Mental health move not a good Christmas gift

Sometimes you wonder what would happen if Tassie ever lost an organisation like the St Vincent de Paul Society. The organisation has been around in Australia now for more than 160 years providing support for those less fortunate and in need.

The recent cost of living and housing crisis has meant the organisation has had to deal with a lot more people this year and with Christmas approaching that need grows again. On Tuesday volunteers for the organisation packaged up more than 500 Christmas hampers to distribute across Hobart and southern Tasmania.

Vinnies’ youth and community services manager Simon Terhell says Christmas is an anxious time for people living with cost of living pressures.

“We put together a Christmas hamper for each of our families along with a present for each of their children, just to try and make sure that everyone has the Christmas that they deserve and we hope they can have.”

And while Vinnies are doing all they can to help people at Christmas it seems the Albanese Federal Labor government is making it harder for those who are struggling.

The government’s move to slash Medicare-subsidised psychologist appointments has been widely condemned with many in the community saying it will hurt people most in need.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced on Monday that the number of rebated psychology sessions an individual could access would be halved as of January 1 next year.

That’s despite the fact a University of Melbourne report into the Better Access scheme, commissioned by the government, recommended that the supported sessions be retained and targeted at people with complex mental health needs.

It’s a bitter blow for people with mental health conditions, especially at a time when the cost of living is hitting hard.

And might be an alarm for the good people at Vinnies to get ready for even more people needing help.