Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [1.00 p.m.]: Over the past couple of years we have become much more aware that depression is a common illness affecting one in every five people. Depression is not just a low mood, but it is a serious illness. It is just as common in rural areas as in the city. However, rural Australians are less likely to seek help for symptoms of depression. Rural people with depression face special challenges because of geographical isolation, and many have great difficulty accessing services. Unfortunately, this results in higher suicide rates in regional and remote areas. In the 20- to 29-year-old age bracket, suicide rates in metropolitan areas are roughly 30 per 100,000 people, while in regional areas it rises to 40 per 100,000, and in small rural and remote areas it climbs to 50 plus per 100,000. Sadly, these rates are even higher among farming groups. While suicide rates decrease in older age groups, the imbalance between metropolitan and rural areas remains.
About 25 per cent of the 20 to 29 age group in metropolitan areas seek assistance with depression, while in non-metropolitan areas this figure drops alarmingly to about 12 per cent. Figures show that about 230 people per 1,000 in metropolitan areas seek help from their general practitioner [GP]. In regional areas this drops to about 190 per 1,000 and in remote areas it drops to well under 100 per 1,000. The magnitude of this problem is highlighted when one considers that there are about six psychiatrists per 1,000 people in metropolitan areas but less than two per 1,000 people in rural and remote communities. While a lot of effort has been devoted to overcoming these problems, it is obvious that a lot more needs to be done.
The Black Dog Institute offers hope to people affected by depression, and we as legislators must work actively with organisations like this to provide more assistance for people in regional and rural areas so that they can access the services needed to increase the chance of a cure. One of my constituents said to me, "The greatest regret in my life in regards to my son who suffered bipolar disorder is that I was unaware of the Black Dog Clinic. Nobody told me, and I believe he may well be alive today if he had had that service available." Unfortunately many country residents are unaware of the Black Dog Institute. New South Wales Health substantially funds the institute, and it is not an organisation just for people living in the Sydney metropolitan area.
Tamworth local Robyn Nugent, whose son suffered bipolar disorder, has recently been appointed as the northern area ambassador for the Black Dog Institute. If enthusiasm to assist sufferers and their carers was the only qualification needed for the role, I am sure that Robyn could educate the whole nation on what must be done to address the growing crisis in mental health. In Tamworth it is obvious that some patients require a higher level of assessment than is available at the local Banksia mental health unit. The Health Department argues that it has resident and visiting psychiatrists, but there is still a shortfall in service delivery. Many bipolar, seriously depressed or treatment-resistant clients would definitely benefit from the specialised services provided by the Black Dog Institute.
General practitioners and specialists can refer patients to the Black Dog Institute, and it is important to get that message broadly into the community. Country people should not be disadvantaged through a lack of information about the services available, or disadvantaged financially through the costs associated with travelling to Sydney for treatment. It is important that doctors are informed about the services, and programs like the Isolated Patient Travel and Accommodation Scheme can be used to make it affordable. Far too often sufferers of depression become involved in the judicial system simply because the available services cannot cope with their needs. Disoriented and confused, they can find themselves in trouble with the law, often not through criminal intent but simply through an illness that causes irrational actions.
Services under pressure often tend to discharge patients early, which can lead to a revolving door system of mental health provision. In such cases prevention is equally as important as cure. If there is to be a serious attempt to address this problem, a good starting point is in our schools, where counsellors must be given every opportunity to continually update and improve their skills. These people are relied upon to interpret mood disorders, so it is important that they are abreast of mental health issues and are able to access the latest information in this area. It is also important that community support groups and the medical profession are aware of all the options available to tackle this major health issue. Services available through the Black Dog Institute must be accessible to rural patients and the State Government must continue to commit funding to assist with its invaluable work.
Locally, we are fortunate to have people like Black Dog Institute ambassador Robyn Nugent and mental health advocate Joan Wakeford and facilities like The Billabong Clubhouse to assist people facing depression and other mental health challenges. I am looking forward to taking part in a charity golf game this Sunday to help the Billabong Clubhouse, and on 19 November the eleventh annual Billabong Clubhouse Night of Jazz and Nostalgia will feature a 15-piece orchestra and a host of local and visiting talent. That will also help raise much-needed funds while providing a great night out for locals. With many people voluntarily providing services for depression, the State Government must provide every possible assistance so that these people, organisations and programs can continue to deliver the best possible outcomes. Remember this statistic: one in five people are currently suffering from depression. It could be you, it could be me, our family or our friends. We must be totally committed to this cause.
Ms VIRGINIA JUDGE (Strathfield—Parliamentary Secretary) [1.05 p.m.]: I commend the member for Tamworth for speaking so forthrightly and with such knowledge of a terrible illness that affects people. Obviously the member has had a lot of experience with trying to assist people who, sadly, suffer from depression at some point in their lives, as was apparent from his knowledge of the statistical information. I am sure the Tamworth electorate is lucky that the member for Tamworth, who is working hard to encourage mental health services to reach out into rural Australia, will do his level best to ensure that those services touch the wonderful hardworking families in the bush. Other factors such as the drought and the incredible financial stress and strain that people are suffering can trigger depression. Depression can touch anyone in any age group, no matter whether one is wealthy or poor. Sadly, depression knows no boundaries. The Black Dog clinic does fantastic work. In conclusion, I am sure the member for Tamworth will always continue to represent his constituents well in this area and fight to ensure that those services reach out from the city into rural Australia and particularly into the seat of Tamworth.
