Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin

Mental Illness is widespread, largely hidden, untreated and poorly understood in our society. Recently the parish social justice group to which I belong held a forum on mental illness, which was addressed by professionals and volunteers representing a number of organizations that provide services for mentally ill people in the metropolitan area of Melbourne.

The speakers identified a number of key issues that may be of interest to all of us. Some of these were:-
- People with mental illness are stigmatised. A mentally ill person is treated differently to other patients.
- Only one third of mentally ill patients work. They are further stigmatised because of their supposed unemployability.
- Statistically about 1 in 5 young people will suffer a mental illness.
- Mental illness touches us all at some time or other.
- Mental illness is very under resourced – there is insufficient accommodation for those suffering a mental illness and who require supported accommodation.
- The hospital system cannot cope with patients with mental illness because of the patient’s need for long term assistance and the hospitals’ need to move patients on.
- Mental illness has always been with us. In the past the existence of a more cohesive and supportive community meant that these people were accommodated within their own communities and their unusual behaviours were more tolerated.
- Many people who turn to alcohol and/or drugs have a mental illness.

Further information about the issue, details of support groups and advocacy groups can be found at the Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria site.