The Australian Mental Health Party | Political party

The Australian Mental Health Party

Phone: +61 8 6181 2166

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25.01.2022 Earlier this week, the Federal Budget announcement included a proposal to double the maximum number of sessions allowable for psychological care in the Medicare system (https://www.health.gov.au//budget-2020-21-record-health-an). We welcome this news and are celebrating the decision as a small but significant win for our party. One of the key platforms of our party has been to improve access to basic mental health care, starting with key reforms to Medicare supported psych...ological care (https://www.amhp.org.au/2017/medicare-reforms/). As one of the the founders and former party leader, I've spent the last decade campaigning for the maximum number of sessions to be lifted to at least 20 sessions, consistent with best practice and evidence from research. It brings me a great deal of relief to see that the Australian public can now access a more reasonable duration for their therapy and giving some continuity of care for those who reach out for support in times of distress. At the same time, there's much more work to be done. In our position statement on the Better Access program we refer to five key areas of reform, of which one has now been addressed (see link above). Importantly, if we are going to increase the maximum number of sessions allowable via Medicare, then we should also look at expanding choice of preferred provider in the scheme and work towards driving down (or eliminating) gap fees. Further to those points, many of us would also like to see a commitment to allow ongoing to access to telepsychology into the future, which is not just about social distancing but also helps to connect people with the right kind of support they need across this vast nation. We are encouraging everybody to support more reforms and to make it clear to our political leaders that the number of sessions in Medicare should never be cut down to those low levels again. We wish to thank all of our members and supporters for standing with us in calling for change. Without you this change would never have been possible. Thank you! Ben Mullings

24.01.2022 Medicare Australia has warned GPs not to treat mental health issues and physical health problems within the same consultation. Is it really best practice to compartmentalise the problems people face? And does it serve the best interests of patients to send them back and forth to get the help they need? We don't think so. From an article this morning in The Sydney Morning Herald: "A good GP is often booked up three weeks in advance. Should the firefighter who attends for PTSD ...come back another time for the shoulder injury? A woman’s relationship is becoming increasingly violent. Should we address her suicidal thoughts today, or her contraceptive needs? Or the kid with anxiety. His eczema is flaring partly because of the financial stress flowing through his parents to him, and now it’s infected because he’s so anxious he can’t stop scratching. Are these two different problems?" Your thoughts?

21.01.2022 This is a final call out for members to get involved on our committee. Right now, our committee is short on numbers, particularly those who have experience in consultation, democratic decision making, and managing a representative group. Due to our current difficulties in recruiting new people to our committee, in a week we will be meeting to vote on whether to wind up the party. So if you have experience in governance and some passion and energy for positive mental health and well-being, now is the time! https://www.amhp.org.au/get-involved/

15.01.2022 Today the Joint Executive of the AMHP will vote on whether to dissolve the party. This year has been difficult for us, as I'm sure it has been for many of you out there too. A change in leadership earlier this year took the party in a different direction, presenting new challenges around democratic decision-making within the party and finding a way to set a positive agenda in the context of a global pandemic. Stress and changes in priorities for many people have meant less pa...rticipation and active involvement on our committee. Our vision to grow and expand has simply not been possible due to a lack of new leaders and supporting committee members to step up and replace those who step down. Tomorrow we will report on the outcome of this difficult decision. We express our heartfelt appreciation to all of you who have stood by us over the last few years. Thank you. Dr Ben Mullings (Deputy Party Leader)

14.01.2022 Yesterday the National Executive and Joint Advisory group representatives of the party met for a vote on party dissolution. The criteria for this decision was set for at least a two-thirds majority. Votes were also cast electronically to ensure that those who couldn't attend were able to contribute. The final tally of votes was seven (7) for the motion to dissolve the party and one (1) against the motion. We will now begin the process of winding up the party. In the comment ...thread below I'll share some of the discussion points we had for and against winding up before those votes were cast. For now though, I'd like to thank you all for sticking with us these past few years. Words can't express the deep admiration and respect I have for all of you. What happens next? Our committee will now begin the work of closing things down and de-registering. In a month I'll prepare a Facebook Live session for our members and supporters to hear some final reflections and to give you an opportunity to have your say. We believe it is important to end this party on a positive note, so please help us to do that if you can. Thanks again.

14.01.2022 Accessing good mental health care via the Medicare system can be a real challenge. The ABC are putting together a story on the barriers people experience when they try to access psychological support. If you have some experiences to share, please follow the link below this post and let them know (NOTE: there's an option to remain anonymous). Our party continues to call for reform to the Better Access to Mental Health Care system. Find out more at https://www.amhp.org.au/2017/medicare-reforms/

13.01.2022 A well-being budget would move Australia closer to an economy where we value people.

12.01.2022 It takes time for counselling and psychotherapy to take effect. Rather than rushing people who are already in a distressed state, we need our systems of care in society to provide enough time and space to recover.

11.01.2022 Hasta la vista, baby! Robodebt has been terminated.

11.01.2022 Our party needs you. Is mental health and positive well-being on you radar? Please join us and get involved. We are only as strong as the people who stand with us.

07.01.2022 Insurance companies have a responsibility in our society to make their policies fair, equitable, and non-stigmatising. This article highlights the way that policy design and systems of assessment can cause the onset of mental health problems and compound the suffering of those who are seeking basic support when it's needed. We point out that systems of that kind have a knock-on effect. That is, people will minimise their problems or avoid seeking care, if they understand that reaching out for help is likely to cause them additional distress. Your thoughts?

03.01.2022 Life can be very challenging and conversations about whether you're okay can be confronting. Please be careful, slow down, and make space for each other today.

02.01.2022 There's no economy without people. Our party calls for a more compassionate policy response to the pandemic. Let's look beyond jobs for a moment and bring the focus back to basic human needs. Our media release: https://www.amhp.org.au/d/MR_29-07-20.pdf

02.01.2022 We expect better from Government.