the - callan park 'your plancallanparkyourplan.com.au/downloads/submissions/cps36_our...

THE

REPORT

The OUR PICK Report accuses the Australian health industry of corruption and proposes the empowerment of mental health patients and prisoners to achieve effective delivery of services.

Proposal

l thatafixedpercentageof0.1%ofthementalhealthbudgetbesetaside asmandatoryfundingofindependentconsumergroups;

l thatthoseconsumergroupsbedemocraticallyresponsivetoconsumers’concerns,addressingissuesofgeneralimportance,fundingconsumer-directedresearchand interactingwithgovernmentpolicies;

l thatintheinterim,allserviceprovidersinthementalhealthindustry fundindependentconsumerfunctionswithapercentageoftheirbudgets.

LaunchedattheInternationalConferenceonPenalAbolitionICOPA13inBelfast onJune252010andintheForensicHospital,LongBay,SydneyonJuly1,2010.

July 2010ISBN:9780980672251(pbk.)NationalLibraryofAustraliaCataloguing-in-PublicationOffenderswithmentaldisabilities--Abuseof--Australia. Peoplewithmentaldisabilities--Abuseof--Australia. Healthfacilities--Complaintsagainst--Australia. Prisoners--Abuseof--Australia.DeweyNumber:362.20994

About our sponsorJUSTICEACTIONisfundedbythesocialenterpriseBREAKOUTDESIGNPRINTWEB,whichhasprovidedtopqualityprinting,designand webservicestounions,communitygroupsandcorporationssince1984.OfferworktoBREAKOUTatthesamepriceyouarenowpaying,and youwilladdstrengthtoJUSTICEACTION.Ordonatetohelpthework.www.breakout.net.auTelephone(02)92830123

TheOUR PICK

report

REPORT CONFRONTING THE ABUSE OF “CARE” IN MENTAL HEALTH AND PRISONS

PublishedbyJUSTICEACTION Suite204,TradesHall 4GoulburnSt,SydneyNSW2000,AustraliaP.O.Box386Broadway,Sydney NSW2007,Australiawww.justiceaction.org.au [email protected]: 61292830123

Fax: 61292830112

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

SECTION 1: THE REALITIES OF MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS

LongBayLockdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

BanonSmokinginHospitals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

CaseStudy:SaeedDezfouli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

InvoluntaryInjection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

MentalHealthConsumersintheMedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

TheJudicialSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

SECTION 2: MECHANISMS FOR OPERATION IN PRACTICE

MentalHealthAct2007(NSW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

ConsumerandCarerOrganisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

SECTION 3: KEY CHARTERS AND LEGISLATION

UNHighCommissionerforHumanRights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

UnitedNationsUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(1948) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

UnitedNationsConventionontheRightsofPersonswithDisabilities(2007) . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

DisabilityDiscriminationAct1992(Cth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

MentalHealthAct2007(NSW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

TheOUR PICK

report

REPORT CONFRONTING THE ABUSE OF “CARE” IN MENTAL HEALTH AND PRISONS

IntroductionJusticeActiondecidedtofocusonthementalhealthareaafterithadbecomeapparentthatanewstrategywasrequiredtodefendcommunityinterestsandprisoners’rightsagainstthelawandtheaddedeffectsoftension,boredom,powerlessnessandisolationoccurringinimprisonment.Manyprisonersbecomeforensicpatientsorremaininprisonundermedication:theratesofmajormentalillnessinprisonshavebeenfoundtobethreetimeshigherthanthatofthegeneralpopulation.1

Inmentalhealththefocusisonmakingpatientswell,withouttheelementsofguiltandpunishmentwhileretainingstatecontrolofcitizens.Patients(consumers)2hadbeenaskingforourassistance,andwesawthechanceofaforwarddefenceformentalhealthpatients’rights.Ifwecouldnotdefendpatients’humanrightswhatchancehadwewithprisoners?Uponexaminationwediscoveredthatforensic(incarcerated)mentalhealthconsumersreceiveevenlessrespectfortheirdignityandhumanity.Inpracticeitisdefinitelybettertobebadthanmad.Lawyerswhohaveenticedclientswithapsychiatricdefencearecursedfromthedungeons.Inbothprisonsandmentalhealthwardsalmosteveryonesmokes,butitistheforensicconsumerswhohavelosttheirtobacco.Prisonersareregardedasnormalpeoplewhohavemademistakes,havetopayapenaltyandthenreturntotheirformerstatus.Forensicconsumershowever,aretreatedlikechildren,unabletotakeresponsibilityfordecision-makingsometimesfortherestoftheirlives,dependingontheirpsychiatricdiagnosis.Totalarbitrarycontrolcontrarytoconsumers’wishesiscloakedaseuphemismsofexpressionsofcare.Theindustry’sculturecreatesprofessionalslackingempathyforpatients;stumblingglassy-eyedhumansareseenaseffectiveworkpractice.3InthenewLongBayForensicHospital,allpatientsaremedicated.Patientresistanceisconstruedassickness.Theconsumerfocusinmentalhealthhasbeenhijacked.Statedrightshavebecomevaluelessinthefaceofthisculture.Externalserviceprovidersdependentongovernmentmoneyarepartoftheproblem.Patientsaredehumanisedandexploitedtoyieldbudgetsofover$205,000perforensicpatientperyear.Privacyandsecuritymeanhidingfromexamination.Visitorsarediscouragedandrefused.Socialsupportforpatientsisseenascausingdisturbancerather

1 AustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfare(2009)The Health of Australian Prisoners Report.2 Theterm‘consumers’wasthepreferredtermbyparticipantsoftheNationalStatementofMentalHealth

RightsandResponsibilities(1991)3 TheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO)identifiedtreatmentofmentalhealthconsumersasoneofthree

priorityproblemsinits‘HealthinPrisons’Project:AlexGatherer(2005)‘TheWorldHealthOrganizationEuropeanHealthinPrisonsProjectAfter10Years:PersistentBarriersandAchievements’American Journal of Public Health.

