The Morning Edition The Australian women being involuntarily sectioned
Apr 22, 2025
Aisha Dow, an investigative reporter at The Age, sheds light on the alarming trend of Australian women being involuntarily sectioned. She discusses the historical roots of this issue, linking 19th-century misconceptions about women to modern-day misdiagnoses. Personal stories reveal the devastating impacts of wrongful detentions and the pervasive medical misogyny still present in mental health assessments. Dow emphasizes the urgent need for better communication in healthcare and reforms to ensure women’s voices are heard and respected.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Carol's Wrongful Detention Story
- Carol was involuntarily detained for 44 hours after her husband falsely claimed she was suicidal.
- Paramedics found no signs of psychosis or immediate risk, but hospital weighed a contested suicide allegation heavily.
Stalking Complaint Led to Detention
- A woman was detained after reporting being stalked and hearing noises in her roof.
- Her stalking claim was later validated when food and cameras were found in her roof.
Risk Aversion Causes False Detentions
- False positives in mental health detention happen due to risk aversion, especially over suicide threat.
- Doctors prioritize immediate safety over mental illness diagnosis, sometimes unnecessarily detaining patients.