Psychologists have expressed concern over the Federal government's decision to slash subsidised visits to mental health practitioners.
In 2020, the former Morrison government temporarily increased the number of subsidised visits to a pyschologist from 10 to 20 through the Better Access Program.
Stream Sky News live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2023"The evaluation I am publishing today considered the impact of those additional 10 sessions and found they drove a very big increase in the number of services in this sector generally," Mr Butler said on Monday.
Just last week the Australian Psychological Society called on the government to make the additional sessions permanent. “This program safely gave many people telehealth or in-person psychological care for the first time in their lives, yet many patients will now have to ration or stop treatment altogether.
"The decision to remove extra mental health supports at a time when interest rates are rising, housing pressure is growing and distress is high is baffling and very concerning," she said. Professor Sam Harvey, Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute, said he hoped the changes were a step towards"meaningful and evidence-based mental health care reform".
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘New reality’: Fewer Australians are against tennis star Novak Djokovic being allowed into the countryThe number of Australians prepared to accept tennis champion Novak Djokovic playing in the Australian Open has doubled since January, but he is still supported by less than a third of people. | Anthony Galloway
Read more »
‘New reality’: Fewer Australians are against tennis star Novak Djokovic being allowed into the countryAn exclusive survey reveals more Australians are prepared to accept tennis champion Novak Djokovic playing in the Australian Open, but he is still supported by less than a third of people.
Read more »
As thousands of Australians return to 'uninsurable', destroyed homes, is there a way to protect them?Flood insurance claims since 2020 have surpassed $12.3 billion and flood victims say they can't afford to pay premiums — but what can be done about it?
Read more »
Telstra apologises for accidentally leaking the data of thousands of customers onlineTelstra apologises to thousands of Australians whose details are published online accidentally by the communications giant.
Read more »
Psychologist rebates halved for mental health patientsSubsidised visits to psychologists will be halved within weeks, with the federal government abandoning a program added at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more »
Federal government to change child abduction law to consider domestic violenceAttorney General Mark Dreyfus says the law will be amended so allegations of family and domestic violence can be considered before Australian judges issue orders for women and children to be returned to their home countries.
Read more »