The OUR PICK report2

thanacommunityright,anecessarymeasureandanalternativetomedication.A“clinicaldecisionthatthepatient’smentalhealthmightbeaffected”isenoughforarefusal.Therearenostatedrules.Alonglineofreports,includingthe1992‘Burdekin’Reportandthe2005MentalHealthCouncilofAustralia(MHCA)(inassociationwiththeHumanRightsandEqualOpportunityCommission)‘NotforService’Report,allexpressthefailureinmentalhealthandtheneedforchange.However,nothinghaschangedonthegrounddespitebillionsoftaxpayers’dollarsbeingspent.Theproblemliesinthepowerlessnessofthoseforwhomtheservicesareprovided:identifiedbytheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO)asoneofthekeybarrierstoconsumerparticipation.4 Authoritieshaveusedthestigmaofmentalillnessandabusedthetrustofthepublicpurse.Theyhavetakencontrol,redefinedtheservicesprovidedforthesickandboughtthesilenceofthosewhoshouldprotest.Allparticipantsinthepublicmentalhealtharea,excepttheconsumersandcarers,arepaidbyHealthDepartmentmoneyandareallcontrolledbythesamepeople.Obviouslytheseservicesarenotpatient-focused:theconsumershavenomoney.Patients’opinionsandcontributionstotheirownwellbeinghavebeende-legitimizedbythosewhomsocietyhastrustedtohelpthem,despiteinvolvementbeingessentialtogoodhealth.Further,enforcedmedicationisoftenusedcontrarytointernationalstandardstofillthegap.Contrastthisrealitywiththestatedpurposeofthehealthsystem,andtheessentialtenetsofdemocracythateveryhumanbeingisentitledtofairtreatmentandequalityregardlessoftheirmentalstatusordisabilityandregardlessofwhetherornottheyareincarcerated.5ThoseprinciplesintheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsandotherconventionsformthebasisofourlaws,butthereisnopowerofenforcement.Thispaperisbrokenupintothreeparts:1 Thefirstdescribesthealarmingrealitiesformentalhealthconsumersdespitetheexisting

legislationthatisintendedtoprotectthem.2 Thesecondpartfocusesonfundedandnon-fundednon-governmentorganisationsand

theirrolesasmechanismsforassertionofconsumers’rights.3 Thethirdpartofthispaperisanexplanationofkeychartersandlegislationsignedbythe

Australiangovernmentthatarerelevanttomentalhealthconsumers’rights.

ProposalWepropose:l thatafixedpercentageof0.1%ofthementalhealthbudgetbesetasideasmandatory

fundingofindependentconsumergroups;l thatthoseconsumergroupsbedemocraticallyresponsivetoconsumers’concerns,

addressingissuesofgeneralimportance,fundingconsumer-directedresearchandinteractingwithgovernmentpolicies;

l thatintheinterim,allserviceprovidersinthementalhealthindustryfundindependentconsumerfunctionswithapercentageoftheirbudgets.

4 WHO(1992) British Columbia Participation Project Report.5 WHO(2007)Health in Prisons Report,xvii.

The OUR PICK report 3

Section 1: The Realities of Mental Health Consumers

To be a mental patient is to be stigmatised, ostracised, “ socialised, patronised, psychiatrised. — Rae Unzicker Thelossofcontrolmentalhealthconsumershaveovertheirhealthisdisturbingonallaccounts.Thelegislationandorganisationsdiscussedintheothersectionsofthispaperdon’teffectivelyprotectconsumers’rights,butrestrictthemandjustifytheirabuse.Theauthoritiesandorganisationscorruptlytaketheveryresourcesandfundingmeanttoserviceconsumers’needsanduseitdehumanisethem.Consumersmusthavepowerovertheirownlivesandreceivesupporttoconsiderallmethodsoftreatment(exceptinthecaseofapresentseriousrisktothemselvesorothers).Thisshouldincludenotreatmentatall,withoutarbitrarydeterminationbythegovernment,psychiatrists,anddrugcompanies.JusticeActionhasbeenworkinginmentalhealthfordecades.Ouranalysesareonourwebsite.ButourfocusintensifiedafteranapproachbyforensicpatientsintheLongBayprisonhospitalinMarch2008,discussedbelow.Followingthis,consumersenteringhospitalsbegantocomplainthatsmokingbanswerebeingintroducedinthementalhealthunitsandunlikeotherpatients,theywerenotpermittedtogooutsidetosmoke.Wethencreatedananalysisthatunderminedanyhealthjustificationfortheban,showingitwascounterproductiveandanabuseofpower.In2008weformedtheRighttoChoosecampaign.WealsoexaminedthecaseofSaeedDezfouliduringourinvolvementinthementalhealtharena.Saaedisjustatypicalinvoluntarymentalhealthpatient.ButinexaminingwhathashappenedtohimitbecameobviousthattheHealthDepartmentitselfissick,thatpolicehandlementalillnessverypoorlyandthatitisdifficulttosupportconsumers’rightsagainsttheHealthDepartment.Consumersareoftenatthecentreofabuseandneglect.WenowareSaeed’sPrimaryCarerandstandbesidehimasasymbolforallinvoluntaryconsumers.

Long Bay LockdownForensicpatientsatLongBayprisonhospitalpetitionedJusticeActioninMarch2008followinganorderedremovalof28officersfromtheprisonhospitalareabytheprisonauthorities.Thiswasapartoftheirironicallynamed“WayForward”plan.Patientswerelockedintosolitaryconfinementcellsat3.30pminsteadof9pmaspartofacost-cuttingmeasure.Neitherorganisationsnorindividualsonthegroundseemedtocare.WethenapproachedthosedirectlyinvolvedintheissueandbeganaprocessofconsultationandcampaigningtoforcethetransferofcontroloftheLongBayprisonhospitalfromtheprisonstotheHealthDepartment.Thehealthprofession,includingAustralia’sleadingforensicpsychiatrists,nursesandtheMentalHealthCouncilofAustralia,unanimouslyagreedthatlockingpatientsinsolitaryconfinementforthatperiodwouldbelikelytoexacerbatementalillness.Thenurses,prisonofficersandpatientsthemselvesagreedthatitwasdetrimentaltotheirrecoveryandwouldcauseahugeincreaseinself-harmandsuicide.Thenursessaidthattheycouldnotgivehospitalcareunderthoseconditions,andthatthoseveryvulnerablepatientswithseverementalillnessesandmedical/surgicalpatientswouldneedtobetransferredtogeneralhospitals.6

6 ToaccessthecorrespondencebetweenJusticeActionandtheNSWNursesAssociationandotherdetailsseehttp://tiny.cc/0f5e0


Thepatientstoldthemanagerthattheywouldberefusingmedication.Bytheendofthecampaign,thefollowingactionhadtakenplace:

l TwoNoticesofMotionhadbeenplacedbeforeStateParliament,decryingthepractice(oneeachfromtheLiberalsandtheGreens)

l SupremeCourtproceedingsseekingordersthatthepracticebestoppedimmediatelywereimminent

l LegalproceedingsbasedonbreachesofAustralia’shumanrightsobligationsunderinternationaltreatieswerealsoimminent

l AcomplainthadbeenmadetoICACallegingDCSemployeeshadindulgedincorruptbehaviourbymisrepresentingthewishesofthepatientsandthedangeroushealtheffectsoftheearlylockdownpractice

l Significantadversemediacoveragehadbeengeneratedinnewspapers,onradioandaninvestigativepiecehadappearedonABCTV

l AnumberofadversewrittenstatementsandletterstotheAttorneyGeneralhadbeenmadebyAustralia’sleadingforensicpsychiatristsandtheirrepresentativebodies,aswellastheNSWNursesAssociation,HREOC,SANEAustralia,NCOSS,theAboriginalJusticeAdvisoryCouncilandothersignificantcommunityorganisations.

