Mental Health: Baillieu vs Pike

GP Dennis Gration could see what would become of his depressed patient if she could not get the help she needed.

She would become another victim of the mental health system.

Danielle Nowland was a vivacious, bubbly, happy, hands-on young woman until a back injury stopped her working as a gardener.

That triggered the start of a mental slide that resulted in her death almost three years ago.

Ted Baillieu is listening, -- Australia's mental health system is all but non-existant. Lives are lost every day because of government neglect. -- but Bronwyn Pike seems unwilling to play with the big boys.

TED Baillieu will spend $226 million on tackling mental health problems if he becomes premier.
...

Speaking at the Melbourne Press Club yesterday, Mr Baillieu said a Liberal government would also set up:

FOUR community-based care centres as an alternative to hospital treatment.

THREE youth mental health centres to look after those aged 12 to 25.

MOBILE teams to provide at-home mental health care.

That's great, Ted.
Let's hope these are not just non-core campaign promises. Even then, what Baillieu is promising is not enough by far. At least he isn't promising to "look into it" as the Bracks government has been doing for more than 5 years.
Bronwyn Pike is supposed to be the Bracks government Health Minister, her response is churlish:

Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said the Liberal policy would be paid for by money set aside for the hospitals in the future.

"This money is not Ted Baillieu's to spend. It is needed to treat the tens of thousands of extra patients we know will be seeking treatment in our public hospitals over the coming years," Ms Pike said.

"Without this funding, waiting lists and times will blow out and Victorians will see their public hospital system deteriorate the way it did when the former Liberal government was in power."

The public health system has continued its deterioration under your guidance, Ms Pike.

And maybe if you'd represent those who need health care and mental health services, instead of coming up with partisan excuses, CONNEX could keep its drivers. CONNEX reports that 37 men each month step in front of trains because of problems with the family courts. Mental health services would at least help these people.
You can't do much in a hospital bed for someone after they're hit by a train.

BTW, Ms Pike, did you notice that the woman committed suicide after she became disabled? -- and was treated like something less than human..?

Go ask the big boys if they'll spare with some of the billions they're putting into grandiose buiding schemes and showy sports events to help the people of Victoria be more healthy.

Why don't you do your job and go find the money that's needed? .. instead of being impressed with the size of the inadequate budget you administer?
Or is taking responsibility going to be another thing the Bracks' government will "look into" someday?