impact positively on their health.
“The health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ people is at the centre of this discussion and we encourage an informed and considered approach from all involved,” said Guard.
“Our public support for the YES campaign is driven by the Richmond Wellbeing values and our commitment to creating a safe and comfortable environment for all staff and clients and the wider community.”
Richmond Wellbeing is a MindOut Champion and was recently accredited as a Rainbow Tick organisation, the first and only organisation in Western Australia to achieve this high-level recognition for its LGBTIQ inclusive approach.
To read the Marriage Equality Position Statement from Australia’s peak body in LGBTIQ mental health, the National LGBTI Health Alliance, visit http://lgbtihealth.org.au/relationship-equality-position-statement/
For more information contact:
Sandra Devahasdin – 92262222- 0408869496 – Sandra@devahasdinpr.com.au
SUPPORT RESOURCES
Additional support resources are available to assist people affected by the Marriage Equality Debate – visit www.rw.org.au/support-resources-marriage-equality-debate/
