The recent Federal Budget announced funding cuts to the Better Access initiative involving a cap on the maximum number of allowable sessions of psychological treatment a client can receive per calendar year.
From 1 November 2011 this will be capped at 10 (6+4), with no ‘exceptional circumstances’ that allow additional sessions on top of the 10 allowable sessions.
I am very concerned that this will affect young people with serious mental health disorders who are more likely to require lengthier treatment.
We need all people who care about the mental health of Generation Y and Z, to join us in a campaign to have the number of allowable treatments restored to the current arrangements.Please write to the Prime Minister Julia Gillard at:
http://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm
Or the Minister of Health Nicola Roxon at:
Parliament House
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 7220
Fax: (02) 6273 4146
Email: Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au
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7 comments:
Hi Michael,
Thanks for picking up on this issue. There are many problems with the Government's proposed changes.
Hundreds of psychologists, allied mental health practitioners and consumers have joined our Facebook Group to protest these changes - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/home.php?sk=group_209575192408227&ap=1
As well as writing directly to Minister Roxon and your MP or State Senator, you can ask questions on ABC's Q&A program this coming Monday June 6.
You can also sign our online petition (over 3000 signatures already!) at http://tinyurl.com/gopetition12.
To find out more about this campaign I recommend people read Counselling Psychologist Ben Mullings' excellent blog at www.psyber.net.au and search for Better Access.
Julian McNally
And let's not forget that GetUp ran a huge campaign asking for more funding to be put into mental health.
We are now asking GetUp to follow through on this commitment, and fight these cut-backs with us.
To add your voice to our GetUp campaign, please VOTE here:
http://suggest.getup.org.au/forums/60819-campaign-ideas/suggestions/1833821-better-access-to-psychologists
Hi Michael
I am a clinical psychologist who works with children and adolescents under the Better Access to Mental health program. I too am extremely concerned that the changes proposed in the federal budget will serve to disadvantage young people and restrict access to mental health treatment. I am wondering if Sunrise might pick up this story and support the call for the system to continue at 12-18 sessions.
Thanks Michael. As a genx consumer of mental health services who is on a disability pension I am deeply concerned by these changes. My psychologist has been my lifeline and a huge support with my chronic issues relating to PTSD as a consequence of childhood sexual abuse. It has taken me quite a while to develop trust and the courage to start to work through the issues I face with my psychologist. I am devastated that my sessions will be reduced from 18 to 10 visits. It is a long road and as much as I would like a quick fix it simply is pure maleficence of the government and it's advisors to suggest otherwise. Mental health advocates really need to step up to the plate and fight this decision.
I am a recipient of the Better Access Initiative and have accessed all 18 sessions per year for five years. Without this I would be financially crippled. My psychologist has helped me stay out of psychiatric units on many an occasion. Much cheaper to pay Medicare rebates than be a financial burden on the public hospital system.
As such, an extremely powerful tool is the ability to become aware of, and identify accent within your body. Exercise is a aberration that can get you abroad from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed anxiety and depression.
Tummy Tuck
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