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Advocating for change

Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

CherryBombSenior Contributor

Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

With the changes brought about by the Fifth Mental Health Plan, many people are left trying to figure out what this means for them. What are the changes? How does this impact accessing services? How do you find information?
Join us on February 14, to discuss this with Frank Quinlan, CEO of Mental Health Australia (MHA), to help decipher what mental health reform actually means for you. MHA have been working on identifying issues with the Mental Health Plan, and have a key focus on advocating on behalf consumers and carers, so that their voices can be heard during reform. During this discussion, we will unpack how these policy changes will impact on your everyday life, address concerns that you may have, and what you can do to have your opinions heard.
Things you can do now
1. Reigster here if you're not an existing SANE Forums member
2. Hit 'Like' below so we can shout out a reminder on the night
3. Do changes to mental health services stress you out? Check out our blog.

163 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

FrankGQuinlanSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

sorry to ehar it, but not an uncommon story.

The National Mental Health Commission review in 2014 found that the mental health system actually hurts people way too often. That's part of what we are hoping to change!

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

NikNikSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

Great question @Zoe7 - I'm sure Frank will be answer that for you. If you're interested to read the full document later, here is a link: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/8F54F3C4F313E0B1CA258052000ED5C5/$File/Fifth%20National%20Mental%20Health%20Plan.pdf

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

AndraContributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

Absolutely. For a number of people I know and definitely for me, the lack of actual accountability and open disclosure that happens means it causes more trauma. I hope the "guidelines" in place become actual mandatory requirements for service that does no harm.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

@Phoenix_Rising, it's my opinion that they view the psychosocial methods of helping mental illness as irrelevant or too expensive. Giving people a pill is (often) a much cheaper and easier option.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

FrankGQuinlanSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

Sadly accepssibility can vary a lot depending on where you are, and who you are...

Metrapolitan or regional?

English speaking or CALD or Indigenous.

Services are not spead evenly - far from it - and many communities are left behind 😞

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

AussieGirlContributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

I'm sorry. I registered but I am really unwell and need my bed. I hope to get info on this somewhere. My apologies.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

I'm just wondering what the future holds as far as out mental health plans and only being able to access 10 visits to a therapist per year

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

@Former-Member Yep, I totally agree. And it is also why those of us who have issues that are due more to environmental factors / trauma than to any sort of chemical imbalance, are labelled as too difficult to treat, because our stuff isn't fixed with a pill.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

I'm from a well off area of Sydney - in the public system I had to wait 6 weeks for a follow up psych appointment despite being suicidal and psychotic. I refused a hospital bed, so I had to wait 6 weeks for outpatient treatment. That's NOT accessible at all. And that's in a well off, well serviced health district in Sydney.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

NikNikSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // What is mental health reform and why is it important for you // Feb 14, 7-9pm AEDT

Hi @AussieGirl I hope you're feeling better soon. This thread will be available to view whenever you feel up to it.

Take care
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SANE logo
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care NSQDMH Accreditation logo

Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.

Donate Now
Aboriginal flag
Torres Strait Islander flag
LGBT flag
Transgender flag

SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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