Australia's Mental Health Shambles
AMA Vice President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today that Australia's poor response to people living with mental illness has resulted in very limited access to services and a greater demand on already stretched emergency departments and services for homeless people.
Dr Haikerwal said the disease burden from psychiatric illness in Australia is underestimated and too many people with mental illness are denied access to a hospital bed in times of crisis.
"When care was moved from the old stand-alone psychiatric hospitals during the 1990s, sweeping changes were promised. Care in the community was the way to go, a more humane approach," Dr Haikerwal said.
"The fact is many people living with mental illness need hospital care from time to time and the beds are just not there.
"Dollars saved from closing mental health institutions and acute beds in hospitals have not been redirected to community based care as promised, and vulnerable Australians are paying the price.
"We need more beds and better community based care. Services must be better coordinated and include private psychiatrists as key providers of mental health care.
"We must start to develop a more realistic workforce and infrastructure. GPs who are often at the front line of mental health care need responsive backup. Carers and family members of people with a mental illness also need support," Dr Haikerwal said.
Australia currently spends $3.71 billion on Mental Health Services - 7.5 per cent of total allocated health expenditure. To reach the 12 per cent average of other OECD countries Australia must commit to an additional spend of around $1.5 billion annually.
Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show over 2 million people in Australia experience a mental illness each year.
- 3-4% of people in Australia experience severe mental disorders, which significantly interfere with their mental well-being and reduce their capacity to participate fully in community life.
- 1 in 5 people (20%) in Australia 18 years or older meet at least one criteria for a mental disorder.
- 62% of people with a mental illness receive no assistance at all or depend on informal support - usually from unpaid carers and families.
- Children and adolescents younger than 18 years make up 25% of the Australian population. In any 6-month period, 15-20% of this group may have a mental health problem.
"We must lift our game and protect this large and vulnerable group in our society with the excellent care they deserve," Dr Haikerwal said.
16 December 2004
CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306