When most people think of mental health they tend to think of psychologists or psychiatrists.  But what do Social Workers and Occupational Therapists do in the mental health field?  Can’t that all be covered by psychologists and psychiatrists?   Find out before the government succeeds in cutting Medicare funding for OTs and Social Workers.

I became a a teacher, an autism consultant, a lecturer, and work with families and with adults with a range of abilities and disabilities, including co-morbid psychiatric issues.  A percentage of my clients will access the services of Social Workers and Occupational Therapists because they require something more holistic, more practical than a medication review, medication or further scrutiny of their psychiatric symptoms.  They require a hands on approach which looks at their life in the context of their community, their social networks, their personhood.  Whilst we have Medicare funding for such people to see Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, such people have a far better chance at equality and an integrated place in the community.  Social Workers and Occupational Therapists are trained to think and work holistically, to see beyond the labels, the ‘pathology’.

People are not one size fits all.  Our services should reflect that.

Do add your story, add your voice.  This funding slash isn’t set in stone yet.  The decision will be reviewed in December 2010.  Write to your MP.  Contact the federal health minister, Nicola Roxon, and tell her what you think!

Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon,
1 Thomas Holmes Street
Maribyrnong Vic 3032,

ph 9317 7077.

or email her your experiences and feelings on the matter

nicola@nicolaroxonmp.com

Make your voice count.

Also 10,000 signatures is required to try and change this by December 2010. Please add yours.  Can you help get signatures from friends, fellow spectrumites, local GP practices, your community?  Here’s the petition.

Richardson House petition-1

Please print it out.

Once signed they need to all be sent to the address at the foot of the petition.

Thanks for giving a damn.

Donna Williams, BA Hons, Dip Ed.
Author, autism consultant and public speaker.
http://www.donnawilliams.net