THE murder of a mental care health worker in Lismore on Saturday should put the spotlight on how we care for society’s mentally ill.
The fact that a dedicated worker was killed for no other reason than helping someone in need is both shocking and tragic.
It is also a tragedy for the alleged killer, who could now face many years locked away, and his family who must endure a new heartache.
Neither the worker, nor his client should ever have been put in this position.
The worker’s death raises the broader question: Why are we failing to protect our mentally ill and those who care for them.
It has been more than 25 years since the NSW Government embraced the Richmond Report’s recommendation to integrate the mentally ill into the wider community.
There is no debate the motive was noble and long overdue. However the funding never fulfilled the promise.
Speak to any mental health worker and they will tell you the system is in crisis
clipped from: www.northernstar.com.au