Special episode focusing on mental health provokes fiery exchange as tweets highlight need to fight stigma
A special episode of Q&A on Monday night sparked a national conversation on Twitter about mental health, particularly about a lack of services and high suicide rates in regional Australia.
The show, hosted by Tony Jones, was broadcast live from Rockhampton in central Queensland, where government funding cuts have meant mental health services have been drastically wound back.
A leading professor of psychiatry and former Australian of the year, Patrick McGorry, the managing director of the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, Jennifer Bowers, and the federal member for Kennedy in Queensland, Bob Katter, were among the panellists.
They answered questions about a lack of community mental health services, the ongoing struggle to fight stigma surrounding mental illness and barriers to care in rural and Indigenous communities.
There was a particularly fiery exchange between Katter, and panellist and comedian Josh Thomas, who has used his own experience as young gay man whose mother was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder to write the TV comedy Please Like Me.
In a discussion about mental health issues facing the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, Thomas slammed Katter for his claim that homosexuals don’t exist in Queensland. “You’ve got an ad from the Katter Australia party – you can find it on youTube – about how homosexuals are evil,” Thomas said.
“You said they don’t exist. All you need to do is say, ‘You know what, what I’ve said this stuff in the past, it was a mistake, it’s hurting people’s mental health, it’s part of the problem, it’s not part of the solution, I’m sorry, hooray for gay people, here’s some glitter.’ ”
Bob Katter won’t look at Josh Thomas – is he afraid of catching gay? #QandA
— Aleta (@aleta_k) October 6, 2014
#qanda Josh Thomas, you’re awesome! Thanks for putting Bob Katter in his place, after he tried to “side step” the gay discussion.
— KimberlySAustralia (@kimsmit08234204) October 6, 2014
Josh Thomas tells Bob Katter there are gay ppl in N Q ‘land. Offers to share Grinder app with him! Lol #qanda #auspol pic.twitter.com/WEn6vBgmn8
— ConstitutionalCrisis (@k4_kennedy) October 6, 2014
But Bob, what about our gay farmers and gay First Australians in your electorate. #qanda
— Wade_85 (@wade_85) October 6, 2014
Katter also put a dampener on the conversation when Thomas pointed out that three times as many men kill themselves as women.
The politician responded: “We have to put up with women, you know.”
The social media reaction was swift and scathing.
Katter’s sexist “joke” about putting up with women killed this serious discussion for me. #quanda
— Shirley StottDespoja (@mollyfisher4) October 6, 2014
#qanda Bob Katter, support what you stand for re farmers but your body language / attitude towards homosexuals / women is very disconcerting
— Dean Barton-Smith AM (@DeanDeca) October 6, 2014
If I understand Bob Katter correctly, the key to mental health is staying away from women and having more cows. #QandA
— Shelley Stocken (@shellity) October 6, 2014
When Katter wasn’t causing controversy, inadequate funding and difficulty accessing mental health services were ongoing themes. Eminent doctors, mental health professionals and people with experience of mental illness weighed in on the discussion.
Mental health funding & resources are deficient esp for children and adolescents. It’s crisis mx. Funding must match rhetoric #qanda
— AMA President (@amapresident) October 6, 2014
Our research showed a huge number of people hospitalised after a #suicide attempt only received 15min of clinical follow-up #qanda
— Black Dog Institute (@blackdoginst) October 6, 2014
Humour is good, but the best way to break down the stigma is to treat people with mental health problems as people #qanda
— Julian Burnside (@JulianBurnside) October 6, 2014
Dr Aaron Beck, father of CBT, suggests Medicare support 24 visits of psychological care. So why does the government only fund 10? #QandA
— Dr Ben Buchanan (@ben_buchanan) October 6, 2014
There were also questions about the stigma surrounding mental illness and whether it is lifting.
A vital issue. Some #LGBTI young ppl in #rural Australia have poor #mentalhealth b/c of stigma. Cruel and wrong #QandA
— Senator Penny Wright (@PennyWrites) October 6, 2014
The most infuriating stigma of mental illness is that people thing you have it because “you’re not strong enough” #qanda
— Kieran O’Connor (@_kieranoconnor) October 6, 2014
Being an Aussie bloke makes it hard to admit to mental illness, a stigma we need to get rid of. #qanda
— Shane Matthew Neave (@shane25873) October 6, 2014
Stigma and inability to discuss and get support is a significant factor in outcomes for mental illness #QandA
— Mudmap (@Mudmapped) October 6, 2014
Louise Byrne is right: We need to have a conversation about mental health. We need to provide support. We need to smash the stigma. #QandA
— Kenny Ang (@kenny_ang) October 6, 2014
Panellist Louise Byrne, who works in the mental health sector and has experience of significant mental health challenges herself, spoke about the importance of hope in the face of stigma.
She also offered words of support for those with a loved one with mental illness. “I think if I was going to say one thing I would say try not to be fearful,” she said.
“I know thats a big call because you’re afraid for the person you love for their future and what their future prospects would be, but I would say hold on to hope and believe, believe in them.”
“Resilience needs to be a shared responsibility” fantastic response from Louise Byrne #qanda
— Dunja Nedic (@Dunja_Kay) October 6, 2014
Reducing stigma is essential. Lived experience is key. Kudos to Louise Byrne for her matter of fact courage #qanda @SANEAustralia
— jackheath (@jackheath) October 6, 2014
Deal with fear, maintain hope and believe people – Louise Byrne #qanda
— Anthony Herbert (@AnthonyHerbert9) October 6, 2014
• Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• Sane Australia Helpline 1800 18 SANE (7263)