Urgent Action Needed on Mental Health
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, today released the AMA's submission to the Senate Select Committee on Mental Health, saying that serious action is needed on funding, medical workforce training and policy ideas, to ready Australia for the growing challenges of mental health in the community.
Dr Glasson said demands for significant injections of new funding for specific specialised mental health programs and the intensive training of a highly motivated psychiatrist workforce are at the heart of the submission.
"Only a small percentage of people affected by mental illness seek help, mostly from their GP," Dr Glasson said.
"The current shortage of both GPs and psychiatrists means people with mental health problems will find it difficult to find help when they need it.
"Mental health is one of the weakest links in the Australian health care system at a time when it needs to be one of the strongest.
"Mental health problems are on the rise with one in five Australians aged over 18 currently meeting the criteria of suffering from some form of mental illness.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, children and adolescents, and people living in remote and rural areas are missing out on mental health services.
"We should retain the concept of the National Mental Health Strategy but improve it and update it.
"The mental health sector needs more acute care beds, transition beds, step down beds, respite accommodation, supported housing and better rehabilitation services.
"And doctors and nurses must have overall management and leadership of all mental health services," Dr Glasson said.
The submission notes that mental health disorders are rising in Australia.
- By 2013, over 100,000 people will be affected by bipolar disorder, an increase of 6 per cent.
- By 2011, we'll see a 10 per cent rise to 41,000 in the number of people with schizophrenia.
- Dementia and depression are major issues for Australia's ageing population
- By 2050, around 730,000 Australians will be affected by dementia.
The full submission is available on the AMA website at www.ama.com.au.
9 May 2005
CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306