19,000 people in SA have a severe mental illness - it's time for a Clinical Review of Mental Health Services

19,000 people in SA have a severe mental illness - it's time for a Clinical Review of Mental Health Services

SA-BEST is backing the South Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association’s (SASMOA) call for an independent and comprehensive clinical review of Mental Health Services in South Australia.

"No-one can pretend that we do not have a mental health crisis in South Australia,'' SA-BEST MLC Connie Bonaros said.

"The Chief Psychiatrist’s 2023 Unmet Needs in Mental Health Report revealed that 19,000 people with severe mental illness are unable to access the support they need. That’s 19,000 people at risk of crisis, hospitalisation or worse.

"Mental illness can affect anyone in the community and its impact can be devastating. Most of us have either been directly affected, or know someone who has been affected, by a mental health issue. Yet we still do not have a comprehensive, fit for purpose plan to meet the current and future mental health needs of all South Australians.''

Fellow SA-BEST Upper House candidate Skye Barrett, a leader in the mental health and wellbeing space in primary industry, said the party also acknowledges that for individuals living and working in regional areas - including those in our valuable South Australian primary industries - the barriers to getting help can be even greater.

"Distance, workforce shortages and stigma can all stand in the way of someone reaching out for support when they need it most,'' Ms Barrett said. 

"That's why we need a mental health system that identifies, recognises and ensures that support is available where and when it is needed.'' 

SA-BEST calls on all parties to support an independent clinical review of the entire mental health system. That review must include how the system operates, roles and responsibilities within the system, its performance, and staffing and resource needs into the future. The review will provide a blueprint for the structure and resources needed to address this crisis.

But a review is not enough. There has to be action on the review’s findings. SA-BEST calls on all parties to commit to implementing the changes identified in the review and resources required to do so.

"The time for spin is over. We cannot play politics with people’s lives. Let’s do something about it,'' Ms Bonaros said.

"Let’s put aside the politics, listen to the experts and get it done.''

SA-BEST will be speaking further about mental health in coming days.

For media enquiries call Simon Yeaman on 0419 823 670