My experience.

[Avacado]

Good afternoon to all, another newbie making a another post. First of all hats off to regular contributors, posters and the people who reply. I'm the person that comes front on with the lights on so I'll just jump straight into it, I am a survivor of sexual abuse from my teenage years, over the 20 years I've tried to resolve my issues with this, no luck yet. Each time I approached the "professionals" it's the same routine, we care, we are here to help, here swallow these pills, I've tried so many pills, my stomach can't take them anymore. Not one doctor has offered more than a band aid solution, the two mental health services refuse to even offer counselling, even after referrals from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, I am further denied physical health care, I am unlicensed and the closest bus service is 170 km away, I sit here with mental and physical issues while others in the community are treated to countless "angel flights" after they spend 7 months of the year driving a 4x4 and caravan around Australia, centrelink has been just a nightmare about things, even to the stage where their "social worker" can freely call me a lair, I'm stuck in the queensland outback, no work due to ill health, no treatment option because of financial and transport issues, no mates that can help, I've gone broke trying to get my health sorted, this year on average I've had to restrict my food to only two maybe three meals per week, repaying cash loans for trips to the hospital, I am participating in the national redress scheme, which has further raised more issues, I've been promised counselling from different organisations, but that was all it was, just a promise. After waiting for now 27 months I might give up waiting for anyone to call me back. Yet I have to watch the local mental heath care workers take on new client after new client. I don't if anyone else experiencing this at all, or maybe its just. 20 years I've tried to resolve my issues "the right way" but all I get is pushed under the rug. "get over it" is another good one. I'm crucified for saying harsh words to someone, but the same people can Rob the community organisations and steal from the people here. Maybe just me being over sensitive, not sure.

[Croix]

Dear Avacado~

You are welcome here, and I really feel sad that people like yourself slip through the cracks and don't get the treatment they need. You sound as if you have done a lot to deal with your illness and it is a great pity the authorities don't do their bit too. Frustrating and depressing, not to mention expensive.

Living as you do in an isolated area obviously your options are limited and I'd expect that you will have looked into them all, however if I make a couple of suggestions you have already thought of please bear with me.

First is telepsychiatry services, which do have a medicare rebate if you are in an eligible area. I would imagine your GP might be a starting point.

Apart from that two reputable sites that offer free self-help courses, both with a human counseling component are the Mindspot Clinic:

https://mindspot.org.au/

and Swinburne University's Mental Health Online

https://www.mentalhealthonline.org.au/

(Although I say free they do require an internet connection.)

May I ask apart from the problems with medical services do you have freinds or family to be with and lend you at least emotional support? Trying to keep going on one's own is very hard.

You are of course very welcome to see how others have managed the reactions to sexual abuse in this Forum, there are quite a few here. While everyone's life is different just talking with people that understand can be a lift.

I look forward to hearing from you again

Croix

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

[Croix]

P.S.
I see I've inadvertently pasted a link to the Blackdog Institute at the end of my post, while I did not mean to do so now that I think about it actually they do telepsychiatry services though they concentrate on depression, they might be worth getting advice about the mechanics and costs of that sort of service.
-C

[PamelaR]

Hi Avacado and warm welcome to our community

What a hard time you are having! My heart goes out to you, as I too am a survivor of child sexual abuse. It's get you doesn't it. I'm really surprised that the counselling you've received is based on medication without other support such as long term trauma therapy.

In addition to the suggestions Croix has given you, have you thought about making a complaint about the service you received from Centrelink? You can do this by going to the Commonwealth Ombudsman - have a look at their website if you're interested http://www.ombudsman.gov.au.

Also, if you need a hand or support to access mental health services in your state, contact the mental health Advocacy services for your state. Each one is different. Go to google and enter - Mental Health Advocacy Services {and add your state or territory}

Living outback and a long way from towns and cities makes it so difficult hey? I can imagine how alone you must feel at time, though, I can also imagine that because of your history you like it this way. I too love to escape and not be found by anyone. It feels safe and secure. Don't have to trust anyone.

I am also very surprised that the organisations attached to the National Redress Scheme have not contacted you. If this is the case, then I'm sure you have a right to let authorities know because it is part of the sign up deal with participating organisations for them to provide a service to legitimate survivors of institutional abuse. Each State and Territory has a responsibility for mental health services. If you do want to let people know, think about contacting the Mental Health Service Commission in your state. You can do this by doing a google search for Mental Health Service Commission {add you state or territory} and let them know about the inadequacy of the service.

You are not alone Avacado there are many survivors out there who are trying to navigate the system that was only set up in July last year.

Let us know how you get on - if you're up to it. No pressure.

Kind regards

Pamelar

[Avacado]

Cheers mate for the reply, the hassle where I am is that the closest health care is 170 kays, that's the closest town, there is a airport about 100 kays down the road which I have to use to get to doctors appointments and the such, we are serviced by the Royal Flying Doctor Service for which I have do all my voluntary work and fund raising for, them and the hay runners, a select group of people in area recieved dozens of angel flights and get told they have better things to do, I have occipital nerve damage and damage to the brain stem, broken wisdom teeth and not mention the compounding mental health issues, I'm not a real people person at the best, but in times of need I've always put that aside and helped. Now I've to get help it's frustrating at the best of times, I've tried a majority of the support groups, even put faith in the legal service "knowmore" still waiting after a long time, but they do have a huge workload, each time I seek help, the treatment I received makes me feel as if I am only attention seeking, thank you for the links mate, I'll give a couple a go I haven't yet.

