Karalyn Hingston is a brave woman. Not just because of her battle with mental ill-health, but her willingness to stand up and say the system needs to be improved.
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On Tuesday, The Examiner told Ms Hingston’s story. She spoke eloquently and with a conviction on her journey to feeling healthy – both mentally and physically.
It was a tough journey and she is not the only one to go down that path. Nor will she be the last. Ms Hingston said she is alive “despite the system”. She has highlighted the flaws and urgently needed changes to ensure Tasmanians are receiving the care they need when experiencing mental ill-health.
The Mental Health Council of Tasmania chief executive officer Connie Digolis summed up the Ms Hingston’s situation perfectly in her opinion piece that also featured in Tuesday’s The Examiner. Ms Digolis said Ms Hingston’s experience “described missed opportunities, deficiencies in access and assessment, and periods of tremendous suffering”. She also said we can take away some optimism from Ms Hingston’s story.
To report on mental health is a difficult task. There are many guidelines in place to ensure the messages that are delivered continue to support people in our community and not scaremonger. We need to tell the stories, like Ms Hingston’s, to have a conversation and create change.
Firstly, people need to realise the topic of mental health is not a taboo subject. There is no shame in experiencing mental ill-health. The more we talk about it, the more people will know how to act and support their family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
Secondly, the conversation will encourage change. We need to focus on early intervention. This will save and dramatically improve lives. Investment must also be made in preventative measures. This also includes ensuring access is available before people become acutely unwell.
Ms Digolis highlighted that, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Tasmania has the lowest rate of community specialised mental health care service contacts per 1000 people, in Australia. We know our services can be improved. Ms Hingston has also shown that people can be helped. That help could just be more efficient and easy to access. The Examiner is committed to telling the stories of lives that have been saved and to campaign for a fully integrated approached to mental health services.
- Lifeline 13 11 14