Finallythegovernmentacknowledgedtherightofforensicconsumerstotreatmentthatrespectedtheirspecialneeds.Tocausevulnerablecitizenstosufferforadministrativepurposesisessentiallytortureanddiminishesusasacommunity.ThegovernmentdecidedtotransfercontroloftheLongBayprisonhospitaltotheHealthDepartment.EventhenthegovernmentstalledandanUrgencyDebatewasplacedbeforeParliamenton12November2008.JusticeActionandtheNSWNursesAssociationprovidedwrittenandoralpresentationstothecrossbenchers.AllthepartiesintheUpperHousejoinedtogethertoensurethemotionwasdebated.7 Duringthecourseofthedebate,MinisterHatzistergosgaveanassurancethatby28November2008allforensicpatientswouldbetransferredtothenewforensichospital.Hiswordswereunequivocal:‘EveryoneknowsthatthecurrentsituationatLongBayprisonhospitalistemporary.Isaytemporarybecauseitisenvisagedthaton28NovemberthisyearthenewForensicHospitalwillcommencetooperate.WhenthatoccurssomeofthosepersonsdetainedintheLongBayprisonhospitalwhoareforensicpatientswillmoveintothenewforensichospitalunderaregimethatwillbemanagedentirelybyJusticeHealth.However,thoseinmateswhoremainintheprisonhospitalwillnotbeforensicinmates…’8 Butmanyarestillthere.Wearewatching.

Ban on Smoking in Hospitals TheRighttoChooseCampaign(http://www.righttochoosealliance.com.au/)inregardstothesmokingbanforpatientsisofspecialinteresttoJusticeAction.Thereisnobanonsmokinginregardstothelargerpopulation,andyetthegovernmentistryingtolegallywithholdthosesamerightsfrompsychiatricinpatientconsumers.Insomestatesprisonersarealsounderthreat.Smoking,albeitharmfultoone’shealth,isacommonrecreationalpastimeenjoyedbyanestimated17%ofthelargerpopulationofAustraliathatisnotsubjectedtoconfinement.Theattackontherighttochoosewithsmokingisjustasymptomofthesicknessinthehealthsector,wherethoseforwhomtheserviceisintendedreceivewhatothersdecideisgoodforthem.Wechallengethepolicyofdictatinglifestylestoconsumersinclosedinstitutions,

7 Seehttp://tiny.cc/0f5e0formoreonthispoint.8 Ibid.


includingforcedmedicationtochangebehaviour.Wefocusontheforcedwithdrawaloftobaccoassymbolicofdishonestconcernforconsumers’welfarethatyieldscounterproductiveresults.Smokingisextremelyimportanttopatientsandprisoners.Fromourowninvestigationswehaveobservedthatmanyprisonersearnlessthan$20aweek,andspend$18ontobacco.Inprisonsandmentalhealthunitsover80%ofthepopulationsmokes.Itistheirhome.ItisapersonalpleasureacceptedsincetheformationofthePenalColony.JusticeActionstronglybelievesthattoimposesuchabanonaparticularlyvulnerablesectionofsocietywhenthesamebanisnotimposedonthelargercommunityisnotonlyundemocraticbutalsoimposesadisproportionatelevelofsufferingonthosewhoarealreadydisadvantaged.Evenpubsandcasinoshavespecialareasforsmokersdespitepatrons’abilitytogooutside.Thebanningoftobacco–consumers’legaldrugofchoice–fordependentpopulations,whilstforciblyimposingmedicationtolessentheresultingtrauma,isoutrageous.Itisinbreachofethics,lawsandcovenants,anddoesnotachieveitsstatedintention.9 Whilethegovernmentsaysitisconcernedaboutpatients’health,thebansdonotstopsmokinginthelongterm.Whereconsumersareforcedtogiveupsmokinginmentalhealthunits,mostresumesmokingimmediatelyupondischarge.Oneoftheworld’sleadingresearchersinthearea,SteveKiselyfromGriffithUniversityMedicalSchool,isadamantthatbansdonotwork,statingthatthemotivationtochangetheoryemphasisesthatmeaningfulchangewillonlyoccurwhenthepatienthasmovedthroughthepre-contemplative,contemplativeandplanningstagesthroughtotheactionstage.10 Itisclearthatthegovernmentpositioniswrongfromeveryperspective.Itisdishonest,ineffectiveandtriestoovercomethelittlecontrolthatprisonersandpatientshaveovertheirlives.Furthermore,ithasattemptedtosilencedissenters.InOctober2007,JusticeActionwasexcludedfromrepresentingconsumersatJusticeHealth’sConsumerandCommunityGroupfollowingpublicityonapossiblesmokingban.Astheonlyrepresentativewithprisonexperience,otherparticipantssaidJA’sinvolvementwasessential,buttheexclusioncontinues.Thelessonofthesmokingcasestudyisthatonlythroughworkingtogetherwithpatientsandprisonerscanchangesoccur.Thisattemptatabanprovidesanexcellentchancetoexaminegovernmentrehabilitationpoliciesgenerallyincludingwithprisoners,andwhytheyhavefailedsocomprehensively.Theeasytop-downdictatorialstyleofpeoplemanagementalwaysfails,absorbsscarceresourcesandcausesunnecessarytensions.Workingwithpeoplerequirespatienceandsensitivitybutismoreeffectiveinthelongrun.

