Half a million Australians lack access to needed mental health services

ANKARA

Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention system is failing to meet community needs, leaving around half a million people without the specialist care they require, according to a Productivity Commission inquiry released Tuesday.

The final review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement -- signed three years ago by federal, state and territory governments -- was delivered to the government last month and published by the commission on Tuesday night, ABC News reported.

The inquiry found that the shortfalls contribute to about 3,000 deaths by suicide each year. It also noted that one in five Australians experiences mental illness annually, costing the economy more than AUD 200 billion (approximately $132 billion).

"In the three years since the [National Mental Health] Agreement was signed, little has improved for the people who access mental health and suicide prevention services, and their supporters, family, carers and kin," the commission said.

The commission called for an “immediate fix” for about 500,000 Australians with severe or moderate mental illness who are currently excluded from specialist care because their conditions do not qualify for support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

It also recommended extending the agreement for one year, until 2026, and urged a complete rewrite.

Health Minister Mark Butler welcomed the report, saying he will discuss its findings with state health ministers in December.

“This is an opportunity to reset and get this right,” he said in a statement. “We must amplify the voices of people with lived experience and ensure future arrangements present a clear, long-term vision for improving mental health outcomes and reducing suicide.”