AFA supports AASW's concern over Mental Health Services

AFA delegates are aware that many Forgotten Australians (care leavers) have been accessing counselling through Medicare Registered social workers. AFA is very concerned about the loss of Medicare registered social workers for vulnerable people in the community with emerging and chronic mental illness, particularly those who have experienced and survived childhood abuse and trauma.


Forgotten Australians have gained access to counselling support through services set up in Victoria and Queensland and some access to counselling support is provided in NSW. None of the other States and Territories provide counselling support services to Forgotten Australians and the loss of Medicare registered Social Workers will be devastating to these Forgotten Australians. We are aware anecdotally, that since the National Apology to Forgotten Australians, there has been an increase in demand for access to counselling by the survivors of childhood institutionalisation in Australia. More information is available on the AASW website.