As one of the 5% of mentally unwell people who has used all 18 sessions each year since 2007, I can categorically state that using the Medicare Better Access Initiative has kept me out of the emergency department, out of psychiatric units and in the workforce. I was in the severe bracket for depression/anxiety and suicide ideation. Seeing a psychologist has enabled me to understand my depression, to take control of my fears and anxieties and to find more effective coping mechanisms than delusional and insidious thoughts of taking my own life.

While I am very pleased the Labor Government is placing much needed funding for people suffering severe mental health issues in low socio-economic, rural and indigenous areas I feel the Better Access Medicare Initiative should stay intact for the current 12-18 sessions rather than reducing it to 6-10 sessions for the reasons I have mentioned above. This has worked wonderfully for me and I am now a mentally well person. There is no way I could afford to see my psychologist without this assistance. Ten sessions would have been woefully inadequate as I suffered from much more than mild to moderate mental illness.

During the time I accessed the Better Access scheme I had several crises which my psychologist and I dealt with more than efficiently. Without her help I would have been a heavy financial burden on the public hospital system which would have cost the taxpayer much, much more than the Medicare rebate ever could. I am now well enough to work within the mental health system helping others not as fortunate as myself.

Thanks to the Better Access Medicare Initiative, my life has been turned around and I am now a psychology student, a part-time worker for a mental health group, and, I believe, a most productive member of society.