NewsBite

Mental health

Advertisement
Joanne Cockle stresses constantly about paying for appointments for herself and her two children with autism (she cancelled a specialist appointment before christmas because she couldn’t afford the $380 gap fee). More than half of people in NSW reported their mental health was worse because of cost of living pressures, a new survey has found. Bateau Bay, January 23, 2025. Photo: Rhett Wyman / SMH

NSW is in a cost-of-living crisis. Here’s what it is doing to our health

Joanne Cockle cancelled a specialist appointment because she couldn’t afford the $380 gap fee. Balancing her own needs with those of her two children is a constant stress.

  • Angus Thomson

Latest

Composite image of Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists president Elizabeth Moore.

Judges, doctors warn of ‘unacceptable risk’ to public safety

Doctors are deeply concerned for their severely mentally ill patients and the public, as Sydney courts brace for the impact on the criminal justice system.

  • Kate Aubusson and Angus Thomson
Ishtpal Singh faced court on Wednesday charged with murder.

Accused killer faces court over body found in playground

Ishtpal Singh is accused of killing a 36-year-old father of two at a playground in Melbourne’s west.

  • Erin Pearson and Hannah Hammoud
Resigned NSW Health psychiatrist, Dr Christina Matthews and Dr Pramudie Gunaratne, the NSW chair of the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Wards closed, emergency departments under pressure as doctors walk off job

Resigning psychiatrists warn of worsening backlogs in emergency departments when mentally ill patients have nowhere to go due to ward closures.

  • Angus Thomson and Kate Aubusson
Resigning public psychiatrist Prachi Brahmbhatt

Prachi can’t advocate for her patients in NSW, so she’s leaving

Prachi Brahmbhatt is one of dozens of psychiatrists quitting the NSW health system. The body representing her and her colleagues say this will be disastrous.

  • Max Maddison and Nick Newling
Fairfield resident Julie Dempsey says physical restraint and seclusion as a mental health patient left her feeling broken.

‘You feel like an animal in a zoo’: Hospitals on notice amid ‘concerning’ trend

The mental health watchdog says its findings on restrictive practices should be a wake-up call for emergency departments, medical wards and inpatient facilities.

  • Broede Carmody
Advertisement
Pictured is Jessica Comish at her home on the south coast. Sunday19th January, 2025. She is pictured for Angus Thomson mental health story. Picture: Dylan Coker / The Sydney Morning Herald ...

On the worst day of Jessica’s life, the only doctor who could help her was on a screen

Two-thirds of psychiatrists in NSW public hospitals will quit this week. The impact for patients like Jessica Comish will be devastating in a system already strained.

  • Angus Thomson
Anne O’Keeffe is a mindfulness dance instructor.

The science of being unable to meditate – and what to do instead

Anne O’Keeffe can only meditate when she’s in a good place mentally. When she’s not, the practice only makes things worse.

  • Liam Mannix
Destanee Aiava made waves with her first-round Australian Open win, but that was just the latest chapter in an already-incredible story.

‘I can’t relate to it any more:’ How Destanee Aiava found joy after hitting rock bottom

Aiava’s stunning first-round win at the Australian Open came after childhood trauma and, in one awful moment, her plan to take her own life.

  • Marc McGowan
The woman was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical condition.

NSW hospitals are about to lose 200 doctors. Here’s how they’re preparing to cope

Leaked recordings show NSW public hospitals are preparing to lose some services under emergency settings akin to those seen during the COVID pandemic. 

  • Angus Thomson

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/mental-health-5zo