World Mental Health Day

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (16:06): I move:

That this council—

1. Recognises that 10 October is World Mental Health Day;

2. Recognises the importance of this day in raising awareness and understanding about mental health;

3. Recognises the challenges and perceptions surrounding mental health illness in Australia;

4. Encourages everyone to look at mental health in a more positive way with an effort to reduce stigma; and

5. Encourages everyone to look for ways for more people to seek the help and support they deserve.

World Mental Health Day is fast approaching and it has caused me to reflect on the way that we as a society approach this very serious and complex problem and, more specifically, how we as policymakers aim to put measures in place to, firstly, end the stigma and, secondly, to ensure that we have sufficient programs and services in place to help those who seek support.

This is a day for mental health awareness, education and advocacy. It is a day to focus on how we, as a community, recognise the roles we can play in creating a healthier society. The theme 'Do you see what I see?' challenges the perceptions associated with mental illness in an effort to reduce stigma and to ensure the availability of support and services for people with mental health concerns.

As members of parliament, one of the roles we play is to assist, through our ability to investigate and legislate, to ensure that adequate supports and programs are in place for those who seek help. Why? Because the figures in South Australia are alarming. In 2017, the then Labor government released the South Australian Mental Health Strategic Plan 2017-2022. It found the following:

mental illnesses are the third leading cause of disease burden in South Australia behind cardiovascular disease and cancer;

in any 12-month period, one in five—that is over 280,000 South Australians—aged 16 to 85 are experiencing a diagnosable mental illness such as anxiety, depression or mood disorders and/or substance use disorders;

that around 45 per cent of South Australians experience a diagnosable mental illness at some time in their life; and

that the remaining 55 per cent of South Australians who do not experience mental illness are likely to care for someone who does.

The report also estimates that approximately 53,000 South Australians experience severe mental illness in any 12-month period, either episodic or chronic, often with substantial effects on ability to function in society and at home, and are in great need of care and support. Many people with severe mental illnesses require support from specialist mental health and other services in South Australia in addition to primary care services.

The report also highlighted that those who have greater exposure and vulnerability to risk factors, including social, economic and environmental circumstances, are known to be at higher risk of developing mental health illness. In fact, it is most prevalent in our youth, with 50 per cent of South Australians first becoming mentally unwell by the age of 14 and 75 per cent by the age of 24.

Mental health has the ability to have a substantial impact on personal, social and economic aspects of the lives of individuals, their friends, families and the community. It is well-recognised that mental illness is among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life and reduced productivity in our community. I note the substantial work that has been undertaken for mental health reform at both a national and state level over the past two decades. That revolves around planning and service provision to prevent, maintain and improve mental health and wellbeing.

The previous Labor government had a clear vision for South Australia to become internationally recognised as a resilient, compassionate and connected community that takes a whole-of-person, whole-of-life, whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to building, sustaining and strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of South Australians.

However, post March 2018, things appear to have taken a turn, with recent emergency department statistics revealing that one in four mental health patients presenting at the RAH and The QEH in 2019 are waiting more than 24 hours in emergency departments. That is a stark comparison to the 7 per cent we were presenting just two years ago. It is what mental health advocates predicted earlier this year when the Marshall government made the decision to reduce 25 per cent of funding. UnitingSA, Centacare, Life Without Barriers, Neami, Skylight, Catherine House, Grow SA and Diamond House clubhouse all warned that the cut would lead to increased emergency department waiting times, making ramping worse.

We need to act. We need to be investing more time and resources, not less, and not just directly via health services, because determinants of mental health and mental illness include not only the ability to manage our thoughts, emotions, behaviours and interactions with others but also social determinants such as financial and housing security, social supports, living standards, working conditions and early-in-life care and support. For example, the World Health Organization has acknowledged that:

Gender specific risk factors for common mental disorders that disproportionately affect women include gender based violence, socio-economic disadvantage, low income and income inequality, low or subordinate social status and rank and unremitting responsibility for the care of others.

As a government, we have the ability to address these barriers. We need to act now to ensure there are adequate rehabilitation and support services, housing and accommodation assistance, and various day and group programs, all focused on preventing people's mental health from deteriorating and leading to hospitalisation.

We need to put people at the heart of strategies, policies and planning for mental health services and programs, and heed the call for greater integration across multiple service sectors and providers to ensure that people receive the care and services they need and do not fall through cracks in the system.

We need to provide greater clarity and simplicity for people experiencing mental health issues, their families and their carers, with supports provided through a service continuum involving hospital, community and home-based support. With this in mind, I bring to the attention of members in this place that on World Mental Health Day you will be tasked to see beyond the stigma and be asked that you make a #MentalHealthPromise. I ask that you consider increased support services as part of your promise.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins.