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Mental Health


Ambulance, Interior

Coronial Findings Demand Urgent Action on Paramedic Mental Health

The Coroner has effectively put the Rockliff Government on notice over the mental health of paramedics.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  5 Jul 2023


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Rockliff Ignores St Helen's Closure Impact

The critically important St Helen’s mental health facility will close its doors tomorrow, but Jeremy Rockliff hasn’t lifted a finger to keep it open

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  22 Jun 2023


House of Assembly, Tasmania

St Helens Private Hospital - Effects of Closure

The Premier has lifted not one finger to sincerely make a strong effort to restore and maintain the services at St Helens.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  20 Jun 2023


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Closure of St Helens Private Hospital

They want you to be honest about the fact that we're in a desperate situation, and you are there with them and you're open to every option.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  5 Jun 2023


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Not Too Late to Act on St Helen’s

It’s not too late for the Premier to finally act to ensure all the crucial, life-saving services provided by the St Helen’s mental health facility will continue

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Jun 2023


Hospital Bed

St Helens Private Hospital - Effect of Closure

Yesterday you released the Government's master plan for the redevelopment of St Johns Park. It will not be completed until 2025 at the earliest.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  1 Jun 2023


Hospital Bed

Liberals’ Budget Fails on Health Again

Michael Ferguson is trying to pretend he’s handed down a Budget to tackle the health crisis, but Tasmanians will see straight through his attempts at spin

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  25 May 2023


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Premier Must Act on St Helen's

Jeremy Rockliff has moved heaven & earth to to build a billion-dollar stadium at Macquarie Point but he won’t lift a finger to save vital mental health services

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  23 May 2023


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Liberals Refuse to Act on St Helens Closure

The Premier has refused to look into purchasing the St Helens building or taking over the services it operates

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  10 May 2023


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health Amendment Bill 2022

I indicate that the Greens support this amending legislation. When the Mental Health Act came in, in 2013, it was a huge change.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  21 Mar 2023


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health

The conclusion of the AMA's national report card, which provides data about Tasmania, is overwhelming for the whole country.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Nov 2022


Hospital Bed

Mental Health Services - Resourcing

The Australian Medical Association's report card is damning. It shows the long waits for people to access mental health care at emergency departments.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Nov 2022


Coronavirus

Estimates Reply – Rockliff

Essentially, across all of our health services is the reality that we are in a global pandemic.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  14 Jun 2022


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Working with Vulnerable People

The ACT has a broader purview on who is captured under the requirement to register to work with vulnerable people.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Jun 2022


Bushfire, Burned Forest

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Natural Disasters

The relationship between mental health and natural disasters is a very strong one.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Jun 2022


LGBTI Flags

Mental Health and Wellbeing – LGBTQI+ Tasmanians: Telling Us The Story report

Despite the progress that has been made in Tasmania, LGBTIQ+ people of all ages still report stigma, prejudice, exclusion and discrimination in our communities.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Jun 2022


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Workforce Strategy

I want to raise the issue of workforce development, which the sector is concerned about in understanding what the Budget means.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Jun 2022


LGBTI Flags

Greens Welcome Premier’s commitment to Pursuing Ban on Conversion Practices

The Greens welcome the Premier’s commitment to act on the Tasmanian Law Reform Commission’s report on harmful, unscientific conversion practices.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  6 Jun 2022


LGBTI Flags

LGBTIQ+ People - Providing a Safe Tasmania

Yesterday the results of the Government-commissioned UTAS LGBTIQ survey were released.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  5 May 2022


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health and Wellbeing of Young People

National Mental Health Week is an important time for us all to reflect on the lives of people who are living in mental health distress.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  13 Oct 2021


Lonely Child

Mental Health and Wellbeing - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

PESRAC recommended that the CAMHS reforms be accelerated and implemented as soon as possible and they set out a number of phases.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Sep 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Mental Health and Wellbeing - Climate Emergency

Last week a veritable who's who of Australian sport launched an incredibly important campaign called The Cool Down.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Sep 2021


