Mental health versus profits

[Warney1967]

I sent an email to the mental health complaints commissioner last week when I was having a rough patch , that day I was supposed to see my psychologist and really needed his advice and guidance to not fall back into the hell hole ive been in for years . My issue was I’d used up my (10) visits via mental health plan and I can’t afford to pay to see him because I’m not working which is a major part of this whole saga , he said to me basically it’s pay or I’ll see you in January when you get another 10 , this isn’t helpful in the slightest when the problem is now ! Now it took me a while to find this guy who I click with therefore I don’t want to just go to some free clinic and spill my guts all over again when he knows the full story already . Back to my email , the response via a phone call was most underwhelming and disappointing yet not surprising , they said more or less there’s nothing can be done and you’re own your own to sort it out . Now this response is to me like years ago dealing with the stigma of mental heath you just hide or give up and deal with your personal hell alone because no one cares , the people who are supposed to be there for you “psychologists “ etc are really no better than the government putting profit and money ahead of mental health when help is desperately needed . It’s a vicious circle when you can’t work , need to work to make money to see help , need help to be able to work , but I feel like I’ve just been discarded because moneys more important than me and how I’m feeling . I’m sure I’m not alone in this circumstance and would like to hear others thoughts on this , regards greg

[Guest8901]

Hi Greg,

I'm really sorry you are going through this. Certainly not helpful when we are doing our best just to get through each day.

I was in a similar situation a couple of months ago when I had used up my full 10 medicare funded psych sessions. I've been seeing a clinical psychologist all year, and the sessions were quickly eaten up when I was seeing her weekly at times.

I was able to access additional sessions through a GP Chronic Condition Care Plan which allows up to 5 sessions for chronic health conditions (incl mental health). This includes psychological services. Unfortunately it only covers about $55 per session, so I was left with a bigger gap than usual. But it did enable me to continue to see my psych.

Once that was also all used up I spoke to my psych and she said that its not about the money, its about patient care. In order for me to be able to continue to see her through to the new year, she offered me much reduced rates. I was very grateful because I had lapsed into panic mode thinking I would be without psychological support for up to 3 months. So I can understand and sympathise with how you are feeling now. I am lucky that my psych is the principal of her own psych practice, and can basically do as she chooses I suppose. But the relief I felt when she made that offer, was pretty intense. Although I spaced my apts out to a longer time frame, I have at least been able to continue to see her.

I dont know if you would be in a position to ask if they could offer sessions at a reduced rate for you? I know you would still need to pay something for the service, as I have done. But to be out of pocket is better than being out of a life. If you havent already asked, then it could be worth asking. I agree it would be counter productive to start seeing someone else at a free clinic.

It sounds like this current psych is worth waiting for, but the issue is the pitifully small number of medicare funded sessions we are able to access. It simply is not enough for anyone with ongoing or complex mental health issues. No .. you're right ... you are not alone in feeling this way.

Amanda

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi Warney1967,

Its great you are posting on the beyondblue forums with your frustrations about the mental health system. I definitely know you are not alone as have heard the frustration from people who have run out of psychological sessions and end up at their GP or the emergency department in dire straights trying to get support.

The system is going through quite a few changes and it might be worthwhile to find out if there is other funding available in your local area. In some areas across Australia there are free psychological sessions available based on specific criteria. Your GP should have this information and it might be worth asking if there is any other financial support or funding available. As Amanda mentioned above, you can discuss you predicament with your psychologist where they may be able to make a specific arrangement of reducing fees or even bulk billing your session.

Another alternative could be that you utilize a free service until the end of the year and set up a plan collaboratively with your psychologist so that you have things in place for the gap from now until you can gain your next ten sessions.

I am optimistic that one day in the not so far away future that people will be able to access mental health support that is not limiting. Like a person requiring chemotherapy treatment or a pregnant person needing midwifery support when having a baby- these services are free and given to people as needed based on their individual experience. I believe this would be a much better system for psychological support as many people are granted their ten sessions and use only a few and others like yourself and Amanda need more than ten.

If your in the right location, there is also a free service called NewAccess that is developed by beyondblue that supports people with low mood and worry but is only available in some areas of Australia.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess/where-are-your-access-coaches-located

I do hope that you find a way to keep seeing your current psychologist. We are in a mental

health system that has limitations and is not entirely person centred yet but it is going through major reform. Hopefully your GP has some other strategies that might be available in your area or your work out a plan for the remainder of the year. Don’t hesitate to use the beyondblue support line on 1300 22 4636 if things get tough.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

[MsPurple]

Hi Greg (warney) and welcome to the forums

I myself am also in the same predicament. Like Amanda I got a chronic disease plan which will help give me some money back still. I don't see someone that bulk bills so I can only afford to see them 10 times a year. But I decided that I'll use some of my public holiday money to see them one more time with the chronic disease plan and will have to pay more out of pocket. But I won't be doing it again.

I also got refered to a bulk billing psychiatrist recently. They can also do some CBT as well. They don't always have to prescribe medication (he talked to me saying some conditions respond better to therapy and some drug therapy, but both). Maybe you could ask your GP to refer you to a bulk billing psychiatrist

Unfortunately without the mental health plan a psychologist can not see you for free. They only get funding from medicare with this plan. If it has run out of the year they would not get paid anything (if they bulk bill). I am frustrated by it to but they can't work for free. They have a family to feed their family and bills to pay as well. I agree it sucks. But I wouldn't personally blame your therapist. Some can afford to reduce their fees for a short period of time, some can't. If you see one that bulk bills they would charge the same amount that medicare would give them (some maybe slightly less). Unfortunatley if they do it for all their clients then they wouldn't make a living wage. People wouldn't space out their appointments if this was the case.

I hope that one day the government allows more medicare rebated sessions under the mental health care plan. I know it is frustrating and emotionally difficult. But it is something you need to try not blame your therapist for. Not hold a grudge about it. A lot of the time the clinic they work from has a strict policy on how much/little they can charge.

Hope this helps. I think Nurse Jenn and Amanda hit the nail on the head but I just wanted to add that

[Over1t]

A few years ago I was in a terrible place due to my mental health, I saw my GP and was referred to Psychiatrist as my GP said the 10 sessions with a psychologist wouldn't be enough and I needed more help.

My Psychiatrist then referred me to inpatient (day patient) Psychological treatment. I got Psychological treatment twice a week for 18 months.

When I was at my worst I also had mental health nurses/ occ therapists come to my home each day to check on me.

Ultimately I ended up in hospital, but now, life is really good.

There is lot of support out there, it might be worth touching base with your GP to see what other options are available.

Good luck!