Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 757 standing in my name and the name of Senator Di Natale relating to Schizophrenia Awareness Week, in the terms circulated in the chamber.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

  (a)   notes that:

     (i)   14 May to 20 May 2012 is Schizophrenia Awareness Week, and

     (ii)   people with severe mental illness can, on average, die up to 25 years earlier than the rest of the community and are at a higher risk of experiencing physical illness;

  (b)   recognises that:

     (i)   diabetes occurs in approximately 15 per cent of people with schizophrenia, a rate three times higher than in the general population, and

     (ii)   after 5 years, 28 per cent of people with respiratory disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder who also have schizophrenia have died, compared with 15 per cent of people with no serious mental health problems; and

  (c)   calls on the Government to show leadership in making the physical health issues of people with mental illness a priority across the national health system.

Question agreed to.