Stop Mental Illness Stigma Charter

Intereach has reinforced its commitment to stopping the stigma of mental illness by signing on to a Stigma Charter.

The charter was created by the Murray Primary Health Network with Hume and Loddon Mallee Murray Partners in Recovery (PIR) programs to encourage organisations to adopt the right behaviours and practices and build an environment where employees and customers feel supported and understood.

It contains seven commitments that, when addressed, help to reduce stigma. The commitments are:

• We will be informed
• We will listen
• We will be mindful of our language
• We will be inclusive
• We will challenge the stereotypes
• We will be supportive
• We will promote recovery

The Stigma Charter complements the Intereach Mental Health Action Plan. Intereach, as a signatory, will print the Charter Certificate and have it prominently displayed across its 17 offices, which are in the NSW Murray/Riverina, as well as northern and central Victoria.

Signatories are also encouraged to workshop, plan and implement the Charter within their organisation by using resources provided to ensure each of the commitments is met. This can include reviewing policies and procedures, a health and wellbeing noticeboard, having trained medical first aiders, an employee assistance program, getting involved and promoting mental health

week and R U OK? Day events, or providing fruit and healthy food options at events.

Participating organisations are also encouraged to review and assess how they continue to meet all of the commitments, ensuring staff and visitors feel supported and not stigmatised.