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

I am with Phoenix, i am not sure much has changed over the years. Diagnosed 23 years ago and really the only thing i find easier is to share my story. Is this due to my periods of being better, more emphasis on MH I am not sure. With major depression i am told its a chemical imbalance, but we cant measure the chemicals? Be good if we could I might no be on my 99th ad.

I think we need more exposure of MH to get more of the community on board so we can get more funding, less abuse etc. Thanks for the time.

Agreed @Phoenix_Rising, but not just in hospitals!

We are learning that trauma informed care is important right across the system - and yes, it has moved too slowly

@Andra I hpe that as the NDIS we get to hear more stories about what works best - like your own.

The people who follow you into the NDIS will learn what's possible from pioneers like you 🙂

I really noticed how much things HAVEN'T changed during my adventure last November. When the psych nurse finally saw me at 4:30am, he took me into a baron room with two chairs in it. It looked like an interrogation room. I moved my chair slightly to the side so that I didn't feel quite so much like I was being interrogated and he immediately ordered me to put it back where it was. He then simply told me I had been scheduled and couldn't leave until I'd seen the psychiatrist. All I could think about was focusing on my slow breathing and my goal of getting the hell out of there! And yep, just typing about it, has set me rocking and sweating. It is such an awful AWFUL system

I am with you @Zoe7 - we must all ask the government why they put limits where they do for mental health, but not for other conditions??

I find that services do not properly inform patients of treatment plans. I never received a treatment plan. Often they also do not inform patients about many things and you are left scratching your head. I was seeing a psych weekly for much of 10 years but stopped in 2015 after realising they were doing nothing. The system needs to be more transparent and honest. They are only interested in protecting themselves without consideration for the patient. Who is ultimately responsible for these decisions?