Meeting the needs of young people with psychosis: We must do better

Recently, Australians woke to the news of (yet another) unspeakable family tragedy. A woman and two of her children subject to violent attack in their home, and all are deceased. A young man—closely related to the deceased—standing accused of perpetrating these attacks. As updates are released, more disturbing facts are released. Media reports suggest that in the hours before the attack, the accused young man presented himself to a public hospital, seeking mental health support. Although the details are sketchy, reports indicate that the police were called, and the young man was sent on his way without receiving mental health assessment or care. Subsequent days after the tragic event, family members spoke to the media, sharing the challenges they faced as this young man's mental health declined, and the difficulties they experienced in accessing appropriate help for him.