Farming is the New Black

It shouldn't be as difficult as it is to convince Australians how important farmers are to their everyday life ... but alas, it is.  So we must do whatever we can to help people develop greater awareness of where food and fibre come from and what it takes to produce it.  "Farming is the New Black" is my campaign to bring the 'sexy' back to Australian Agriculture:

Join my campaign on Facebook: Farming is the New Black

Follow on Twitter: @BringingSexy

'Better Access' to Psychological Services Campaign

The federal government is planning to slash mental health services in the Better Access program. In this scheme, those who receive a GP referral to receive psychological treatment for a mental health disorder will now only be able to access 10 appointments. Evidence from psychological research shows that 16 to 20 sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy and interpersonal therapy are often required for lasting improvement. The Australian government funded a review of the research which also recommended up to 20 sessions for common psychological conditions. A large-scale review of the program by the government found the Better Access program delivered cost-effective treatment options. The planned cuts down to 6 sessions with a further 4 pending re-approval from a GP, fly in the face of all of the scientific research and basic minimum treatment guidelines in the field.

These changes will stop people from accessing a psychological care at the half-way mark. Therapists are expected to select evidence-based treatments, but will only be able to do half of the job. This would be like seeing a GP and only being given half a dose of antibiotics. Addressing the gaps in our health system must not come at the cost of programs in mental health care that have been shown to be effective.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

To learn more visit the Better Access website: http://betteraccess.net/


 

Things I Wonder

When I was growing up I was taught not to point my finger at people because it’s rude and because when you do, there’s always three fingers pointing back at yourself.  I’m acutely aware that no one is perfect (least of all myself) and therefore have been astonished this past year to see how much “finger pointing” there is in Australia towards farmers & rural communities.