Case study of Saeed Dezfouli TheclosedsystemoftheNSWHealthDepartment’smentalhospitalsisgettingexposurethroughthewindowofpatientSaeedDezfouli.Itshowssystemicabuseofdependentpeoplecloakedascare.Saeedpresentsnothreattothecommunity.HeneedssupportasanIranianrefugeeaffectedbystressandwithaheartcondition.In2002helitafireinhisworkplacetodrawattentiontohisconcerns.Thiswasfollowingmorethanfivemonthsofdistressedfaxestopoliceandpoliticiansinwhichhehadstatedhisintentions.Onthatdaythefireescapewaslockedandawomandiedofsmokeinhalation.Saeedregrettedhisactionimmediately,huggingthoseoutsidethebuilding.Thiswouldneverhavehappenedwithproperhealthandpoliceintervention.Saeedisinauniqueposition.Hehaswatchedthesystemfrominsideforeightyears,andpointsoutitshypocrisy,whilstJusticeHealth(anarmoftheHealthDepartment)triestocrushhimintosubmissionwiththerestofthepatients.Heisagentlepersonneverwantingtohurt

9 Seehttp://tiny.cc/gjdfqformoreonthispoint.10 TranscriptofemailreceivedbyJusticeActionMarch2008.


anyone–theyagreeheisnon-violent,buteverytwoweekseightstaffholdhimdownandinjecthimwithapowerfulsedativewhileheisheldinthehighestsecurityarea:theForensicHospital.Heisrefusedachoiceofpsychiatrist,educationandexercise,isnotpermittednewvisitorsandtherulesaren’tevenstated.WebecamehisPrimaryCarerwhentherewasnooneelse.Saeedissufferingbecausehewon’tshutup.JusticeHealthhasabsolutepower.Patientshavenofinitesentencesandaretotallydependentonthetreatingpsychiatrist.Theprinciplesofpatients’rightsunders68oftheMentalHealthAct2007(NSW) donotapplyinpractice.Inthis‘care’system,no-onecares.Taxpayersarecharged$200,000ayearforSaeed,and$130mforthenewprivatelyfinancedBayhospitals.SaeedappealedtotheSupremeCourtagainsttheMentalHealthReviewTribunal’srefusaltoorderchangestohistreatment.TheTribunalandtheAttorney-Generaltriedtoblockthisfirstrealappealagainstitsnewpowerstomakeorders,refusingtosupplyitsdecision,untilanaudiorecordprovedSaeed’sentitlement.ItseesitsroleassupportingJusticeHealthandnotmakingaseparatejudgment.PreviouslytheTribunalhadcalledforanewreviewofSaeedbutwasoverruledbyJusticeHealth.ThelackofcomplaintfromthosearoundSaeedshowswidespreadabuseandthecompromiseofthoseparticipatinginthehealthsystem.TheTribunaltriedtoforceSaeedtousethediscreditedMentalHealthAdvocacyService. WehaveajobandahomeforSaeed,andwillcontinuetheJusticeActionMentoringrelationshipwhichisfundedbyBreakoutDesignPrintWebwhenheisreleased.

Involuntary Injection MichaelHeston,aninvoluntarymentalhealthpatient,wrotethesewordstoMindFreedomaskingforhelp: “Lifeisnofunwhenbeingtorturedandterrorized.Pleasehelpme.Theyhavenorightto

shootme.Iwantmyspiritback.That’sallIwantismyspiritback.Thedrugsmakemenervousandparanoid.I’mfidgetyandantsyfromthemedicine.Godmademeacertainwayandthat’showIwanttostay.I’mbeingshotdownlikeadog.”11

Thesecommentsraisetheissueofeffectiveness,whichiscentraltoinvoluntarytreatmentregimes.AccordingtoDrPennyWeller,involuntarytreatmentscan“mask,ratherthanrelievethesymptomsofmentalillness.”12Shearguesthatsuchtreatmentsoftenhavesedativeeffects,whichareusedaschemicalrestraints.Atothertimes,theyhavedisablingsideeffectsthatmimicsymptomsofmentalillnesses,whichleadtointerpretationsbymedicalofficersthatpatients’behavioursreflectescalationsofmentalillness.Thesefindingshavefurthermorebeencomplementedbystudiesdoneinthisfield.Alarmingly,intheCochranereviewentitled“CompulsoryCommunityandInvoluntaryOutpatientTreatmentforPeoplewithSevereMentalDisorders”,itwasrevealedthatthereislittleevidencethatcommunitytreatmentordersareeffectiveforcompetenthealthcare.Thatstudyconcludedthatstatisticallyittakes85communitytreatmentorderstopreventonere-admission,27topreventonecaseofhomelessnessand238topreventonearrest.Thisastonishingevidenceisjustanotherindicationofwhyinvoluntarytreatmentisinappropriateformentalhealthpatients.Furthermore,itindicatesaclearwasteofpublicexpenditureinmentalhealthtreatment.Instead,suchfundingcouldbeusedtopromoteeffectivementalhealthcareinaccordancewithfundamentalhumanfreedoms,suchastreatmentwithfreeandinformedconsent.AccordingtoProfessorAmitaDhanda,ifmentalhealthpatientsrefusetreatments

11 MindFreedom.‘USAFederalPrisonerCommitsSuicideAfterForcedPsychiatricDrugs’[online]<http://www.mindfreedom.org/kb/prison-mental-health/forced- psychiatric-drugs/?searchterm=michael%20heston>(3May2010).

12 PennyWeller(2010)‘DevelopingLawandEthics:TheConventionontheRightsofPersonswithDisabilities,35Alternative Law Journal1,2.


