Christo
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Christo is a First Nations man. He told the Royal Commission about his experience with mental health services over a number of years.
Ten years ago Christo decided to end his life. ‘I put my surfboard in my car and decided I was going to get into the ocean and end my life by drowning.’
He was on his way to the beach when the police intervened.
‘My phone was ringing, it was the police, they talked me into going and parking in a truck bay, they were great, they met me and arranged another police car to take me to the hospital.’
Christos was admitted to an acute psychiatric unit, where he stayed for a week.
He said the staff were ‘terrific’ and cared for him. They arranged for him to see a psychiatrist after he was discharged.
But things were different once he was home. Christo only saw the psychiatrist once. ‘The follow-up was terrible,’ he said.
Seven years later Christo tried to end his life again. His mate found him and called the police and an ambulance.
Christo was taken to the hospital emergency department. A psychiatrist spoke to Christo and said he would talk to him again later that morning.
A few hours later Christo saw a different doctor, who discharged him. Christo doesn’t think the doctor was a psychiatrist. ‘He … didn't take me seriously – he said “Oh you look alright, you can go”. He was too quick to dismiss me based on how I looked, but I was good at disguising how I actually was.’
Christo’s brother was very angry the hospital allowed Christo to leave. No-one in the family knew what to do.
‘All I cared about was dying. There was no follow-up for me.’
Two weeks later Christo tried to end his life again.
Sometime later Christo made his way to a First Nations health centre and joined their men’s group.
‘They stayed connected with me, they visited me at home, they have been my constant … They have responded to me when I needed it. That’s what has worked really well for me. Someone to call and check in every now and then.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.