‘They won’t help me’: Teen’s desperate post before suicide

A young woman who died by suicide and a veteran shot dead by police are both linked to the mental health unit at an under-fire Queensland hospital.

Anne and Gene Le Pla, mother and stepfather of Courtney Morison. Photo: Daryl Wright

A young Queensland woman suffering depression and pleading for help was repeatedly told to go home by staff at a Townsville Hospital after self-harming and took her own life just hours after being discharged yet again.

Courtney Grace Morison’s care at Townsville University Hospital is now being investigated in a “full clinical review” following her death after she was released from the mental health unit in October.

The revelation comes just a week after the same hospital came under scrutiny for sending veteran Steven Angus home after trying to harm himself, just hours before he was shot dead by police.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said, while it wasn’t appropriate to comment on individual cases, she had been advised a review of Courtney’s care was under way.

Courtney Morison took her own life in October 2022 at 22 years of age. Source: Supplied.

“This could help the Townsville Hospital and Health Service shape any actions, should the findings come back with recommendations,” Ms D’Ath said.

“In addition to any local review, we recognise there is still a lot of work to be done across the state regarding mental health, alcohol and other drug services.”

Courtney’s mother, Anne Le Pla, and sister, Brittany Morison, believe more should have been done to keep her alive, and she should never have been released so soon.

“If somebody goes in there twice in a row trying to take their own life, you would think that would mean something was wrong,” Mrs Le Pla said.

“At the end of the day, what they told her was inexcusable.

“Every moving part has played a part in this.”

Courtney was a “smart arse”, funny and cheeky, but inside that bubbly persona she was dealing with an internal battle with her mental health.

Anne Le Pla lost her 22-year-old daughter Courtney Morison to suicide in October 2022. Photo: Daryl Wright.

She was diagnosed with bipolar in 2018 and struggled with her mental health for years, but she was on medication and knew when to get herself help.

Courtney moved to Townsville in 2021 and was seeing an allied health service where she was supported.

Ms Morison said her sister didn’t like to burden her with how she was struggling, but she sought professional help when she felt she needed it.

“Courtney has suffered with her mental health for many years and when she was living up in Townsville she would present herself to the hospital when she was struggling – something I was extremely proud of,” Ms Morison said.

“Whenever she thought of hurting herself or was struggling she always reached out for help every time.”

But things spiralled out of control last year when Courtney was sexually assaulted.

She had reported it to police and was working with them on the investigation, but her mental health declined.

Courtney shared a heartbreaking status to her Facebook page about how she felt the hospital repeatedly didn’t take her health seriously.

Courtney Morison. Source: Supplied.

Courtney Morison. Source: Supplied.

“How do you deal with being told it’s behavioural all (the) time from the hospital …” she wrote.

“I’m diagnosed with bipolar as well and haven’t been doing well, everyone around can see something is clearly wrong but they won’t help me cause (sic) it’s behavioural apparently.”

Ms Morison said her sister told her the same thing.

“A lot of the time Courtney would tell me they (TUH) didn’t do anything, they would often dismiss her, said there is nothing wrong with her, that they can’t treat it as it’s more a behavioural problem, even though she has been diagnosed with mental health issues.”

On October 9, two days before Courtney died, she tried to take her own life and was taken to hospital.

They took her in, but she was released the next day.

On October 10, she tried to take her own life again. The hospital took her in late at night, but she was released within hours.

Courtney died the next morning.

Courtney Morison posted a status to Facebook detailing how Townsville University Hospital didn't take her mental health problems seriously.

Mrs Le Pla said she found it hard to fathom how her daughter was released from what was meant to be a safe place.

“I don’t want any other mother to go through what we are going through,” Mrs Le Pla said.

“Every day is a new sensation of pain.”

Mental health units can’t force patients to stay, but Ms Morison said she wished someone would have listened to her sister earlier.

“I know they can’t force patients to stay in the hospital if they want to leave but Courtney tried to overdose on medication the day before she took her own life and they let her out.”

This is the second incident which has thrust the care at Townsville University Hospital into the spotlight in recent weeks, in wake of veteran Steven Angus being released from the ward just hours before he was shot dead by police on April 21, which is now being investigated.

Townsville University Hospital chief executive Kieran Keyes confirmed the hospital was reviewing Courtney’s level of care, with the review to be completed “soon”.

“I can confirm a clinical review is currently underway into the care Ms Morison received. Findings will determine if there are any leanings or actions resulting from this tragedy,” Mr Keyes said.

“Our health service is subject to privacy and confidentiality legislation and for this reason, I am unable to provide any further details about Ms Morison’s care.

“Intensive mental health care is complex, and it is our priority to ensure the care of each

individual person is tailored in a setting that best suits their needs. This can be either in the

community or an inpatient unit.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Ms Morison.”

Ms D’Ath said the state government “acknowledges the impact mental health has in the community”.

“That’s why we are investing $1.645 billion dollars in mental health programs and services over the next five years.”

NOTE: The Press Council has not upheld a complaint about this article. Read the full adjudication here.