Health and refugee groups continue to await the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s investigation into detainee self-harm, originally expected in April 2012.

Monday, 23 April 2012 06:00, Rob Payne

Announced in July 2011, the investigation received immediate support, including a letter published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) by Dr Louise K Newman, Chair of Developmental Psychiatry at Monash University.

“What happens – and this is well documented in research and reports – is that after three months of indefinite detention there is often a decline involving anxiety, depression and sleeplessness.”—Dr Fleay

Dr Newman’s letter urged the government to act swiftly to prevent more human tragedy, noting that the 2010-11 financial year had seen 1100 incidents self-harm and that detainee suicides were again on the rise.

Dr Newman emphasised research showing time in detention correlates to high levels of mental health problems.

This is apparent and on-going at WA’s Curtin Immigration Detention Centre (CIDC) near Derby.

“The investigation and [Dr Newman’s] letter are welcome,” says Dr Caroline Fleay of Curtin University’s Centre for Human Rights Education, who visited CIDC five times in 2011.

“I witnessed people falling apart,” she says.

“What happens – and this is well documented in research and reports – is that after three months of indefinite detention there is often a decline involving anxiety, depression and sleeplessness.”

“Not only is there very little capacity for individuals to engage, they simply don’t feel that they can, especially for activities that involve concentration.”

“You have to remember these are people desperately worried about the outcomes of their claims, and they often have family living unsafe lives in their homeland.”

“It all compounds.”

In her report Hidden Men, written with Linda Briskman, Dr Fleay notes the wide-spread use of anti-depressants, sleeping tablets and medication for stomach ailments at CIDC.

Mental anguish manifests in physical pain, headaches, panic attacks, loss of consciousness, weight loss, memory loss and thoughts of self-harm.

Unfortunately, very little is being done to improve the situation.

Hidden Men highlights grave structural problems, including a clear lack of understanding and expertise by some staff on how to handle traumatised detainees.

There are also myriad stress factors, including CIDC’s remoteness (2500km from Perth), poor communication (18 computers for up to 1400 men, no access to incoming phone calls, a ban on mobile phones), limited opportunities for recreation and harsh conditions (extreme heat in the day, high numbers of mosquitoes at night).

And all of this is exacerbated by overcrowding.

“Curtin was built to house 1200 people, but at one point last year had 1400,” says Dr Fleay.

“This meant that rec rooms were converted to dorms, taking away opportunities to relieve stress.”

“This communicates the message, ‘you’re not that important’, which just makes the situation worse.”

The Ombudsman’s final report is now expected in June.

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