How Can I Help?

As I sit and listen to the latest press conference from the Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison is dedicating $1.1 billion to the health services industry of Australia. It has been the announcement I have been waiting for. There are various reasons I have been craving to hear this announcement, both personal and professional as I hear that ten years of policy has been squashed into ten days, a brave, yet necessary and challenging decision.

As we dip our toe into these brave new waters, preparing to dive headfirst into what can be the new world order in health services. I respectfully request a way we can utilise the necessary language to remove the stigma of previously associated with Mental Health and the interruption to access this created. I am focused on providing assistance and solutions regarding oft; stigmatising terminology. I propose we use #otherwordz holistic health services. I was extremely impressed with how you spoke this morning Ms Christine Morgan who this request hopefully reaches.

WHOLISTIC HEALTH

Wholistic health comes from the understanding that we are one living organism that cannot detach their brain from their body. While there have been advances in opening the mental health conversation through the creation of a peer, lived experience workforce. However, sadly the stigma of "Suffering from Mental Health" remains. I am open to any alternative language that can remove the stigma and separation of the current model physical and mental health with the view of an all-encompassing terminology.

I have come to this opinion as a result of my Lived Experience, formal education Diploma Of Community Services and Graduate Certificate in Gestalt Therapy plus my the last eight years of employment in the Community Services Sector. I believe that campaigns such as RUOK Day, plus advocates like Joe Williams, Katherine Houareau and Joel Thompson and organisations like Mates in Construction we can weave and embed a new language into the Health Services Industry.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING SUPPORT PACKAGE

With the announcement of the $1.1 billion support package, I am concerned that the vast majority of support is going to wealthy extensive faith-based services who have access to large charitable donations, who are already experiencing overwhelming demand on their services. Why are we giving more money too already overworked and overwhelmed organisations that are unable to provide the necessary support when the country is not in crisis.

Psychologists and Psychiatrists both prescribing practitioners whose foundational practise is tied up with #bigpharma to provide band-aid solutions over talk therapy solutions. I am not opposed to medication or being prescribed medication. What I am advocating for is, increased support and acknowledgement that what we are going through and its resulting emotional impact can be supported through the framework of safe and validating language via talk therapies.

It has been obvious too when watching the emotional toll; this is having on the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. To whom I respectfully say, please let's not create another epidemic—an epidemic of prescription focused chemical solutions. I encourage in these times of uncertainty, to foster the ability of openly being able to share our feelings and emotions to be validated connecting us to humaneness.

How can I help?

So now, back to my original question.

How I have decided to help is by greeting people with this question—listening to their needs hearing their requests and validating how they feel—playing to my education and vocation strengths. I have offered my counselling services at a pay what you can afford rate.

How can I help? is a question only you will need to answer yourself. Think of the skills you have that can provide benefit in this current climate. However, I believe if we enter all conversations with the lens of how can I help, it is hopefully of benefit by providing the support required for each other while during the #COVID19 epidemic. This attitude could be a beneficial, long-lasting outcome of our current global crisis.

If you don't feel like you have any skills of benefit for the most incredible support we all can offer is to our valuable time to sit, connect and listen.