Mental health bodies across Australia have cited serious concerns surrounding the federal government's My Health Record, warning sufferers they should opt out over fears the record increases health inequalities and their risk of discrimination.
Consumers of Mental Health WA, the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council and the NSW peak organisation Being, say the risk of privacy breaches is too high, especially for children and those affected by family violence.
"We've joined together to tell people with mental illness: 'if you're in doubt, opt out'," CoMHWA CEO Shauna Gaebler said on Wednesday.
Almost six million people have signed up for a My Health Record - a digital medical history - over its six years of operations.
But on Tuesday, about 20,000 opted out of the electronic health record system on the first day of a three month opt-out window, despite website glitches.
The window closes on October 15, after which an e-health record will be created for every Australian by default.
