Calls for better integration of mental health services in ACT

The territory's opposition has called for better integration for the services, as they say many people admitted in the acute mental health system are suffering from a comorbidity of alcohol and drug addiction.

Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee moved a motion in the ACT parliament on Thursday, which called on the government to report to the Legislative Assembly about how services would be integrated.

"We know that under this current system, you have to either elect to seek assistance from alcohol and drug services or mental health," Ms Lee said.

"It shouldn't be that way we know that there are Canberrans who have lived experiences or require the support of both and when they have made the courageous decision to reach out to seek some support, there must be an integrated system to ensure that Canberrans do not fall through the gaps."

The motion passed with amendments by Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson.

"This is an issue that the ACT government is committed to addressing," Ms Davidson said.

"This motion reflects the need to support people in our community who have multiple and complex needs."

The motion was supported by Janine Haskins. Ms Haskins' daughter, Brontë died by suicide in February last year.

Brontë was on bail from the Alexander Maconochie Centre and was released under bail conditions, which contained directions to seek drug and alcohol treatment but there was nothing about a mental health plan.

Ms Haskins said consumers were let down by the fact mental health services and drug and alcohol treatment services were not often integrated. She said it was important the issues could be treated together.

"The health system and the mental health system do not collaborate, the left hand does not speak to the right hand," she said.

"It's not rocket science. If you've got a broken leg and also a kidney condition they are treated together and that's exactly how it should be."

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Brontë's death is currently the subject of a coronial inquest.

Opposition health spokeswoman Giulia Jones was supposed to move the motion but she was unable to attend due to personal reasons.

"The comorbid drug and alcohol issue is not dealt with in our adult mental health system; meaning that, upon release, patients are susceptible to relapsing into substance abuse," Mrs Jones said in a statement. "People admitted into mental health services lose their place in the queue for drug and alcohol rehabilitation; the transition from one service to the other service should be seamless.

"As the ACT considers decriminalising the possession of various illicit substances because substance abuse should be treated as a health issue, it is critical that we have properly integrated drug and alcohol services."

The ACT government will be required to report to the Assembly on how it will better integrate services by May next year.

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