I would like to respond to “Mental health challenges stay” in your letters to the editor.  

I agree that like many other rural areas we would benefit from more mental health services to meet a range of the communities’ mental health needs.  

I also agree that funding changes create anxiety among service providers (including Diversity Health Service) and communities.   

However, I would like to make a correction – Diversity Health Service has been operating for 10 years in Moree and has a clinical psychologist on staff servicing Moree, Narrabri, Mungindi and Wee Waa weekly (the latter two fortnightly).  

This service is accessible via GP referral, and while some people may be eligible for fully funded services (funded by Department of Health, worker’s compensation, or insurance) most other referred clients would be eligible for Medicare rebates on fees paid.  

There a some really great people in Moree, and the surrounding areas, that put in a lot of time, effort, and sometimes expense (eg professional development) to support the health and wellbeing of our community.  

Thank you to those local people, and out-of-towners, that commit to supporting our community.  

Carrie Thomson-Casey MAPS

Clinical psycholgist/director/speaker

Diversity Health Service, Moree