Self Funded Carers

Hey Guys,

I am posting this in "Something isn't right" because... it isn't... (Mods i really hope this is ok, if not I'm sorry!)

I am hoping to connect with other people who may be in a similar situation to me and my Bipolar Bear, to share their experiences with me to assist me in drafting a letter to my local pollies to hopefully, drive some change. I am more than happy to share any info I find to allow others to do the same. even the letter itself if you want it.

I am hoping to connect with self funded carers... carers who work to support their loved ones, family and a person struggling with Mental Health, with little to no financial or government support. If you are happy for me to share your frustrations and concerns, please share below. Here is why I am starting this journey.

Bipolar bear was diagnosed at 23. He worked full time until 28 when his condition changed (was previously not managed properly) and he broke down. His condition leaves him crippled with anxiety at the thought of driving to work, interacting with others and getting home again. He has tried, believe me, he is very employable and has successfully gained employment on several occasions, only to be depressed to the point of suicidal a week later and physically incapable of even getting himself out of bed and showered. Which leaves us permanently as a single income household. I fortunately have a well paid job, which unfortunately rules him out for any type of assistance from centrelink... he cannot even apply for a healthcare card to subsidise his medications because you must be receiving another payment from them to be eligible. We fail the income test as a couple... so unless we lie, which i am aware is the preferred option for many, we are... for all intents and purposes... f*$ked. I refuse to lie to centrelink so instead, i am about to launch my own campaign, to highlight this issue, and ask the questions that currently have no answers.

I am not able to claim Bipolar Bear as a dependant under the tax system, so why do centrelink consider us a couple???? this is the question along with a few others i will be directing to the rep.for social services.

I earn all of our "combined income". I pay the rent, the bills, the insurance, i keep the car running, i feed us, it isn't easy... often bills go unpaid or late, we go hungry, we borrow money from my family... but we survive. Alongside that... i pay for private health insurance... which funny story, no longer covers his psychology sessions. I pay for his GP appointments because without a Health Care Card, he doesn't get Bulk Billed. I pay for his medications, one of which is Non-PBS... I pay for his PRIVATE Psychologist, because he is now only entitled to a laughable 6 Better Access sessions under Medicare (which also are not bulk billed because of the HCC issue), I pay $400 a session for his psychiatrist... i take time off to care for him when needed to the detriment of my employer. I do this because i love him... because i refuse to see him moving backwards in the public system which we can all see is broken... I pay this because when he did suffer a psychotic episode, he was failed by the public health system who had the police leave him unattended in a busy ED department and he got up and walked out and private facilities do not offer crisis intervention (just call the CATT team, they will help you right now.... *chuckles quietly).

Why is bipolar bear ineligible for financial assistance (even just a health care card for his meds) because I work, yet i cannot claim anything for his care, and keeping him from being yet another statistic in a failing public mental health system.

Why did Medicare cut Better Access from 12 sessions to 6?

Why should i carry top level Private Health cover (to avoid the medicare levy surcharge) who at the next moment can turn around and wipe private psychology and psychiatry off its schedule leaving me uncovered for services we NEED?

In saying all of this... it isn't just me i am seeking change for... would i like to be able to claim a dependent on my tax... yes. would i like his appointments and meds to be cheaper... of course... but i am sure there are many others in my situation with other factors to consider (children and other financial pressures) who cannot afford the care we can... but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have access to it. I am doing whatever i can to prevent us becoming more pressure on the public system... yet there is NO incentive for me to continue to do that other than love.

This system is broken... and it is unacceptable.

If you have any similar stories or thoughts, i would love to hear from you.

Tigz

xx