Update on Australian Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health
CCHR Oct 2019 –
In November 2018, the Australian Productivity Commission was tasked with an inquiry into mental health in Australia. There are some important updates we wanted to alert you to and some key upcoming dates and information.
The Terms of Reference for the inquiry includes two crucial points on which CCHR and many others have been campaigning for, namely transparency and accountability for the incredible $9.1 billion spent on mental health in 2016/17 (state and territory governments spent 62% of this). [i] For the 31.8% increase in spending in the previous six years ($6.9 billion in 2010/11 to $9.1 billion in 2016/17), one would expect the result to be children and adults leading happier and healthier lives and a decline in the numbers of people needing assistance, but this is not the case.[ii]
Facts about Australia’s Psychiatric System
- More than 100,000 children under 17 are on antidepressants even though there have been 7 psychiatric drug warnings issued by Australia’s drug regulatory agency to warn of the risk of suicidal behaviour with antidepressants [iii] and they are not approved for use in children under 18 for depression.[iv]
- The number of suicides in young people has increased by almost 40% since 2009. While at the same time, the use of antidepressants has increased 60% in young people.[v]
- There were 37.7 million prescriptions written for psychiatric drugs in 2017/18. This equates to more than 103, 000 a day or more than 4,300 per hour. [vi]
- There were 16,917 physical restraint events and mechanical restraint was used 796 times in 2016/17. [vii] Restraint can and has caused death.
- There were 53,935 involuntary admissions in psychiatric facilities and wards in 2016/17 where the patient was forcibly treated with psychiatric drugs against their will. Many of these admissions included the patient being electroshocked, restrained / secluded with no consent required from the patient or their family. [viii]
YOU CAN MAKE A 500 WORD COMMENT AT ANY TIME:
If you are a victim of psychiatric abuse, a family member or friend of a victim or a professional who works in mental health, please make a 500 word comment on this link to let the Productivity Commission know of your experience and the urgent need for change:
https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/mental-health/make-submission#lodge
Draft Report released 31 October 2019: The Commission will seek further submissions from the public following the release of the draft report on 31 October 2019. Mark this date in your calendar and be sure to check the website for the draft report.
Upcoming Public Hearings
The Productivity Commission, amongst other things is tasked to:
- Examine the effectiveness of current programs and Initiatives across all jurisdictions to improve mental health, suicide prevention and participation, including by governments, employers and professional groups
- Assess whether the current investment in mental health is delivering value for money and the best outcomes for individuals, their families, society and the economy
The Productivity Commission has advised that they will hold public hearings on the below dates. Registration is not open as yet to participate or attend so save this link as a favourite and be sure to check up for when registration opens. https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/mental-health#draft
Canberra: 14 Nov
Melbourne: 18 & 19 Nov
Geraldton: 20 Nov
Perth: 21 Nov
Sydney: 25 & 26 Nov
Broken Hill: 28 Nov
Rockhampton: 2 Dec
Brisbane: 3 Dec
Launceston: 9 Dec
Adelaide and Darwin: Dates will be advised in early 2020.
In person participation is very important because the Commission need to hear from those who lives have been adversely affected by abuse and mistreatment within the mental health system. Changes really do start with making your voice heard.
The final inquiry report: Is to be handed to the Australian government by 23 May 2020.
[i] “Mental Health Services in Australia,” AIHW, web report, last updated 22 March 2019. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/expenditure-on-mental-health-related-services :
“Health expenditure Australia 2010-11. Health and welfare expenditure series no.47. Cat no. HWE 56. Canberra AIHW. https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/18a4ccff-416b-4b37-adfc-abe52a0c7083/Mental-health-expenditure-2010-11.pdf.aspx
[ii] “Mental Health Services in Australia,” AIHW, web report, last updated 22 March 2019. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/expenditure-on-mental-health-related-services : “Health expenditure Australia 2010-11. Health and welfare expenditure series no.47. Cat no. HWE 56. Canberra AIHW. https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/18a4ccff-416b-4b37-adfc-abe52a0c7083/Mental-health-expenditure-2010-11.pdf.aspx
iii] Sue Dunlevy, “Unhappy nation is hooked on pills,” Daily Telegraph, 24 April 2019, p.4; Department of Health and Ageing Therapeutic Goods Administration, Medicines Safety Update, “Medicines associated with a risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events,” Volume 9, Number 2, June 2018; Department of Health and Ageing Therapeutic Goods Administration, Medicines Safety Update, “Antidepressants – Communicating risks and benefits to patients,” Volume 7, Number 5, October-December 2016; Department of Health and Ageing Therapeutic Goods Administration, Medicines Safety Update, “Atomoxetine and suicidality in children and adolescents,” Volume 4, Number 5, October 2013; “Australian ADHD drug warnings are already in place: TGA,” AAP Newswire 22 February, 2007; “Suicidality with SSRIs: adults and children,” The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 4, August 2005; “Use of SSRI antidepressants in children and adolescents” The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin, Vol. 23, No. 6, August 2004; “Warnings for high dose tricyclics antidepressants,” The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin, Vol. 23, No. 5, October 2004.
[iv] Suicidality with SSRIs: adults and children,” The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 4, August 2005.
[v] Sue Dunlevy, “Happy drugs in link with Suicide,” Courier Mail, 2 June 2019, p. 5.
[vi] “ Table PBS.6: Number of Mental Health-related prescriptions, by type of medication and prescribing medical practitioner, states and territories, 2018-18, “ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, download Excel spreadsheet under blue bar graph on this link: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/mental-health-related-prescriptions/prescriptions
[vii] “Table RP.5: Mental Health Care, by setting and mental health legal status, 2016/17,” Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, download Excel spreadsheet at bottom of page on this link: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/restrictive-practices
[viii] “Table RP.1: Mental Health Care, by setting and mental health legal status, 2016/17,” Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, download Excel spreadsheet at bottom of page on this link: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/restrictive-practices
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References of Interest:
Full Transparency of Conflicts of Interest Needed
Psychiatric Meds 101: A Surprising Discovery
McGorry’s ‘early intervention’ in mental health: a prescription for disaster.
Misleading claims in the mental health reform debate
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