Hey Kay is that you - rmember me...

Just saying Hi ya

One would expect from the genuinely dedicated scholars frequenting this site to elaborate on a far reaching ramifications for our democracy as a result of the willy-nilly carried out Insanity Tests in a Smart State. Where courtesy of the alarm risen by Michael Madigan in The Courier-Mail June 17-18 2006, we have an insight into macabre monstrosities perpetration behind the Iron Curtain. Queensladers are just one allegation away from incarceration in a mental ward, according to a retired Queensland teacher. Ray Collofello, a respected special needs teacher (with no history of mental illness) was forced by police into psychiatric examination in his home.

Apparently Mr Collofello's nightmare wasn't sparked by aberrant behaviour -- it was orchestrated by someone who objected to the 'height of trees in his yard'. Smart State government says, up to 70 similar examinations are carried out every month. Queensland Director of Mental Health Dr Aaron Grove said, there were safeguards to prevent vexatious complains, leading to Justice Examination Orders. But Mr Collofello has found that JEO's are relatively easily obtained, whilst privacy laws protect those who make them. "To be put through something like this is just so incredibly demoralising", he said. "To be forced to answer questions about whether I was suicidal or whether I beat my wife, was just extraordinary".

Under the Mental Health Act, JEOs can be obtained by anyone provided they are able to convince a JP or magistrate to authorise the document, while claiming to believe the subject has a mental illness, thus requiring examination. Doctors or authorised mental health practitioners are then empowered to enter any place to conduct their examination, accompanied by police (if they deem it necessary). Mr Collofello was prompted to go public after revelations in The Courier-Mail about the police officer, who had been forced into a mental health examination after conflict with superiors.

Further to the above canvassed insanity test's episode:

According to Mr Collofello's recollection, he and his wife were preparing lunch for family on Easter Sunday last year, when two Boondall police officers, accompanied by two mental health workers, knocked on the door of their Geebung home and requested Mr Collofello to undergo a mental health examination. Yet mental health workers refused to reveal who was behind the allegations, saying the information was confidential.

Mr Collofello said, the police and mental health workers were polite, professional and apologetic -- when they realised they were dealing with a vexatious complaint. However Mr Collofello is very concerned with other person's fate in similar circumstances, where scenario could be predicated on a negative reaction. "I think of many supported students with lower intelligence in learning, who could become agitated or even violent", he said. As a result ..."they could be forcibly placed in a mental health ward".

To recap chain of events a complaint had been made about the noise in Mr Collofello's house. The complaint also confronted him about the height of trees in his front yard. After months of inquiries, Mr Collofello believes that a same person was responsible for the JEO. One wonders for reader's reaction, bearing in mind that no immediate danger to public or property was ever an issue to justify these draconian powers role.

In reflection on the Smart State's legislative assembly make-up, adamant to churn-out autocratic decrees by stealth (with the representative democracy on mind), whilst civil liberties seem to snooze. Paradoxically, both the person making JEO and the JP or magistrate signing it, must by law genuinely believe such a kind of claims. "It is offence under the Act for a person knowingly give false or misleading information"... Queensland Director of Mental Health Dr Aaron Grove said.

What do we know about this issue that puzzles peoples minds everyday? I mean really do we pay much attention too anything these days? (Except maybe what we do in our everyday lives) We are so wrapped up in listening too what we really want to hear, instead of listening too ourselves. Listening to people gives you the key to relate, but where is your voice or opinion? Do you really understand whats been said? Or do we just listen because we think that's the problem? If you don't take the time to understand how you really feel, then who are we really? Can we say we are human beings. Our minds are so "overpowered" by everyone else's ideas, that eventually we forget about our own. This is why Psychologists come up with the books and theories, because they know that all people want is the answer. If in a book or article is what you find it in, then it's easy because it's given too you. It doesn't mean that what they give you is going to work for you. You need too find out on your own, it's the only way you can deal with it. If we don't do it now we never will and our voices and opinions as human beings are lost.
After all that's what we will always be. So why not give yourself a chance too be an individual, and focus on the voices we have all been given.

Given the above comments, I advocate that we all need to "do something" positive that may at least help others in their life-time.

Introducing 23 "big things" - advocates argue for changes in Mental Health at the National Mental Health Conference in Townsville next month.

Find out more - go to - http://www.themhs.org/
" REACH OUT and CONNECT "
Mental Health Services Conference
29th August - 1st September 9th

To download the 23"big things" look to the right on the front page of the link above.

The 23 "big things" document is the best effort I have seen in a long time...

http://www.miacat.com

hi there miacat!

Of course I remember you. Many thanks for the "23 STUFF" - brilliant. Will get back to you.

Cheers
Kay