Simon Katterl
@simonkkatterl.bsky.social
He/him | CEO, Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland | Mental Health Law, Regulation & Human Rights Advocate | Bylines in the Guardian & the Age | Research: https://shorturl.at/DpKkE
Reposted by Simon Katterl
The Federal Government has been trying to rush through a change that would allow police and the Home Affairs Minister to cancel someone’s Centrelink payment if they are suspected of a serious crime.
Read the full story on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Read the full story on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
November 26, 2025 at 4:10 AM
The Federal Government has been trying to rush through a change that would allow police and the Home Affairs Minister to cancel someone’s Centrelink payment if they are suspected of a serious crime.
Read the full story on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Read the full story on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Medicare Mentre Health Centres are part of the solution, but they can't be in place of peer-led options, and we need to ensure they are evaluated.
My comments in the Brisbane Times.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/que...
My comments in the Brisbane Times.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/que...
Hundreds of millions has been spent to fix mental health crisis. But will it work?
Over 40 Medicare Mental Health Centres have opened across Australia in the last year, including 12 in Queensland. We visited one on Brisbane’s north side to find out what they’re all about, and who th...
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
November 26, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Medicare Mentre Health Centres are part of the solution, but they can't be in place of peer-led options, and we need to ensure they are evaluated.
My comments in the Brisbane Times.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/que...
My comments in the Brisbane Times.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/que...
Deliciously, that is exactly the level of thinking that led them to lose the first test.
#NeverChange
#NeverChange
November 25, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Deliciously, that is exactly the level of thinking that led them to lose the first test.
#NeverChange
#NeverChange
We're conditioned to prioritise politeness over marginalised perspectives.
Today's Senate event, where Senators Payman, Faruqi, & Thorpe spoke up against workplace racism & misogyny, shows how wrong that instinct.
The Senate's silence was horrifying.
youtu.be/c4oe1EXro6s?...
Today's Senate event, where Senators Payman, Faruqi, & Thorpe spoke up against workplace racism & misogyny, shows how wrong that instinct.
The Senate's silence was horrifying.
youtu.be/c4oe1EXro6s?...
Pauline Hanson wears burqa in the Senate in repeat of 2017 stunt | 9 News Australia
YouTube video by 9 News Australia
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 10:26 AM
We're conditioned to prioritise politeness over marginalised perspectives.
Today's Senate event, where Senators Payman, Faruqi, & Thorpe spoke up against workplace racism & misogyny, shows how wrong that instinct.
The Senate's silence was horrifying.
youtu.be/c4oe1EXro6s?...
Today's Senate event, where Senators Payman, Faruqi, & Thorpe spoke up against workplace racism & misogyny, shows how wrong that instinct.
The Senate's silence was horrifying.
youtu.be/c4oe1EXro6s?...
Reposted by Simon Katterl
🚨 The Productivity Commission has confirmed what we already know: Australia’s mental health system is failing - and half a million people are being left behind.
People with psychosocial disability need support outside the NDIS.
Read the article: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
People with psychosocial disability need support outside the NDIS.
Read the article: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
November 20, 2025 at 3:40 AM
🚨 The Productivity Commission has confirmed what we already know: Australia’s mental health system is failing - and half a million people are being left behind.
People with psychosocial disability need support outside the NDIS.
Read the article: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
People with psychosocial disability need support outside the NDIS.
Read the article: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
"Qld has the highest rates of involuntary treatment among the Australian states & this has steadily increased since 2016.
Internationally, Australia has the 2nd highest rate of involuntary treatment & our rate is x15 that of Italy. Non ha alcun senso!"
archive.li/GeLHZ
Internationally, Australia has the 2nd highest rate of involuntary treatment & our rate is x15 that of Italy. Non ha alcun senso!"
archive.li/GeLHZ
archive.li
November 15, 2025 at 1:54 AM
"Qld has the highest rates of involuntary treatment among the Australian states & this has steadily increased since 2016.
