Call for submissions as mental health inquiry set to kick off early next year

Queensland’s ‘complex’ mental health system is set to be reviewed with heartbreaking stories of suicide and grief expected to reveal how vulnerable people are falling through the cracks.

Heartbreaking stories of suicide and grief are expected to be laid bare during a critical review of Queensland’s “complex” mental health system.

A six-month investigation will analyse the state of Queensland’s mental health system, its funding and ways to improve the lives and treatment of people experiencing mental illness.

The review was launched after a campaign by The Courier-Mail revealed adults in crisis were waiting a year to see overwhelmed clinicians while children were waiting up to 18 months – increasing the risk of self-harm and suicide.

Mental Health Select Committee chair Joe Kelly said the review aimed to understand and improve Queensland’s response to psychological illness.

“We know there has been an increase in the experience of mental health-related illness in the community, and that there is a need to better understand the needs and demand pressures of Queensland’s mental health system,” he said.

Former nurse and State Member for Greenslopes Joe Kelly has been selected to chair the Mental Health Select Committee. Picture: Richard Walker

“It’s such a complex issue and we’ll hear a lot of challenges around youth mental health – we’ll hear stories of families trying to support people with mental illness.

“If we can play a role in helping to keep people in the community and healthy, then the committee would have done a good job.”

Queensland’s emergency departments have had almost 66,000 mental health presentations in a year – the second-highest in the country behind New South Wales — and there has been a shocking 44 per cent rise in children aged 0-4 attending with mental health-related problems.

Mr Kelly, a registered nurse, expected the committee would hear harrowing tales of “lived experiences” from people struggling with mental health issues.

“My family has experienced the normal gamut of mental health issues and I’d be really surprised there is anyone in our society who hasn’t been touched by mental health,” he said.

“Christmas is a particularly difficult time for people affected by mental health issues where it can be a tough time for family or friendships.”

He said youth and indigenous mental health were two areas “of concern” and acknowledged the complexity of the health system meant it was difficult to assess what should be fixed.

“I can’t categorically say what the state of mental health services are – that’s why we need to hold an inquiry,” he said. “It’s a really complex system and we need to have a really deep look at it.” 

Submissions to the inquiry will close on February 4 and public hearings will be held before the committee’s report is released no later than May 31.

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