[Avacado]

Thank you PamelaR, I am having a little struggle, I tried to resolve the issue with centrelink, got told I have to accept that not everyone can be helped, kinda like getting pushed into the cracks, not falling through them. I'll give the commission a crack and see what they say, I've tried to find trauma specific counselling but nothing for free without a reference from a treating doctor, I see the Royal Flying Doctor Service when they visit the town I'm in, but it's hard to get the same doctor, if your lucky you one chance a month, depending on weather and other emergency events, as a outback bloke it's hard to reach out at the of times, hence why I have turned to the good old Internet, I have waited and fought, waited and fought for nearly 20 years to get help and resolve my issues, each time I got the same run around, I'm hoping the National redress process speeds up a bit, either way I need to know because this is the last time I'm trying this way. I find it disturbing that not just myself, but so many others have the same experience,

[Avacado]

Hey Croix, I had to think a bit about the support part of your question, to be honest mate I don't have any. Just me and the fur kids mate. The two blokes out here I chat with out here aren't that supportive. I went through some hard time a few years back and avoided me like the plague. Any wonder I don't have much time for the human species, still I haven't given up on people just yet.

[Croix]

Dear Avacado~

No, you obviously have not given up on the human race. Working for Hay Runners and the RFDS are mighty things to do. Actually volunteering is good for it's own sake as I'd expect you realize. It give some purpose in getting up each day, and makes one feel worthwhile, plus contact in your case with real people. I've done a lot of that over the years.

I guess as PamelaR has said now might be a time to make a bit of noise via the Ombudsman, Health Service Advocacy, plus local member, the minister and all. Being a 'squeaky wheel' can pay off and by the sound of it things are a stalled at the moment.

The health system is very patchy and there is an awful lot that needs doing to improve matters. I don't know how you are fixed for internet, if you have the resources I'd think about contacting any organization you can find and see if you strike a response anywhere. There seem to be General MH Advocacy services and organizations such as Flourish in Qld. It may take some digging to find the right ones.

I'd also contact our own 24/7 Help line via phone or email or web-chat (see top of this page). They may have some ideas.

If you don't have a lot of personal support then I guess it is even more important you pay attention to your own needs. I do this, though my illness came about a different way, and have something to look forward to each day. For me that's reading, watching a movie or going for a walk. Not exciting but suits me. Are there things you enjoy?

It looks like from what both PamelaR and I are saying that a lot of the problems fall on your shoulders as other paths are not working. It's not fair and places an undue load on you, but at least give you a way to try. If you do not personally reap a lot of benefit it may well be others will, like those the RFDS get to help thanks to your work.

Hang in there and keep talking

Croix

[Avacado]

Cheers Croix, Im a v for voluntary kinda person, where I live the RFDS is a priceless lifeline, same as the hay runners, during summer thing go pretty stagnant around here because of the 50c temps, I've been trying the sqeeky wheel thing and maybe I should be a bit louder, I just feel guilty. I suppose I just have to be a bit selfish of sorts to try and get some help, it took a few years of campaigning to get funding for mental health through the RFDS. I've backed the local member on a few of her campaigns so maybe I can call on her for help this time, the two mental health services in the area aren't keen to connect, one is 170 kays and the other 350ish. I've always been fiercely independent and feel guilty for asking for help. It's not just the mental health issue but physical health issues are making things even more difficult, I can't work at all, the one thing i could always rely on is that I could lift heavy things, that's why opal mining is so very suited to me. I don't like being around too many people at once, so having no licence and a dislike for human interaction makes this place perfect until these issues came to light. I am participating in the National redress scheme so that is one thing, my voluntary work and my dogs is why I get up each day. I'm not jumping up and down for the attention, trust me the less attention the better, but I do need help and the squeeky wheel route might be the best, I am just concerned of them pulling the Fixated Person deal, the did it two people I know so far, one kinda was asking for it, but neither deserved the treatment.

[Croix]

Dear Avacado~

Everyone is entitled to the help they need, and modesty is fine in it's place, however where health is concerned if you need treatment you should get it. If the system breaks down - as it has for you, then you can bet you are not the only one, and the system is breaking down for others in similar situations too. If you have a win they have a win.

A 'Fixated Person' is someone who comes to notice as a threat. The Qld police have a special department to deal with them. Normally the threat is to public officials and similar. Their is no way you fall into that category. You simply have a problem with lack of services and are voicing your concern - which is very legitimate.

Would it be fair to say that those in the RFDS could vouch for you -and confirm the lack of services?

One of the reasons I suggested Flourish and other Community Mental Health organizations is because your problem is not isolated and they may either be able to help directly or campaign for reform. They may also act as a buffer -like Advocacy Services do - between you and officials.

Opal mining sounds a hard life, even when one is fit. Do you have any hobbies or interests?

Croix