Doctor with Face Mask

Mental Health and Wellbeing - COVID-19

We have a load of 150 people or thereabouts, I understand, coming from the UK, who will be in hotel quarantine in Tasmania.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Sep 2021


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health and Wellbeing - Coronial Report, Mental Health Services

Two coronial reports in recent times have painted a dire picture of acute mental health services in our hospital system.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Sep 2021


Protest, Climate Emergency

Keeping Tasmanians Safe and Confident

It is unbelievable that yesterday the Greens moved a motion to declare a climate emergency on the back of the IPCC's alarming report, which is a code red.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Aug 2021


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Climate Crisis Effects on Mental Health

The United Nations said greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at risk.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Aug 2021


Doctor with Patient

Greens Support Independent Inquiry into Mental Health Care

The issues raised by 16 psychiatrists in a letter to the Australian Medical Association are alarming.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  26 Apr 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Greens Mark ANZAC Day with Support for Veterans

Lutruwita/Tasmania has a long history of sending its sons and daughters away to battle fields on foreign soil.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  25 Apr 2021


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Estimates Reply – Deputy Premier Rockliff

There is an intersection between Education and many other portfolio responsibilities of this Government, not least that of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Dec 2020


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Attorney-General and Justice – Victims of Crime Compensation

A person who witnessed a crime is only able to paid a maximum or $20 000. A relative can be paid a maximum of $10 000.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Nov 2020


Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Climate Anxiety

Mission Australia's survey of Tasmanian young people 15 to 19 shows that the environment is the top rating issue.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Nov 2020


Doctor with Patient

Mental Health and Wellbeing – ADHD Support

ADHD is the most prevalent childhood neurodevelopmental disorder and the estimates range but it's around 4 per cent.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Nov 2020


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services

The CAMHS reforms are very welcome and we welcome the fact that they were all accepted. It's very important that they were.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Nov 2020


Hospital Bed

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Eating Disorder Clinic

Best practice would be if step-up and step-down services for eating disorders were across each of the three regions in Tasmania.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Nov 2020


LGBTI Flags

Disability and Community Development – LGBTI Wellbeing

Mental health is a very critical issue for LGBTI Tasmanians, it's pretty clear that transphobic statements add to this burden.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Nov 2020


Line of Electronic Gaming Machines (Pokies)

Pokies Harm to Continue Despite Legislation Delay

Minister Ferguson confirmed in Budget Estimates profound social harm caused by pokies is set to continue, despite legislation being delayed.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  24 Nov 2020


Doctor with Patient

Eating Disorder Support Urgently Needed

The lack of specialist treatment for eating disorders in Tasmania has been an ongoing, and often tragic, issue.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Jun 2020


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Leaders Must Listen to Young People in COVID-19 Rebuild

The Greens welcome the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s 'Listening to Children and Young People in Tasmania Report 2019'.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  14 May 2020


Line of Electronic Gaming Machines (Pokies)

Liberals' Sham Consultation to Entrench Poker Machine Harm

The Liberals' plan for the future of gambling in Tasmania released last yesterday afternoon will entrench social harm for two decades to come.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  26 Feb 2020


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Wellbeing of Young Tasmanians

The Commissioner for Children and Young People paints a mixed picture of Tasmania’s progress on the wellbeing of young Tasmanians.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  11 Feb 2020


Hospital Bed

Health Budget and Access Solutions meeting agreements

The Minister for Health oversees a budget which grows every year. That is the nature of the Health budget.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  12 Nov 2019


Religion, Book

Federal Religious Freedom Bill

Suicide rates and self-harm amongst LGBTI people, particularly young people and transgender people, is significantly higher than the average populations.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  11 Sep 2019


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Willow Court

As every member of this House knows, Willow Court has a dark history but it is one of those sites in Tasmania that we need to look after.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  5 Sep 2019


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Estimates Reply - Minister Ferguson

