Health leader’s big support
A LOCAL health leader has opened up about the importance of tackling mental health issues on a community level, before patients reach the emergency department.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service board chair Tony Mooney has thrown his support behind the Townsville Bulletin’s #checkyourmates campaign, saying mental health issues are a growing problem.
“It’s a challenging part of our healthcare and it’s growing dramatically in terms of resourcing requirements,” he said.
Mr Mooney said it was important to acknowledge the role community mental health services played as well as support from friends and family.
He said this support could help to stop issues becoming more sinister in the future.
“Community engagement is very important and I want to give that full support,” Mr Mooney said. “By the time someone fronts up to our emergency department or comes through our door, we will always help them, but we’ve lost important opportunities within the community sector.
“There are so many community organisations out there wanting help to do more and I support that completely.”
Mr Mooney said mental health issues needed an even brighter spotlight in a garrison city such as Townsville, with many in the veteran community struggling with PTSD.
“We overlook this aspect of our lives far too much, the issues surrounding mental health for males in the community is really strong especially here in Townsville,” he said.
Mr Mooney said mental health was “front and centre” as one of the fastest growing challenges the hospital had in terms of resourcing.
The Bulletin has partnered with the North Queensland Primary Health Network, the Townsville Hospital and Health Service and the Mackay Hospital and Health Service to deliver a North Queensland Mental Health Guide free with the Bulletin on Friday, July 19.
The guide features stories of real North Queenslanders combating mental health issues, advice from experts and resources from around the region to encourage the community to talk about mental health and wellbeing.