Unions Raise A Motza To Combat Youth Suicide

Michael Costa, Labor Council Secretary and the Minister for Health, Craig Knowles launched a union initiative this week to raise funds for vital research into the proper treatment and cure of schizophrenia, as part of "Mental Health Week".

Hundreds of building workers downed tools to attend the Launch at the Baulderstone Hornibrook Construction Site in the city and they donated over 4 thousand dollars to the campaign.

Michael Costa said "Youth suicide in Australia is of grave concern - deaths from suicide are much higher than the road toll according to the latest statistics. Last year there were, about 3000 suicide deaths and many were teenage males."

"According to the Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (NISAD), one of the biggest single causes of teenage suicide is schizophrenia and sufferers occupy more hospital beds than any other single illness."

Schizophrenia affects:

1% of population
Attacks young people aged between 15 and 25 years.
Permanently disables more young people than any other illness.
After onset, less than 30% fully recover.
Causes 10% of patients to suicide.
Devastates and stigmatises families.
Schizophrenia costs:

$1 million per patient for lifetime treatment and support
Current estimated annual cost to Australia is more than $1.7 billion for treatment and support.
Decreased productivity for those directly affected and their carers.
The single illness responsible for the highest number of disability support pensions.
"The union movement, particularly the building unions, were instrumental in getting the Research Institute - NISAD established in New South Wales and we have been campaigning in this area for the last ten years. I am still amazed how many families have been affected by this dreadful illness" Michael Costa said.

Michael Costa congratulated the Carr Government for providing the initial seed funding to establish the Research Institute and the appointment of a full time officer to raise funds for the Institute.

The Government has made a great choice in the appointment of the project officer Don McDonald former Secretary of the CFMEU who has been tirelessly raising funds for the Institute and through the CFMEU. Don has raised over 100 hundred thousand dollars Costa said.

"The Neuroscientists working for the Research Institute are at the cutting edge of "Worlds Best Practice" in terms of finding a treatment and cure but they are severely hampered by lack of funds."

Labor Council will take this issue into the workplace and raise awareness to help cast aside the stigma and ignorance associated with this illness as well as raising vital funds to continue the important research.

"I also intend to call on the Corporate Sector to get right behind this initiative and donate funds to support the work of this institute," Michael Costa said.

According to Dr. Philip Ward, Scientific Director of NISAD, schizophrenia contributes to a large number of the youth suicide which occurs in young people between 15 and 25.

Dr. Ward said, "Schizophrenia is a disease which affects the individuals ability to relate to the rest of the community impairing their retentive reactions, their ability to think clearly and rationally. It is often associated with terrifying hallucinations (hearing voices and paranoid delusions. For example everyone in the radio is talking about me and the radio is giving messages about me).

Dr. Ward went on to say, "In addition people with schizophrenia experience so-called negative systems involving withdrawal from family and friends and an inability to participate in a normal life."

"What the Institute is developing in terms of early intervention i.e. that helps these sufferers to live a normal life, is aiming to understand the causes of the disorder so that we can develop a cure and prevent the disease in future generations." Dr. Ward said.

We are on the cutting edge of this research and we have been recognised globally in terms of the Institute's work. Dr. Ward said.

People wishing to assist or make a donation to the Institute can contact Dr. Philip Ward on (02) 92958407.

For further information

Contact	:	Mary Yaager
Phone	:	02 9264 1691
Email	:	m.yaager@labor.org.au
WWW	:	http://ohs.labor.net.au/

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