Hi Triple Zero signatories,
Many of you are wondering what else you can do to give this petition some extra smokin' wheels.
If like me, you were disturbed by the recent footage in Melbourne, you can write to your Police Ministers in your state or territory and let them know about the petition to get mental health added to Triple Zero.
Please feel free to use the template below. Plus the email addy's of all the Ministers are there as well (info freely attained from Google).
Go for it!
Heidi
Dear Minister (name),
I am writing to you as one of over 31,000 people who have signed a petition to improve how emergency services handle mental health crises (change.org/triplezero).
I was shocked to see recent footage of a man in the midst of mental health crisis be brutalised by police. That man, suffering a normal health reality, ended up in an induced coma.
Recently, even the Police Association secretary has admitted that police should be the last people called to mental health incidents. I understand this was an incident in Victoria, but the way police and other first responders are trained to deal with these situations is an issue for every jurisdiction.
I respect the difficult job first responders do every day, but I believe they are not equipped to deal with vulnerable people in a mental health crisis.
Yours sincerely
(your name)
Heidi Everett is a mental health recovery advocate calling for a revamped triple zero helpline to ensure properly trained individuals are involved in these critical moments. I urge to consider her campaign (Change.org/TripleZero)
Minister contacts:
NSW
The Hon. David Elliot
(02) 9686 3110
baulkhamhills@parliament.nsw.gov.au
VIC
Lisa Neville
Phone: (03) 5250 1987
Email: lisa.neville@parliament.vic.gov.au
SA
Vincent Tarzia
(08) 8365 1341
ministertarzia@sa.gov.au
TAS
Mark Shelton
mark.shelton@parliament.tas.gov.au
QLD
Hon. Mark Ryan
07 5343 5100
police@ministerial.qld.gov.au
NT
Nicole Mannison
08 8999 6795
electorate.wanguri@nt.gov.au
WA
Michelle Roberts
Minister.Roberts@dpc.wa.gov.au
ACT
Mick Gentleman
Ph: (02) 6205 0218
gentleman@act.gov.au
Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan APM
(02) 5127 4015
neil.gaughan@afp.gov.au