As the election results came in last Saturday a number of beneficiaries rang a Government family helpline because they were “stressed” their welfare payments would change. A Wairarapa man was so upset by National’s win that he called a counseling hotline and then called the police emergency number. Counseling service Lifeline said there was a marked increase in calls from people burdened by financial woes, though financial concerns had been a major issue for many callers during the past year. An operator for the Governments familly services hotline told The Press

Most were really worried about what the change of government would mean for their benefit payments. There was real distress and uncertainty for some. It was quite heartbreaking and there were no answers to give them.

The National Party has remained infamous for cutting benefits in 1991, cuts that were not reversed in the nine years Labour was in power. National has pledged not to cut benefits this term, though will make a number of changes. Their policy of requiring many of those on sickness and invalids benefits to undertake 15 hours per week of part time work is easier said than done. National has in the past made a lot of noise about those receiving sickness benefits for mental health reasons, for example a January press release from welfare spokesperson Judith Collins said “Labour is letting far too many stressed and depressed people languish on the sickness and invalid benefits.” Aside from the fact that mental illness can be debilitating, (something National must have realised once, as they introduced the depression and stress categories for the sickness benefit in 1995) there are significant barriers to employment for the mentally ill.

Just yesterday the mental health foundation released a statement expressing concern at continuing discimination in the employment of workers with mental illness, citing the recent case of a Christchurch firefighter who was allegedly dismissed for his prior history of depression.

Although public attitudes have improved a great deal in the last ten years, prejudiced attitudes and discrimination still exist. This must change if we are to create a nation that values and includes people with experience of mental illness.

Remarked Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Judi Clements. Employers meeting their obligations under the Human Rights Act, such as making reasonable accommodations in work for people experiencing mental illness, would do far more to help people into work than National’s welfare plan, which is more likely to push people into low paid part time jobs that don’t meet workers individual needs.