Principal Community Visitor - Year in reflection

In this financial year there are significant achievements as well as ongoing improvements in the Mental Health and Forensic Disability (FDU) sectors in the Northern Territory. The sectors continue to improve the quality and responsiveness of service delivery to meet the evolving needs of individuals accessing Northern Territory Government-run Mental Health and FDU Services.

Key Observations

1. SERVICE DELIVERY PRIMARY CONCERNS 
The primary concerns raised by individuals contacting the CVP as well as from the reports of Community Visitors (CVs) and Sessional CVs are;
Seclusion Practices: Concerns were consistently reported regarding the seclusion practices within Mental Health Wards.
Service Delivery to Children: There were significant concerns about the adequacy of mental health service delivery to children in the NT.
Rights Awareness: A recurrent issue was that individuals were not being adequately informed of their rights while under the care of these services.

2. POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Despite these concerns, there have been positive developments within the sectors:
Reduction in Complaints: There has been a downward trend in complaints and an increase in the resolution of inquiries over the reporting period.
Effective Collaboration: The CVP acknowledges strong collaboration between CVP and services, leading to timely and effective resolution of issues at the lowest possible level.
Role of Aboriginal Workers: The engagement of Aboriginal Mental Health Workers (AMHW) and Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALO) has led to better outcomes for individuals accessing the services. Feedback from persons in care has highlighted the importance and positive impact of these roles.

3. FORENSIC DISABILITY UNIT (FDU) ACHIEVEMENTS:
The NT FDU has demonstrated commendable progress in facilitating successful transitions for individuals moving from restrictive custodial environments to community settings during this reporting period. These outcomes reflect the unit’s dedication to supporting individuals in less restrictive and greater focus on the social model of disability service delivery.

Legislative and Policy  Developments

1. NT MENTAL HEALTH AND RELATED SERVICES 1998 ACT REVIEW (THE ‘MENTAL HEALTH ACT’):
Efforts have continued in the review of the Mental Health Act. The CVP welcomes the review process and the updates suggested in the exposure draft Bill. A CVP submission emphasised the need for a greater focus on wellbeing, lived experience voices, and express provisions on individual rights within the new legislative framework. The CVP advocates for further collaboration and dialogue with all mental health stakeholders to enhance the proposed legislation. The functions and authorising environment of the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist is seen as a strategic check and balance on service delivery as well as a key stakeholder for the CVP in developing and implementing a rights-based approach.
2. COMMONWEALTH DISABILITY ROYAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
The CVP supports the Commonwealth Disability Royal Commission (DRC) recommendations concerning Community Visitor Schemes (CVS). Specifically, Recommendation 11.12 that calls for the urgent implementation of CVS for people with disabilities and ensuring sufficient resources for frequent visits to individuals at elevated risk of abuse or harm. The CVP continues to advocate for the expansion of the disability program to include persons in Supported Independent Living.

Acknowledgements

The CVP extends heartfelt thanks to individuals who have courageously shared their stories and feedback. Their engagement is often driven by a desire to improve their own wellbeing and treatment, as well as to enhance services for the benefit of others. The courage and commitment of these individuals play a crucial role in driving positive change within the Mental Health and FDU sectors.

In reflection, this reporting period has seen significant advancements and ongoing efforts to improve the quality of Mental Health and FDU services in the Northern Territory. While there are some service delivery concerns, the positive outcomes have been driven by effective collaboration and dedicated personnel. The hope is that the legislative review that was concluded after public consultation in May 2024 will come to full cycle in the next financial year. The CVP remains committed to advocating for continued improvements and addressing the evolving needs of individuals accessing these vital services.

Jeswynn Yogaratnam, Principal Community Visitor.