Politics

“We’ve Had No Support”: Watch This ‘Q&A’ Guest Powerfully Critique Our Mental Health Services

"I am disgusted at the lack of support. I am disgusted at the lack of facilities. All of that money going to other agendas except for saving our lives."

by Joseph Earp  23 July 2019
A guest on Q&A gave a powerful call for more mental health funding

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ABC’s Q&A sometimes has a reputation for swerving into the academic and leaving behind the human. But last night, thanks to an extraordinarily brave audience member, the panel were forced to reckon with the very personal cost of Australia’s severely lacking mental health policies.

This article involves discussion of suicide and depression. If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

“I lost my precious brother to suicide in 2015, shattering and changing our lives forever,” began the guest, Krissi Grant, addressing a panel comprised of former WA Premier Geoff Gallop, political scientist Anne Tiernan, pro-Brexit advocate Nick Cater, Blairite and British political advisor Alistair Campbell, and businesswoman Kate Mills.

“We live in the Sutherland shire of Sydney… where there is no to little support,” she continued. “The suicide rate continues to rise… I am pleading with Scott Morrison to do more. I have taken it on myself and with others to start up a mental health and suicide prevention action group, because if not me, then who?

“I am disgusted at the lack of support. I am disgusted at the lack of facilities. All of that money going to other agendas except for saving our lives. In Australia, suicide takes eight lives per day. And I can’t just sit back and do nothing.

“I want to see safe houses … I want to see kindness, respect and I want us all to … love, support and encourage the mentally ill.”

“My brother was a beautiful, kind soul, who was lost in the system,” Grant concluded. “Since [his passing] we’ve had no support. And I’m just sick of mental health being at the bottom of the barrel.”

It was Campbell who was called on to respond to Grant’s powerful speech.

“Scott Morrison has come in and he’s said his goal is zero suicide,” the British political advisor said of the Prime Minister’s controversial mental health plan. The plan has involved appointing a national suicide prevention officer, but has not involved dismantling the robodebt system, which has done so much harm to vulnerable Australians, or raising Newstart.

“That’s a very big, bold goal,” Campbell continued. But don’t just say it. Have the plan. I haven’t seen that yet.”

“Come to my house,” Grant said, addressing the Prime Minister, simply.

You can watch the entire exchange below.