More too little, too late

I felt alone out there, like I was on a desert island. I felt like Gilligan. -- Mickey Rivers

The Australian Psychologist Society has finally issued an official press release -- seen only on their website -- about the crisis in mental health. It took a month of stories about the number of men suiciding, and numerous complaints about their sexist, discriminatory press releases, but here is an excerpt:

“Anyone who has tried to get an appointment with a public sector psychologist, no matter how urgent their need, can tell you how sparse state psychological services are. Public services have adopted a policy of believing that effective psychotherapy can be delivered by any health professional, regardless of how little relevant training they have had.”

No kidding. It's long past time. Now, what will they really do about it?
For one thing, that last line -- my emphasis -- is a weak attempt to support the inept program that trains GPs to do "extended sessions" after a short seminar (CBT seminars, see below) on mental illness. An irresponsibly unprofessional attempt to make psychiatrists out of GPs in a couple of weeks.

In plain english, the policy of public services is just lazy. It shows a greater concern for being cheap rather than effective.
For one thing, most GPs who have attended those seminars don't do extended sessions. Maybe we'll see a press release from the APS giving the reason sometime?

“Depression is recognised as one of our most serious and growing mental health problems, with an associated high risk of suicide. The research showing that Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is as effective for treating depression as antidepressant drugs involved 10 to 20 one-hour consultations with a specialist-trained cognitive behavioural therapist, usually a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. It is dangerously misleading to suggest any other health professional, with only brief training, can deliver CBT either effectively or safely.”

Well, any sane -- or even insane -- person will agree with the idea that CBT seminars are misleading. Just how many GPs were run through those seminars, Ms Grant?
Is the APS going to claim now that they didn't encourage GPs to do extended sessions now?
Talk about chasing the tail with the dog!

One thing that is still missing from all these press releases is any acknowledgment of the sexism and discrimination in the industry, and in the supporting social services. Or any mention of how it affects men, despite the dramatic ratio of male suicides (-- 5 times as many men commit suicide in Australia than women.)
I wonder when APS will address that issue? And if they'll link it to the present crisis level of inadequate services?
Nah, that'd be too responsible and professional.