Internationally, Australia has the 2nd highest rate of involuntary treatment & our rate is x15 that of Italy. Non ha alcun senso!"
archive.li/GeLHZ
Internationally, Australia has the 2nd highest rate of involuntary treatment & our rate is x15 that of Italy. Non ha alcun senso!"
archive.li/GeLHZ
Great news that IALEC are becoming a stand-alone lived experience peak for First Nations people.
www.health.gov.au/ministers/th...
www.health.gov.au/ministers/th...
www.health.gov.au
November 15, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Great news that IALEC are becoming a stand-alone lived experience peak for First Nations people.
www.health.gov.au/ministers/th...
www.health.gov.au/ministers/th...
Reposted by Simon Katterl
"One in every two mental health hospital admissions in Queensland are involuntary according to Simon Katterl from the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland"
The WHO recommends involuntary treatment be abolished, not including crisis 72 hour holds (if I remember correctly)
The WHO recommends involuntary treatment be abolished, not including crisis 72 hour holds (if I remember correctly)
"We don't want to deter people from getting help - but why would you admit yourself to a public mental health ward if you stood a 50 per cent chance of having your rights taken away? I sure as hell wouldn't."
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
Giaan's story won't be just 10 minutes of memories and grief - but a push for change
Today? I fight. For Giaan. For myself. For my daughters and everyone I love. And for every person right now...
9now.nine.com.au
November 14, 2025 at 10:46 PM
"One in every two mental health hospital admissions in Queensland are involuntary according to Simon Katterl from the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland"
The WHO recommends involuntary treatment be abolished, not including crisis 72 hour holds (if I remember correctly)
The WHO recommends involuntary treatment be abolished, not including crisis 72 hour holds (if I remember correctly)
"We don't want to deter people from getting help - but why would you admit yourself to a public mental health ward if you stood a 50 per cent chance of having your rights taken away? I sure as hell wouldn't."
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
Giaan's story won't be just 10 minutes of memories and grief - but a push for change
Today? I fight. For Giaan. For myself. For my daughters and everyone I love. And for every person right now...
9now.nine.com.au
November 14, 2025 at 10:06 PM
"We don't want to deter people from getting help - but why would you admit yourself to a public mental health ward if you stood a 50 per cent chance of having your rights taken away? I sure as hell wouldn't."
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
Reposted by Simon Katterl
Giaan, 17, had her life taken by the system meant to protect her.
When will we break the chain of harm & coercion?
We desperately need a comprehensive & empowered watchdog over mental health services—one w lived experience leaders & real power to act.
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
When will we break the chain of harm & coercion?
We desperately need a comprehensive & empowered watchdog over mental health services—one w lived experience leaders & real power to act.
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
Giaan was discharged from a hospital's mental health unit. She was dead 10 days later
At least five patients with links to a mental health unit on the Gold Coast have lost their lives in the la...
9now.nine.com.au
November 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Giaan, 17, had her life taken by the system meant to protect her.
When will we break the chain of harm & coercion?
We desperately need a comprehensive & empowered watchdog over mental health services—one w lived experience leaders & real power to act.
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
When will we break the chain of harm & coercion?
We desperately need a comprehensive & empowered watchdog over mental health services—one w lived experience leaders & real power to act.
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
Giaan, 17, had her life taken by the system meant to protect her.
When will we break the chain of harm & coercion?
We desperately need a comprehensive & empowered watchdog over mental health services—one w lived experience leaders & real power to act.
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
When will we break the chain of harm & coercion?
We desperately need a comprehensive & empowered watchdog over mental health services—one w lived experience leaders & real power to act.
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
Giaan was discharged from a hospital's mental health unit. She was dead 10 days later
At least five patients with links to a mental health unit on the Gold Coast have lost their lives in the la...
9now.nine.com.au
November 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Giaan, 17, had her life taken by the system meant to protect her.
When will we break the chain of harm & coercion?
We desperately need a comprehensive & empowered watchdog over mental health services—one w lived experience leaders & real power to act.
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
When will we break the chain of harm & coercion?
We desperately need a comprehensive & empowered watchdog over mental health services—one w lived experience leaders & real power to act.
