15723 – Individual submission

In my experience of living with chronic schizophrenia, anxiety and depression it is almost impossible to get the Disability Support Pension ( I was lucky and did get the DSP when my bus driving job ended) and it is even more difficult to receive unemployment benefits and try and look for a job when mentally unwell. I suggest that mentally ill individuals are assisted more to transition from leaving work to a welfare support ( part time study /training possibly) and from the benefit to work again ( if able). It is extremely stressful to deal with Centrelink obligations and appointments ect. Mental illness is now a significant factor in Australian society and measures/ policy must be made to help us better. We are people too.