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His parents told reporters on Monday that Cauchi had been in the care of doctors in Queensland for around 18 years but had gradually come off his medication.
“Mostly, if someone is severely unwell they receive a high level of care. Unfortunately for many people with mental illness, our most severely unwell people are left in disorganised states in the community with very few resources. This needs to change.”
Mental health services in ‘dire straits’ due to lack of funding
Brice said mental health services in NSW were “very poorly funded” and, on a per capita basis, the state was doing a worse job than most other jurisdictions.
We cannot support the number of people who really need mental health support in NSW
National Mental Health Consumer Alliance chair Priscilla Brice
Only Queensland had a lower per capita spend of $263. The Northern Territory had the highest spend of $421 per person, while the federal government contributed around $472 per person nationally.
Per capita spending on state and territory mental health services. Source: SBS News
Brice said some couldn’t even afford to visit a GP for the referral to see a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health professional.
“We remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure we are providing accessible support for those experiencing a mental health crisis,” she said.
New South Wales Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson says the government is aware there are gaps in the system. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
“We need to be mindful that the community is shocked and grieving right now — and make space for people to process these feelings of sadness and anger.”
Jackson said NSW Health would undertake a review this year to understand what investment is required to comprehensively meet the mental health needs of people in NSW.
“It’s important to recognise most people living with mental illness are not dangerous and violent. These terrible instances are very rare.”
‘Ramshackle’ system of care letting down the most vulnerable
NSW resident Dorothy Cross, whose husband has schizophrenia, said the support of family and professionals was often crucial to ensuring someone’s mental health did not deteriorate once they left a hospital’s psychiatric department.
The system of care is ramshackle and poorly coordinated, and has been deteriorating for years
Professor Anthony Harris
She said those waiting for an appointment in the public system can face waiting periods of six to 12 months.
More funding needed
“GPs often don’t have the skills or the resources to care for people with severe mental illness,” he said. “(They) frequently don’t follow people up well (if) they haven’t turned up for care.”
“This is an issue which we need to deal with. You can never do enough in an area like that. There’s no question about that.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government is looking at funding for mental health issues. Source: AAP / AAP
