Australia

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this video contains the names and images of deceased persons.

The families consented to use the names and photographs of deceased people in order to tell their stories.”

Mervyn Eades, Aboriginal activist

A life was taken because mental health not being assessed and checked properly right across the board in the prison system.

Robert Eades

Alf, he got struck down with mental health issues and diagnosed as a schizophrenic.

Prisoners with mental health conditions often fall prey to violence or face serious risk of self-harm in Australian prisons.

Staff often fail to provide adequate, timely support.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners with disabilities are particularly at risk.

Robert Eades

I know for a fact they didn’t do anything to support my brother. They see psychiatrists, they see social workers and things but that doesn’t fulfill what is really required for those prisoners.

Alf was attacked and killed by fellow prisoners.

19-year-old Stanley took his own life in prison.

Stanley was a promising artist.

Jacinta, Stanley’s sister

My brother was only a baby. He should have been supported mentally.

Mervyn Eades, Alf’s cousin

All the government departments, mental health, prisons, courts…everyone, the police, everyone had failed Alf.

Robert Eades, Alf’s brother

Why has this happened to our brother and why does it continue to happen to other vulnerable people with mental health [issues]?

Jacinta, Stanley’s sister

The most important message is for the government. To stand up and show us First Nations’ people that our lives matter.