recommendedtothem,theyaredeemedtolackthecapacityorinsightintowhatareintheirbestinterestsfortreatment.Thismaybeeseenasthe‘catch-22’ofthementalhealthsystem.Itisclearthatthislogicdoesnotrealisethecapacityof“allpersons,whetherornottheyhaveadisability,aremoreorlessabletoreason”.13 Infact,patientsthemselvesarearguablythemostcapableofmakingdecisionsastowhetheratreatmentisintheirownbestinterests.However,inthecaseofthosetrulylackingthecapacitytomakefreeandinformeddecisions,substituteddecision-makingisstillnotappropriate.Instead,supporteddecision-makingismoredesirable.Thismeansthatmentalhealthpatientsshouldbeencouragedtoworkinconjunctionwithsupportpersonnelinordertocometoanadequatesolutionregardinghealthcare.Whileitistruethattheamountofsupportrequiredwouldvaryfrompatienttopatient,ifwearetorespectthehumanrightsofsociety’smostvulnerablefriends,suchanapproachisnecessary.Thepublicfundingcurrentlybeingwastedonunjustinvoluntarytreatmentregimescanbeutilisedinthiswaytoprovidemorerespectablegoals.InNSWmentalhealthconsumerscanbeinvoluntarilysedatedwhentheyareseenasaseriousrisktothemselvesorothersinapsychiatricemergency.14Thisisgovernedbystrictregulationsunderthe‘SeclusionPracticesinPsychiatricFacilities’DepartmentofHealthpolicy. 15Thispolicydirectivestates,“anyrestraintmustbeproportionaltotheactionsofthepatient.Anyactionoutofproportiontothedangertheyareplacingthemselvesorothersin,maybeconsideredanassault.”16Thus,criminalassaultisrelevantwheredisproportionateforceisusedinthesecircumstances.However,ifinvoluntarymedicationisdefinedas‘treatment’ratherthansedation,suchinterventionintendedonlyforpsychiatricemergenciesbecomesacommonplaceroutine.Thisisunacceptable-theseactionsshouldberegardedasassaults,andasdiscussedabove,areineffectiveabinitioandshouldhavenoplaceinthementalhealthsystem.Thus,onlythroughacceptingthelimitationsofinvoluntaryinjectingpowerscanmedicalpractitionersperformtheirrolesandrespecttherightsofmentalhealthconsumers.UnderArticle17oftheConventionontheRightsofPersonswithDisabilities(CRPD)“everypersonwithdisabilitieshasarighttorespectforhisorherphysicalandmentalintegrityonanequalbasiswithothers.”17Involuntaryinjectionisaninfringementofthisfundamentalhumanright.Thepointsjustoutlinedaimtoprovideajustalternativetooutdatedinvoluntarytreatmentregimesthatviolatementalhealthconsumers’rights.Forciblyholdingdownahumanbeingandinjectingthemwithdrugsagainsttheirwillbreachesallhumanrights.

Mental Health Consumers in the MediaThemediahasanenormousimpactonsocietyandhowpeopleperceivetheworldaroundthem;itcontributes,shapes,andformstheiropiniononimportantissues.Mentalhealthconsumersareportrayednegativelyinthemediadespitealldeclarations,conventions,andlegislationsthatexiststoprotectthem.Themedia’snegativityblatantlydefiestheCRPD,despitetheUN’sspecificpurposes“tolimitmechanismsthatreplicateandreinforcethesocialexclusionandmarginalizationofpeoplewithdisabilities.”18 Twentypercentofnewsarticlesthatcovermentalhealthconsumersusethewords“psycho”,

13 Ibid,3.14 MentalHealthAct2007(NSW)s14.15 NewSouthWalesHealth(2007)Seclusion Practices in Psychiatric Facilities[online]<http://www.health.

nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2007/PD2007_054.html>(22June2010).16 Ibid.17 UnitedNations,Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities(2008)art17.18 PenelopeWeller(2009)‘HumanRightsandSocialJusticeTheConventionontheRightsofPersonswith

DisabilitiesandtheQuietRevolutioninInternationalLaw’,4Public Space: The Journal of Law and Social Justice, 5.


“schizo”and“nutter”.19Televisionnewsprograms,newspapers,andradioareconsideredtrustednewssourcestosociety,andsometimestheonlysourceofeducationtoitsviewers.Whenthesenewsoutletshighlightandexaggeratementalhealthconsumersandcrime,theyareonlyreinforcingthestigmasthatsocietyaccepts.Howeverstudieshaveshownthatevenwhenmentalhealthconsumersareportrayedcorrectly,itisonlythesortofarticlesthatdramatizethecircumstancesthatattractthemostattention.20AmericanconsumerandactivistRaeUnzickerwrote,“TobeamentalpatientistowatchTVandseehowviolentanddangerousanddumbandincompetentandcrazyyouare.”21

Seventypercentofthepopulationbelievesthatmentalhealthconsumersareviolentwhichreflectspublicconcernandgovernmentspendingonsecurity.ItwasfoundintheUnitedStatesthatmostmentalhealthpatientsinprisonwereuninsured,poor,homelessminoritygroupswhohadcommittedmisdemeanorcrimes.22Theyareunjustlycommittedascriminalsintotheprisonsystemtokeepthemawayfromasocietythattakesnoinitiativetounderstandthem.In1992BrianBurdekinreleasedthereport‘NationalInquiryIntoTheHumanRightsOfPeopleWithMentalIllness’.Hisreasonforconductingthisinquirycamefromevidencepresentedtothehomelesschildren’sinquiry,whichsuggestedthatinmanyareasthehumanrightsofindividualsaffectedbymentalillnesswerebeingignoredorseriouslyviolated.FurtherresearchbyBurdekinalsoindicatedwidespread:

l ignoranceaboutthenatureandprevalenceofmentalillnessinthecommunity; l discrimination; l misconceptionsaboutthenumberofpeoplewithamentalillnesswhoare

dangerous,and; l beliefsthatfewpeopleaffectedbymentalillnesseverrecover.

TheMHCA/HREOCreport:“NotForService:ExperiencesofInjusticeandDespairinMentalHealthCareinAustralia”showedthatafter12yearsofmentalhealthreforminAustralia,anypersonseekingmentalhealthcarerunstheseriousriskthathisorherbasicneedswillbeignored,trivialisedorneglected.Theadversehealth,socialandeconomiceffectsofAustralia‘smentalhealthcaresystemfallslargelyonthosewithrecurrentorchronicdisordersandtheirfamiliesandcarers.Thesearesomeofthemostvulnerablepeopleinourcommunity.

The Judicial SystemAtlaw,personssufferingarecognisedmentalillnessatthetimeofanoffencearenotcriminallyliablefortheiractions.23Despitethis,forensicconsumerscontinuetobeincarceratedforlongerthaniftheyhadbeenfoundguiltyofacriminaloffence,particularlywheretheywishtoalterorceasetreatment.Involuntarypatientsalsosufferfromlackofchoiceintreatmentasaresultofassumedincapacity,asdiscussedbelow.

Forensic patientsIndeterminingwhetherapersoncanbefoundnotguiltyofanoffencebyreasonofmentalillness,thecourtmustfindthatthestateofthepersonsmindatthetimeoftheoffencewas

19 DanielleAndrewartha(2010)“WorldWillNeverHurt?MediastigmatisationofpeoplewithmentalillnessesintheCriminalJusticeContext”,35Alternative Law Journal 1,4.

