MENTAL health is becoming the prominent health issue in the region, as Kevin Anderson vows to improve local services.
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Nearly three people are admitted to Tamworth hospital’s Banksia mental health unit, every day.
Recently, Mr Anderson said he would push for funding to upgrade the unit he described as “tired and outdated”.
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But it’s not just the hospital seeing the breadth of mental illness in the region, it has become the preeminent issue in General Practice surgeries.
According to new figures from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), psychological issues are “the most common issues” GPs are managing.
Mental health was also identified as the top “emerging health concern” among RACGP members.
“This is a clear warning of both the current frequency and future potential impact of psychological ailments on individuals, the community and the broader health sector,” the RACGP report said.
Tamworth GP Casey Sullivan told The Leader she’s seeing psychological issues “ increasing across the demographics”.
“Men are starting to engage and children also encouraged to raise mental health issues,” she said.
Greater awareness could be behind the rise in the number of people seeking help for mental health.
“The more we talk about our mental health, the more people will present and seek help early and prevent tragedies,” Dr Sullivan said.
Tamworth’s Banksia unit could secure funding for an upgrade in the “Statewide Mental Health Program” announced in this year’s budget.
“We welcome any investment in our services that will improve the quality of the environment for our patients,” Hunter New England Health executive director of mental health, Marcia Fogarty, said.
“Each year there are approximately 1000 admissions to the Banksia unit. “Hunter New England Health is participating in this planning process and I look forward to hearing the outcomes of this plan.”
Rural Doctors Association president, Dr Ewen McPhee, said “with a shortage of psychologists and other mental health professionals in rural and remote areas, the role of rural doctors in providing mental healthcare is already absolutely critical”.
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Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
