'Cults in Australia' - CIFS 2011 Conference | Nick Xenophon & Patrick McGorry

From Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS) 2011 Conference, held in Parliament House, Canberra on 2nd of November.

Presentation by Nick Xenophon (Senator, Independent), and Patrick McGorry (mental health expert, Australian of the year)

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• CIFS
• canberra
• conference
• cults
• australia
• forum
• sects
• cult-busting
• parliament house
• Parliament House
• Canberra

[AlisonFairleigh]

Truly extraordinary the lengths to which Pat McGorry will go to try and discredit the Better Access to Pyschological Services Initiative so that his non-evidence-based programs can benefit from obtaining a lion's share of Government funding. Conflict of interest much! For a more balanced view of the program, visit the Alliance for Better Access website.

[foundtobenonexistent]

What a disturbingly inappropriate presentation for this conference. Who are these so called cult member critics of mental health reform who have big PR behind them? Critics of the reforms to Better Access include reputable organisations such as the AMA and the APS. Critics of EPPIC include Head of Psychiatry at St Vincent's Hospital, Professor David Castle, and Dr Allen Frances who was part of the DSM-IV task force. Hardly cult members, and none with PR that even begins to match McGorry's.

[foundtobenonexistent]

@emerxian Thanks for bringing that up. Although I actually think it was me who deleted it by accident, not that it was removed by anyone else! I wasn't sure how to put it back.

[emerxian]

@foundtobenonexistent I'm wondering why your comment was removed. I don't think you've said anything that can't be substantiated. If Dr McGorry can criticise the evidence based for BA I can't see why you can't. Horses for courses:You said: "And I might add they are all calling for evidence-based reform, unlike what is implied here, with criticisms based on the fact that EPPIC and headspace have very little evidence to back them, whereas Better Access (in it's previous form) does."

[NewPathsPsychology]

"I don't want to see poorly motivated campaigns derailing that" (his visions of the "enlightened future" that he sees coming by implementing his ideas) . "Enlightenment"??? Didn't know he was into New Age stuff. That's supposedly only because he wishes that HIS idea lead to enlightenment.

Btw this (14:10) is truly disrespectful of people at the coal face criticising his self centred approach

[NewPathsPsychology]

McGorry's statements are unbelievable-saying that

"standard" Better Access really not gonna cut it. "We have a lot of work to do to upgrade our knowledge and skills" Notwithstanding McGorry's disdain the success of Better Access program cannot be praised enough. You need to know that people with depression usually do not ask for help. That means, the costs blew out DESPITE of this. I am wondering how the demand would be, if people would proactively ask for help! Incredible!