MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FORUM

It is important for the State Government to act now to provide additional funding for mental health services.

The PSA supports increased funding for the mentally ill. In recent years there have been significant changes in the manner in which mental health services are provided to the community of South Australia.  The de-institutionalisation of people with mental health illnesses has not been funded nor supported sufficiently.

Reduced facilities and support for people with mental health illnesses places considerable pressure on other community services already stretched by a heavy load of social problems.

South Australian Housing Trust members now have to confront many complex issues related to the housing of people with mental health issues.

Prisons now have an increasingly high proportion of prisoners with mental health issues. People with mental health issues would once have been housed in therapeutic housing.  This is no longer available.  De-institutionalisation, without adequate community care, has resulted in homelessness and imprisonment.

General Hospital and health services are also strained by having to extend hospital stays until patients with mental health problems and their associated difficulties (including insufficient accommodation options) can be discharged to appropriate accommodation.

Department of Education and Children's Services and Families and Communities are required to deal with complex issues arising out of the lack of appropriate facilities and care for the mentally ill. In addition, members from other Agencies are also involved, and have real concerns.

Additional funding is required for social work positions and other professional and support staff as well as appropriate accommodation.

8 March 2005