- The Guardian
- Issue #2039
Image: The People Speak! flickr.com (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Results from the SANE Bridging the Gaps Survey shows the Federal government must listen to people who live with complex mental illness.
A new survey of 1,000 people affected by persistent and severe mental illness and trauma gives a shameful snapshot of a system that fails to be affordable, accessible, or adequate.
The survey was conducted by SANE, the national organisation representing Australians affected by complex mental health issues. SANE shared these findings at a Federal government forum on mental health access and equity last week.
Respondents revealed that growing gap payments for psychological and psychiatric services, and a complex National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) pathway, have resulted in a shocking number of people not receiving any form of mental health support.
The majority of respondents were living with three or more diagnoses, yet many were struggling to access basic mental health care through an overburdened public system.
The revelation that 23 per cent have been turned away from services because their needs are too complex reinforces recent data showing increases in mental health presentations at already crowded hospital emergency departments.
SANE CEO, Rachel Green said those affected have been forgotten and it’s time for initiatives like Better Access to be driven by those with lived experience rather than mental health providers and policymakers.
“The Better Access initiative has always been a blunt tool to provide universal care for the majority and hasn’t adequately supported those with complex mental health needs,” Green noted.
“This SANE Bridging the Gaps Survey demonstrates that addressing wait lists and excessive gap payments is one element in the need for a system overhaul and a Federal government commitment to support those with complex and ongoing needs.”
Key findings
- 11 per cent are not receiving any form of mental health support because they cannot afford it.
- 40 per cent of respondents are NOT accessing any psychological care and more than 50 per cent said they needed MORE access to psychology.
- 63 per cent have three or more diagnosed mental health conditions that require more than one mental health professional but 34 per cent have access to only one.
- 23 per cent have been turned away from services because their needs are too complex.
- 85 per cent are not receiving NDIS services.
- One in three psychologists have closed their books to new patients and the median gap co-payment for psychological care has increased to $90 per session.
“The current single-lane system is unaffordable and inaccessible for those who need it most and would have the greatest benefit, according to the government’s own recently released evaluation,” said Green.
“The current ‘one-size-fits-none’ Better Access scheme must evolve to incorporate a pathway for greater and more multidisciplinary support for those with complex mental health issues, trauma and associated disadvantage.
“We need better options, where access to support meets need and provides opportunities for comprehensive early intervention and continuity of support – rather than being skewed towards those with the ability to pay.”
More than a million Australians are affected by complex mental health, which includes but is not limited to, major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders.
SANE is the leading national mental health organisation for people with persistent, recurring or complex mental health issues and trauma. It provides a range of free digital and telehealth services to support them and their families. Led by the voices of its community, SANE drives change to improve the lives of those living with complex mental health and end stigma and discrimination.
