It seems the council is always on the gravy train.

Where is the water coming from to keep building houses etc. It takes a lot of water to mix cement.

Helen Garske, East Tamworth

It would seem that in a time when the entire country is disillusioned with politicians you have come through for Tamworth!

The guarantee of an upgrade to the Banksia Acute mental Health Facility in Tamworth is badly needed for our community. Personally I should have been hospitalised last year but I wasn't, I struggle with my mental health every day and it is definitely reassuring to know that these topics are at the forefront of your political agenda.

I would like to start a broader discussion about the state of mental in the country though.

Do you know how many psychiatrists there are permanently based in Tamworth? None. Do you how many visit Tamworth one week out of the month? One or two. And psychologists worth speaking to are few and far between.

Let's talk about the hospital facilities. I am sure they will have a permanent Psychiatrist and psychologist, and being in the public health system I'm sure treatment would be free. So how do access that treatment in Banksia?

Well, you have to be "committed". A healthcare professional has to believe you are in imminent danger of harming yourself or someone else and then you are detained or held (I don't want to say detained but that is kinda what it is) until you can be assessed by a doctor. Then once you are in you have to get out again, and that's a whole other issue. But at least you are somewhere you are safe from yourself.

I am one of the very lucky ones. I knew going into my fight with Anxiety and Depression that I had a wonderful family, and I could just, barely, scrape together enough money to see a psychologist and Psychiatrist once or twice and if I could just get well again it would be ok.

There are so many people that are not as lucky as me though.

What about people that can't afford treatment or don't have family support? They have to go to the emergency room and tell someone that you are not safe if left alone. Admitting this to another person is an incredibly confronting and horrific thing to have to do, let alone in that setting. People feel they don't have a choice. Be hospitalised or end your own pain.

That might sound like it's over stated or like i'm exaggerating but when you are in that situation, trust me its not.

Treatment for mental disorders in Australia is extremely expensive and largely ineffective.

What can we do as individuals and as a community to make treatment cheaper and easier to access?

Thank you

Lucas Preston, Tamworth

Please send your letters online (www.northerndailyleader.com.au/community/yournews) or email to mail.ndl@fairfaxmedia.com.au