Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Broadcast: 27/01/2010
Reporter: Bronwyn Herbert
Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry has put mental health issues back in the spotlight. His appointment brings hope to those campaigning for an overhaul of the current mental health system. Such as the family of Justin Berkhout, who was forced to wait for more than 20 hours for treatment at a NSW regional hospital before he took his own life in July 2007.
Transcript
KERRY O'BRIEN, PRESENTER: The announcement of prominent mental health reformer Professor Patrick McGorry as Australian of the Year has brought fresh focus on the tough issue of mental health. His appointment brings hope to those pushing for an overhaul of the present mental health system, such as the family of Justin Berkhout, who was forced to wait more than 20 hours for treatment at a NSW regional hospital before he took his own life in 2007.
The state's deputy coroner has blamed a lack of beds for mental health patients as a factor in the young man's suicide.
While one in seven Australians suffer some form of mental health illness, experts say the revolving door of paints in and out of the hospital system highlights a chronic shortfall of community care. Bronwyn Herbert reports.
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