Mental health in Australia

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Mental health programs in Australia, run by State and Territory Governments, have undergone a massive shift in the last 50 years, as community attitudes have changed. The evolution of pharmacology and other treatments, such as psychological techniques, have resulted in new treatments being made available to the public. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 20% of Australians experience one or more mental health episodes in their lifetimes.[1] Australia runs on a mixed health care system, with both public and private health care streams. The public system includes a national insurance scheme called Medicare, which covers certain mental health services. Each Australian state and territory government has its own management plans for mental health treatment. However, the overarching national system and spending remains the same.[2][3] Australia has been noted as being a ‘leader’ in mental health policy making and management. Australia has gone through a rigorous process towards making their mental health policies, with a rich history and a series of changes.[4]

History[]

Australia has a recorded history of a British system of managing mental health since the first fleet arrived in 1788. When the convicts arrived, all those deemed ‘insane’ were placed in a locked area. Australia had its first psychiatric facility in 1811. Previously individuals with mental illnesses were placed together with convicts and criminals. With the introduction of a psychiatric facility, the mentally disturbed were managed separately.[5]

One of the key moments in Australia’s history with mental health, was its so-called deinstitutionalisation in NSW. This came about after the Richmond Report was released in 1983. This report investigated the rumours of abuse and injustices towards the patients of psychiatric institutions. Controversies over whether or not the change did any good remain.[6]

The first National Mental Health Care Plan was introduced in 1992. There have been five national mental health care plans. The Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan (Fifth Plan) was endorsed by the COAG Health Council in August 2017.

Current[]

Despite the fact that Australia has been celebrated for its sophisticated mental health management systems, there are still are wide range of issues. The Australian Medical Association reported in the 2018 mental health review that “Currently Australia lacks an overarching mental health ‘architecture’. There is no agreed national design or structure that facilitates prevention or proper care for people with mental illness.” [7] While the organisation noted that youth mental health care was fairly successful, it believed that the status of treatment for adults was severely lacking. The AMA argued that the Australian government lacked a structural plan for mental health management and that the future of mental health treatment in Australia was in a dangerous position.

The Australian government spent $9.1 billion on mental health related services in 2017. This averaged out to $375 per person, a rise from $359 in the year prior. In 2016-2017, 7.4% of the Australian government's health expenditure went towards mental health services. Critics have requested an increase in funding, claiming that the mental health budget is far too small. In 2015, mental health accounted for 5.2% of the overall yearly health budgeting, although mental health equated to 12% of the total burden of disease.[8]

Demographics[]

Pie chart displaying the proportion of the Australian population to experience a mental disorder in their lifetime[1]

  No Lifetime mental disorder (55%)
  Mental disorder for 12 months or less (25%)
  Mental disorder for more than 12 months (20%)
  Other (0%)

It is estimated that 45% of Australian, roughly 8.6 million, adults will experience a mental disorder within their life. Additionally, 3.2 million Australians have had a mental disorder that has lasted for more than 12 months. The most prevalent mental disorders were: anxiety disorders, affective disorders and substance use disorders. Fourteen point four% of Australia’s population suffered from these, more common in females. Affective disorders followed with, 6.2% of Australia’s population with an equally distributed gender balance. Substance use disorders affected 5.1% of the population, with men being significantly higher (7.7% for males and 3.3% for females).[1] The Australian Health and Wellbeing Institute reported in 2015 that 14% (560,000) of children and adolescents experienced mental health disorders.[9]

In terms of other mental disorders, Bipolar 1 Disorder has been estimated to affect about 1% of the general public and Bipolar 11 Disorder affects roughly 5% of the population. Bipolar Disorder affects 33% of men in their lifetime. However, experts estimate the number is far higher due to a large portion of undiagnosed cases.[10] Mood disorders have been noted to affect females more than men, with 7.1% and 5.3% respectively.[1]

The Mental Health Services 2018 Report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare produced a wide spectrum of new statistics about the Australian population. Four point two million people or 16.5% of the population received mental health related prescriptions during 2017-2018, Seventy per cent of the prescriptions were for antidepressant medications. Tasmania had the highest proportion of those prescriptions at 22%; the smallest proportion was the Northern Territory at 9%.