20 Ibid.21 RaeUnzicker(1984)“To Be A Mental Patient”,NationalAssociationforRightsProtectionandAdvocacy,

<http://www.narpa.org/to_be_a_Mental_Patient.htm/>(11May2010).22 Weller,aboven18,5.23 Rather,theywillbenotguiltybyreasonofmentalillnessunderMentalHealth(ForensicProvisions)Act

1990(NSW)s38.


diseased,disorderedordisturbedtosuchadegreethatitpreventedthemfromunderstandingthephysicalnatureoftheunlawfulactorrecognisingthattheoffendingactitselfwaswrong.24 Ifthisisfound,thecourtwillorderthatthepersonberecognisedasnotguiltybyreasonofmentalillnessornotfittobetriedanddetained.TheMentalHealthTribunalmaymakeanorderforreleasefromcustody“whensatisfiedonthebalanceofprobabilitiesthatthesafetyofthepersonoranymemberofthepublicwillnotbeseriouslyendangered”25and“whereothercareofalessrestrictivekind,thatisconsistentwithsafeandeffectivecare,isappropriateandreasonablyavailabletothepatientorthatthepatientdoesnotrequirecare”.26 Despitetheseavenuesfordischarge,manyforensicpatientswillremaininmentalhealthfacilitieslongaftertheircriminalcounterpartsdespitethefacttheyarenotguiltybylawofanoffence.Theyareseentolackthecapacitytomakedecisionsfortheirownmedicaltreatment.Thereisnochoiceinthissystem.

Involuntary patientsApersonmayalsobeadmittedtoamentalhealthfacilityaftertheissueofamentalhealthcertificatebyanaccreditedpersonincircumstanceswherethepersonisfoundtobeamentallyillordisordered,andwhereinvoluntaryadmissionanddetentionisdeemednecessary.27

Unders14oftheMentalHealthAct2007(NSW)apersonismentallyillifthepersonissufferingfrommentalillnessandowingtothatillness,therearereasonablegroundsforbelievingthatcare,treatmentorcontrolofthepersonisnecessaryfortheprotectionofthepersonorothersfromseriousharm.ResearcherAmitaDhandahasidentifiedthattestsof‘capacity’havebeenentrenchedintowesternlegalsystemsinordertopromoteefficientcompliancewithpsychiatrictreatmentwithoutreferencetoindividual’srightsandchoiceoftreatment.28Forexample,the‘status’teststatesthatwhereapersonsuffersfromaseverementalillness,theywillautomaticallylackthecapacitytoinvolvethemselvesintheirtreatment.The‘outcome’testinamedicalcontextdictatesthatwhereconsumersrefusetreatment,thiswillbeseenasanindicationoftheirlackofcapacity.29

Therefore,ifapersonacceptspsychiatrictreatment,heorsheisdeemedtohavecapacityandwillbeadmittedtoavoluntarytreatmentprogram,ofwhichtheymaydischargethemselvesatanytime.However,iftheydonotfeeltreatmentisnecessary,theywillbesubjectedtoincarcerationandinvoluntarytreatment.Thesemethodsservetocrushmentalhealthsufferersintosubmissionforthepurposeofachievingaquickandefficientprocesswithoutsubstantialconsiderationsofpatientsrighttoinvolvementorchoiceintheirtreatment.

24 R v Porter(1933)55CLR182.25 MentalHealth(ForensicProvisions)Act1990(NSW)s39.26 MentalHealth(ForensicProvisions)Act1990(NSW)s43.27 MentalHealthAct2007(NSW)s19.28 AmitaDhanda(2005)‘TheRighttoTreatmentofPersonswithPsychosocialDisabilitiesandtheRoleofthe

Courts’28International Journal of Law and Psychiatry155,157.29 Weller,aboven12,2.


Section 2: Mechanisms for Operation in Practice Thefollowingsectionfocusesontherolesofnon-governmentorganisationsasmechanismsforassertingtherightssupposedlyaffordedtoconsumers.Italsoexaminestheeffectivenessofcurrentgovernmentfundingprograms.ThefollowingistakenfromtheNSWMentalHealthCharter30forcarethathasderivedfromnegotiationswithconsumergroups.Accordingtothischarter,whichisontheNSWHealthwebsite,allNSWconsumersareentitledtoservicesthatabidebytheseguidelines.1. Respecthumanrights.2. Arecompassionateandsensitivetotheneedsoftheindividualstheyserve.3. Fosterpositiveattitudestomentalhealthinthelargercommunity.4. Promotepositivementalhealth.5. Encouragetrueconsumerinvolvementatalllevelsofservicedeliveryandpolicy

development.6. Provideeffectivetreatmentandcareacrossthelifespan.7. Arewidelyaccessibletopeoplewithmentalhealthneeds.8. Providecareintheleastrestrictiveenvironment,consistentwithtreatmentrequirements.9. Provideeffectiveandcomprehensivepreventionprogramsacrossthelifespan.10. Promote‘livingwell’withmentalillness.11. Addressqualityoflifeissuessuchasaccommodation,education,workandincome,

leisureandsport,homeandfamilyandotherrelationships.12. Uselanguagethatreducesstigma,discrimination,ornegativityforthoseaffectedand

theirfamilies.13. Respectandareresponsivetothediversityinlifestyle,sexualityandsexualpreference.14. Areculturallysensitiveandappropriatetotheneedsoftheindividualstheyserve.Despitetheflowerylanguageinlegislationandmotives,theNSWJusticeHealthispartofthe“system”andthesystemhasitsownagendasthataremaskedbywordsconsumersarefightingtohearinabrokensystemthatlimitsthem.Infact,theprovisionsoftheMentalHealthActservetohindertheachievementoftheaimsstatedabove.

Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW)IntheMentalHealthActthereexiststhepotentialforabuseofpower.ItstatesinitsobjectivesthattheActprovidesthecare,treatment,andcontrolofpersonswhoarementallyillormentallydisordered.31ThefactthatNSWJusticeHealthdeliberatelyincludedtherighttocontrolmentalhealthconsumersintheobjectivesoftheActreinforcesandprovidesjustificationtosociety’sstereotypeofmetalhealthconsumersaspeopletobecontainedandisolatedfromthemainstreamcommunity.IfthegoalsofNSWJusticeHealthistoprovidementalhealthservicesthatamongotherthings,respecthumanrights,arecompassionateandsensitivetotheneedsoftheindividualstheyserve,andfosterpositiveattitudestomentalhealthinthelargercommunity,thenslipping

30 NSWDepartmentofHealth(2000)Charter for Mental Health Care in NSW[online]http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2000/mhcharter.html(3May2010).

