ATTENTION!
FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS TO MENTAL HEALTH (BETTER ACCESS INITIATIVE)
THIS MAY AFFECT YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW
CURRENT arrangements under the Better Access Initiative
The Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative currently enables people with diagnosed mental disorders to access services from a range of mental health services providers, including psychologists. On referral from a medical practitioner (GP, Psychiatrist), people can access up to a maximum total of 18 individual treatment sessions per calendar year.
More than 2 million Australians have accessed this well-established program. A recent Federal Government evaluation of the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative found it to be a cost-effective way of delivering mental health care and concluded that it achieved significant and positive outcomes for consumers.
2011 Federal Budget PROPOSED CUTS to the Better Access Initiative
From 1 November, 2011, the yearly maximum allowance of sessions of psychological treatment will be reduced from 18 to 10, with no exceptional circumstances enabling additional sessions.
Government rationale for cuts:
“The new arrangements will ensure that the Better Access Initiative is more efficient and better targeted by limiting the number of services that patients with mild or moderate mental illness can receive, while patients with advanced mental illness are provided with more appropriate treatment through programs such as the Government’s Access to Allied Psychological Services program.”
The Department of Health and Ageing Fact Sheet on the Budget measure states:
“People with severe and persistent mental disorders who require over 10 allied mental health services are still eligible for up to 50 Medicare Benefits Schedule consultant psychiatrist services per annum, or to access the specialised mental health system in each State or Territory.”
“The Budget is a win for Mental Health”. DON’T BE MISLED!
Whilst new Initiatives are always welcomed, they are being funded by existing and highly-effective Initiatives. This is not the standard
of care that Australians should be forced to tolerate.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE PROPOSED CUTS
► The Australian Psychological Society (APS) 2011 Audit Survey of 9,900 clients who required more than 10 sessions of treatment under the Better Access Initiative showed the vast majority had moderate-to-severe or severe mental health disorders involving depression and anxiety disorders, and that they received effective psychological treatment. The Federal Government’s own evaluation found that 83% of consumers treated by psychologists under the Better Access Initiative had suffered from high to very high psychological distress prior to treatment.
► The proposed funding cuts to the Better Access initiative would deny these people access to effective psychological treatment. The vast majority of these people would also be denied access to public sector mental health services as they have high-prevalence disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression) and are not necessarily in need of team-based care.
► The recommendation that these people be referred to a consultant psychiatrist is not realistic as there is a significant shortage of psychiatrists and some charge a prohibitive gap fee in the range of $200 per session.
► The recommendation that these people access an ATAPS program run through the Divisions of General Practice (DGPs) is not a viable referral option as there is simply not enough funding to provide services. A major issue is that a significant proportion of the funding for mental health services received by DGPs is spent on administration and not the delivery of treatment.
► The Government’s own evaluation of the Better Access Initiative demonstrated that it is a cost-effective way of delivering mental health care. The typical cost of a package of care delivered by a Psychologist under the initiative is $753. Under ATAPS, it is estimated to cost 2-10 times as much per session.
With 1 in 5 adult Australians experiencing mental illness in any one year, the proposed cuts may affect you or someone you know.
Either now…or in the future.
If you believe Australians deserve a better standard of Mental Health care then make your concerns known.
1). Sign an e-Petition
Make it clear that you are an Australian who believes in a better standard of Mental
Health care. Sign up at www.surveymonkey.com/s/NoCutsToMentalHealth
2). Email or write to key Ministers, Senators, or Local Members
Key contacts and a suggested proforma email / letter (can be modified) is available at
www.surveymonkey.com/s/NoCutsToMentalHealth
3). Distribute this information
Knowledge is power! Share this with your family, friends, co-workers, etc.
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