Dr Mark Cross in-conversation with Samantha Groth

A manifesto about what's wrong with Australia's mental health system and a guidebook for how to treat it, by a neurotic shrink who lives it every day.

Psychiatrist Dr Mark Cross has spent most of his adult life working in the mental health system. He also suffers from anxiety, as do three out of four Australians at some point in their lives, so he knows first-hand the challenges, successes and failures facing both patients and professionals. What he has discovered is that while Australia's physical health system is world-renowned, its mental health system falls miserably short. From soaring out-of-pocket costs to excruciatingly long wait times and overworked nurses to inhumane treatment conditions, we are failing people at all stages of their search for clearer, calmer minds. 

In this manifesto, Dr Cross takes a deep dive into mental ill health -- who suffers, why, how we treat them and what we need to do better. Written in Dr Cross's warm and entertaining style, MENTAL STATE includes his own stories of working inside the system, as well as the experiences of consumers attempting to navigate it and the practitioners working within it.

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Doctor Mark Cross is a psychiatrist specialising in treating young people, complex PTSD, women's mental health and anxiety disorders. He has a special interest in sexuality and identity issues, as well as mental health in the workplace and is passionate about equality, human rights, ethics in psychiatry, reducing stigma and improving the care and quality of life of people with lived experience of mental illness. Mark has worked in psychiatry for three decades and is a senior lecturer at the University of NSW and a conjoint lecturer at Western Sydney University. He is a member of the board of SANE Australia, whose mission is to improve the mental health of those living with complex mental health issues as well as reducing stigma. In 2015, he received the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists NSW Branch Meritorious Service Award for his significant contribution to psychiatry. In 2016, he co-authored with Dr Catherine Hanrahan Changing Minds: the go to guide to mental health, developed out of the landmark ABC TV series of the same name. He is married to John; they have two sons.

Samantha Groth loves to share (other people’s) stories. She has been a producer for 2SER’s book show, Final Draft, and started FBi Radio’s First Sunday Book Club as well as hosting programs like All the Best. She now programs and hosts live author events full time.

Samantha has a degree in literature from the University of Sydney, and Executive Master of Strategic Communication from the University of Technology Sydney and works in cultural programming and engagement.