Chair, I will reflect on some of the enlightening conversations I had with the minister in his capacity as the Minister for Health.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  12 Jun 2019


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health

We have a situation where young people and children are admitted in mental health distress into wards for adults.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  11 Jun 2019


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Child and Youth Mental Health

New beds will be progressively rolled out from 2020-21, including 10 new intensive care unit beds and a dedicated 16-bed adolescent unit.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  30 May 2019


Ambulance, Interior

Child and Youth Mental Health

60,000 Tasmanians live in mental health distress every year. They suffer financial distress and social and financial impacts on their families and communities.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  30 May 2019


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Budget 2019-20 - Mental Health Facilities

In 2015 Coroner Olivia McTaggart recommended a dedicated inpatient unit be built for young people who suffer mental illness or suicidality.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  30 May 2019


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health in Schools

The evidence before us is of incredibly high rates of anxiety, depression, stress, of suicide achieved and suicidal ideation.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  29 May 2019


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Climate Change Emergency - Health Effects

We have just 11 years to dramatically change course and avoid global heating that would bring catastrophic changes to all life.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  23 May 2019


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Workers Rehabilitation And Compensation Amendment (Presumption As To Cause Of Disease) Bill 2019

This is a great step for Tasmania and for all people who are going through the process of healing or learning to live with post-traumatic stress.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  9 Apr 2019


LGBTI Flags

Births, Deaths and Marriages Act - Legislative Reform

There are alarmingly high suicide and self-harm rates amongst transgender adolescents as a result of the stigma and discrimination they face.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  9 Apr 2019


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Gender Reform Laws Must be Debated Next Week

Tasmania’s Upper House has passed nation-leading legislation that will end entrenched bureaucratic discrimination against transgender people.  

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  5 Apr 2019


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Tasmania's Distressing AIHW Mental Health Report Card

Tasmanians are buying an average of 9.3 prescriptions every year to help with their mental ill health.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  5 Dec 2018


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health Amendment Bill 2018

It sounds like it is a change that is important and needed, supported by the Mental Health Council, mental health consumers and others.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  21 Nov 2018


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Ministerial Statement - Rebuilding the Health System

I cannot help bringing to my gaze to one of the big silences in this document, which contains some very welcome announcements and I will go to those.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Oct 2018


Royal Hobart Hospital, Emergency Department Entrance

Mental Health Funding

There have been documented occasions where people in severe distress have been forced to wait in the emergency department for numbers of days.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Oct 2018


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Ministerial Statement Response - Workers Compensation Provisions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Review

It is important we continue to walk down the path of reducing stigma around mental health in the community.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Sep 2018


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Vulnerable People

We have examined in some detail the Auditor-General's report which followed the allegations surrounding the for-profit provider Safe Pathways.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Sep 2018


Royal Hobart Hospital, Emergency Department Entrance

Health System Funding

Subsequent budgets have not been keeping up to the real costs of running the hospital system.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Sep 2018


LGBTI Flags

Still Work to be Done on LGBTI Equality

Hundreds of Tasmanians refused to let thunder and rain dampen their rainbow spirits today at the annual TasPride march through Hobart.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  13 Jan 2018


Royal Hobart Hospital, Emergency Department Entrance

Mental Health Unit Rejected

The AMA leaves no room for doubt in their criticism of the Hodgman Liberal government’s plan to steamroll through a new acute mental health facility.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  17 Nov 2017


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health

It is a fair point to point the finger at this Minister, but we need to understand that it is more than just about the situation at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  31 Oct 2017


Supreme Court, Hobart, Tasmania

Contempt of Court Risk Health Minister's Fault

Minister Ferguson has failed to properly resource the State's only secure mental health facility, the Wilfred Lopes Centre.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Oct 2017


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Launceston General Hospital - Psychiatric Services

Patients presenting at the LGH with acute mental health issues will not be able to be seen by a psychiatrist or a registrar.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  15 Aug 2017


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Royal Hobart Hospital - Psychiatric Medicine Accreditation

