By Dominique Tassell
Growing up in Brisbane, there was always a bulk-billed clinic just a short walk away. That stark distance between the city and this region has, for me, been one of the things that has shocked me most about moving out to the Southern Downs.
I strongly believe that everyone should have access to good, affordable, health care. And that includes mental health care.
Mental health was brought up in the recent Council meeting, which was coincidently (or maybe not so coincidentally) held during Mental Health Week.
We have a significant problem with the lack of access to mental health services in our region.
Councillor Jo McNally made a great point when she stated that many locals might not want to go to their GP for a referral, and would rather go straight to the source. The problem is this bypasses the mental health plan many of us would need to be able to afford mental health care.
This region has gone through a lot; drought, fire, Covid-19, and border closures. And I’m horrified by our lack of access to help.
Council, the State Government, the Federal Government; they all seem to want to point the finger at each other.
“No, it’s their responsibility!”
Queensland Health’s response to my enquiry for our mental health article this week had me rolling my eyes.
In my opinion, we don’t need mental health training sessions. We need more professionals.
Who are ideally already trained, and that training lasted more than a day.
Locals don’t need “10 minutes with a master”; they need access to a mental health practitioner.
I do not care where the money comes from or what level of government, but currently it seems like the wellbeing of people in our region is being passed around like a football.
It’s not good enough.
-Mini Tassell
