Frontline staff are often unfairly blamed for NSW’s collapsing mental health system, but it is patients who suffer most

‘Some may wonder if mass resignations are the solution to this crisis. The intention is to make the government take this seriously before it is too late.’ Photograph: monkeybusinessimages/Getty Images/iStockphoto

After more than a decade working as a psychiatrist in the public mental health system in Sydney, I recently resigned from my position along with more than 200 of my colleagues. I’ve known some of the healthcare professionals I work with and indeed, some of my patients, longer than I’ve known some of my closest friends. So it was not a decision I took lightly.

Psychiatrists in New South Wales are asking for a pay rise to plug the haemorrhage of senior doctors from the mental health system. More than a third of positions are vacant, which means the burden of extra work falls on those of us remaining. We do our best to provide cover but inevitably patients do not receive the care they need or deserve. Frustratingly frontline staff are often unfairly blamed for any shortcomings, but it is in fact our patients who suffer most.