Unthinkably sad news from Carlingford in Sydney’s north-west last week as a five-year-old boy was allegedly stabbed to death by his unidentified 36-year-old father.
While this report alone would be tragic enough, news has since followed which reveals the 36-year-old man reached out for help for a mental illness up-to four times in the week leading up to the murder of his son, and each time the man was turned away or given a higher dose of medication.
The mother of young boy and partner to the man accused with his murder spoke with the Daily Telegraph, saying:
“I work in a hospital and know only too well how poorly funded mental health is. The death of my son is the price I’m having to pay for this.”
“I still love my partner … I need to be there to support him when no one has. He loved our son more than words can express.”
Reports state the man, who remains unnamed to protect his identity, had attempted to voluntarily check in to the Hornsby Hospital mental health ward but was turned away because there were no beds available. This was just two days before he attacked his son.
A family friend confirmed this was not the first time the doting father had tried to reach out for help, only to be turned away according to the DailyMail.
A nurse told the Hornsby Advocate that the man was turned away due to a separate stabbing incident which had left the hospital under immense stress, understaffed and the emergency department over capacity.
The man’s wife (who also remains anonymous) continues to question the lack of help her son’s father received.
“There was no bed for my partner … yet there’s money for space in the hospital morgue for a five-year-old’s body”.
It’s a truly tragic story and our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved in the incident.
If you or anyone you know is suffering, contact Lifeline (lifeline.org.au) on 1311 14 or visit Headspace at (headspace.org.au).
You can also visit Beyond Blue at (beyondblue.org.au) or call 1300 22 4636.
