Queensland’s Mental Health Commissioner Dr Lesley van Schoubroeck has responded to recent claims about patients of Toowoomba’s Baillie Henderson Hospital.
A recent media article said a ‘medical insider’ expressed concern about the proposed transferring of patients to a new community care unit in Kearneys Spring and their supervision.
Dr van Schoubroeck said it was wrong to judge an entire centre based on a few individuals.
“It’s a tragic fact that people can be assaulted in our society generally, but we should not assume that just because one person from Baillie Henderson has committed a crime, that all people there are criminals,” Dr van Schoubroeck said.
“Mental illness affects not only people in Baillie Henderson but people from all parts of our community; in fact one in five people will have a mental health problem at some time in their lives.
“As a caring and compassionate society, we want everyone to have a fulfilling life and to be able to live in the community.
“Community care units are designed to help people transition from an institutional setting to independence.
“The people of Toowoomba have a proud record of giving people a fair go, as evidenced through programs like those supported by Toowoomba Clubhouse.
“They should continue to do this – and not label people who are recovering from a period of mental illness as dangerous criminals,” she said.
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Further information
- Download media statement: Mental Health Commissioner responds to Baillie Henderson claims
- Reporting on mental health: Mindframe provides accurate information about suicide and mental illness and the portrayal of these issues in the media.
Media contact: Leanne Brearley 0410 673 322
