Submission on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
I wish to respond to the proposed changes to the NDIS Bill 2024 and I am extremely concerned with the proposed changes in the (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 regarding Somatic Therapy.
I am a NDIS participant with invisible disabilities. The NDIS is extremely important to me for my health and well-being. As NDIS participants we have the right of choice for services to increase community participation without having panic attacks, being anxious or depressed and feeling isolated and not accepted for who we are and not what we are. To have access for mental health issues cut is devastating!
NDIS was introduced to help those with disabilities, visible or invisible. Now the proposed changes to the NDIS Bill 2024 are blatantly denying individuals the choice to lead a fulfilling life as this Bill in relation to Somatic Therapy, clearly does not understand the significance of trauma and how the body attempts to deal with trauma without professional help. Individuals turn to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain with evidence presenting higher statistical rates of individuals who have died by suicide to end the pain of an associated trauma.
Not all individuals who use Somatic Therapy have had trauma in their lives but do have mental health illness.
Statistics have proved that Mental illness has increased histrionically in all stages of life. This is not the time to deny participants on the NDIS, the ability to seek professional help in any form either conventional or with alternative modalities for their mental health illness. Many cannot afford the cost to seek assistance without the NDIS. Goals towards improving mental health in NDIS plans is crucial to keep Somatic Therapy as part of any NDIS plan that includes Core funding for Psychology including evidence-based therapies to increase an individual’s health and well-being by including holistic approaches. Just because Somatic Therapy is not understood, doesn’t mean it should be ignored.
Somatic therapy is another form of therapy assisting those with Mental Health issues caused in early childhood, through adolescent years who have suffered various traumatic events including bullying, harassment, emotional trauma, family violence which carry on throughout their life. Other forms of trauma include discrimination, discrimination by association, depression, anxiety even PTSD, another mental health illness, can benefit from Somatic Therapy. Basically, any sort of therapy aimed at improving mental health should not be discarded without evidence-based studies.
Isn’t this the goal of the NDIS, to improve the lives of those with visible or invisible disabilities to help lead a meaningful life without being stigmatised or labelled? Now, with this suggested (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 is further traumatising individuals as less access to mental health treatment types is being considered?
Psychologists are trained in Somatic therapy. There is weighted support and studies that Somatic therapy is a holistic approach compared to CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) which only concentrates on the memories if the mind, not the body as a whole.
During Covid, it significantly brought to the fore mental health issues/illness with enforced isolation within the community for a long period of time which unfortunately exacerbated individuals with mental health illness. Statistics prove that the suicide rate increased significantly during 2020.
Touching - A book written by Ashley Montagu, has a profound statement – The human race cannot survive without touch! Covid definitely proved this statement as evidence throughout Covid restrictions.
Below is referenced material up to 2024 – evidence-based support for Somatic Therapy in conjunction with other modalities to help treatment towards mental health illness.
Is there science behind somatic therapy?
Research suggests that somatic therapy may help to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. Somatic therapy may increase an individual’s resilience in social, physical and psychological domains.
Somatic Therapy
Definition:
Somatic therapy explores how the body expresses deeply painful experiences, applying mind-body healing to aid with trauma recovery.
Trauma can register within our bodies on a cellular level. What that means to an individual — and how best to heal from serious traumas encountered in life — is the focus of a newer form of mental health counselling known as somatic therapy.
The resounding success of The Body Keeps the Score — a fixture on the New York Times bestseller list for more than four years running — testifies to mounting public awareness that trauma affects people deeply. Thus far, though, somatic therapy hasn’t caught up to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and related techniques in understanding, use, or research proving its worth, a Harvard expert says.
What is somatic therapy?
Most people likely haven’t heard of somatic therapy, says Amanda Baker, director of the Centre for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders and a clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. Unlike other mind-body approaches such as mindfulness meditation, mind-body stress reduction (MBSR), and mindfulness and self-compassion (MSC) — which are steadily growing in use — somatic therapy hasn’t hit the mainstream.
What’s the fundamental concept? “It’s a treatment focusing on the body and how emotions appear within the body,” Baker explains. “Somatic therapies posit that our body holds and expresses experiences and emotions, and traumatic events or unresolved emotional issues can become ‘trapped’ inside.”
Further Symptomatology
An additional focus of the reviewed studies was the treatment of affective symptoms and the enhancement of well-being. In two studies, SE led to a reduction of depressive (Briggs, Hayes, & Changaris, 2018; Changaris, 2010) and anxiety symptoms (Changaris, 2010) that were unrelated to trauma. Two studies showed positive effects on quality of life and somatic symptoms (Briggs et al., 2018; Winblad, Changaris, & Stein, 2018).
This above condensed article alone cites 44 references with cited studies into the effectiveness of SE (Somatic Experiencing).
The Science Behind Somatic Therapy
Practitioners have also witnessed positive transformations in their clients, noting increased self-awareness, confidence, and resilience. They have observed individuals developing a greater sense of embodiment, allowing them to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease.
The Science Behind Somatic Therapy
While somatic therapy has been practiced for decades, the scientific understanding of its mechanisms is still evolving. However, recent research has shed light on this therapeutic approach’s neurological and psychological aspects.
Somatic therapy, also known as body-centred therapy, is a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of the mind and body. It is based on the belief that traumatic experiences can leave imprints on the brain and nervous system, affecting both mental and physical health. By addressing these imprints through a focus on bodily sensations, somatic therapy aims to promote healing and well-being.
The Neurological Basis of Somatic Therapy
Neuroscience has shown that traumatic experiences can have a profound impact on the brain and nervous system. When faced with a traumatic event, the body’s stress response is activated, leading to a cascade of physiological changes. These changes can include increased heart rate, heightened muscle tension, and the release of stress hormones such as cortisol.
Somatic therapy targets these imprints by engaging the somatic nervous system, which governs physical sensations. By bringing attention to bodily sensations, such as tension, pain, or discomfort, somatic therapists help clients develop a greater awareness of their physical experiences. Through this process, new neural pathways can be created, promoting healing and regulation of emotions.
Research has shown that somatic therapy can positively impact the brain’s structure and function. Studies using neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have demonstrated changes in brain activity and connectivity following somatic therapy interventions. These changes are believed to be associated with improvements in emotional regulation, stress reduction, and overall well-being.
Evidence behind somatic therapy and determining its true effectiveness becomes imperative.
The above is a condensed summation of the article directly from the article/study.
Reference: hhttps://www.inspiremalibu.com/blog/mental-health/evidence-behind-somatic-therapy-is-it-truly- effective/#:~:text=
Evidence-based studies are a true reflection on the overall benefits of Somatic Therapy.
I hope the Committee will take all submissions seriously in preparing its report.
Thanking you for your time.
Yours sincerely,
Jenny Montague
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