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
The Productivity Commission's Report is an opportunity for the Commonwealth Government to catch up to other states and territories on mental health reform, and to lead us nationally.
Mental health reform has stalled and this is an opportunity for a reboot.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Mental health reform has stalled and this is an opportunity for a reboot.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Half a million Australians with psychosocial illness without support
A scathing Productivity Commission review concludes that Australia's mental health system is failing and needs a rewrite, while warning that 500,000 Australians are unable to access the care that they...
www.abc.net.au
November 12, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The Productivity Commission's Report is an opportunity for the Commonwealth Government to catch up to other states and territories on mental health reform, and to lead us nationally.
Mental health reform has stalled and this is an opportunity for a reboot.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Mental health reform has stalled and this is an opportunity for a reboot.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Centrist Democrats to make a public holiday to commemorate Dick Cheney because those were the good old days when politics worked.
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Centrist Democrats to make a public holiday to commemorate Dick Cheney because those were the good old days when politics worked.
New research from me today revealing widespread breaches of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 by public mental health services.
Here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
November 3, 2025 at 8:21 AM
New research from me today revealing widespread breaches of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 by public mental health services.
Here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
As CEO of MHLEPQ, I'm clear the proposed power to cancel Centrelink payments based on an outstanding warrant is a dangerous overreach. It ties social security to policing, erodes the presumption of innocence and harms the most marginalised.
@antipovertycentre.org
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
@antipovertycentre.org
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
'Power grab': Labor under fire over new move to cut off Centrelink payments
The last-minute additions have been called into question, with advocates arguing they set a "dangerous precedent".
www.sbs.com.au
November 3, 2025 at 12:27 AM
As CEO of MHLEPQ, I'm clear the proposed power to cancel Centrelink payments based on an outstanding warrant is a dangerous overreach. It ties social security to policing, erodes the presumption of innocence and harms the most marginalised.
@antipovertycentre.org
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
@antipovertycentre.org
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Reposted by Simon Katterl
I got out because i am hard to squash and could see through them even when pregnant and manic and insane
I sat on a bed with bill there slowly listing off the 22 times they had broken the mental health act and 6 times the law
The hospital rep argued back, tied to discredit me
I out argued her
I sat on a bed with bill there slowly listing off the 22 times they had broken the mental health act and 6 times the law
The hospital rep argued back, tied to discredit me
I out argued her
November 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I got out because i am hard to squash and could see through them even when pregnant and manic and insane
I sat on a bed with bill there slowly listing off the 22 times they had broken the mental health act and 6 times the law
The hospital rep argued back, tied to discredit me
I out argued her
I sat on a bed with bill there slowly listing off the 22 times they had broken the mental health act and 6 times the law
The hospital rep argued back, tied to discredit me
I out argued her
Reposted by Simon Katterl
I was released after 5 days of hell & a sudden removal of all medications to a woman carrying a baby
But what would have happened if i wasnt white, if i didnt have advocates calling the hospital on my behalf, if i didnt know my way around the law & legal speak
If i didn't speak english
Abolish it
But what would have happened if i wasnt white, if i didnt have advocates calling the hospital on my behalf, if i didnt know my way around the law & legal speak
If i didn't speak english
Abolish it
November 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I was released after 5 days of hell & a sudden removal of all medications to a woman carrying a baby
But what would have happened if i wasnt white, if i didnt have advocates calling the hospital on my behalf, if i didnt know my way around the law & legal speak
If i didn't speak english
Abolish it
But what would have happened if i wasnt white, if i didnt have advocates calling the hospital on my behalf, if i didnt know my way around the law & legal speak
If i didn't speak english
Abolish it
Reposted by Simon Katterl
As someone who was kept prisoner and threatened with indefinite imprisonment due to multiple gross medical misdemeanours in a hospital psyche ward (after voluntarily admitting myself) both against my will and the law
I support with all my heart the abolition of carceral care
We have rights!!
I support with all my heart the abolition of carceral care
We have rights!!
