1/408 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Email: administration@mhcsa.org.au
Ph: 8212 8873 Fax: 8212 8874
MEDIA RELEASE 15th
February 2010
Pre Election Forum – MENTAL HEALTH-Is It Fixed Yet?
Mental Health is it fixed yet is the topic of the Mental Health Coalition SA pre election
forum on the topic of mental health held on the 16th of February at the Art Gallery of
SA from 12.30pm to 4.30pm.
Over recent years there has been renewed interest and investment and reorganization of
mental health services in South Australia says Geoff Harris from the Mental Health
Coalition SA.
With recent studies showing almost half or 45% of all Australians had at some point in
their lives being affected by mental illness the World Health Organization predicts
Mental Illness will be the leading cause of illness and loss of revenue in the first world by
2020.
The Social Inclusion Board report ‘Stepping Up’ has chartered new directions in mental
health including strong focus on supporting people to recover in the community
The cost of ineffective mental health services is huge:
Depression alone is estimated, in economic terms to contribute to the loss of 6
million working days annually
According to the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, about $200
million a year is paid in psychological injury compensation.
Including indirect costs, workplace stress costs the economy close to $14.8 billion
a year.
Access Economics 2009 indicate the financial cost of Mental Illness in 12-25 year
olds in Australia is 10.6 billion dollars
In Australia 65% of people with mental illness receive no treatment at all.
On any given night 105,000 people are homeless and 75% of these have a mental
illness.
More people die yearly from Suicide than from Road Deaths
Mental Illness occurs within the community and workplaces. Stigma and
discrimination are major barriers for people dealing with a mental health problem.
1/408 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Email: administration@mhcsa.org.au
Ph: 8212 8873 Fax: 8212 8874
Effective and supportive community mental health services will ensure people are able to
recover from mental illness as part of their community and within their own homes,
workplaces and amongst family and friends. Developing services within communities
and beyond the hospital environment is crucial.
The Hon. Dr Jane Lomax-Smith Minister for Mental Health and Dr Duncan McFetridge,
Shadow Minister for Mental Health, will speak at the forum and participate as panel
members to answer questions from attendees.
This is an opportunity for candidates to expand their vision for mental health services in
South Australia over the next three years.
Further Information:
Phone Geoff Harris 0401 099 555
NEWS 
