Finding into death of Ms TP

Contributing factors

• history of depression and suicidality
• social isolation from family in India
• marital stress and recent argument with husband
• prolonged financial dependence after immigration
• previous pregnancy loss (miscarriage at 13 weeks)
• previous pregnancy termination
• difficulty finding employment in Australia initially
• homesickness and separation from extended family
• lack of access to mental health services in Australia
• no prior mental health treatment sought or documented in Australia

Coroner's recommendations

1. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services should review current services supporting the health and wellbeing of South Asian women in the City of Whittlesea, and consult with relevant service providers and stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve South Asian women's access to and engagement with such services.
2. Victoria Police should allocate Family Violence Investigation Units to investigations into suspected intentional deaths of women in the City of Whittlesea who are from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, in circumstances where there is any indication that previous family violence incidents may have contributed to the death.
3. Victoria Police should allocate Family Violence Investigation Units to investigations into suspected intentional deaths of women in the City of Whittlesea who are from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, in circumstances where there is any indication that social isolation may have contributed to the death.