E-Petition

The Petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House that individuals under Mental Health Community Treatment Orders (CTO) are not receiving the coordinated and intensive support required for effective treatment. This leads to inadequate care, relapse, poor health outcomes, and increased risk of harm to both the individual and the community.

The Mental Health Act 2016 (Qld) permits involuntary treatment under section 12 where a person has a mental illness, lacks capacity, and is at risk of serious harm or deterioration. However, it does not mandate comprehensive, integrated support for people with dual diagnoses. CTOs are intended to ensure treatment in the community, yet in practice they often fail to provide the level of care required for individuals unable to manage their own treatment, particularly when substance addiction is present.

This issue affects many Queenslanders who are left without proactive, integrated, rehabilitative care, perpetuating a cycle of crisis and hospitalisation.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to 

1.  Amend CTO provisions to require integrated treatment for co‑occurring mental illness and substance use disorders.
2. Mandate specialised, intensive rehabilitation programs for individuals under a CTO who lack capacity.
3. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Increase funding to deliver multidisciplinary, wrap‑around services.