by Dr Bibiana Chan
I may be a total stranger to you, but I watched your interviews on ABC News. Since the Bondi Junction Tragedy occurred on Saturday, April 13, 2024, my heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. This unthinkable incident shocked not just Australia, but the whole world. I thought of you when I learned how you saw an image of your son holding a knife on CCTV footage (shown on TV News) and promptly contacted NSW Police.
Mr. Cauchi, you told the ABC reporter “He was a tormented soul, tormented, and frustrated, and I’m sorry that he’s done this to your children and this nation.” Your emotions throughout the interview were intense. Please be assured that I heard you. I consider you and your wife as victims of this tragedy. Not only did you experience the grief of losing a loved one, but you also bore the unfathomable guilt of your son’s actions. you said,
“There’s nothing I can say, there is nothing I can say that will take away the pain that my son has caused.”
Many reports in the media made speculations about the causes of this extremely tragic event (one newspaper article described it as ‘a mass killing’). Other journalists who knew the importance of responsible reporting came out to challenge the lack of understanding of the full picture may result in further stigmatising individuals experiencing mental ill-health. Was Joel psychotic at the time? Was it due to him tapering off his schizophrenia medications (a diagnosis given at age 17)? What was the trigger? Was he known to the Queensland and NSW Police? When was his last contact with the public health system?
While a police investigation is ongoing, the public is eager to ask, ‘Why did this happen on a beautiful autumn afternoon in a peaceful suburb?’ You were asked, ‘Why did he attack women?’ Your response was, ‘He was frustrated, he wanted a girlfriend!’ I read about two young women who had brief dated with Joel. One said, “He was the most kind and sweetest person I had met. “ This was when Joel was compliant with his medication and stable. My questions are, ‘When did things start to deteriorate? Why did he not receive professional help and support? Did he fall through the cracks of mental health services, public or private?’
As someone with lived experience of clinical depression, I am well aware of the severe staff shortage in both the public and private sectors. The situation was exacerbated by COVID-19, leading to unprecedented demand for mental health professionals and waiting lists of 3-6 months. Initial engagement with AI-led psychological support has been introduced to meet this demand. This hybrid model is still in its infancy, awaiting research studies to report its efficacy.
Mrs. Cauchi, you were also bombarded by the media with questions. You mentioned that Joel felt ‘he was NOT himself’ after taking medications for an extended period, which prompted him to want to taper off. He was under the care of a private psychiatrist. This tapering process requires close medical supervision over an extended period. I have firsthand experience of tapering off antidepressants and consider myself fortunate to have been medication-free for over two years now, with regular check-ins with my psychiatrist for maintenance.
You must feel let down by the medical system. Why didn’t Joel receive the right help when he needed it most? What were the triggers for his actions that led to the loss of six innocent lives and many injuries, including a nine-month-old baby girl?
Beyondblue CEO Ms. Georgie Harman was quick to point out, ‘Mental illness does NOT equate to violence.’ SANE CEO Ms. Rachel Green also joined the conversation, emphasizing that most people suffering from mental ill-health are victims of violence. I wrote a response (in English and Traditional Chinese) to the Bondi Junction Tragedy, published on the CFS website on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 (four days after the incident), including links to useful mental health resources. I was able to have conversations with some CFS members about my feelings. I facilitated a laughter yoga session three days after the tragedy, we did a group hug to comfort each other. I also encouraged CFS members to share their thoughts with me. I promptly responded to a young person impacted by this event. I sent my response to local politicians. I urge those in decision-making positions to work on a solution to prevent such an unthinkable tragedy from ever happening again. One positive outcome from the meeting of all health ministers on Friday, April 19, 2024, was that ministers discussed a range of mental health issues and agreed to hold a dedicated session with Mental Health Ministers.
New South Wales Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson promised a review of the current services will be conducted, especially worked out what level of investment is required to comprehensively meet the mental health needs of people in NSW. She said,
“Part of that work includes conducting a gaps analysis review to rapidly identify key priority areas and agreed gaps in the NSW community mental health system and introducing legislation for a whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention.”
I hope this will not be another ‘consultation’ proposing a long list of recommendations that the NSW Government doesn’t have the budget to fully fund. Prevention is better than cure! The Community Flower Studio is working at GOUND ZERO AND actively engaged in mental health promotion and building support at a community level.
Sending you my sincere condolences in this challenging time.
Best regards,
Bibi
P.S. Sadly, just two days after the Bondi Junction
tragedy, I woke up on Tuesday morning to an NSW Police Press Conference about a stabbing at a church in Wakeley by a 16-year-old boy! The parents of this teenager finally shared their story publicly last night (Monday, April 29, 2024), exactly a week after the incident. They pleaded with law enforcement authorities to consider their son as a very disturbed boy with undiagnosed mental health issues. Once again, my heart goes out to this couple. You may consider watching this video clip (when you feel ready) shown on ABC’s 7:30 Report.