Mental Health Service in Australia Faces Criticism from Clinicians

By Erin Somerville

Stateline

Topic: Mental Health

Friday, July 3, 2026, at 5:59 am

Dr. Sarah Dahlenburg, a mental health staff member, raised concerns about the service with the ABC.

Warning: This story mentions suicide.

Dr. Dahlenburg was worried about the public mental health service, which she felt was unsafe.

Two months later, a patient died from self-harm.

Dr. Dahlenburg said the lack of staff stability made a critical incident likely.

Dr. Dahlenburg worked for the service for 14 years and resigned due to workplace concerns.

After 14 years, Dr. Dahlenburg left Albury Wodonga Health.

She warned that a critical incident was inevitable due to staffing issues.

Dr. Dahlenburg said experienced staff left the service because it was toxic.

She was worried that nothing had been done to fix the culture.

The culture was one of fear, where staff were not allowed to question anything.

If you need help, please call.

The toxic culture continues.

Many current and former staff members have spoken about the culture of fear and bullying.

Some staff members are on stress leave or receiving WorkCover due to psychological injury.

Twenty staff members have received WorkCover in the past five years.

Thirty-four psychological injury claims were made against the service.

Clinicians spoke to the ABC about their concerns.

They felt targeted for raising concerns about patient safety and staffing.

Social worker Kellie Stastny resigned due to similar issues.

Kellie Stastny left her job after three years.

She said hospital management did not address her concerns, and staff were marginalized.

She said people who raise issues are seen as difficult.

A group of staff members wrote to the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist about their concerns.

They were worried about the lack of a permanent psychiatrist and staffing issues.

Kellie Stastny outlined her concerns in her exit letter.

Some patients received virtual care from overseas clinicians who did not turn on their cameras.

AWH said it used telehealth when appropriate.

The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist said it was working with AWH to ensure safe care.

'They were destroying lives'

Mental health nurse Fiona Richardson worked at AWH for 18 years.

She left due to the deterioration of the service.

She was bullied, and she saw colleagues being bullied.

The service became toxic, and people were afraid to speak up.

Fiona Richardson left AWH after 18 years.

As a union delegate, she supported colleagues who raised concerns.

She saw that people who spoke out were bullied.

She said union members were targeted.

Alicia Patterson worries about the impact of the bad culture on patient care.

Mental health nurse Alicia Patterson left the service due to workplace culture.

She said people are dying due to the system's failures.

Patients are feeling the pain.

Richard Hendrie describes himself as a 'revolving door' patient.

He said the service was resistant to change.

Richard Hendrie says health services should listen to consumers.

He said the service is toxic and makes people sick.

There are elements within AWH that treat feedback as a personal attack.

Mr. Hendrie was rejected from a role on the Community Engagement Committee.

The response was indicative of the service's attitude to staff and consumers.

More news from regional Victoria

Topic: People With Disability

Topic: Air Incidents

Topic: Regional Communities

Topic: Accidents and Emergency Incidents

Patients suffer if they do not feel heard.

If consumers do not trust the system, they will not attend.

Years of ailing culture

AWH has long been aware of dissatisfaction within its mental health service.

The Health and Community Services Union blew the whistle on cultural dysfunction.

A sign to AWH's inpatient unit, Nolan House.

A survey showed that 49% of members experienced bullying and harassment.

Another 73% reported feeling unsafe and fearful in raising concerns.

The system is not safe for consumers or clinicians.

In June 2021, more than 20 clinicians signed a letter to the AWH board.

Mental health workers flagged concerns with the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist.

Several former staff felt punished for raising concerns.

Some signatories remain on WorkCover due to psychological injury.

Concerns about staff and patient safety were raised to senior management in 2019.

AWH acting chief executive Kim White said creating a safe workplace was a priority.

The Victorian government is working with AWH to improve workplace culture.

Friday, July 3, 2026, at 5:59 am

Friday, July 3, 2026, at 9:43 am

See more ABC coverage in your search results

Promotion

If you need someone to talk to, call:

Latihan mendengarkan