Brisbane, Australia – Following a series of tragic suicides at the Prince Charles Hospital unit, Queensland’s Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has announced a thorough review of the situation. Over the past 16 months, three individuals have taken their lives at the hospital, while two others have harmed themselves. Fentiman expressed her condolences to the families affected by these incidents.

The Health Minister acknowledged that the government has not allocated sufficient funding to mental health services, which may have contributed to these heartbreaking events. Fentiman assured the public that Queensland Health is committed to implementing any recommendations that come out of the review, which is expected to be completed by midyear. She emphasized that the healthcare system is focused on improving its model of care to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

In response to the growing demand for mental health services in Queensland, Fentiman highlighted the progress made in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. Despite these efforts, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli believes that the mental health system is in crisis, with individuals slipping through the cracks due to increasing societal pressures.

As part of the efforts to address these challenges, the hospital plans to open a new crisis stabilisation unit in September. The review conducted by Queensland Health has already led to enhancements in frontline staff and services. Fentiman reiterated the importance of taking a systemic approach to mental healthcare to ensure that individuals receive the support they need.

For those in need of immediate assistance, helplines such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue are available for support. The community is encouraged to reach out for help if they or someone they know is struggling with mental health issues. The government and healthcare providers remain committed to improving mental health services to prevent further tragedies in the future.