Mental health: Greg Hunt outlines integrated plan for suicidal patients

Health minister’s plan to integrate mental health system in ‘once in a decade’ transformation.

The Productivity Commission’s draft report into mental health found that 75 per cent of people first experience mental illness before they turn 25. Picture: Supplied

Australians who attempt suicide or have suicidal thoughts could be tracked and provided ongoing care when they’re discharged from hospital, as part of a “true national partnership” between the federal government and the states to build an integrated mental health system.

Following revelations that mental illness and suicide was costing the economy about $180 billion each year, Health Minister Greg Hunt said the states and Commonwealth would share responsibility for mental health and undertake a “once-in-a-decade transformation” of the system.

The plan to overhaul the system followed the release of the Productivity Commission’s draft report into mental health, which delivered landmark findings including that 75 per cent of people first experience mental illness before they turn 25.

The draft report found a program offering effective aftercare for people after a suicide attempt or in suicide distress was needed “as soon as possible”.

“We should be tracking, with the consent of individuals, with support services for every single person in Australia who’s been discharged from a state hospital for suicidality or suicide attempt when they’re in the recovery phase,” Mr Hunt told Sky News.

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“And it’s one of the things that I’ve identified and one of the points of the Productivity Commission has been the way in which we support people after they have been discharged.

“What we know is that there are four million Australians with a mental health challenge and that at any one time it can be profoundly distressing for themselves and their family.”

Scott Morrison’s national suicide prevention adviser Christine Morgan said only a proportion of people who die by suicide in Australia had contact with the health system, so there was a “need to consolidate as well as broaden our approach”.

“Aftercare is an important part of effective suicide prevention and I am considering the Productivity Commission’s advice as well as the views of service providers and people with lived experience as I develop my advice for the Prime Minister on improving approaches to suicide prevention,” Ms Morgan said.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt says the states and Commonwealth will share responsibility for mental health and undertake a “once-in-a-decade transformation” of the system. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

“But I would also add that aftercare is just one part of a suicide prevention response, and that I remain focused on developing advice about what more we can do to identify and assist people in distress and crisis before they make an attempt on their life as well.”

Opposition health spokesman Chris Bowen said Labor would offer bipartisan support “if we see substantial investment and change”.

The Australian Council of Social Service CEO Cassandra Goldie said the commission’s draft report was a “clarion call” to governments to take a new approach to the treatment and support of people experiencing mental ill health.

“The commission has heeded the calls from community and mental health experts for a much greater focus on prevention and early intervention, finding that we have under-invested in this part of the system,” Ms Goldie said.

“We welcome its direct focus on the role of affordable, secure, stable housing and of financial stressors in mental ill health. We particularly welcome the commission’s recommendations to prevent discharges from hospital into homelessness and address persistent homelessness.”

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists president John Allan said the report “correctly identifies the number of psychiatrists available in the community is not keeping up with our needs which are increasing due to population growth and distribution, ageing, clinical trends and patient expectations”.

Written submissions to the commission can be made until January 23.

If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636