The Baranduda mum told The Border Mail earlier this month of the mental health system’s failures in preventing harm to both her mother and a high school friend, who is serving a jail term for murder.

It was frustration that prompted Ms Ward to speak out, and on Saturday night her feelings were reflected back to her in conversations during her fundraiser at the Huon Hill Hotel.

“There were sisters who told me of their mother dying by suicide, and another girl had been affected by murder-suicide in her family – there were many different backgrounds in the room,” she said.

“We all know the system is not working and there’s not enough specialised public psychiatric hospitals for people with complex mental illness, but we as a community can change.

“We can have more tolerance for people, and show more kindness to make them feel more accepted.”

Independent candidate for Benambra Jacqui Hawkins attended the gala and said more investment was needed in psychosocial support and emergency care.

“There’s been a lot of conversation but there’s a lack of political will and we need to see that change and people championing for community within government – we need to make sure actions are coming out of what we’re saying,” she said.

“Currently people experiencing life-threatening mental illnesses present at our emergency departments for assessment … and it’s not really a welcoming place to sit and wait for three hours.

“That’s not a disservice to the great work our doctors and nurses do, but there needs to be an alternative and more support for people during that point of need.”

Ms Hawkins said speaking to Friends of Nolan House and following the work of the recently-formed Australians for Mental Health, it was clear a re-think of the system was needed.

Daintree Medical Centre GP Alfeen Varghese, guest speaker on the night, said psychiatric hospitals were “bursting at the seams” and mental health was a regular feature in her work.

“Almost everyday you have someone walking through the door saying they or a family member is suffering and they don’t know what to do,” she said.

“Yes, it is a problem, but it’s not without a solution.

“We should not look at people who suffer mental illness as people who lack resilience.

“It’s as much our responsibility as a community to look after our neighbours, as it is for us as individuals to look after ourselves.”

Ms Ward hoped to increase sales tickets from 60 at next year’s gala, which will take place during the last week of July with proceeds going to local services.

“We had the musician and photographer give up their time, and the event would not have happened without them and the 11 local businesses who supported us,” she said.

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