Mental health policies explained

Thanks for this @Dimity

As someone who has utilised the Medicare mental health centres, I can tell you that they significantly fall short of what is needed in the mental health arena.

What it doesn't tell you is that they typically don't have psychologists or psychiatrists on staff, they only allow 12 weeks and no ability to switch if necessary and although can provide referrals, that they make no recommendations as to where to go next once the 12 weeks are up.

Thanks @avant-garde that's concerning, we needed to know that. I wonder if @RachSANECEO has input or lobbying capacity in this space.

I'm absolutely interested in learning more about peoples experiences with medicare mental health centres and headspace. I have a crazy idea - @Dimity I love your advocacy on this and other issues - and I've been wondering about an idea from how things are done in the clubhouse model, where members of a clubhouse form teams (they call them units like 'business unit') and then they do stuff - so a clubhouse is run largely by the members. Anyway my question is - do you want to see if there is a small group of other members also interested in helping shape policy advocacy that SANE can champion and set up a thread (maybe in the Codesign group hub because its not public so you can do all the planning in there)? and plan what you want to look at (which issues are the priority) and how you want to do it (do you watn to run a survey of members) and what help do you need from the SANE 'business' i.e. if you want to create a survey you can shape the questions, we can get some feedback and support from the research people in our team and build the technical part for you and help you by scoring the data afterwards... that sort of thing? let me know if it sparks joy and I'll tag @tyme in here for awareness too.

Thanks @RachSANECEO I'll need to digest and reflect. I observed the Schizophrenia Fellowship's clubhouse model from the outside and was a little concerned that it was a closed bubble that also imposed some restrictions and obligations on members in terns of participation and attendance. I have no idea how it eventually worked out, it was a long time ago.

I'd definitely support enabling more members to contribute their ideas and insights to a policy group. How that would translate to projects is what I'm not sure of.

One interesting thing about the current election is the recognition of different cohorts in the mental health space with different needs. The awareness of adverse mental health and needs to help a broad cross-section of the community especially troubled youth, the "missing middle" with significant distress who don't need involuntary hospitalisation or crisis intervention but definitely need ongoing therapeutic support, and those with acute (sometimes ongoing chronic, sometimes episodic) mental illness who are so disadvantaged and suffer so much in pursuit of care especially at point of need in hospital emergency departments.

I think that SANE is perhaps in a unique position in being able to harness the lived experience of its members across all of these cohorts.

@avant-garde @Till23 @MJG017 @Appleblossom @chibam @Zoe7 @tyme

A special shout out to you my friend @Eden1919 . Perhaps you'd be interested in this thread. You'd certainly have a lot to contribute.

What I've been doing some investigation into is the link between this "missing middle" and homelessness.

Talking to my case manager (through a homelessness service) and the social worker I've been seeing (through Medicare mental health centres (MMHC)), I've been learning that those in what is considered secondary homelessness (couch surfing, paying night by night, etc) are the ones most likely to have mental health issues.

As someone in this missing middle I can say that the support disappears when you hit 26. There is a significant drop in services beyond the young adult range. The impact this has is monumental in that these are people who are normally impacted by trauma or neurodivergency or some other chronic mental health condition that makes getting work and getting housing incredibly difficult and then too overwhelming to sustain.

Talking to my SW on Monday she disclosed that even the hospital services are for more acute treatment and that once you can function you're done.

So my experience with MMHC is that initially it was great, the wait was only 3 weeks and I was told about this loophole because I have a referral to a government mental health service, and that with that loophole they can extend the 12 weeks... my appointment on Monday though she said they can't keep funding this for me... she said I'd be fine on my own... waiting for this referral to kick in... which could be another 4 months... she said I'm discounting my ability and invalidated my fear... she said to use the forums, use sane, use mindspot, use the helplines... she said to expect my next appointment will likely be my last... 25th April... Anzac Day...

Ok that's enough now

@Ru-bee @rav3n

That sounds difficult for you @avant-garde . Last year I was with a community service that was also time-limited yet I have an ongoing condition. There was no referral or alternative help offered.

You make a good point about the interrelationship of forms of disadvantage. Homelessness and incarceration statistics have shown the high involvement of those with mental health issues suggesting the return on investment on mental health funding would flow through to other areas.

Actually I think it's a good argument for a national approach rather than the patchwork of state and territory funding and policies although it means the risk of wider repercussions and fallout if/when unsympathetic governments succeed in the polls. I'm encouraged that in this election both major parties support increased funding.

I should clarify, - in advocating for mental health funding I also strongly support funding for homelessness, domestic violence, preventive and diversionary programs in the justice area including adequate social supports and a better approach to out of home care, adequate JobSeeker and other support payments... recognition and support for Blue Knot in its work on the far-reaching effects of childhood trauma... help for asylum seekers and refugees... a broad program of social justice supporrs recognising the complex ecosystems of mental health, stigma and disadvantage, and the common humanity of people and their needs notwithstanding the international swing against diversity equity and inclusion.

Apologies for my soapbox rant but if not here, in the forums, then where?

@Dimity you should see me and my soapbox on a Thursday! Anytime "someone" comes in and starts talking stupid rubbish I get my soapbox out and then walk out before I lose my temper