NewsBite

Victorian mental health data hits five-year high

Mental health-related presentations to Victorian emergency ­departments have surged to a five-year high.

Victorian Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt, left, and Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Blair Jackson
Victorian Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt, left, and Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Blair Jackson

Mental health-related presentations to Victorian emergency ­departments have surged to a five-year high, as has the state’s suicide rate, amid warnings that last week’s state budget shows the Labor government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of a royal commission is faltering.

The annual report on mental health, alcohol and other drug treatment services in Victoria, ­released last month by government body the Victorian Agency for Health Information, shows that for the most recent four-week period, an average of 2184 Victorians sought help at emergency departments for mental health conditions – a higher number than at any other four-week period over the past five years.

It represents an extra 310 mental health presentations per week compared with the same four weeks of 2023.

The report also shows readmission rates for the same mental health patient to the same campus within 48 hours are at their highest rate in the past five years, indicating patients are being sent home without the necessary support.

The increases come as coronial statistics for the March quarter show there were 222 suspected deaths by suicide reported in Victoria in the first three months of this year, compared with 189 over the same period last year, 172 in 2022, 177 in 2021 and 186 in 2020.

The increase comes as Suicide Prevention Australia has highlighted the findings of its most ­recent “community tracker” survey, which found Victoria had recorded the biggest jump in financial distress of any state over the past 18 months, with 54 per cent of people surveyed saying they are experiencing cost-of-living distress beyond normal levels.

Victorian opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw
Victorian opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Mental Health Victoria chief executive Marcelle Mogg said the government was failing to enact reforms recommended by a royal commission into mental health, with no money in last week’s budget for a range of services, including a lived experience agency and the creation of regional mental health and wellbeing boards, no clarity over the status of funding for the establishment of 2000 supported ­dwellings and a delay in the rollout of local mental health and wellbeing hubs.

“Taken together, these delays and missed timelines around core structural and resourcing priorities create doubt as to the ability to realise a better mental health system envisioned by the royal commission within what was an already ambitious 10-year horizon,” Ms Mogg said.

She said local mental health hubs were key to relieving pressure on emergency departments.

Victoria’s budget shows rising debt and major cuts

“This becomes a domino ­effect. Without comprehensive care available in the community, people have no choice but to present to emergency departments,” Ms Mogg said.

An Allan government spokesman said: “The mental health sector told us we need to review the pace of reform and prioritise building the workforce – and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

“We have already delivered six new mental health and AOD emergency department hubs, with another on the way. These hubs provide specialist care and support while easing pressure on our busy emergency departments. Since the royal commission, we’ve made the largest investment into mental health in Australia’s history.”

Opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy said the government had had years to fix Victoria’s “broken” mental health system. “But it has failed to deliver and Victorians are paying the price,” Ms Kealy said.

If you, or someone you know, are at risk of suicide, call: Lifeline, 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue, 1300 22 4636

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/victorian-mental-health-data-hits-fiveyear-high/news-story/db671d64179d754aba20566c8082768f