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 :)