This report on the ABC News this morning is important.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-11/reachout-ceo-jonathan-nicholas-speaks-with-abc-news-breakfast/5311636
I would like to point out that although the best of intentions are being discussed her, that Jonathan Nicholas has a huge bias in his presentation. he is selling/ lobbying the government to spend not insignificant amounts of money on his early intervention program.
Where is the evidence that the things Reaachout offers has any validity in treating depression?
Is this just delaying people from seeking treatment when they detect problems early but are deflected by the concept that they can just pull up their socks and fix the problems themselves, not annoying specialist services like doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists, as he says? This means maybe another six months wait before again seeking help, by which stage the person is much more ill and suffering loss of friends, physical health, work, study and maybe becoming suicidal.
Where is the research that says that people are minimally ill by the time they seek first point of contact. What is the qualifications and abilities of Reachout staff? Is their agenda to stop people seeking medical care?
He specifically targeted intervention with children. he has specialist qualifications, as does his staff, for working with children? Is it possible that Reachout assumes that children are just small adults and the same things apply? What about notification of the parents of children and young people when they discuss their depression and suicidal thoughts? What are the confidentiality statements?
I have no doubt that Jonathan Nicholas and many other agencies and organisations that look on in horror at the lack of services for mental health, have the best intentions. I just ask that we stop accepting all the feel good stuff and look seriously at how we help, prevent, triage, resource the area and make responsible decisions that will not make things worse.
First- do no harm!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-11/reachout-ceo-jonathan-nicholas-speaks-with-abc-news-breakfast/5311636
I would like to point out that although the best of intentions are being discussed her, that Jonathan Nicholas has a huge bias in his presentation. he is selling/ lobbying the government to spend not insignificant amounts of money on his early intervention program.
Where is the evidence that the things Reaachout offers has any validity in treating depression?
Is this just delaying people from seeking treatment when they detect problems early but are deflected by the concept that they can just pull up their socks and fix the problems themselves, not annoying specialist services like doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists, as he says? This means maybe another six months wait before again seeking help, by which stage the person is much more ill and suffering loss of friends, physical health, work, study and maybe becoming suicidal.
Where is the research that says that people are minimally ill by the time they seek first point of contact. What is the qualifications and abilities of Reachout staff? Is their agenda to stop people seeking medical care?
He specifically targeted intervention with children. he has specialist qualifications, as does his staff, for working with children? Is it possible that Reachout assumes that children are just small adults and the same things apply? What about notification of the parents of children and young people when they discuss their depression and suicidal thoughts? What are the confidentiality statements?
I have no doubt that Jonathan Nicholas and many other agencies and organisations that look on in horror at the lack of services for mental health, have the best intentions. I just ask that we stop accepting all the feel good stuff and look seriously at how we help, prevent, triage, resource the area and make responsible decisions that will not make things worse.
First- do no harm!
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