The Wire

People experiencing mental illness are much worse off in Victoria than in any other state, according to the Australian Medical Association. Dr Harry Hemley, President of AMA Victoria, says there is a shortage of mental health care coordinators and that Victorians diagnosed with a mental illness are not receiving the support services they need. Sandy Jeffs has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and he says that getting rid of mental hospitals has made society forget that people being treated for a mental illness sometimes need a break.