Topic Tuesday // Let’s talk about systemic change: The Victorian Royal Commission // Tues 17th August, 7:00-8.30PM AEST

[Former-Member]

Hi @complex thanks for joining us this evening.
This is an issue that many folks have been interested in, and we've certainly heard about how rough this can be. The Royal Commission recommended a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act for Victoria. This new Act would include an aim to eliminate the use of restrictive practices within 10 years, and to ensure that compulsory treatment and restrictive practices are only used as a last resort. 

You can read about the new Act here. 

While consultations on the Act have now closed, if you have questions about the new Act, please feel free to reach out to the address below: 

mhwa@health.vic.gov.au

Thanks for raising this important issue. 

[Daisydreamer]

Hi @Kermit and glad you could join us today 🙂 

The private mental health sector is a big part of the mental health system we have today. It is a really good point you raised about accessibility of private health, not everyone can access it. It sounds like this has been a big part of your journey, and I am glad to hear  

You are more than welcome to ask any questions you might have too!

[chibam]

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@BigFeelsClub wrote:

It was a strange process. At first, I wanted nothing to do with it! I was terrified they were going to stuff it up.

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This question actually flows on from another thread I was in this afternoon.

@BigFeelsClub, what are your feelings on the integrity of the royal inquiry process, given that the entire inquiry was designed by a big-name therapist/"mental health expert", as opposed to someone with no ties to the system, whatseoever?

Are you concerned that this influence may have biased the investigation process?

If you are confidant that the process had integrity, despite the mental health system/mental health doctrine influence over it all, what is it that gives you confidance in the process and the fairness/accuracy of the results?

[Shaz51]

Be back soon @Daisydreamer , @BigFeelsClub , @cloudcore 

Still here though 😀👍

[Daisydreamer]

Sure thing @Shaz51 🙂

[Kermit]

The other question I have about accessibility is are there any changes to improve access to mental health services in regional areas?

[Daisydreamer]

We are all holding hope with you there @frog

[Former-Member]

Hey @chibam thanks for this - I've heard many people ask about these definitions. 

Here's a direct copy+paste of how the Royal Commission describes wellbeing supports:

Box 6.1: Wellbeing supports (see p. 294 of volume 1 of the report)

"As part of the shift to a more balanced system, the Commission has chosen to use the word ‘wellbeing’ in place of the word ‘psychosocial’. This is because the term ‘psychosocial’ is highly technical, with limited meaning in plain English. It is also heavily associated with the disability-based language of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Instead, the Commission uses the term ‘wellbeing supports’ rather than ‘psychosocial supports’. The Commission envisages ‘wellbeing supports’ encompassing a broad range of supports that build community connection and social wellbeing, as well as practical life assistance."

[Mex]

Hi Graham, a lot of what you talked about in big feels is about how to deal with specific thoughts and feelings. How does this relate to the bigger picture of a huge system where people can lose their way easily depending on the help they get?

[Daisydreamer]

Question 2 @BigFeelsClub @Former-Member: What are you most excited by in the recommendations?