Rose's story

I have also found it difficult to get the care that I needed. I have spent a huge amount of time and energy trying to stop myself from having a breakdown. The system has failed me too...

Jessica's story

My kids continue to have mental health issues, and it's been a hard journey trying to get help for them. Going under the NDIS has made it worse...

Esther's story

Safety is a basic human right and if we can’t guarantee that in our mental health services then we are failing as a society to meet our most basic obligations to one another...

Caroline's story

The nurses and other staff made us feel welcome, and our son’s clinicians negotiated treatment and therapy sessions where we could contribute as parents and as a family...

Wendy's story

If half the money that was spent on other medical conditions was spent on mental health, there would be major changes for the better..

Charlotte's story

Much more needs to be offered before a crisis is the only way an unwell person and their family can get help. Expert mobile intensive support teams are essential to work with families throughout this difficult time...

Vanessa's story

For carers, the loss can include the pain of the loss of the life you had before the disruption caused by mental illness. You lose the easy ordinary, lightness of life. You feel helpless, and despair at having no power to alleviate the suffering...

Jim's story

A document with a checklist should be used by the mental health service that has a common sense approach and starts with a discussion between family/carers, the psychiatrist and a psychologist...

Peter's story

While the NDIS shows a lot of promise to positively change the lives of thousands of people with disabilities, the decisions to divert funds used for community mental health services to fund the NDIS as the previous state government did...

Elizabeth's story

The sense of suspension, always treading water, never reaching shore, never touching the bottom. Sinking or swimming are not the only options.

Susan's story

As my son’s carer I am almost never consulted by psychologists, psychiatrists and support providers. Most of the time my opinion is ignored...

Julia's story

I am the only one who assists and cares for my sister-in-law...

Lotti's Story

Before Covid-19 I would run into constant resistance being a carer at a distance.... But now self-isolation and social distancing means there are suddenly a lot of us who have loved ones needing support...

Helen's story

After my son’s initial treatment, he was let go by the mental health system and I was left completely alone, without even a recommendation to a psychiatrist...

Katherine's story

A better cultural understanding of how families enhance the process is needed. Their opinions, experience, knowledge and commitment should be properly utilised...

Bronwyn's story

I cannot fathom why a system that is supposed to help people fought so hard against someone’s vital supporter and advocate. All I can hope is that we learn these lessons...