More mixed messages and confusion from the Labor Govt! After a busy day of ripping away access to mental health support from Australians, Labor’s 2023 Covid Plan hasn’t even stood the test of a full day. This is embarrassing. abc.net.au/news/2022-12-1…

Ten psych sessions is not enough after the years we’ve had theage.com.au/national/ten-p… while targeted use of extra 10 sessions makes sense, dramatic growth in MH care crucial via salaried team based care is more urgent esp for young people. Tamara Cavenett plan also key Mark Butler MP

Strong statement from Josh Burns on cuts to psychologists. I know MPs very unhappy about this decision. This is a strong level of concern after Govt locked into the reduction #auspol

FYI around my point around blindly following what your party says and does isn’t it and that the party room doesn’t always agree.

Statement on decision to reduce Medicare subsidied mental health sessions. #auspol

I've been hearing from people, especially young people, how challenging it is to access mental health support. Long wait lists & gap fees at all time highs. We need to find ways to improve access before we cut funding to the Better Access Scheme. canberratimes.com.au/story/8017839/…

Couldn’t have said it better

Medicare rebates for accessing psychological treatment have been cut by 50%. In our youth clinics this means: 1. We can’t offer enough sessions to treat most of the problems that present. 2. Youth can only access approx. 1hr of therapy every 5 wks. This is a massive backward step

Now only the wealthy can now afford more than 1hr of psychology every 5 weeks #EndThePsychologyCuts Mark Butler MP Anne Ruston

Things that would actually improve mental health care that aren't cutting sessions: (1) increase funding for postgraduate training- we have 10-20x the applicants as we have places and run at a loss, (2) allow 5+1s access to Medicare rebates, (3) *increase* rebates per session.

From January 1st it will no longer be affordable for the average Australian to access a standard course of psychology treatment smh.com.au/national/ten-p… #EndMedicareCuts Mark Butler MP Anne Ruston

This graph shows how unwise it is to cut psychology sessions from 20 to 10. More sessions received the more distress reduces Users of 11 or more sessions present to treatment with higher distress, and leave therapy with the lowest distressed Patricia Karvelas Tamara Cavenett David Pocock

From January 1st the average Australian will no longer be able to afford a standard course of treatment with their psychologist #psychologyworks #ReverseMedicarePsychologyCuts smh.com.au/politics/feder…

During a mental health crisis, we should be strengthening Medicare, not weakening it. Mark Butler MP needs to make 20 sessions a permanent feature of Medicare. Challenging this decision is a priority for us, our members and patients across Australia. ow.ly/96mM50M8Z7m

.Mark Butler MP Anthony Albanese listen to the experts. Do not cut medicare and do not cut mental health supports in 3 days. theaustralian.com.au/commentary/cut…

we know complex mental ill health can’t and won’t be solved with just 10 sessions. There’s no cap on GP visits, so why is mental health diminished in its access…We don’t limit Australians to half a course of antibiotics smh.com.au/politics/feder… #mentalhealth

Psychology workforce solutions are desperately needed and long overdue. Sadly clinical psychology will be much less effective and available for Australians when sessions are halved tomorrow. This slide away from evidence-based practice will cost our country dearly

These cuts won’t just mean reduced access to vital care; in some cases psychologists may have to turn away vulnerable patients with more complex mental health conditions because we know delivering only half the required treatment will not provide benefit smh.com.au/national/exper…

Ms Cavenett says the best way forward is to accept the reality of the situation rather than trying to avoid "Try not to be too self-critical and remind yourself that you are not alone and that they have often scammed multiple people before you," she says. apple.news/AP0XfqKoCSUe7Q…

Cuts to subsidised psychology sessions causing clients to 'ration' care, health workers warn - ABC News abc.net.au/news/2023-01-2…