31 ContainedintheMentalHealthAct2007(NSW).


thewordcontrolintotheverycatalystoftrustbetweenauthoritiesandconsumerscontradictsthesupposedintentions.Theuseofthewordcontrolisadeliberatemanipulationofpowerandaviolationofmentalhealthconsumer’sinherenthumanrights.

Consumer and Carer OrganisationsConsumerandcarers’organisationsareusedasthemechanismfortheassertionofrightsofconsumersinthissystem.Essentially,therearetwotypesofconsumerorganisationsdiscussedinthispaper:non-governmentandgrassrootsconsumergroups.Thereisoneunderliningdifferencebetweenthetwo:funding.Withoutthefundingfromthementalhealthdepartmentandaccesstothehospitals,itisdifficultfororganizationstobeeffective.Unfortunately,whenorganisationsacceptfinancialassistance,theiractionsarelimitedinthementalhealthmovementandmustturnablindeyetotheinjustices,orlosetheirfunding.Itisthisissuewhichmustbechangedinordertotrulypursueeffectiveprotectionofconsumerrightsinthisfield:mandatoryfundingmustbeallocatedtoindependent consumergroupsinordertoadequatelyachievethisgoal.

Funded Organisations:TheMentalHealthCoordinatingCouncilisthecoordinatingorganizationfornon-governmentorganizationsinmentalhealthservicesinNSW.Theirpurposeistoseektoimprove,promoteanddevelopqualitymentalhealthservicestothecommunity.Theirgoalisalsotoextensivelyparticipateandinfluencepolicymakerstoimprovementalhealthcare.

Non-funded Organisations:Criticalorganisationsthatdonotreceivefundingfromthegovernmentarethemosteffectiveatthepresenttime.Asaresulttheyhavetheabilitytopursuementalhealthgoalswithoutanyoutsideinfluences.Theconsumerorganisation’smovementisledby(mostimportantly)mentalhealthconsumersaswellascarers,familymembers,doctorsandothersfromthebottomwhobelievethereisanalternativewaytoworkingwithmentalhealthpatientsinsteadoftheHealthDepartmenttakingresponsibilityfromthetop.JusticeActionhasbecomeinvolvedduetoourconcernaboutgovernmentabuseofpower.ThehalfwayhouseGlebeHousewhichwasfoundedbytheprisonermovementlostitsfundingduetothecriticaladvocacyworkofitsDirectors.AmericanactivistRaeUnzickerandEnglishactivistR.D.Lainghavemadesignificantcontributionstothemovementofconfrontingmentalhealthauthorities.ToLaing,consumer’sbehaviorswerearesponsetotheirinabilitytoconformtosociety’sdemandsinthechangingworld.Hisideasoftreatmentstemmedfromthebeliefthatconsumersareresponsiblefortheirownprogress,andthroughtheirprogresstheywouldbeabletoreturntoamorestableandgroundedlife.RaeUnzicker,anAmericanadvocateformentalhealthconsumers,sawmentalhealthinasimilarway.Moreimportantly,shebelieveditwasinexcusabletodenymentalhealthconsumerstheirrights,particularlythefreedomtochoosehowandwhereconsumerswillreceivetreatment,ifany.ConsumerorganizationstodaycontinueLaingandUnzicker’sworkandtheirvoicesarefarfromsilent.GroupssuchasTheConsumerActivityNetwork(www.canmentalhealth.org),TheIcarusProject(www.icarusproject.net),Mindfreedom(www.mindfreedom.org),andMadPride(www.mindfreedom.org/campaign/madpride)havealladdressedtheirissuesandconcernspubliclyinregardstomentalhealth.Mindfreedomspecificallyadvocatestherighttochooseasoneoftheirmainprioritiesinthementalhealthcaresystem.Thisorganisationaimstoestablishtheconsumer’scontrolover


theirlifeandtohavetheiropinionsconsidered.TheConsumerActivityNetwork(CAN)focusesontherightofconsumerstobeinvolvedinthedecision-makingprocessoftreatmentaspartoftheindividual’srecoveryjourney.Thisisseenasimportantsoastoallowtheconsumeraqualitylifestyleofchoice.TheIcarusProjectadvocatesaslightlydifferentmessage.Notonlydotheysupporttherighttochoosethemethodoftreatment,theyalsoadvocatetherighttonotbecategorizedasillinthefirstplace.Thebeliefofthisparticularorganizationisthatpersonswhoarelabeledmentallyillarereallypeoplewhoareabletoseetheworldinawaythatdoesnotconformtosociety’sviewof“normal”and“sane”.

Section 3: Key Charters and LegislationThefollowinginternationalcovenantsanddomesticlegislationareprovidedbelowsoastohighlightthedifferencesbetweentheobligationsoftheAustraliangovernmentunderinternationallawandtheobligationsofJusticeHealthunderdomesticlawincomparisontocurrentpracticesexperiencedbyconsumers.UN High Commissioner for Human Rights32

“Australia,beingadualistnation,needstoincorporaterightsencompassedbythosetreatiesintodomesticlawtomakethemdirectlyjusticiable.Currently,noneoftheaforementionedtreatieshasbeenentirelylegislativelyincorporatedintoAustralianlaw.TheSpecialRapporteurregretsthatthereisnosuchformalrecognitionoftherighttohealthinAustralia.“United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)ThefollowingarticlesfromthisDeclarationmaybeappliedspecificallytothecaseofpatientswithamentalillness.However,allthearticlesundertheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsareunderstoodtobetherightsofmentalillnesspatients.

l Allhumanbeingsarebornfreeandequalindignityandrights(Article1). l Everyoneisentitledtorightsandfreedomwithoutdiscriminationandeveryonehasthe

righttolife,libertyandsecurity(Article2). l Nooneshallbesubjectedtotortureortocruel,inhumanordegradingtreatmentor

punishment(Article5). l Allareequalbeforethelawandareentitledwithoutanydiscriminationtoequalprotection

ofthelaw(Article7). l Nooneshallbesubjectedtoarbitraryinterferencewithhisprivacy,family,homeor

correspondenceortoattacksuponhishonourandreputation.(Article12). l Everyonehastherighttoastandardoflivingadequateforthehealthandwell-beingof

himselfincludingfood,clothing,housingandmedicalcareandnecessarysocialservices,andtherighttosecurity…(Article25).

l Everyonehastherighttoaneducation.(Article26).

