Early death caused by forced hospital treatment is just one of the serious issues raised in the launch of an election campaign by people who use Victorian public mental health services.
‘Our members die, on average, about twenty years younger than other Victorians,’ said Maggie Toko, VMIAC CEO. ‘There are many causes, but we can’t ignore the role of side effects from medications that many people have to take against their will.’
Risks compounded by poor practice
‘The health impacts are bad enough,’ said Indigo Daya, VMIAC’s Human Rights Advisor, ‘but many people aren’t even told the risks until they’ve already developed metabolic disorders or cardiovascular disease. And we’re almost never provided referrals to services that might help prevent disease, like physiotherapy or dietitian services.’
A raft of serious harms in hospitals
The election platform raises other serious issues faced by people who go to mental health services seeking compassionate help. These include:
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