Mental health reportable events

MEDIA RELEASE

20 April 2009

Mental health reportable events
Statement from Dr Lyndy Matthews, Chair New Zealand Committee of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

In response to the recent release of a summary analysis of reportable events from the Office of the Director of Mental Health Annual Report 2007, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists acknowledges that mental disorders have a serious impact on individuals and their families. Internationally 10-15% of people suffering from very severe depression and approximately 10% of those suffering schizophrenia die by suicide.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists acknowledges that it is devastating for families to lose anyone to mental illness. We acknowledge that even with good treatment delivered by quality services mental illness can be fatal. Psychiatrists are committed to reducing this death toll by providing best available psychiatric care.

The event analysis reminds us that those suffering from mental illness are also more susceptible to physical ill health. Part of good mental health care includes ensuring people have access to good general medical health services.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists strongly supports improved consistency and reliability of serious event reporting, and the rigorous review of serious events. With better systems of reporting, the full extent of the potential serious consequences of mental illness will be uncovered and preventable deaths avoided through improved services.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College or Psychiatrists works with and for the community and aims to ensure the best attainable quality of psychiatric care.

ENDS