CEO Update: There is a simple solution, and it's always wrong
There is a simple solution, and it's always wrong
"Explanations exist; they have existed for all time; there is always a well-known solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong.”
So wrote H. L. Mencken, the twentieth-century American journalist, satirist, social critic, cynic, and freethinker. He is often misquoted in the form:
“For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.”
This week we received another reminder about the complexity of the challenges that we face in trying to improve mental health and prevent suicide.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its first pilot report entitled Psychosocial risk factors for coroner-referred deaths in Australia, 2017.
Ahead of the release, our friends at Mindframe produced an excellent summary of the new data, and some guidance, particularly for the media, on reporting that data in a way that is safe and responsible. You can find the summary here.
The report documents the prevalence of psychosocial risk factors in suicide deaths examined by Coroners across the country. And as the abstract for the report succinctly puts it: “The circumstances relating to suicide… are complex.”
It finds a high prevalence of psychosocial risk factors like:
- Personal history of self-harm
- Disruption of family by separation and divorce
- Problems in relationship with spouse or partner
- Other problems relating to economic circumstances
- Limitation of activities due to disability or other chronic health condition
With some important variations, these risk factors appear across gender and age.
Responding to the release of the data, and ahead of the Suicide Prevention Australia National Conference in Melbourne next week, SPA CEO Nieves Murray said:
“It is important to note that coronial data is not homogenous across Australia. Suicide Prevention Australia has previously called for a focus on this issue in order to get a clearer picture around risk factors associated with suicide. This information is a good start but we need to move forward with a whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention and a refinement of data so that the government and the sector can make better decisions around planning.”
The mental health and suicide prevention sectors are frequently criticised for advocating solutions that are diverse and fragmented.
Governments are frequently under pressure to announce their support for “the solution”.
Make the announcement, cut the ribbon, count the dollars, post the picture to social media, and move on. Preferably “solving the problem” until the next election comes around.
But it is just not that simple.
The Productivity Commission inquiry into Mental Health is one of the biggest inquiries in the Productivity Commission’s history. They have received more than 500 submissions and have conducted public consultations and specialist meetings across the country.
If they have listened carefully, they will have learned that the solution to improving Australia’s mental health and reducing Australia’s suicide rate will be long and complicated.
There is no simple solution to addressing complex psychosocial factors, many of which we are only beginning to recognise, let alone understand.
There is no simple solution, but I remain hopeful that this report, and the Productivity Commission Inquiry, and the work you are doing every day, are all steps towards finding an effective, albeit complicated, one.
Warm regards,
Frank Quinlan
Chief Executive Officer
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On Tuesday, I will be meeting with the NMHCCF Co-Chairs. On Wednesday morning Lachlan Searle, Director - External Relations will be attending an Orygen breakfast event with guest speaker Alastair Campbell in Melbourne. Also on Wednesday, Harry Lovelock, Director - Policy and Projects and I will be hosting the next National Disability and Carers Alliance face to face meeting in Canberra. On Thursday, I will be up at Parliament House for post election meetings, including with Minister Hunt. |
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