Mental Health System

I suppose readers know I've got a book out at the moment.

It's called I Came to Say Goodbye. 

It's essentially a long and passionate letter from an ordinary Australian bloke, Med, to a judge. He is trying to convince the judge not to make one of his grandchildren a ward of the State. 

It isn't easy. His family has been torn apart by mental illness. There is a catastrophic crime at the heart of the novel. 

It seems to me that everyone who has ever crashed up against mental health services say: the system is broken.

You can't get a diagnosis, let alone a bed.  Families are left to take care of people who are bewildered, depressed, frightened, and violent. 

The Australian of the Year this year is a mental health expert, Professor Patrick McGorry.

 Professor McGorry says mental health problems tear people, and their families, apart. 

 ''Australians increasingly understand that mental ill-health lies behind a young woman’s concerns about her body image, behind bullying and youth violence, and behind binge drinking and drug abuse,''  he said, in that speech.

 And, of course, mental health is behind so many suicides.

 I hope the novel raises some awareness of mental health.

 I'm always interested to hear stories from people who have crashed up against the mental health system. If it's happened to you, or somebody you love, and you have something you'd like to share, I am always keen to learn more.

You can reach me through the email on my website: www.carolineoverington.com