Forum hears of need for mental health reform

Australia’s Human Rights commissioner has heard first hand of serious problems for those in need of mental health care in South Australia.

Australia’s Human Rights commissioner has heard first hand of serious problems for those in need of mental health care in South Australia.A public forum has been told that a lack of funding and little regard for mental illness has made the suffering of patients worse.The commissioner is taking part in nationwide community consultations over claims of a lack of support for mental health care. In Adelaide today, patients, families and even professionals reinforced that view. Many personal stories were linked to inadequate funding and resources. Some public servants also criticised their own system, saying it was grinding staff down and discouraging good workers. Mental Health Council chairman Keith Wilson, himself a former West Australian Labor health minister, says it is not an area of health care that politicians like to acknowledge.”If they don’t pay any attention to mental health care, they think, ‘well, there’s no votes in that, it’s not worth our while putting a lot of resources into it’,” he said.He says the committee will report to each state government with what it hopes is the strongest lobbying tool yet to reform mental health.(Source: ABC News: July 2004)