The Mental Health Commission has urged the people of Hawkes Bay community to have more compassion for persons with mental illness and curb the practice of discriminating against them.

Mental Health Commission Chair Dr. Peter McGeorge said that the attitudes of some members of the community may be very harmful to the mentally ill, and because of that they may not seek the help that they might need.

Considering that in New Zealand 1 in 5 people at any point in time suffer with a mental illness and an addiction, it was very important to be mindful of the consequences of discriminating against people with mental illnesses.

Dr. McGeorge states, “Anyone can be affected whether it is you yourself, a family member, a friend or a work colleague”.

“If you have a prejudice against someone who seems to be suffering from a mental illness and you take steps to whip up fear and antagonism against them it may be you or a loved one next”, he said.

A plethora of international studies have strongly suggested that living in the community helps patients suffering from mental illness to recover more effectively in the long run in comparison with hospital care.

Dr. Mc George believes that this non-compassionate attitude not only stigmatizes the mentally ill but also violates their rights as citizens and more importantly, as human beings.