LETTER TO THE EDITOR
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I am concerned after reading the article about increases in mental health admissions. For over a decade there have been calls for increased services in Ballarat.
We have been through a government inquiry into childhood sexual abuse and 2 royal commissions; one into child sexual abuse and the other mental health.
Ballarat's high suicide rate has been raised, as well as the high numbers of those suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD and other issues.
Everytime we have been courted by politicians who have promised increased services, yet nothing appears to have happened.
We were promised a suicide prevention centre 2 elections ago.
There was talk nearly 5 years ago of a private mental health facility built by SJOG hospital, and of increased facilities at BHS.
Where are they?
Ballarat loses nearly the same amount of people to suicide as the state road toll, yet look how much money goes into road accident prevention.
If our governments were serious they would treat this as an emergency.
Over the last decade we must have lost over 2000 people to suicide, let alone the premature deaths from self medication on drugs and alcohol, as well as single car accidents.
We heard from one Royal Commission expert that the survivors of child sexual abuse die 10 to 15 years before their peers, and suffer from mental health issues.
Nobody takes this seriously.
How many people have to die before the government takes urgent action?
This is more deaths than the coronavirus, yet nothing is done. Why?
Andrew Collins, Mount Helen.
If you or someone you know is in need of crisis support, phone Lifeline 13 11 14. beyondblue: 1300 224 636, Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467, Mens line: 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au
Trouble with the technology
Ballarat council's new parking methods using number plate recognition and hi tech meters is nothing but a revenue raising excuse.
Ballarat has many elderly people and tourists from non english speaking backgrounds.
To penalise them for not posting their number plate in an automated and confusing meter is unjust.
Also there would be unfair confusion to all who have a limited understanding of technology and financial hardship to the most vulnerable unfairly.
It's bad enough that you have to call the council to report faulty equipment to avoid a fine for a faulty meter.
Why would the council want to fix a broken meter promptly?
Charlie Schembri, Creswick.