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
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.
QLD's mental health system needs YOU.
We - the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland - are looking for lived experience folks to join the movement as members!
We use our shared knowledge, stories and insights for change systemic change.
To join: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
We - the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland - are looking for lived experience folks to join the movement as members!
We use our shared knowledge, stories and insights for change systemic change.
To join: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
October 30, 2025 at 4:52 AM
QLD's mental health system needs YOU.
We - the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland - are looking for lived experience folks to join the movement as members!
We use our shared knowledge, stories and insights for change systemic change.
To join: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
We - the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland - are looking for lived experience folks to join the movement as members!
We use our shared knowledge, stories and insights for change systemic change.
To join: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
Reposted by Simon Katterl
"One of the biggest impediments to increasing the amount of people we have who could work is our incredibly low unemployment benefits
People can't afford to put money on their travel card, they can't go to the dentist & they can't have something to wear to go to the interview"
People can't afford to put money on their travel card, they can't go to the dentist & they can't have something to wear to go to the interview"
October 27, 2025 at 9:40 PM
"One of the biggest impediments to increasing the amount of people we have who could work is our incredibly low unemployment benefits
People can't afford to put money on their travel card, they can't go to the dentist & they can't have something to wear to go to the interview"
People can't afford to put money on their travel card, they can't go to the dentist & they can't have something to wear to go to the interview"
We fiercely need the right to protest, but protests aren't currently making a big difference to political outcomes.
It feels as if existing organs of power are inoculating themselves against the pressure.
Seems more important than ever to find ways to connect protest to power inside institutions.
It feels as if existing organs of power are inoculating themselves against the pressure.
Seems more important than ever to find ways to connect protest to power inside institutions.
October 24, 2025 at 11:22 AM
We fiercely need the right to protest, but protests aren't currently making a big difference to political outcomes.
It feels as if existing organs of power are inoculating themselves against the pressure.
Seems more important than ever to find ways to connect protest to power inside institutions.
It feels as if existing organs of power are inoculating themselves against the pressure.
Seems more important than ever to find ways to connect protest to power inside institutions.
Reposted by Simon Katterl
Reposted by Simon Katterl
I spent a few years writing profiles of Australians from all different walks of life, which forced me to think about this to some extent. I have no good answers but the sense I have is that colonial Australians don't really associate themselves with, or engage with place.
A hypothesis: it’s partly that we’re largely unable to talk about Australian cities non-ironically, regardless of medium. You can’t sing about Melbourne the way Fontaines DC sing about Dublin, so we get the Smith Street Band.
Seeing trailers for some upcoming Screen Australia backed films and it’s amazing how so few Australian Stories involve cities at all. Everyone in our cities are completely devoid of stories. Our streets are narrativeless. Only the Bush has agency.
September 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I spent a few years writing profiles of Australians from all different walks of life, which forced me to think about this to some extent. I have no good answers but the sense I have is that colonial Australians don't really associate themselves with, or engage with place.
Great article from Aimee Sinclair, Christina Fernandes, Sue Gillieatt, Lyn Mahboub, which I was lucky to tag along on!
We discuss the limitations of relying upon peer worker inclusion to address mental health stigma.
journals.library.brocku.ca/index.php/SS...
We discuss the limitations of relying upon peer worker inclusion to address mental health stigma.
journals.library.brocku.ca/index.php/SS...
Peer Work and Stigma Reduction in Australian Mental Health Policy: Tackling Sanism or Reinforcing the Status Quo?
| Studies in Social Justice
journals.library.brocku.ca
August 10, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Great article from Aimee Sinclair, Christina Fernandes, Sue Gillieatt, Lyn Mahboub, which I was lucky to tag along on!
We discuss the limitations of relying upon peer worker inclusion to address mental health stigma.
journals.library.brocku.ca/index.php/SS...
We discuss the limitations of relying upon peer worker inclusion to address mental health stigma.
journals.library.brocku.ca/index.php/SS...
Reposted by Simon Katterl
My mother has previously been involuntarily detained in an SMHRU, the Queensland equivalent of a SECU. I know because she was put there partly as a result of endangering me.
Billing non-short-term involuntary detainees is among the biggest cunt moves I can imagine.
Billing non-short-term involuntary detainees is among the biggest cunt moves I can imagine.
Positive move from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission to highlight the issues with charging people compulsorily detained within SECU's.
Has been happening for at least 11 years, but credit where due.
mailchi.mp/mhwc/changes...
Has been happening for at least 11 years, but credit where due.
mailchi.mp/mhwc/changes...
Consumers on compulsory treatment orders should no longer be charged accommodation fees in secure extended care units (SECUs)
mailchi.mp
August 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM
My mother has previously been involuntarily detained in an SMHRU, the Queensland equivalent of a SECU. I know because she was put there partly as a result of endangering me.
Billing non-short-term involuntary detainees is among the biggest cunt moves I can imagine.
Billing non-short-term involuntary detainees is among the biggest cunt moves I can imagine.