A friend on the autism spectrum who deals with mental health issues asked me if I’ve ever suffered the Mental Health system myself.  It was a great question and really the answer depends on what the contrast is.

I was diagnosed in a 3 day hospital observation at the age of 2 as psychotic. In 1965 that would have been a social death knell.  The abuse, degredation, being hidden, paraded etc, the sense I was only temporary and ultimately pegged for an institution… was that suffering due to the mental health system?

7 yrs of the primary school having me observed by Psych and Guidance, studied, evading, being labeled disturbed for my inability to comply, participate, communicate with all the associated 2nd class citizenship that entails in a mainstream.  The teachers going through the motions at best, mostly left alone or stood out in the corridor, later stood in the rubbish bin by the teacher who threw chalk at me to the amusement of the students… is that due to the mental health system? Read the rest of this entry »

Hot off the press…..

Greens candidate for Brand, Dawn Jecks and Greens health spokesperson, Rachel Siewert have urged the Government to reconsider a decision to cut funding for social workers and occupational therapists from a major mental health program. Senator Siewert said the removal of more than one thousand social workers from the Better Access program was an example of government’s “inadequate” response to growing demands on mental health services.

“Front line mental health social workers are absolutely critical to an effective approach to mental health care. Many people will be unable to receive Medicare-funded assistance from mental health social workers if these cuts go ahead.” The Better Access program will lose the funding for 1100 social workers in April next year if the funding cuts go ahead.  The Greens opposed these changes when they were announced and we continue to oppose the Federal Government’s plan.

“If social workers and occupation therapists are removed from the Better Access program – the consequences for people who need mental health care will be dramatic,” said Senator Siewert. The Federal Department of Health and Ageing is currently reviewing the program but, despite the review not being finalised, the Government has already made the decision to axe social workers from the program.

Ms Jecks said she was “deeply troubled” by the decision. “Social workers and occupational therapists are essential to a comprehensive approach to mental health,” she said. “Mental health is a matter of national importance requiring the creation of a new position in cabinet – a dedicated Minister for Mental Health”. Read the rest of this entry »

With the federal governments intended cuts to Medicare funding for Social Workers and Occupational Therapists under mental health plans I thought I’d interview a Psychiatric Social Worker and get the scoop on what these folks actually do and how is it different to what a Psychologist or Psychiatrist might offer.  I interviewed Roxahn Thomas, MA, BSW, BA, MHSW
Here’s our interview. Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday me and The Aspinauts were performing at Autism Victoria‘s Expo.  It was in a huge swoosh venue, Ridges on Bell, in not so swoosh Preston where I’m from.  I was a guest speaker on the day and the band was to perform during cocktail hour.  Well, I set up a table, books, cds, DVDs, art prints, all of that, and did some book signing, sold some stock, got people to sign a petition lobbying our short sighted government to reverse their funding cuts for OTs and Social Workers under Mental Health.  All was rather ticketty boo really.  Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

Mental Illness can be a chicken or the egg question when it comes to those on the fringes of society; those homeless and itinerant, from broken, dysfunctional or damaging homes who survive without family support, those cut off from community, from their cultures, those living with disabilities.  If these people develop mental illness there’s the assumption that a psychiatrist or psychologist is their next stop.  But that presumed the mental illness is the cause not the symptom.  Read the rest of this entry »

On May 21st, for one night only Donna Williams and The Aspinauts will perform the rock musical Footsteps of a Nobody 7-8pm, followed by an interactive question-answer forum with the audience, Walking In Autistic Shoes, from 8-8.30pm at the Wendouree Centre For Performing Arts.  Proudly sponsored by Ballarat Autism Network as part of World Autism Awareness Month.  Read the rest of this entry »

Today I went to the Rime Institute in Tecoma.  It’s a marvelous house in suburbia transformed into a Buddhist centre practicing Tibetan Buddhism.  If you’ve ever wanted to try out various forms of meditation or learn more about Buddhist spirituality of philosophy this is such a gentle, low key place with a lovely vibe.

Wondering how to stop thinking, doing, judging and learn how to be, or how to strengthen the ability to be to the point it doesn’t cause boredom, agitation or withdrawal symptoms from Facebook or Nintendo?  Then I recommend this place.

It’s donation basis is highly affordable.  You can attend sessions on an ad-hoc basis and see if its for you.  The Buddhists at the centre are real people, earthy, warm, approachable with none of that floating on clouds false ‘new agey’ thing.  Tibetan Buddhism is steeped in rich history thousands of years old.  This is real, tangible spirituality at your own pace (note, I said spirituality, not religion) and, no, you don’t have to be a vegetarian nor religious to try it out.  Even if you just go along for a new cultural experience, it’s a great atmosphere and as close as you’ll get to the feel of a Buddhist temple in the foothills of Dandenong Ranges (it’s also walking distance from Tecoma station if you want to leave the car at home).

In 2008 The Aspinauts and I were gathered in a living room improvising with me doing beat poetry as the guys jammed on guitars, drums, keyboards.  It became an anti war protest song, Ladies and Gentlemen.  Luckily, someone hit the record button so when Paul joined us as drummer in 2009 we began to rehearse the song.  It became a powerful, almost Floydian stand out piece of sound art and made it onto the debut album, Broken Biscuit in 2010.

Here’s the video clip made by Oz Thomas, a colorful human and a wonderful poet in his own right.

We’ve always considered Donna and The Aspinauts to be diversity friendly but what does it mean to be a disability friendly band?  Is it about having people with disabilities in the band?  Is it about making it easy for those with disabilities to attend your gigs and shows?  Is it about having a natural sense of equality with and respect for those with disabilities?  Is it about having a strong presence in the wider disability community?  Read the rest of this entry »