Spate of suicides prompts plea for federal help Emma Cillekens .. October 7, 2011
More than 1000 people living in a Queensland outback town have called for a taxpayer-funded program to promote youth mental health after 23 residents committed suicide this year.
Federal Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler yesterday joined Kennedy MP Bob Katter at a community forum in Mount Isa to discuss suicide prevention after a spate of deaths in the town, which has a population of about 23,000.
Mr Butler spent four hours in Mount Isa, meeting with community workers to discuss the issue. Advertisement: Story continues below
"We had a very good discussion, frank and at times emotional about people thinking of committing suicide, and who have committed suicide,'' he said.
"My job was to listen to the community and try and come up with practical, concrete solutions from the Australian government.''
Mr Butler said Prime Minister Julia Gillard shared his concerns about the high rate of suicide in Mount Isa and pledged to report back to her.
At the end of the meeting, he received a petition signed by more than 1000 people calling for a government-funded Headspace program for the area.
Headspace centres cater for people aged 12 to 25 years, offering support, information and health advice.
Mr Butler promised to look into it.
"We'll be revisiting the current services and aiming for better coordination to fill the gaps, especially after hours services," he said.
"People are deeply worried about this."
Alvin Hava, from Young People Ahead, believed the meeting went well and the minister was responsive.
"I just hope that with the federal government coming to the table, the state government will do the same," he said.
"I'm hopeful it will be included in the next round of funding.''
Mr Katter urged the Mount Isa City Council and community to reintroduce night patrols, fearing the youth suicide situation would "become worse''.
The night patrols were previously co-ordinated in the city by the late security guard manager Mick Collins.
Currently, the city's cab drivers have carried on some of his work.
"He was one of the best blokes in Mount Isa, and he used to pick people off the streets and look after them or take them to wherever they needed to go,'' Mr Katter said.
Mr Katter also urged a major rethink on government housing, saying a lot of the problems stem from no jobs and no or poor housing.
"There would not be a single person who was not moved by the stories told in that meeting," he said.
After the meeting, state Mount Isa MP Betty Kiernan said there was a need to look at existing services and the capacity for them to operate differently.
"There were some incredibly sad individual stories from people at the meeting, and it's pretty clear that we need a better sharing of information and understanding of the NGOs and agencies involved,'' she said.
"We need better coordination of the agencies, perhaps information-sharing in a facilitated workshop, along the lines of Youth Invest, which the Chamber of Commerce held last year.''
Anyone in crisis can telephone Lifeline on 13 11 44.
The thought was .. i wonder if, Mr Katter, might wonder if his homophobic position could contribute to the suicides, others have had a similar thought ..
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