Mental Health Roundtable sees housing as main challenge

The 2011 Mental Health Roundtable, hosted annually by Greens MLC Alison Xamon and this year introduced by Mental Health Commissioner Eddie Bartnik, has exposed the large gaps in support and accommodation options in the sector.

The 2011 Mental Health Roundtable brought together 30 mental health stakeholders including NGO service providers, medical professionals, carers, advocates and consumers to discuss a range of issues affecting the mental health sector.

“What came over loud and clear from stakeholders is concern over the chronic shortage of suitable housing and support across the whole spectrum – from low level care for people in private rentals and those who own their own homes through to the lack of supported accommodation options for people with serious illness,” Ms Xamon, Greens WA Spokesperson for Mental Health, said today.

“At the moment, there is a confusing array of pathways to accommodation for people living with mental illness. If people are lucky enough to find housing, it doesn’t always suit their current mental health situation, or it is not backed up by the level of support appropriate to their needs. There is a tendency to try and fit a round peg into a square hole and it ends up a waste of money, opportunity and time.

“Another area where stakeholders were united was the lack of crisis care and the need for flexible emergency funds to support people in private accommodation.

“Good working models such as HASI and Aftercare in NSW and the MI Fellowship’s Doorway project in Victoria were discussed as positive examples of housing initiatives and something which should be pursued in WA.

“Not only is there a shortage of accommodation, including supported accommodation, there is a lack of integrated services as well. A whole of government approach is needed and it has to go beyond rhetoric.

“Needless to say, uncertainty and stress about having access to appropriate housing is not a healthy situation for anyone.  It often creates a catch-22 situation of crisis followed by high-cost crisis management. We need to put facilities and support in place to help people break out of this cycle and clearly appropriate safe and stable accommodation is the key to this,” Ms Xamon concluded.