Confident of inquiry into mental care
Advocates pleased with hearing
THE mother of a Dunedin man who took his own life in 2013 says she is confident a national inquiry into the mental health care system will happen.
Yesterday Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust chairwoman Corinda Taylor and trust member Denise Kent spoke to a public health select committee session in Wellington about the need for an immediate review of mental health care in New Zealand.
Mrs Taylor’s son Ross (20) took his life in 2013.
Yesterday’s session went ‘‘really well’’, Mrs Taylor said.
‘‘Andrew Little said he would work across party lines to bring about a nationwide inquiry.’’
Other people at the session also indicated their support for an inquiry, she said.
The inquiry was needed because of the lack of basic care for mentally unwell New Zealanders, including brief intervention and talking therapies, as well as failings in acute mental health treatment.
The pair spoke on behalf of about 2000 people who signed a petition calling on the Government to launch an immediate inquiry into the sector.
The pair presented the petition to Maori Party coleader Marama Fox in November.
Last month, a report released by the Health and Disability Commissioner’s office criticised the help Ross Taylor received while in the care of the Southern District Health Board.
The report found the SDHB and the treating psychiatrist both breached the patients’ rights code by failing to provide services with reasonable care and skill.
In a statement responding to the report, Mrs Taylor said her family hoped the report would encourage ‘‘better outcomes for people seeking care in general but in particular young people like their son and brother’’.
The Life Matters Suicide Pre vention Trust would maintain the pressure on the Government until an inquiry into the mental health system happened, Mrs Taylor said.
margot.taylor@odt.co.nz