Failing to care for our mentally ill

How come my brother was put on new medications the day before he was killed? Then not even monitored to see the effect the new medication would have on him.

The medication made him drowsy - he wouldn't have even been able to defend himself.

I am not blaming individuals (or perhaps I am). I appreciate overwork, not enough resources, blah, blah (excuse, excuse) but someone has to be accountable. Why were these two unwell young men even living in unsupervised accommodation with no back-up systems in place?

Why was my brother able to be killed while he slept in his home - supposedly a haven - a safe place?

Why were his pleas for help over the past six months ignored, as he recognised that he was going downhill again?

We want and deserve answers. We want to know what the government (either state or federal, I don't really care) intends to do to ensure this does not happen again. We did not expect to lose our brother because of a failed system.

What will happen to the other young man? He does not deserve prison. It is not his fault he lived in a community that doesn't consider those who are not well.

Please don't let my brother be reduced to four lines in a paper and forgotten.

Please persist in overhauling a system that just doesn't work.

Please, within our communities, show compassion and tolerance for those who don't fit in as easily.

My brother was not bad, just unwell, and he trusted those with “authority” - as did my family - to do the best by him, never imagining his life was at risk.

His housemate is not bad either, just unwell and also failed by a society that neglects to provide access to the services, support and safe accommodation necessary.