AAPi Director Carly Dober spoke with ABC Radio Brisbane in an extended interview this week about AAPi's calls for 40 rebated sessions for survivors of sexual abuse and complex care needs.
"We're asking for the federal government to act more in alignment with what we know works best for people who are trying to work through trauma and complex trauma. And what evidence tells us is that Ten sessions is woefully inadequate, and we need about 40 sessions to actually make headway so people can manage their symptoms of trauma and have a more fulfilling and meaningful life," Carly said.
In response to a question about the 61 walk-in mental health centres announced in the recent budget, Carly said:
"Any money is good in mental health, but unfortunately that doesn't go anywhere near far enough for what is needed. The Productivity Commission stated in their report that the government needs to be funding billions into mental health, not hundreds of millions, because of how strained and how many people need support. And if you actually break the figures down, if we're talking about things like the mental health walk in clinics, I'm sure they will help people. I'm sure they'll be fantastic for many but for things like complex trauma, people will not really present because they aren't necessarily in crisis, and psychiatry and psychology won't be necessarily staffed at every single one. I don't think it's fit for purpose for trauma."
Listen to the full interview here.
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