Comments for headspace Blog

Comment on Do we need to make ‘mental’ the new ‘retarded’? by jen bond

jen bond — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:34:30 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly that language can play a very strong part in how acceptable it becomes in society to call someone ‘mental’. Too often we use the words ‘mad’ ‘insane’ ‘loopy’ etc as part of every day language without thinking about how these labels can define and affect a person experiencing mental distress.
Someone is NOT ‘a schizophrenic’ – they are a PERSON experiencing the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Collectively we are NOT ‘the mentally ill’ we are all individual PEOPLE experiencing some level of mental distress.
Reclaiming language is the responsibility of the whole community and cheers to you Chris for making a point. I’ve written to the ABC in the past for speaking about people as ‘the mentally ill’ or ‘the disabled’. It suggests everyone can collectively be swept up into a large net and defined as one thing rather than being seen as individuals who experience a range of emotions and situations which makes each one of us unique.
We have a right and a responsibility to educate the ‘Shauna Jensens’ of this world and I for one am onto it!

Comment on Do we need to make ‘mental’ the new ‘retarded’? by Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:32:35 +0000

I’m thinking we’re getting a bit too over-sensitive. People suggesting that medication is not always the best answer are accused of stigmatising mental illness and questioning a person’s sanity when they disagree with you is as old a practice as intelligent thought. What word would you have replaced ‘mental’ with?

Comment on Breaching their duty of care by CJ

CJ — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:28:17 +0000

Personally, if they’re that intolerant, prejudiced and willing to make up information to support their claims, I’d have serious questions about their ability to work as medical professionals. They should all be suspended pending a review by the AMA for competency.

Comment on Breaching their duty of care by Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:12:16 +0000

And nowhere in the media does anybody mention that the leaders of this “group” are actually also members of Christian lobby groups. They exploit the connotations of “doctor”, even – and more abhorrently – use one’s place on the human rights board (will they sack him?), but fail to link them to hardcore political Christianity. The media has become complicit to capitalise on the outrage. The whole thing is sickening.

Comment on Breaching their duty of care by Phill Herbert

Phill Herbert — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:41:17 +0000

Well put Chris. Thankyou.

Comment on Response to Medical Observer article by Headspace

Headspace — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:25:03 +0000

Thanks for your response Anne. My concern is when straightforward ideas are sensationalised, without providing the full context, it can lead to the facts being distorted.

Comment on Response to Medical Observer article by Anne Messenger

Anne Messenger — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 06:59:09 +0000

Mr Tanti’s claim that Medical Observer’s article (26 August, 2011) was inaccurate and that it implied headspace was “condemning” the government is incorrect.
The article did not say headspace was “condemning” the government, it said headspace “criticised the federal government over its rebate cuts to GP mental health plans”.
Page four of headspace’s Senate submission states that the proposed rationalisation of the Better Access initiative will equate to a loss of 20 to 50 per cent of income across the MBS items numbers for GPs working at headspace. It then goes on to state: “Such reduction in income will act as a further disincentive for GPs to engage with the headspace model” – a clear criticism of the cuts to mental health plans.
MO did not cover all recommendations in headspace’s submission – due to space restrictions our articles can’t possibly cover every aspect of Senate submissions, so we try to focus on those most relevant to our GP readers.
Anne Messenger
Editor, Medical Observer

Comment on Youth Homelessness Matters Day by matt laclear seo

matt laclear seo — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:19:12 +0000

Thank you for a great post.

Comment on Youth Homelessness Matters Day by matt laclear

matt laclear — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:17:17 +0000

I never thought of it that way, well put!

Comment on Youth Homelessness Matters Day by matt laclear seo

matt laclear seo — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:59:48 +0000

I agree 100%