MENTAL HEALTH REFORM IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Disability Rights
MENTAL HEALTH REFORM IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
| Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM, Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner PRESS CONFERENCE |
 |
Allow me to commence by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land
on which we stand. This acknowledgment reminds us of cultural traditions
stretching back to time immemorial, as well as aspirations in our own
time for a fair and inclusive society.
I am delighted to be here today to help:
- the Australian Nursing Federation (SA Branch),
- Uniting Care Wesley, SA Divisions of General Practice,
- SA Council of Social Services, and
- the Mental Health Council of Australia,
to highlight the need for urgent mental healthcare reform in South Australia.
For the past four months I have been traveling around the country with
my colleagues from the Mental Health Council of Australia to investigate
claims that the system has turned its back on those Australians in need
of mental health care.
As part of our review we have received over 300 submissions and conducted
20 community forums. Two of these forums were held in South Australia
and 30 submissions have been received from individuals and organisations
in South Australia.
Our reading of all data paints a very grim picture!
This is consistent with many other reports on the state of mental healthcare
in Australia, including the SANE report, that was launched recently by
Professor Allan Fels. Professor Fels spoke about a national system that
was in crisis, but also pointed to the South Australian system as the
worst in the nation!
I'd have to say, with regret, that our analysis would support the claim
that the South Australian system is clearly the worst and needs urgent
repair.
The 10 Point Plan for reform and the detailed strategies that the Mental
Health Reform Alliance will be launching today resonates strongly with
our findings.
Our information suggests there is an over-reliance on inpatient services
in this State.
We continue to hear debates about bed crises but the real problem it
seems is the South Australian Government's lack of investment in community-based
systems of care, including supported housing, rehabilitation programs
and assistance with employment.
Had the Government invested in this way, we wouldn't be seeing such a
high demand for acute hospital care.
In other words, people wouldn't be so unwell. People would be getting
treatment early and be supported in their community and be less reliant
on the acute care system.
Surely these are basic human rights!
We have heard too many stories about people in South Australia not being
able to access care unless they are in crisis. People shouldn't have to
wait until they are acutely unwell before they get care.
People who find themselves in this position become increasingly disabled
as a consequence of their mental illness and the lack of access to appropriate
care.
If the Government takes up this Ten Point Plan as a framework for reform
it will no doubt be able to prevent further disability occurring and prevent
further costs to the community.
Surely this makes good economic and social sense.
It is also time that South Australia got in step with the rest of the
country and worked out what to do with its archaic psychiatric institution,
Glenside. Not only is this an outdated and inhumane system of care, but
we have been told that many of the buildings at Glenside are run down
and unsafe environments for staff and patients.
We live in a modern world, with access to the latest advances in medical
technology and treatments - there is no excuse for archaic systems of
care. Other alternatives must be examined.
An overwhelming theme in the SA submissions was the lack of services
for young people in this State. Left untreated, these young people face
serious risks of dying by suicide or becoming the seriously disabled adults
of tomorrow.
As the rates of illness continue to increase in younger persons, because
they are not treated adequately, the costs of handling the situation in
the future will increase significantly. The Government can immediately
address this critical area of need by putting in place effective systems
of early intervention.
This is a sensible investment in the future of the State!
During our community forums here in South Australia we heard from some
very brave service providers; all of whom expressed deep frustration with
the system in which they work.
The morale of the mental health workforce in this State appears to be
at an all time low. Without a well functioning and well resourced workforce
we can never hope to see an improvement in the access to or quality of
mental healthcare.
In South Australia, people with mental disorders, their families, and
staff working in the system feel frustrated, demoralised and let down.
Their goodwill, patience and support for the genuine mental healthcare
reform are being tested
So I call upon the South Australian Government to give serious consideration
to this Ten Point Plan and its detailed strategies - developed by people
who are at the coalface of dealing with mental health, people with undoubted
expertise in this area.
I urge the Government to work with the groups here today to put their
Ten Point Plan into practice.
The fact that so many groups have come together to develop this plan
speaks volumes! It is no longer a case of one person or one group saying
the system is dysfunctional - the dissatisfaction is widespread and has
come to the attention of my Commission and other National organisations.