WE ARE GOOD TO GO –
HELP US TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IN CRISIS
THE AIM OF OUR CAMPAIGN:
Expand the definition of Mental Health Practitioner in the 2014 Victorian Mental Health Act to include ‘Professional Arts Therapist’.
Mobilise a workforce of highly skilled and experienced professionals to help with the demands on the Mental Health sector during this time of crisis and beyond, in the recovery period.
****Here’s a tip: read this article to the end and you will be treated to a very special cameo performance by Brodie Caporn, well-known Melbourne musician and Professional Arts Therapist in training!****
Pearl Taylor, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner, explains why the current campaign to have Arts Therapists recognised as Mental Health Practitioners and working in schools is so important for the well-being of Australian young people.
Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/arts-therapist-mental-health-practitioner
Engaging the expertise of Mental Health workers is more crucial than ever in responding to the challenges facing Victorians due to COVID 19.
The new initiative placing Mental Health Practitioners in all Victorian schools reflects this need. The Victorian State Government’s Mental Health Practitioners in Schools Initiative Information for Schools FAQ sheet states “there are known workforce supply shortages in the mental health sector”.
There is an untapped workforce of trained Mental Health Practitioners who are ready and willing to participate in supporting the community – Arts Therapists. Professional Arts Therapists are trained to Master’s level and are members of the peak body ANZACATA.
Dr Alisoun Neville, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner highlights how arts therapy is an adaptable approach that makes mental health care a personalised experience, with an emphasis on individual choice and agency as major factors in supporting mental health and well-being.
Sign and share the petition here: https://www.change.org/arts-therapist-mental-health-practitioner
The definition of Mental Health Practitioner in the 2014 Victorian Mental Health Act does not mention our profession and we are currently unable to help fill important roles such as the new Mental Health Practitioner in Schools positions being rolled out throughout Victoria because of this outdated legislation that no longer reflects the reality and the need.
Arts Therapists are especially well equipped to engage with children and young people because of the range of creative modalities we use in our therapeutic approach. We work through embodied processes, play and non-verbal modalities. Arts therapy has a solid evidence base that is growing. Whether you want science, stories, or songs, the evidence backs our experiential, person centred, trauma informed and holistic approaches.
In this video, Gayle King, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner, describes how and why Arts Therapy is especially relevant in a school setting working with young people who have experienced trauma.
Arts Therapists already work effectively in many schools as part of well-being teams, community mental health services, hospitals and headspace centres in multi-disciplinary clinical teams.
In this video, Lee Agius, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner, shares how she has worked in multi-disciplinary teams as a Mental Health Practitioner with MIND Australia in Melbourne.
Sign and share the Art Therapist = Mental Health Practitioner petition here: https://www.change.org/arts-therapist-mental-health-practitioner
We support an urgent revision of the definition of Mental Health Practitioner in the 2014 Victorian Mental Health Act to include ‘Professional Arts Therapist’.
This revision will enable a workforce of highly trained professionals to help with the demands on the Mental Health sector during this time of crisis and beyond, in the recovery period. We love our work, and we want to participate in the health and well-being of our communities!
In this video, Maggie Date, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner shares how she uses creative processes within a relational approach, and the benefits for participants that she witnesses. She also expresses how much she loves this work, and the importance of our current campaign.
Sign and share the Art Therapist = Mental Health Practitioner petition here: https://www.change.org/arts-therapist-mental-health-practitioner
Want to know more about our campaign? Head to the campaign page for more information: https://carlavanlaar.com/art-therapist-mental-health-practitioner/
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to be alerted whenever there is a new video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT6Gh-vYlyYL8LCxVigFeVg
Thank you for your support!
Please share this article widely, it is a public post.
In solidarity,
Dr Carla van Laar MCAT DTAP AThR
and now, here’s Brodie!!!!!
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