National Cabinet must prioritise mental health and take a collaborative approach – it’s a matter of life or death

MENTAL health care in Australia – and especially the Territory – needs to be a bigger priority, writes DENISE CAHILL.

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MENTAL health is in crisis across Australia and needs to be a top priority for national cabinet.

The coronavirus pandemic has shown how vital high level health facilities are, not just in the Northern Territory but around the world.

The Territory’s ability to hospitalise all COVID-19 patients until they returned two negative coronavirus tests no doubt contributed significantly to our low case numbers and lack of community transmission.

This was achieved because of the deliberate approach from Health.

The formula was right for coronavirus but, as a nation, we’re way behind on developing an approach to effectively care for mental health patients so they don’t take their own lives, those of others or put other people at risk.

Last week it was revealed that 14 mental health patients at Royal Darwin Hospital were overflowing into other departments, putting staff and patients at risk.

This is despite the Territory securing $50m in federal government funding for a dedicated mental health facility, which is still at the “business case” stage.

The Royal Darwin Hospital main entrance. Picture Che Chorley

The NT government signed an agreement with the federal government in June.

A Top End Health Service spokesman said last week they were actively involved in the planning of the dedicated mental health facility and participating in the development of a business case.

Every state and territory is battling a mental health crisis, which should send a clear message to national cabinet that a collaborative approach is needed to ensure mental health patients are not turned away or receive sub-par treatment because of increased demand for mental health care.

There are several outstanding mental health organisations that provide a range of services for free but most are not-for-profits and have to juggle treating some of our most vulnerable people with raising money to keep their doors open.

Last year, headspace chief executive Jason Trethowan said the not-for-profit provided a secure entry point for young people who desperately needed support but they were only one part of a fragmented system.

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“The political leadership is there but the traction on the ground for a better connected and more accountable system needs to be prioritised,” he said.

“Recent inquiries into mental health tell us that more than half of those who died by suicide had presented to services in their final six weeks of life.

“This is such a devastating fact because we can see that people are reaching out for help but the system is failing them in their time of need.

“Sadly, I know this to be true because I speak to young people who have been let down by services and bereaved parents who are struggling for answers. When I reflect on those conversations, I see there are three critical areas to address.”

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Benjamin Hoffmann, the Darwin man who allegedly killed four people and severely injured a fifth during a shooting rampage in Darwin just over a year ago, claimed he was denied treatment for a mental health condition three times in the hours before the tragic incident.

Just like coronavirus, mental health is life or death and demands national attention and priority … now.

Denise Cahill is the Head of News at the NT News

Follow @DeniseCahill18