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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 07 Hansard (Wednesday, 30 June 2004) . . Page.. 3054 ..

This motion has a number of paragraphs. The opposition will be supporting some of them. I will attempt to amend some of the others. Paragraph (1) states:

That this Assembly:

(1) recognises that a significant number in our community are resorting to methods of self-harm as a means of coping with the stresses they face;

That is true. Most of us are not confronted with that, but certainly officers and staff of Mental Health ACT are, as are families, friends and the individuals themselves. Mental health issues were reported in the Canberra Times throughout January and February. A recent case, which highlights the problem for the community, is that of Tammy Holm. Tammy, who had taken a drug overdose, threatened to throw herself off a bridge and then spent a couple of nights in a hotel, courtesy of Mental Health ACT. That is not to blame the staff of Mental Health ACT. Ms Holm had been previously charged with assaulting staff at the psychiatric unit and, of course, we must put the safety concerns of the staff on a par with those of the individuals themselves. The case of Tammy highlights the dangers and the lengths to which people will go to commit self-harm. The ultimate act of self-harm is to commit suicide.

We have a problem in the community for which we do not have answers. Hopefully, with today’s discussions and with the amendments I will make, we can move another step towards reinforcing the need for the government to act strongly and firmly. We as an Assembly should back them up, along with the support of the community. Paragraph (2) of Ms MacDonald’s motion states:

(2) expresses concern that suicide attempts and other self-inflicted injuries account for almost 15% of admissions to public hospital emergency departments;

I am not sure where that number comes from. I would be intrigued to find the source. Perhaps Ms MacDonald will give us an accurate source when she concludes the debate.

I am aware that a number of cases of attempted suicide present to the emergency room. Of course, those who attempt suicide deserve and require treatment. It is curious that in the government’s own mental health strategy and action plan on page 119, Appendix Two, in the data for the adjusted 2002 population estimate—if I am reading the chart right; I am open to correction—there is a line that says “Emergency department attendances—total 1,690.” The chart is a little unclear, but it looks like the total for the year is 1,690. With that number in mind—if that is the correct number, of course—that is nowhere near 15 per cent of the emergency room attendances. So I would be very intrigued to find the source of that number. I think it highlights that, irrespective of the number, these people end up in the hospital system. What we must do is intervene early and make sure that we minimise the number of people with psychiatric problems, with mental health problems, who make it into the hospital system. Paragraph (3) of the motion states:

(3) notes the integral role that support services, educational programs and members of the community play in assisting those suffering mental illness to cope, manage and overcome the troubles they are facing;

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