Office of Health Minister Yvette D’Ath fails to address teen facing mental health crisis

The story of a Queensland teenager who has tried to take her life more than 20 times prompted a heartwarming response from her community. But Health Minister Yvette D’Ath’s office has failed to address the mental health crisis facing Bella and her family.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath’s office has failed to address the harrowing case of a Kingaroy teenager who has tried to take her life more than 20 times.

Last weekend The Sunday Mail revealed the pleas of 15-year-old Bella, who called out for proper mental health treatment rather than being handballed from service to service within the state.

But in response to the plea, the minister has simply handed on queries on Bella’s case to the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, which has offered no solution.

Fifteen-year-old Bella at her home in Kingaroy. Picture: Lachie Millard

Meanwhile, Bella’s care lands on the shoulders of her exhausted mother and father Ty and Kel Irvine who are on constant watch, sleeping with one eye open to keep their daughter away from harm.

“In the last week local people have been amazing offering groceries and things like that and staff at Kingaroy Hospital contacted us saying they would have a check-in chat with Bella once a week,” Mr Irvine said.

“It’s not the fault of staff there, but that $92m new hospital does not provide long-term mental health care for kids like Bella.

“Any time she has been there for self-harm, she is sent home within a day or so.

“We appreciate their help but Bella needs to be in a place like Jacaranda Place at Chermside, a facility that can help treat her mind rather than somewhere to just patch up her wounds.”

Bella’s dad said the family had made some inquiries about getting Bella into Jacaranda Place, but had hit stumbling blocks.

Bella with her parents Kelly and Ty in Kingaroy. Picture: Lachie Millard

“We were given the impression they wouldn’t take her because of her very frequent self harm,” he said.

“But this is the kind of place that she needs to be.”

Queensland Health confirmed that Jacaranda Place provides integrated mental health extended treatment and rehabilitation care with educational and vocational opportunities for adolescents experiencing severe and complex mental health issues.

The 12-bed subacute inpatient places at Jacaranda Place are delivered in conjunction with 10 day-program places with the Department of Education providing on-site education and vocational services.

“Each year, Queensland’s public mental health system provides care to more than 110,000 people and delivers over 2.1 million provisions of service to the community,” a QH spokesman said.

“Queensland Health has prioritised strategies and investment to meet the needs of people experiencing mental illness. If you or someone you care about is distressed, in crisis, suicidal or needs someone to talk to, help is available.”

But Ty Irvine said that until his Bella was deemed a priority, the family would continue to get her help from a private psychologist.

“And that is only able to happen for the short term thanks to amazing people who gave to GoFundMe after the Sunday Mail story,” he said.

“We are forever grateful for that.”

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