in brief: prisons – the dumping ground for Australians with mental illness

According to the second national report card on mental health suicide prevention, a growing number of people with mental illnesses are facing unemployment, homelessness and discrimination. The number of people receiving treatment and going on to live empowered lives is declining. Far too many people with a mental illness are ending up in prisons and hospital beds due to a lack of mental health support in their communities.

Professor Alan Fels, chairman of the National Mental Health Commission, said that one third of people entering prisons have a mental illness, and over 80% of those in juvenile justice have diagnosed psychological disorders.

Police are estimated to detain a mentally ill person once every two hours, and one in three of these people will be imprisoned five times or more.

It appears that prisons have become the dumping ground for our nation’s mentally ill. ‘Many people have moved from asylums as their accommodation… into prisons – the new asylums,’ said Professor Fels.

And the support for those with both a mental illness and a substance problem is even less. The report highlights that only 7% of people receive treatment for both problems.

The report’s recommendations include adequately funded intervention approaches, a national mental health workforce development framework and a practical guide for families and people providing support services. As part of the report, Professor Fels has written an open letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

‘In Australia the total mental health budget is 6.5% of the health budget when the total burden of disease due to mental illness suggest this could be closer to 14%’

Professor Fels stated that improving health is the best social strategy to invest in. ‘These needs are wider than health services, they are about supporting recovery and leading a contributing life.’

A national review of mental health services will soon be taking place.