Australia's mental healthcare system is failing some of the most vulnerable people in our community, with the system increasingly difficult to navigate and experiencing critical workforce issues.
The Australian Medical Association launched its position statement on mental health and wellbeing at Parliament House last week, calling on all governments to work together to invest in mental health and address the severe workforce shortages plaguing our mental healthcare system.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of a meeting of health ministers, AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen warned Australia's mental healthcare system is underfunded, fragmented, and a nightmare to navigate for those who need it most.
"Many Australians will experience a mental illness at some time in their lives, and almost every Australian will experience the effects of mental illness in a family member, friend, or colleague," Dr McMullen said in a media release .
"But for patients will mental illness and their families, navigating Australia's mental health system and finding the right care at the right time can be fraught."
The AMA's position statement highlights the chronic underfunding of mental healthcare, severe workforce shortages, inadequate staffing, the complexity of presentations, and increasing patient loads which are further contributing to a system reaching breaking point.
It says key areas of the mental health workforce, including psychiatry and general practice, are inadequately resourced and structured to be able to provide the best possible care for people who desperately need help.
Dr McMullen told the media GPs are at the front line in supporting patients with mental illness with successive Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' Health of the Nation reports showing it is now the number one reason for patients visiting their GP.
"There is a critical need for governments to ensure GPs are properly supported in this role, including investing in longer consultations, GP-led multidisciplinary care and accessible referral pathways," Dr McMullen said.
Dr McMullen was interviewed by numerous media outlets, including ABC TV and radio , The Australian . She was also quoted in The Guardian and on SBS News .
