I am currently a social work student and the focus of my research at the moment has been about the impact deinstitutionalisation has had on people suffering from a mental illness. I strongly agreed with Richard Ackland in his article in the Sydney Morning Herald last July (see http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/modern-prescription-for-mental-illness-go-directly-to-jail-20110728-1i20q.html) when he acknowledged the link between deinstitutionalisation and a rise in mental health issues among incarcerated people. (Transinstitutionalisation)

At last count, mental illness ran at 3 to 4 times the rate in the prison population then the imprisoned community. Something has got to change in Australia to ensure we are giving these people the care that they need, not just locking them up for crimes which could have been prevented if adequate early community intervention was available.

Keen to hear others thoughts on this issue. Do you think transinstitutionalisation does exist? What changes do you see need to be made in Australian Mental Health policy over the next years?

Welcome ClaireT bit surprised no one has had a look.
Maybe they thought you wanted tom talk about the mental health issues we are hearing about after detention of boat people.
I remember when institutions held thousands more than now.
Names like Calan Park and Rosevile in Sydney.
Some dreadful story's but not all bad.
I have, for 40 years, been concerned at the dumping of folk on the streets or shifty accommodation schemes hurting them.
Have no answers but will watch your thread and learn.

Hi How will our government's cope with all the older people who have been made redundant,under employed etc start showing up at hospitals, mental heath hospital and even may be goal because they cannot cope,or lose there homes etc,There is a new wave coming.

Dear Claire T.,

It may help your research to Google -
Jeff Kennett and what he did to the mentally ill
in Victoria when he was state Premier.
He sold their rehabilitation hospitals and grounds
and left thousands homeless. There was a huge
spike in suicides in the later 1990s. During
this hard time regular and frequent psychotherapy
ceased for the severely mentally ill and has never
been re-instituted. Many families (thousands) lives
changed forever by Jeff Kennett. He used the severely
mentally ill to balance his budget.

Jeff Kennett now runs Beyond Blue a Internet based mental health site,maybe all mental health patient should just buy a computer and all there problem would be fixed over the net so no need for building and staff.

Thanks for your posts everyone. I will do some research into Jeff Kennett and his work with beyond blue and also what he did in Victoria while he was premier.

What do you see as the main problems with mental health policy in Australia? Keen to hear your thoughts.

the breakdown of the family (normal) unit is the single biggest contributor to mental health. This has led to drug induced psychosis at huge levels. In the 70's the Greens and hippies tried to brainwash people that marijuana was a harmless drug. They even denied it was a gateway to heavier usage. You will find the rates of mental health a lot lower among people who have grown up with a loving father and mother.

I don't think anyone has the answer to the huge amount of people with mental health issues today. Unfortunately among children mental health/ behavioural problems is often blurred. More drugs seems to be the only answer from pyschologist. Society should work on prevention as much as trying to solve the unsolvable. The best we can do is to try and make life more bearable for those with mental issues. To this point no one has been able to cure them.

I wish I could add to the thread you bring a very real matter of importance here.
My basic thought is we send some home, or to alternative accommodation who need closer care.
And that costs of care are a reason.
Also a reason some never get care, who desperately need it.
Once inner city areas such as Summer hill in Sydney saw tens housed in out side houses some ok most not.
I think we need to look at both public care providers, looking for cost savings and efficiency, and the TRUE costs of contracting out care.
Contractors in many areas are thieving.
Public institutions are costing too much and delivering too little.
I hope a day comes this country returns to public health and welfare and changes to increase delivery out comes and reduce costs.
These folk and others would be better for it.

runner, I definitely agree with your comment. Too much of an emphasis is on medication (anti-psychotic, anti-depressants etc). I will be honest and say that I haven't done much research into this, but personally I don't see that as being the best cure for people with a mental illness. I believe in the importance of relationships, having someone that you can trust, someone who you can do life with. Having someone who you are close to, whether that be family or friends. It's not an academic answer but I honestly think that is one of the most beneficial thing for a persons mental health.

Belly thank you for your post, it was interesting in my research of deinstitutionalisation that even though Australia has seen the closure of my large psychiatric institutions, the funding was not redistributed in an even way back into the community. This has resulted in inadequate community treatment options for people. Pretty terrible stuff. Over the next two year there will be the release of the next Mental Health Plan and I'd like to see this changed. However, more than just put on paper, I'd like to be able to see it play out. I'd like to see the policy makers put their words into action.

Hi Clair
The Mental Health Policy is a wound of every country in the world. we have to think how inhumane asylums were and how much the care for mentally ill improved in the last 30 years. It is not good and it will never be unless the community takes ownership of the issue.
Also the recent actions of the governments with more funding and the initiative of involvement carers and families do make difference. Inpatient mental health services in Newcastle improved 200% in the last 4 years. It is not all bad but we have long way to go :)