New data has revealed how often mental health patients in Australia’s public hospitals are being restrained — either by being strapped or held down — with advocates warning the practice re-traumatises people and delays their recovery.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report revealed people were being held down on average at a rate of nine times for every 1,000 days spent in a facility.

Mechanical restraints such as straps, belts and manacles were less-commonly used, at under two events per 1,000 bed days.

Nationally, children were being physically restrained 10.9 times per 1,000 days in a mental health bed, while forensic services — which includes prisoners — was far higher at 110.2 incidents per 1,000 days.

read more at abc.net.au