As the national organisation representing Australians impacted by severe, long-term or complex mental ill health, SANE recognises the terrible circumstances surrounding the alleged attack on Independent MP for Indi, Helen Haines and resulting impact and trauma for her family, friends and community.
We acknowledge the shock, anger, distress and ongoing impacts this shocking incident has caused, particularly for people in Helen’s local community, those close to her, those who witnessed or responded to the incident, and others affected by the extensive media coverage.
Our thoughts are first and foremost with Helen, her family and loved ones, and the Wangaratta and Indi communities. In the aftermath of an event like this, it is natural for all of us to search for answers. We want to understand how something so distressing could have happened and whether anything could have prevented it.
We do not condone what has happened. However, as is common when significant and distressing incidents occur, we are observing growing speculation about the person accused of the attack, and their mental health, including suggestions that the accused may have been living with schizophrenia, as well as commentary about drug use.
We would urge some care around that conversation.
There is still much we do not know about the circumstances or the motivation for the attack. Current public reporting has referred to mental health concerns of the accused person raised by his lawyer, but does not establish a diagnosis of schizophrenia or that mental illness caused the alleged offending. Rushing to speculation without evidence is ill-informed, inflames discourse and creates risk in the community.
For too long, people living with schizophrenia and other complex mental health conditions have faced fear, judgement and stigma, and headlines and commentary that immediately connect mental illness with violence can be incredibly damaging.
Persistent, negative portrayal of mental illness reinforce shame and reduces the likelihood that someone will seek help. It contributes to social isolation, poorer health outcomes and the increased suicide risk among people with complex mental illness which is over ten times that of the general population.
There are important conversations Australia needs to have about access to mental health care, early intervention and ongoing psychosocial support, which can prevent significant deterioration and enable people with complex mental ill health to live healthy, productive and meaningful lives.
As the investigation continues, we encourage Australians to avoid speculation about motive and to approach conversations about mental health with care, compassion and respect for the many people and families who live with complex mental health conditions every day
Anyone distressed by this incident or the media coverage surrounding it is encouraged to seek support. Support is available through:
SANE:
SANE 24/7 Peer Forums: Talking through Trauma and PTSD: https://saneforums.org/boards/trauma-ptsdforum-board
SANE’s free Recovery Club support service access line 1800 187 263 open 10am-8pm (AEDT/AEST).
Lifeline: 24/7 crisis counselling and support. Call 13 11 14.
Phoenix Australia: Provides free, digital tools and advice on managing trauma and recovering from traumatic incidents. Click here to access.
13 YARN: Call 13 92 76 Available 24 hours.
