Extract from ABC News
Posted
Parents of former patients of the now closed Barrett
Adolescent Centre want to know why the Queensland Government did not
have a replacement model fully in place before shutting the doors.
The centre, Queensland's only mental health unit that housed teenagers with severe mental disorders, was closed in January.At the time, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the State Government had come up with a range of new options to deliver those services to people closer to their own homes.
But 7.30 Queensland has spoken to affected families who said it did not happen well enough, and want another similar centre to act as an important base for support.
Justine Wilkinson lost her daughter Caitlin, a former patient at Barrett, on Tuesday.
Following the centre's closure, Caitlin was transitioned into a combination of community-based care.
"She had to leave Barrett because she was turning 18 but they all had to leave because the centre was closing," Ms Wilkinson said.
"Supposedly they were going to set up structures to support them and so forth but Caitlin left at the end of the year and moved into this wonderful house - it's like a half-way house."
The family thought it might work out, but eventually Caitlin moved home. On Tuesday, she killed herself.
"This time unfortunately we just didn't manage it. So we lost her," Ms Wilkinson said.
"We really need another centre that is long-term for kids to come and to stay and to have dedicated help aimed at this age group and at their needs.
"I wouldn't have had Caitlin for 18 years if we hadn't had the Barrett Centre."
Three 18 year olds have died since the Barrett Centre's closure, including another woman.
The circumstances of her death are being investigated by Queensland Health.
A group of parents has said they also want a coronial inquest.
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