Phillip Island community demand for more Bass Coast mental health services

Phillip Island has been rocked by recent deaths of people who have taken their own lives. Now locals are sharing their stories and demanding for change.

Joshua Watts has been remembered for his smile and philosophical mind.

For Lisa Pratt, her grandson’s death has been almost paralysing.

“There are days that I just want this to be a nightmare and wake up from the dream,” the mourning Phillip Island resident said.

The family lost 20-year-old Josh Watts last month when he died by suicide.

“There are days of complete emotional breakdowns and I cry all day,” she said.

But for struggling Phillip Island residents, dedicated mental health treatment is more than 140km away in Latrobe Valley.

Josh isn’t the only recent fatality, with 65 people across regional Victoria taking their own life this year — at least two of those in the Bass Coast in March alone.

The region’s mental health support programs include Headspace and Wellways — both in Wonthaggi so the community is calling for dedicated services closer to home.

For Ms Pratt, her grandson’s six-year mental health struggle was only made more difficult by the distance he had to travel to get help.

“He explained that he sometimes had some psychotic episodes that made him feel confused and unsafe within himself, often giving him suicidal thoughts,” she said.

“They didn’t happen very regularly, but he looked for help to understand and work on the problem.”

He was never officially diagnosed with a medical condition but was prescribed medication that helped with his sleep.

Josh’s mental health declined in mid-February.

He had two suicide attempts before tragically taking his own life in Cowes on March 26.

Ms Pratt said although her family had some positive experiences with mental health services on the island, she believes improvements need to be made.

Joshua Watts was 20-years-old when he tragically took his life. Picture: Supplied

She said Josh was given a referral to see a specialist in Melbourne but there was a four-month waiting period even as a private patient.

“There were no other local options provided or offers for immediate support for the interim and there were no follow-up appointments,” she said.

“Most people suffering with mental health issues will not seek follow-ups, this needs to be done by the professionals so that they can monitor the patients’ individual needs and risks of self-harm.”

Josh was admitted to the Flynn Unit at Traralgon’s Latrobe Regional Hospital, which provided treatment, education and rehabilitation in an effort to help him return to the community and recover.

The Flynn Unit is the only inpatient facility in Gippsland and is more than 140km away from Phillip Island.

Ms Pratt said her and Josh’s father Allan drove to Traralgon everyday to visit Josh during the designated visiting hours.

She said the drive was “exhausting” as Josh was there for three days on two separate occasions.

Phillip Island registered psychologist Jason Crestani said mental health services in the area were underfunded.

“I think Phillip Island and Bass Coast residents have gone without services for years because most of the government, community and mental services are all funded and based in Latrobe Valley,” Mr Crestani said.

“Residents would rather go without than travel a four hour round trip.”

Mr Crestani said funding should go to the Bass Coast and not Latrobe Valley organisations.

“We are not part of their community so we should be funded appropriately,” he said.

“When they do use the funding for the Bass Coast it is usually just an outreach program and only short term limited services can be provided.”

Bass Coast police Sergeant Andy O’Brien said death by suicide was happening “too much” in Phillip Island.

“We need to have conversations as a community on how we can address it,” Sgt O’Brien said.

“It’s certainly very traumatic in a small community for these things to be occurring.”

KATHLEEN’S STORY

Although Mr Crestani said the island had a “good supply” of private psychologists, Cape Woolamai resident Kathleen Dorsett said she had experienced delays for psychologists and bulk billing counselling.

“The population on the island has increased dramatically,” Ms Dorsett said.

“Which in turn is causing a strain on the health care system that was already lacking to begin with.”

The 35-year-old said she travelled to Melbourne and Warragul looking for support after being diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety.

Ms Dorsett said she has struggled with paying for psychologists upfront and has “put off” seeing someone due to the affordability.

“I have found it hard when most psychologists require the full payment of the session upfront,” she said

“This can be a couple of hundred of dollars which is hard to come up with at times and a claim through Medicare can also take a few days.”

Ms Dorsett said continuous support services need to be improved.

“I feel it comes to a point that I hit the end of the road with the support on the island,” she said.

“When I get to the stage of needing a hospital in a bipolar episode, it is usually that I am at my end point and are unsure of where to go or what to do to get out of it.”

Ms Dorsett said she usually ends up sitting in her car at the beach because inpatient facilities are too far away.

She said she is “one of the lucky ones” because she has support from her husband, son and friends.

“Some people that are struggling do not have this and these are the people that seem to fall through the cracks,” she said.

“It is these people that we need to fight for so a better mental health care system is in place.”

Mr Crestani said the triage crisis mental health services should be conducting urgent home visits when people are suicidal.

“This would be much better than sending police around with minimal mental health training who already have a huge varied workload,” he said.

KATE’S STORY

Cowes resident Kate Heywood lost her brother Luke Prattley after he took his own life in 2016 at the age of 34.

“He was struggling with life for as long as I can remember,” she said.

“Then one day five years ago, he made the decision to end it.”

Ms Heywood said the death of her brother significantly impacted the dynamic of her family.

“We used to be so close, talking everyday,” she said.

“We were always together for special occasions but once he left it was that one missing person from it all.”

Ms Heywood said some of her family members who have struggled with mental health haven’t been able to get the help they need because there aren’t enough services on the island.

The mother-of-three who is expecting her fourth child in May said she wants to see changes for the future of her kids.

She said there needs to be better access to child and teen psychiatrists, youth groups, speech therapists and suicide support groups.

Mr Crestani, who has been a psychologist for 25 years, said there are leadership support programs at Newhaven College and Wonthaggi Secondary College.

Luke Prattley tragically died by suicide at the age of 34.

“It’s the people around our young people who have the ability to check in on them and ask the simple question Are You Okay?” he said.

“We are all busy but at the end of the day, young people just want to feel heard, that they matter and have a purpose in their life.”

Mr Crestani said death by suicide can be prevented if people grow up knowing they can always get support from a psychologist.

“It is no different from getting a consultant to improve your business or a financial planner to help improve your finances,” he said.

“If these services are sought early, they continue to stay ahead.”

He said if people grow up knowing there are experts on human behaviour and emotions, they will begin using them throughout their life at an early stage.

Ms Pratt said the island needs clearer communication on what services are available and where to go for immediate help.

“We have the Phillip Island Health Hub but surely there’s a room that could be used for young people to contact a sponsor to go and sit with them to provide company or just space to feel safe,” she said.

“Many young people do not believe that their parents will understand and do not reach out to people they know.”

Ms Pratt said this “one small thing” could save Phillip Island locals from thinking that taking their own life is their only option.

If you want more information on support available, visit Wellways here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and at risk of suicide contact a support service immediately.

Follow The Bass Coast News on Facebook to keep up to date with other local stories.

[e-mail]