Your views: on SA’s mental health treatment crisis
Today, readers comment on a mental health chief’s resignation, citing ongoing failures of the system, SA Health and State Government.
Photo: InDaily/Nat Rogers
Commenting on the story: ‘Not going to waste my time’: Mental health chief blasts SA Health on way out door
I am not surprised by Mr Mendoza’s comments and his refusal to be part of what he sees as a non-effective approach regarding mental health in SA.
The SA government makes lot of noise about “being committed to mental health care” but falls far short of actioning that commitment.
At the last election the SA govt put a mere $70m towards mental health – and only then because families of people who had died or suffered managed to demonstrate the human face of inaction by governments to politicians seeking election at the time.
There have been some advances (ie we now have BPD Co) but they are still poorly funded and could be much further along if they were supported by a Minister prepared to fight tirelessly as a representative of the people – and no matter the reaction of his/her political masters.
By comparison, Victoria just committed $1.5B (yes, billion) towards implementing the recommendations resulting from the Royal Commission Into Victoria’s Mental Health. That will have much greater socio-economic benefits than say, a fancy new building or a widened road.
Mental health affects every person in the state, even if indirectly. Put the health of the people first and watch the state benefit in every other endeavour. – Jacob Hodgman
Not wading; drowning. – Michael Adams
What a waste of talent, the state government need to step up and start looking at health and putting the resources in to cope with the demand.
Sports stadiums can wait as we need bigger hospitals and more health professionals to be employed as our population is expanding, that means more demand for health services. Wake up political parties and do your job, you are certainly well paid for it. – Dawn Hartley
Obviously, given the tradition of care exemplified over the years, these medical professionals are not playing games.
Unlike the Government(of any persuasion),it is has long been an unfortunate truth that the anonymous public servants behind the scenes are again doing what they do best- obfuscate and duck and weave, clouding the truth. – Jeremy Goodburn
This is the crux of the matter. Accountability does not exist in the public service system or in Parliament amongst our politicians.
When is the last time a public servant was dismissed? – Mike Lesiw