RMIT experts available for comment on mental health Royal Commission

Dr Chris Maylea (0439 463 255 or chris.maylea@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: mental health, mental health law, mental health policy and practice, advocacy, human rights, coercion in mental health

“The terms of reference for the Royal Commission mean that it is unlikely to fix the real problems at the centre of our mental health system. Unfortunately, tomorrow’s interim report is likely to be more of the same. More money for more of the same services, which means more of the same problems we have now.

“The one point that everyone agrees on is that the mental health system is failing. Our current health system consistently discriminates against people who use mental health services, often treating them like second class citizens. The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System is a chance to fix that.

“Tinkering around the edges won’t be enough to fix the system’s problems. We need a complete change in how we support people, their families and communities. We need to put the people who use mental health services at the front and centre.

“As our research shows, the mental health system can cause real harm to people who come to it for support. The Royal Commission recommendations must ensure than no person is harmed by our mental health system.

“More than half of people in mental health hospitals are forced to be there against their will. If we had better services, people would choose to use the services they needed when they need them.

“People who use mental health services die 20 years younger than the rest of the population.”

Dr Chris Maylea is Senior Lecturer with RMIT’s Global and Social Studies Centre. He is a mental health lawyer, mental health social worker and has managed mental health services. He is Deputy Chair of the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council and consults to government on mental health policy.

Stan Winford (0438 080 608 or kristann.winford@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: youth justice, restorative justice, spent convictions/criminal records, specialist courts, victims of crime, access to justice and legal aid, prisons, punishment, sentencing, policing, mental health, disability and the law, drugs and the law.

"We need the Royal Commission to fundamentally shift our current approach to public spending, redirecting it away from building more prisons and towards providing mental health services in the community.

"Our prison population has been growing rapidly and is full of people with complex needs.

“Many of them are there because they have not received the support that they needed, when they needed it, in the community. 

"It's absolutely critical that disability and mental health needs are recognised and responded to. Prisons and police cells - currently functioning as stop gap health services - are the last place we should be trying to do this.

"It's not enough to carry out screening and assessment when people enter the justice system. These issues need to be picked up and dealt with much earlier. Prisons and police cells should not be last-resort substitutes for hospitals and mental health services.

"Of course, people already in the justice system who have mental health issues need access to timely treatment and support, but where possible this should be in alternative settings.

"The justice system shouldn't be a fall back - we need a properly-funded and functioning mental health system."

Stan Winford is the Associate Director at RMIT’s Centre for Innovative Justice. He is a legal and justice system expert with experience in innovation and reform, including applications for restorative justice in criminal and civil law. He is a practising lawyer who has held senior roles in government and community legal services and was formerly chair of the Mental Health Legal Centre.

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