Great work on abolitionist approaches challenging carceral mental health systems.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Abolition: Is this the only pathway to upholding human rights and ensuring epistemic justice in psychiatry? A key informant qualitative study
Mental health legislation authorises involuntary psychiatric intervention in certain circumstances. Although human rights concerns are becoming more p…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
As someone who was kept prisoner and threatened with indefinite imprisonment due to multiple gross medical misdemeanours in a hospital psyche ward (after voluntarily admitting myself) both against my will and the law
I support with all my heart the abolition of carceral care
We have rights!!
I support with all my heart the abolition of carceral care
We have rights!!
Great work on abolitionist approaches challenging carceral mental health systems.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Abolition: Is this the only pathway to upholding human rights and ensuring epistemic justice in psychiatry? A key informant qualitative study
Mental health legislation authorises involuntary psychiatric intervention in certain circumstances. Although human rights concerns are becoming more p…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Great work on abolitionist approaches challenging carceral mental health systems.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Simon Katterl
Trans people push to make healthcare more inclusive in the regions
Trans people have shared their struggles accessing healthcare in regional and rural areas.
Advocates say doctors are often dismissive and some even refuse to treat trans patients.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Trans people have shared their struggles accessing healthcare in regional and rural areas.
Advocates say doctors are often dismissive and some even refuse to treat trans patients.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Why being trans in regional Australia means higher healthcare hurdles
A Queensland trans man says healthcare workers did not fully understand his needs when he sought fertility treatment.
www.abc.net.au
October 31, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Trans people push to make healthcare more inclusive in the regions
Trans people have shared their struggles accessing healthcare in regional and rural areas.
Advocates say doctors are often dismissive and some even refuse to treat trans patients.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Trans people have shared their struggles accessing healthcare in regional and rural areas.
Advocates say doctors are often dismissive and some even refuse to treat trans patients.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Devastating news for Ben's family.
Reminded that my father named my middle name after his brother Klaus who was struck with a ball playing cricket at 13 with dad, leading to health complications and his death.
Broke my dad and his mother.
youtube.com/shorts/OywqY...
Reminded that my father named my middle name after his brother Klaus who was struck with a ball playing cricket at 13 with dad, leading to health complications and his death.
Broke my dad and his mother.
youtube.com/shorts/OywqY...
Teen dies after being struck by cricket ball in training nets | ABC NEWS
YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)
youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Devastating news for Ben's family.
Reminded that my father named my middle name after his brother Klaus who was struck with a ball playing cricket at 13 with dad, leading to health complications and his death.
Broke my dad and his mother.
youtube.com/shorts/OywqY...
Reminded that my father named my middle name after his brother Klaus who was struck with a ball playing cricket at 13 with dad, leading to health complications and his death.
Broke my dad and his mother.
youtube.com/shorts/OywqY...
"The reality is: exponential growth is not environmentally sustainable. Growth for growth’s sake has led to a concentration of wealth & widening inequality. Growth for growth’s sake has led to the toxic consumptogenic system polluting our planet & making people sick."
www.croakey.org/productivity...
www.croakey.org/productivity...
Productivity Commission urged to ditch economic growth mindset, for the sake of our health and planet
As the Productivity Commission finalises its reports to Government on reform priorities, researchers have put forward four suggestions for how
www.croakey.org
October 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM
"The reality is: exponential growth is not environmentally sustainable. Growth for growth’s sake has led to a concentration of wealth & widening inequality. Growth for growth’s sake has led to the toxic consumptogenic system polluting our planet & making people sick."
www.croakey.org/productivity...
www.croakey.org/productivity...
Progress is not inevitable. But nor is it impossible.
History is long and it only bends towards justice with our collective will.
History is long and it only bends towards justice with our collective will.
I’m watching the Treaty vote.
Ayes 21 Noes 16.
Victoria has a Treaty with its First Nations People.
#springst
Ayes 21 Noes 16.
Victoria has a Treaty with its First Nations People.
#springst
October 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Progress is not inevitable. But nor is it impossible.
History is long and it only bends towards justice with our collective will.
History is long and it only bends towards justice with our collective will.