The article outlined the proposal in the bill and its implications, especially on children. The bill indicates that it is illegal to administer therapy on patients without a recommendation from the psychiatrists as well as their own approval (Australia Health Commission 2011). The parent may hinder the treatment even when the child who is above twelve years old requires it. The article further implies that the bill will affect the freedom of persons suspected to be mentally ill (Weare 2000). The fact is that the bill seeks to ensure that mentally ill persons receive treatment effectively without stigmatization associated with mental illnesses. This letter addresses the advantages of the bill that the opponents are not willing to discuss.
For a long period, the stigma associated with mental illnesses has prevailed and hindered proper treatment of individuals suffering from mental illness (Power 2010). The government established the Mental Health Commission in Australia to help in handling increased cases of mental illness. Mental illness affects most people through depression, stress or stigmatization. The need to handle the health menace has led to the formulation of the draft Mental Health Bill 2011. The draft bill 2011 seeks to change the way in which patients are treated by formulating better ways of minimising the menace (Richards 2010).
The first major proposal in the bill addresses the manner of examining a person to determine whether he or she is mentally ill (Australia Health Commission 2011). Lack of proper policies to diagnose mental illnesses brings stigmatisation of patients. The bill proposes the manner of handling an involuntary patient (Hattie 2004). The need to create a mechanism on how to handle involuntary patients is imperative in reducing such cases, especially where mentally ill persons become violent. After conducting the examination, the bill proposes the patients’ detention of not more than seventy-two hours before being taken to the hospital (Huff 2012)
The bill also proposes the manner in which the authorities especially the police officers need to handle such involuntary patients. The bill allows the application of force if the patient is not compliant or turns violent (Australia Health Commission 2011). The bill however criminalises the use of electrodes and electric shocks as a way of calming down the patient if the person applying the shocks is not an authorized psychiatrist (Witmer 1992). Anyone doing this is liable for a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars (Power 2010). The bill allows frisking of the patient before detention to ensure that they do not have weapons and that they are not a threat to those around them (Dix 2006).
The community is responsible for the mentally ill persons by ensuring that they access the psychiatrist and undergo monthly examination (Weare 2000). This is imperative as it ensures identification of people with the mental illnesses and treatment options available for them unlike earlier when this was done by their families alone (Dix 2006).
The bill also proposes transportation methods for mentally ill persons when going to the hospital or authorized psychiatrist (Richards 2010). The bill also acknowledges that there are people who are visually impaired or with other disabilities in addition to having mental illnesses. The bill looks for ways of handling such patients in a proper manner (Australia Health Commission 2011).
Most importantly, the bill addresses the issue of funds allocated to cater to mental illnesses (Australia Health Commission 2011). Previously, there were no funds set aside for mental illness despite the illness prevailing in the society (Barbara 2008). Focusing funds to cater for the mentally ill persons especially in subsidizing the clinical costs will be a step forward in handling the menace (Myers 2000). There are few psychiatrists in the country and increasing the capacity of the psychiatrist will help in handling mental illnesses.
The issue of mental illnesses is a reality that society must face because it is affecting the whole country. Although it was taboo it handicapped many people and proper legislation on this health issue is a necessity. Mental illness will still affect the citizens of this country unless it is controlled. The media must provide correct information to the public not only to arouse emotions but also a cognitive discourse that will contribute positively to the health reforms.
References
Australia Health Commission 2011, Australia Mental Health Bill 2011, Government of Australia, Sydney.
Barbara, K 2008, Fundamentals of nursing: Concepts process and practice, Pearson Education, London.
Dix, D 2006, I Tell what I have seen – The reports of Asylum reformer Dorothea Dix, American Journal of Public Health, vol. 96, no. 4, pp. 622-624.
Hattie, J 2004, A factor structure of wellness: Theory, assessment, analysis and practice, Journal of Counselling and Development, vol. 82, pp. 354-364.
Huff, E 2012, Australian children to be sterilized without parental consent under new eugenics law, Natural News, Web.
Myers, J 2000, The wheel of wellness counselling for wellness: A holistic model for treatment planning, Journal of Counselling and Development, vol. 78, pp. 251-266.
Power, A 2010, Transforming the nation’s health: Next steps in mental health promotion, American Journal of Public Health, vol. 100, no. 12, pp. 2343-6.
Richards, K 2010, Self-care and well-being in mental health professionals: The mediating effects of self-awareness and mindfulness, Journal of Mental Health Counselling vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 247.
Weare, K 2000, Promoting mental, emotional and social health: A whole school approach, RoutledgeFalmer, London.
Witmer, J 1992, A holistic model for wellness and prevention over the lifespan, Journal of Counselling and Development, vol. 71, pp. 140-148.