Clips From People Against the Cuts to Services Since making this website, we have heard from thousands of Australians about their view on the cuts to psychological services. The people we have heard from have almost universally been opposed to cutting the Better Access program, but understandably, most people have expressed their support for our […]
Impact on Rural Australia
A Sunday Age article ‘Cyber counsel for rural youth’ (23/10) reported the benefits of a new e-counselling service for youth in rural areas which, in itself, is a wonderful development for young people. However, it neglects to mention one extremely important problem with this initiative: It has come at the expense of a number of […]
Impact of Cuts on Families
Although the Better Access program was not specifically designed to address complex family difficulties, the reality is that when one person in a family is struggling it inevitably has a big impact on the rest of the family, and that can lead to depression and other conditions that cause a person to seek psychological support. […]
Why at least 18 sessions is vital – a client’s perspective
I am calling on the Labor government to agree to a 12 month moratorium on the cutting of Medicare Better Access Initiative to Psychologists from 18 sessions to ten sessions. I have accessed the Medicare Better Access Initiative since 2006 utilising all 18 sessions per year for the past five years. I am now mentally […]
Review of EPPIC research
The EPPIC study: methodology, results, and misrepresentation (Dr Melissa Raven, Psychiatric Epidemiologist) Summary The EPPIC study was a small, methodologically weak study that compared initial EPPIC treatment with initial treatment in an earlier specialised inpatient early psychosis intervention program in Melbourne, commencing in 1989. It provides moderately strong evidence that 12 months of EPPIC treatment […]
Evidence-Based Reform in Australia
Overview The article below details the substantial evidence-base that supports the Better Access program, questioning the decision to cut access for people accessing this program down to just 10 appointments of psychological treatment. Each section provides detailed information linked wherever possible directly to sources where the facts can be directly verified on-line. Summaries of the […]
Disclaimer
Contributors and readers must observe that the opinions expressed on this site are personal. The content on this site is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or thing. The intention of the author is to do no harm. This forum is not intended to injure others, defame […]
Costly Cuts
Why Cutting the Better Access Program will cost us more in the long run All of us know someone who struggles with mental health issues. We don’t talk about it much, but the impact of mental health is all around us in society. If we leave people to struggle on their own, we can’t expect […]