32 UnitedNationsOfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights(2009)Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health(AnandGrover)


United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2007)ThisConvention(CRPD)doesnotintroduceanynewrights,butholdsnationsresponsibletoprotectthosewhoseopportunitiestopursueafulfillinglifehasbeenlessenedduetodiscrimination.33Onceacountryratifiestheconvention,itisrequiredofthatnationtostartimplementingappropriatelegislation.Australiaratifiedtheconventionon17July,2008.Personswithdisabilitiesincludethosewhohavelong-termphysical,mental,intellectual,orsensoryimpairmentswhichininteractionwithvariousbarriersmayhindertheirfullandeffectiveparticipationinsocietyonanequalbasiswithothers(Article1).Itisclearthatmentalhealthpatientsareincludedinpersonswithdisabilitiesandshouldbetreatedassuch.

l HealthandTreatment(Article9) l StatesPartiesrecognizethatpersonswithdisabilitieshavetherighttotheenjoymentof

thehighestattainablestandardofhealthwithoutdiscriminationonthebasisofdisability. l Equalrecognitionbeforethelaw(Article12)StatesPartiesshalltakeappropriate

measurestoprovideaccessbypersonswithdisabilitiestothesupporttheymayrequireinexercisingtheirlegalcapacity

l FreedomfromExploitation,ViolenceandAbuse(Article16)StatePartiesshalltakeallappropriatelegislative,administrative,social,educational,andothermeasurestoprotectpersonwithdisabilities,bothwithinandoutsidethehome,fromallformsofexploitation,violenceandabuse,includingtheirgender-basedaspects.Inordertopreventtheoccurrenceofallformsofexploitation,violenceandabuse. States Parties shall ensure that all facilities and programs designed to serve persons with disabilities are effectively monitored by independent authorities.

l Protectingtheintegrityoftheperson(Article17)Everypersonwithdisabilitieshasarighttorespectforhisorherphysicalandmentalintegrityonanequalbasiswithothers.

l RehabilitationandCare(Article26)Eachandeveryindividualhastherighttomentalhealthservicesthatarecompassionateandsensitivetothepatients’needsandcare.InrelationtotheDeclarationofHumanRights,forensicmentalhealthpatientsshouldnotbesubjectedtocruel,punishmentordegradingtreatment.

l Education(Article24)StatesPartiesrecognizetherightofpersonswithdisabilitiestoeducation.

l RighttoHealth(Article25)StatesPartiesrecognizethatpersonswithdisabilitieshavetherighttotheenjoymentofthehighestattainablestandardofhealthwithoutdiscriminationonthebasisofdisability.StatesPartiesshalltakeallappropriatemeasurestoensureaccessforpersonswithdisabilitiestohealthservicesthataregender-sensitive,includinghealth-relatedrehabilitation.

Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)WhiletheaimofthisActistoidentifytherightsofmentalhealthpatients,itprohibitstheconsumer’sownassertionofrightsandleavesallpowersofthematterinthehandsoftheDepartmentofHealth.

33 UnitedNations,Why a Convention? (2006)[online]at<http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/questions.shtml>(3May2010).


Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW)34

ThisActlaysoutpowersandobligationstothegovernmenttofacilitatecare,treatmentandcontrolofmentalhealthpatientswhileprotectingtheirhumanrights.Again,thisActfailstoempowerconsumerswiththerighttoaddresstheirownhealth.Instead,throughthisActitistheresponsibilityofauthoritarianfiguresatthetoptodeterminewhattheybelieveisbestfortheconsumers.

s 1: Objects of the Act: (a) provideforthecare,treatmentandcontrolofpersonswhoarementallyillormentally

disordered(d) whileprotectingthecivilrightsofthosepersons,togiveanopportunityforthosepersons

tohaveaccesstoappropriatecare,and(e) tofacilitatetheinvolvementofthosepersons,andpersonscaringforthem,indecisions

involvingappropriatecare,treatmentandcontrol.

s 68: Principles for care and rehabilitation (a) peoplewithamentalillnessormentaldisordershouldreceivethebestpossiblecare

andtreatmentintheleastrestrictiveenvironmentenablingthecareandtreatmenttobeeffectivelygiven,

(d) theprescriptionofmedicinetoapersonwithamentalillnessormentaldisordershouldmeetthehealthneedsofthepersonandshouldbegivenonlyfortherapeuticordiagnosticneedsandnotasapunishmentorfortheconvenienceofothers

(e) peoplewithamentalillnessormentaldisordershouldbeprovidedwithappropriateinformationabouttreatment,treatmentalternativesandtheeffectsoftreatment,

ConclusionThelanguageauthoritieshaveusedintheirlegislationisdeceivingtoconstituents.Thepoliticalgametheyplaywhenusingsuchflowerylanguageonlybenefitstheirpersonalinterests.Inrealityauthoritiesgivementalhealthpatientslittlerespectfortheirrightsandinmanycasesletthemwasteawaywithlittlecommunicationorstimulation.Taxpayerscontribute$205,000perpatientperyear.Theirmoneyisbeingwastedandusedforabuse.Thelossofcontrolmentalhealthconsumershaveregardingtheirhealthisdisturbingonallaccounts.Consumershavetherighttotakeallmethodsoftreatmentintoconsideration,includingnotreatmentatall,withouttheoverbearinginfluenceofthegovernment,psychiatrists,anddrugcompanies.Nomatterhowtheirconditionsarediagnosed,thewesternmethodoftreatmentshouldnotbetheonlymethodtakenintoconsideration.Itistherightofthepatientstohaveallmethodsconsideredandtobethefinalauthorityoverthemselvesinthedecisionofwhichmethodtopursue.Alsoofequalimportance,mentalhealthpatientspossessthesamehumanrightsaseveryindividualintheworld.Theyshouldbetreatedasequalsandtheirdifferencesshouldnotbeexploitedorusedfordiscrimination.

34 s76BofMentalHealthForensicProvisionsAct1990(NSW) referstos68oftheMentalHealthActandstatesthattheprinciplesofcareandrehabilitationappliestoforensicpatientsaswellasvoluntarypatients.

● Iranian refugee● Mental health patient costing $200,000 a year● Not guilty due to mental illness● Lit a fire in his workplace to draw attention – woman died● Gentle person – Intended no harm – warned police who ignored him

Saeed Dezfouli

● Health Department breaches its obligation of care – they don’t like him● Locked in cell for eight years● Highest security area● Forcibly injected every fortnight, yet non violent – breaches UN Conventions● Refused education● Refused psychiatrist change● Refused access support

Action!Sign petitionDonate to campaignAppeal launched to Supreme Courtwww.justiceaction.org.au02 9283 0123

The Right to Choose

the - callan park 'your plancallanparkyourplan.com.au/downloads/submissions/cps36_our...

Documents