Page 163 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 May 1989
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Question resolved in the affirmative.
SCHIZOPHRENIA WEEK
MR MOORE (11.44): I move:
That this Assembly formally notes Schizophrenia Week in the Australian Capital Territory.
First of all, I acknowledge the Minister's comments this morning and appreciate some of the points that were made. Schizophrenia is the most disabling of all mental illnesses. It usually strikes at the beginning of adulthood, causing immense disruption in the life of the sufferer and the sufferer's family. It affects one person in 100 and has been estimated to cost Australia $1.5 billion per year. The ACT has a considerable number of people struggling to cope with this illness. Ten per cent are unable to do so and commit suicide. There was a tragic incidence of this last week.
Of course, one-third of schizophrenics recover after one episode and a further third, if properly treated, can live a manageable life. It makes sense in economic and humanitarian terms to provide the most effective help possible.
In recognising Schizophrenia Awareness Week, it would be appropriate also to recognise the unstinting work done in Canberra by dedicated professionals and community members. The ACT Council of Social Service report "Light at the End of the Tunnel" and the book "Out of Sight, Out of Mind", launched by the Chief Minister this morning, are evidence of the strong community interest in the mental health of the ACT. Unfortunately, I was not able to be at the launch because I did not get a message of an offer from Mr Berry to take me there. It was just too cold to ride my bicycle across and make it back in time.
Both these publications have addressed serious gaps in the services available to people suffering from psychiatric disorders. Some of these gaps are: the absence of an extended hours service available for home visits and crisis work; the need for a mental health advocate to ensure services are properly delivered and to improve integration of hospital, community and non-government services; problems with hospital procedures for the admission and discharge of psychiatric patients; a review of the Mental Health Ordinance as a matter of urgency, which has already been announced by the Minister. A number of cases have come to my notice of hardship and even death resulting from the extreme narrowness of the provisions of this ordinance. I commend the Minister for announcing that this morning.
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