The Wire

Homeless shelters have become the last place of refugee for Australia’s mentally ill. This disturbing trend was highlighted by Sydney’s Wesley mission, which provides shelter to the homeless. The organisation says more than 75% of the people it accomodates have previously spent time in a psychiatric hospital unit or in prison. This revelation follows the tabling of a damning report about mental health in NSW. The report, conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity commission and The Mental Health Council of Australia, found a high percentage of dissatisfection amongst patients and workers in the mental health sector. While the NSW government is directing most of its funding towards acute illnesses and hospital beds, community services are being neglected. The report criticises the government for ignoring the close relationship between homelessness and mental health, and for assigning just over 2% of its budget towards non-governmental institutions. The Wire’s Hagar Cohen, spoke to the NSW shadow minister for health, Gladys Berejiklian, and John Mendoza, Chief Executive of the mEntal Health Council of Australia.