RECENT BUDGET CUTS TO THE BETTER ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM.....
THIS IS ONE SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION.
This afternoon I received the following email from Minds and Hearts. Minds and Hearts is a specialised centre established by Professor Tony Attwood for children, adults and families affected by the Autistic Spectrum. My own children and I have been clients of this centre for the past 4 years. Without their therapy, knowledge, programs and assistance...... Oh, we would be so much worse off. Many, many people and families will be adversely affected by this. Minds and Hearts need voices to rise up and alert government agencies of the following ridiculous proposal. So much for the Budget commitment to Mental Health! This cannot happen. Please help if you can.
Dear clients of Minds and Hearts
Minds and Hearts are concerned that people with autism spectrum conditions will potentially be left without appropriate mental health care under recent Budget cuts to the Better Access to Mental Health Care program. We have found that cognitive behaviour therapy for people on the autism spectrum can take longer to be effective than for people not on the spectrum. Some clients need up to 18 sessions, many need 12.
- the number of sessions of psychological treatment a person with a mental health care plan can receive each year will be cut from a maximum of 18 down to 10 (not from 12 to 10 as was widely reported).
- the Government has stated that people who need more than 10 sessions of treatment should receive services through the specialised public mental health system, private psychiatrists or the expanded Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program.
- there are concerns that people with severe depression and anxiety related disorders (which often present with autism spectrum conditions, including Asperger's Syndrome) will not be able to get into public mental health services, be able to get timely or affordable access to a psychiatrist or into ATAPS which we understand cannot accommodate all these people.
The APS are seeking personal experiences of any people affected by these changes, to monitor its impact and inform the Australian government to ensure that people with severe conditions (eg severe depression, anxiety) are not left without appropriate treatment options. The APS are also in the process of developing a consumer and carer survey to provide further data to inform future discussions with government.
Please be aware that the funding threatened is specifically for mental health conditions. Minds and Hearts does not consider autism spectrum disorder or Asperger's Syndrome to be a mental heatlh condition, however we are concerned that many who are on the spectrum suffer anxiety and depression, and some experience other mental health issues for eg OCD, PTSD, anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorder, Tourette's Disorder, and so will be affected by these proposed funding cuts.
Can you please forward any (de-identified) stories about the impact the cuts to the Better Access program are having to Kim Harris of the APS by 12.00pm Friday 8 July to Kim.Harris@mhca.org.au.
Please feel free to circulate this to your networks.
Kind Regards
Dr Michelle S Garnett
Clinic Director/Clinical Psychologist
Minds and Hearts: A Specialist Clinic For Asperger's Syndrome and Autism
Tel 07 3844 9466
Fax 07 3844 9533
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