Some falling between the gaps

Mark Riseley says people endure lockdowns that have nothing to do with the pandemic

THE pandemic has drawn attention to mental health issues concerning the depressive impact of isolation for two weeks or so, and consequent anxiety about jobs, business, finances, and uncertainty of what the future holds.

We witness much media coverage about mental health and the pandemic and are advised to stay in touch with friends and loved ones.

There is concern for the mental impact on our youth and so much talk about the economy. There has been a flurry of government actions to support people, young and old, and business through the pandemic with income payments and support lines.

In Australia we take pride in looking after our own. We have Medicare but with long wait times in the healthcare system to see a GP let alone a medical specialist.

We have aged care inadequately funded. We have the NDIS to support physically and/or mentally disabled, but it’s difficult to navigate the NDIS never mind apply for it. Yet the very people the system had been put in place for are suffering as the NDIS expects those who need it to be capable of dealing with a bureaucratic monstrosity. We help homeless and those at risk of homelessness, but often they wait years to receive adequate help.

There is generally something there to support everyone in need … except for those who don’t fit supposedly masterfully created strategies and policies to include and support all Australians.

Those who fall through the cracks are left and isolated for want of a qualifying label for help.

Those Australians, often through no fault of their own, don’t quite fit the rigid rules and requirements to access support.

They fall outside “the regular box” and struggle every day, often alone, with long-term lived experience of mental health issues that did not “tick a box” that the NDIS/NDIA deemed necessary to qualify for the assistance.

These people lack the social network and in some cases the insight to recognise their own needs.

They have nowhere to go, little to do, and are isolated and feel forgotten and have low self-worth.

They are isolated by the systems supposed to include them.

With the creation of support fixes like the NDIS/ NDIA many vulnerable people have been impacted by changes in who is eligible and is not eligible for support.

This isolation is ongoing, much, much longer than a Covid-19 lockdown isolation and is often swept aside by the community. Yet it has all the hallmarks of the same deterioration in mental and physical health. If we readily acknowledge the mental health impacts of Covid-19, why do we not acknowledge the mental health consequences of people who fall through the cracks?

There are organisations that recognise this divide in mental healthcare and go to great lengths to include people recognised as falling through a complex and unfriendly system that was supposed to catch them.

These wide-eyed organisations desperately need funding to broaden mental health care and support.

Support of those who have lived experience of mental health issues, to better include them in our community so they may be assisted to live better lives.

Providing adequate funding for desperate people caught in the gaps provides a chance for some to participate, learn, socialise, and grow their potential to contribute to the community.

What’s required is a place to go and activities supported by social workers who show care and encourage the motivation to improve ones’ capability for living.

The alternative of no support is likely much more costly in the long run.

Funding is needed to: to provide qualified staff, quality facilities, and effective activity programs.

to overcome barriers like how isolated, unsupported participants travel to programs.

to broaden the activities available. Effective activities often involve paying for third party providers at various locations, fitness instructors, even ingredients for cooking classes to encourage independence and healthier lifestyles.

to facilitate participants engaging and contributing to their own and peer growth.

Mark Riseley, who has had long-term mental health diagnoses, is a disability pensioner and participant of the Richmond Group Tasrec program.