The changing profile of mental disorders among Disability Support Pension recipients

Butterworth, Peter; Burgess, Philip M; Whiteford, Harvey

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2011.tb03196.x

Topics

To the Editor: Amid debate about growth in the number of Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients and the increasing percentage of recipients with mental disorders,1,2 the recent federal Budget announced further welfare reforms and significant investment in mental health services.3 There are, however, limitations in the data informing the current discussion.

1 Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.
2 School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD.
3 Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD.

Correspondence: Peter.Butterworth@anu.edu.au

Acknowledgements:

Peter Butterworth was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship (no. 525410).

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2. Karvelas P. Julia Gillard told to overhaul welfare. The Australian 2010; 23 Dec. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/julia-gillard-told-to-overhaul-welfare/story-fn59niix-1225975206718 (accessed Jun 2011).
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