Mental health policies explained

Mmmh... what is it about Thursday if I may ask? @avant-garde

Not well at present @Dimity so will come back to this thread later when I can give it more attention 👍

Take care @Zoe7

@Dimity this community group that I'm a part of

Thanks for the link and the tag, @Dimity 🙂

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@Dimity wrote:

I'm glad Labor has announced its mental health policy.

Here's a comparison with the Coalition.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-08/federal-election-2025-mental-health-labor-coalition/105152428?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

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Sounds like more of the same old same old, unfortunately. Just more money being throw at the existing mechanisms we already have. No mention of any of them creating brand new services/systems/job types, ect. to address any of the problems that aren't currantly addressed by any of our existing therapists.

They may be building new clinics, and hiring scores of more people into the job types that already exists, but that's just an expansion of what we already have, no the invention of new remedies for our unaddressed problems.

Loneliness is a very conspicuous void in that article. Plenty of talk going on right now about how dire the loneliness crisis is, and it's massive impact on national mental health. The NSW government even has a major inquiry going on into it right now. Yet no mention in any of this policy publicity about any party creating a new therapist workforce specifically targeted at resolving their patients' loneliness.

Just more of the same old same old. 😞

Thanks for sharing @Dimity @avant-garde @Zoe7 @chibam , I'm following on eagerly to hear member's perspectives.

I would like to be in policy group. @RachSANECEO

@avant-garde I also had less than convincing experiences with Headspace, as a parent of a young person, and Mind, regarding my self.

@chibam Hearing you about not buying into the glossy panacea for everything approach.

@Dimity I was first to support the thread and agree with your soap box rant. Also, knew about Schizophrenia Fellowship in Albert Park 30 years ago, but my dad and sis were already dead by then. Yes we do need to be careful regarding in group and out group issues. Often one person can wield more control. Organic bottom up social movements need a lot of skills.

Yep, why do some fall between the cracks......

I haven't seen a psychiatrist in a while now, but the more I reach out to people, the more I realise MH recovery is for those who are acutely unwell or for those who have money? ($500+ for one psychiatrist appointment???) How is that fair?

@Dimity @chibam @avant-garde

Trying to @Dimity thanks for your kindness ❤️

@tyme one thing I find that isn't often mentioned is that with the mental health care plan you are entitled to one subsided/bulk billed psychiatrist appointment a year.

What has been suggested to me is that I use the one session with the Commonwealth psychosocial support program where I can have the support worker come with me to detail what I need in the letter to submit to NDIS with my next application