As we have just heard, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry has withdrawn their accreditation status from the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  9 Aug 2017


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Ferguson Must Address Psychiatric Care Shortage at the LGH

Last week the Royal Hobart Hospital Department of Psychiatric Medicine lost their RANZCP accreditation.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  15 Aug 2017


Royal Hobart Hospital, Emergency Department Entrance

Ferguson's Failure on Psychiatric Medicine at the RHH

The withdrawal of 2 - 3 training psychiatrists from the staff of the Department of Psychiatric Medicine is a devastating blow to the functioning of the RHH.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Aug 2017


Line of Electronic Gaming Machines (Pokies)

Labor and Liberals Ignore Health Cost of Pokies

Tasmanians lose $200 million a year to poker machines. They devastate families and destroy lives.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Jul 2017


Hospital Bed

Extra $220M to Health in Greens' Alternative Budget

The Greens’ Alternative Budget prioritises what Tasmanians most want, fixing the State’s health system - currently at breaking point.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  31 May 2017


Mental Health, Man on Couch

State Liberals Must Fight for Rural Alive and Well Funding

Many rural Tasmanians have survived depression and suicide thanks to the committed staff and volunteers at Rural Alive and Well.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  20 Feb 2017


Mental Health, Man on Couch

RHH Decant Leaves Psychiatric Unit Out in the Cold

The decant of the Psychiatric Unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital will drastically cut the quality of care for people in the greatest need.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Nov 2016


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Liberals Cave to Extreme Right on Safe Schools

At their State Council meeting today, the Tasmania Liberals passed a Motion to abolish the Safe Schools program.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  5 Nov 2016


Lonely Child

Minister Evades Question on Number of Children Waiting for Family Violence Counselling

Former Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, will today launch the Children and Young People's Unique Experience of Family Violence report.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  20 Sep 2016


LGBTI Flags

Anti-Discrimination Act Changes are Dangerous

The exemption provided on religious grounds in the amendment Bill will send a dangerous message out into the community.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  21 Sep 2016


LGBTI Flags

On RUOK Day Liberals Should Rethink Anti-Discrimination Act Changes

RUOK Day is an important reminder that reaching out to people in mental distress is something we can all do.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  8 Sep 2016


LGBTI Flags

LGBTI Issues: Ultimate Support for a Simple Life

I rise tonight to respond to parliamentary secretary Mr Barnett's adjournment speech last evening on Safe Schools and his continued attack on LGBTI issues.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  1 Jun 2016


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Greens Alternative Budget Invests in Preventative Health

Instead of cutting the Health budget, and taking money out of emergency departments, the Greens would reinstate frontline health staff.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  31 May 2016


Economy, Finance, Calculator, Pen and Graph

Federal Budget 2016: Premier Says Eslake, TasCOSS, Anglicare Are Wrong

Economist Saul Eslake agrees that Tuesday's budget contains little for Tasmania, and TASCOSS and Anglicare have given the federal budget a big thumbs down.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  5 May 2016


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Saving Lives from Suicide

An investment of $3M to boost mental health services and a more holistic approach to identifying and supporting at-risk Tasmanians are a very good start.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  11 Mar 2016


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Mental Health Plan Welcome but Needs Funding

It’s good to see the government are serious about tackling mental health with the release of the 'Rethink Mental Health' plan today.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Oct 2015


Mental Health, Man on Couch

White Paper Welcome but Not Enough for Tassie

The White Paper released yesterday by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture is a welcome for Tasmania on the surface.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  5 Jul 2015


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Adolescent and Youth Mental Health Services

Mental health services for young Tasmanians remain the most poorly resourced in the country.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  3 Jun 2015


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Remains Critically Under Resourced

Tasmania's youth mental health services remain the most poorly resourced in the country.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  3 Jun 2015


Mental Health, Man on Couch

Willow Court Apology One Step Closer

It is now almost 14 years since Willow Court and the Royal Derwent hospital were closed.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Oct 2014