A new investigation by ABC’s Four Corners has exposed a dire emergency in New South Wales’ public mental health system — one marked by overwhelmed hospitals, burnt-out clinicians, and patients left in crisis without adequate care. The report, "Emergency: The Long Wait for Help," paints a disturbing picture of a system struggling to meet demand, where the most vulnerable often wait days for treatment — if they receive help at all.
A System in Breakdown
Clinicians interviewed for the program describe the system as “broken,” “dangerous,” and “unsustainable.” Psychiatrist Dr Anu Kataria, who recently left her public hospital post, said she reached a point where she feared doing more harm than good:
"One of our first principles is: 'First, do no harm.' And when you feel you're in a situation where you have the potential to do harm, it's probably time to go."
Dr Kataria is not alone. There is a growing exodus of mental health professionals from the public sector, driven by unsafe working conditions, lack of support, and chronic underfunding.
The Human Toll: Patients Left Waiting
The investigation reveals patients often wait for days in emergency departments, not due to lack of need, but due to a shortage of beds and staff.
Mental health nurse Teaghanne Sarina described patients waiting more than 80 hours at Westmead Hospital before being admitted.
Patient stories reinforce the crisis. Carly Richardson, who has bipolar disorder, said she was repeatedly turned away from mental health units because they were full — only to return days later in another episode.
"They said, 'There's no bed, we can’t take you.' That’s when I realised the system isn’t there for people like me when we need it most."
Workforce in Crisis
Staff on the front lines are not just overwhelmed — many are unsafe. A shocking 55% of mental health workers in Australia have experienced violence from patients. The Four Corners program revealed that incidents of assault, abuse, and intimidation are becoming routine in psychiatric units.
This violence is both a symptom of an overstretched system and a driver of staff turnover. Dr Pramudie Gunaratne, NSW Chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, warns that morale is at an all-time low:
"When people don’t feel safe, when they feel like they can’t help, they leave. And that loss is hard to replace."
Root Cause: Chronic Underfunding
NSW has the lowest per capita mental health funding of any Australian state. Mental health accounts for just 7% of total health expenditure, far short of the need. Without substantial investment, experts warn the system will continue to spiral, leading to more hospital bottlenecks, worsening staff shortages, and increasing patient harm.
A Call for Urgent Reform
The Four Corners report is a powerful wake-up call. It shows a system that is not just under pressure, but in danger of collapse. Patients and professionals alike are pleading for immediate intervention: more funding, more beds, better staffing, and stronger support systems in the community.
“It’s not just about hospital beds,” one clinician noted. “It’s about building a system where people can get help before they hit breaking point.”
Until that happens, the wait for help — and the suffering it causes — will only grow longer.
📺 Watch the full episode of ABC’s Four Corners: "Emergency – The Long Wait for Help"
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