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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-05-27 Daily Xml
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The Jam, The Mix, The Gig

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:52): I rise to speak about an important and highly successful outreach program that uses music to assist South Australians going through the difficult experience of living with mental health issues. For almost 20 years, The Jam, The Mix, The Gig (JMG) has been engaging people with mental health issues. Yesterday, they played one of their gigs at The Parks, a gig I would loved to have attended had parliament not been sitting and a gig that I am sure was brilliant.

However, this performance was tinged with sadness—sadness because, due to a lack of ongoing funding from this Marshall Liberal government, it will have shamefully been their final one. The JMG program consists of three parts: The Jam, The Mix, The Gig. The Jam and The Mix workshops comprise 20 sessions, while The Gig program delivers 12 public performances annually. Anyone living with mental illness is welcome to attend the jam sessions irrespective of their musical experience.

Members are then invited to join The Mix, where they can practise and demonstrate their performance skills as part of the JMG Band. The Mix provides an opportunity for members to improve their skills and repertoire. JMG was formed in 2000 from the Fine Lines Band, a band whose members also experienced mental illness. There are about 30 regular JMG members at any one time and it includes performances with guest artists, recording projects and collaborations with other organisations.

Anyone who has ever experienced mental illness or had a loved one who has knows that any programs that successfully reduce isolation and stigma and really hold, support and enable people are crucial as they walk their difficult journey. The benefits this program provides community members are immeasurable and invaluable. These lovely words from one participant certainly sum up the incredible value of the program to them and others:

For many members, it helps us realise our potential and helps us deal with our issues in a more positive way. I believe I speak for all JMG members when I say it gives me a reason to get up in the morning. This is one of the many reasons why it is best that the program continues.

It defies belief that those opposite, in the wake of mental health service shortages, in light of the many difficulties that community mental health organisations have suffered as a result of this government's cruel cuts and in light of the pandemic and the associated impacts on mental health, have blatantly refused to provide $26,000 for this program to continue.

JMG is the sort of preventative program needed in this state to rightly provide opportunities for people with mental health issues and to relieve pressure on our grossly stretched health system. Like its response, or lack thereof, to other pressing issues experienced by community members with mental illness and to other issues, including domestic violence and child protection, this government just does not understand the difference that early intervention and prevention can make in people's lives now and into the future.

JMG provides a safe space and caring environment for valuable, interpersonal connections amongst members, allowing them to develop their personal skills and to work within a team. Music and the arts more broadly include, empower and bring people together. JMG is an open, welcoming organisation that offers services specific to members' needs. Each member is unique and will differ in their expectations of the program and in what they wish to gain. The programs offered to participants are free and provide a vital therapy service that participants could otherwise not access.

For almost two decades, JMG has empowered many South Australians struggling with mental health issues to explore their creativity, develop skills, connect with others and build confidence. JMG was previously funded through Arts SA, and they also received funding through Labor's innovative northern communities program, which will cease at the end of June this year.

To continue to service this community, JMG needs and deserves ongoing, sustainable funding. Specifically, they are requesting just $26,000 of annual funding from this Marshall Liberal government. With this small amount of funding, JMG has made a difference in people's lives for almost 20 years. How on earth can the Marshall Liberal government justify cruelly cutting a program like this? I implore this government to find this modest amount of funding—funding that is modest but that will have a huge impact in continuing to engage and support South Australians living with mental illness.

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