Have You Heard?

The Wayside Chapel is one of the many agencies in the inner city that deal with people who struggle with mental health issues. Graham Long, the Pastor of the Wayside, reported on a week of life there – “On Monday, for 12 hours straight we had no less than 4 people screaming obscenities, wailing in grief who could not be consoled. We had neighbours ringing all day to say that they were frightened or annoyed. I don’t blame them, but the Mental Health Authorities refused to come. They were happy to declare people sane without even coming to see them. The Police are trying to resist being a taxi service for the mentally ill - I don’t blame them but it means that no one will do anything to help these dear people who are in a living hell. We called the Mental Health Team last night and told them that we had one young woman who had been screaming in torment, non stop for 3 days and 3 nights. The health professionals had some kind of meeting and then decided not to do anything. For all the talk about mental health lately, it makes my blood boil that there is no help of any kind for people in such distress. The Police are more effective and more compassionate than the mental health authorities. If we can’t do any better today, I’m going to take 3 or 4 of these people down to Parliament House or on to John Howard’s front yard and see if the authorities don’t suddenly find there is a problem that requires some action. Any of you want to come with us? The stress of these past few days can be seen on the faces of everyone.” I’m sure it is just the same at Oasis in Surry Hills, the Salvation Army Neighbourhood Centre in Waterloo and places across the state. Let’s have some action and if you want to join Graham as he descends on the Premiers office or John Howard office, contact him at the Wayside.

[South Sydney Herald August 2006]