In terms of general practice (GP), 12.4% of all consultations were mental health related in 2015-2016. Depression was reported to be the most common mental health related diagnosis, estimated at 1 in 3 people. Medication was the most common treatment recommendation with 61% of encounters.[2]

Additionally, reports released by the Australian Health and Wellbeing Institute found that 1 in 3 Indigenous people experience high or very high levels of psychological distress. Indigenous individuals are managed by general practitioners at a rate of 1.3 times in comparison with other Australian individuals.[11]

The prevalence of both depression and perinatal depression within the population of mothers in Australia has been noted by health organisations as rather high, with depression seen in 20% of mothers with children aged 24 months or less. Perinatal Depression was found in half of that group. These figures equate to 110,000 mothers with depression and 56,000 with perinatal depression. The report found that a majority of mothers went for treatment from a GP or a mental health organisation/treatment provider.[12]

Suicide[]

In 2015 suicides reached a 13 year high with 3,027 Australians taking their own life. "The male suicide rate ranged from a high of 5.6 times that of females in 1930 to lows of less than twice the female rate in the 1960s and early 1970s—mainly due to the marked rise in female suicide rates at this time. Since then, the male suicide rate has fluctuated around 3–4 times that of the female rate". It is the number one cause of death of people aged 15 to 44.[13] The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that everyday nearly eight people commit suicide in Australia [14]

Treatment[]

In the last ten years, Australia has made a range of improvements towards treatment for mental health. In 2006, Medicare adapted the benefits schedule to prioritise mental health treatment, with a large increase in the portion of treatment plans prescribed. There were 1.3 million mental health treatment plans prescribed by general practitioners and 4.95 million by psychologist related services.[2] The proportion of individuals that sought out mental health treatment doubled between 1997 and 2007.

Australia’s key strategy in mental health planning comes down to: first point of contact. Mental health care providers and treaters are focused making the first point of contact the most significant/impactful. Hence, the main recommendation offered by government health organisations, is for the patient to visit their general practitioner. The aim of this is to prevent further harm or damage coming to the patient and to be able to create a personalised mental health treatment plan for the individual patient.

Government supported treatment providers[]

Head to Health[]

Head to Health is an online and hotline service designed to assist individuals struggling with mental health issues; all responders are trained health professionals. Head to Health also has provided over 408 resources for individuals that are struggling, including websites, online programs, apps, forums and the hotline services.[15]

At Ease[]

At Ease is an organisation aimed at helping veterans and families of veterans with mental trauma, providing assistance and resources. At Ease is managed by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and runs a range of online programs to meet different individuals needs.[16]

BeyondBlue[]

BeyondBlue is an organisation that works with individuals struggling from a wide range of mental health issues, mainly: substance abuse disorders, depression disorders and anxiety related disorders. BeyondBlue aims to educate the Australian public about mental health and provide the skills to protect it. The mission statement of BeyondBlue is as follows "We're here for everyone in Australia – at work, home, school, university, online, and in communities across the country."[17] BeyondBlue operates their helpline 24/7 and provides a brief 20 minute consultation for anyone.

Headspace Australia's logo

Headspace[]

Headspace is aimed at aiding adolescents (12–25 year olds) with issues surrounding mental health. Headspace offers counselling services as the main point of treatment. A key focus is early intervention, to prevent mental illness having a long lasting impact on an individual's life. Headspace is one of Australia’s leading mental health organisations, with over 100 locations across the country, all of which are either free or low cost. Headspace has also launched a further initiative focused on aiding students - Headspace Student Support, .[18]

KidsMatter[]

KidsMatter is a mental health organisation focused on preventing problems and supporting children's mental health. Their vision is as follows "every learning community is positive, inclusive and resilient – a place where every child, young person, educator and family can achieve their best possible mental health."[19]

LifeLine Australia[]

LifeLine Australia is Australia's main suicide prevention hotline and is a registered charity, providing support services and accepting calls 24/7. Lifeline receives a new call every minute from somewhere in Australia. Individuals call Lifeline about a range of mental health problems including: anxiety, stress, depression and suicidal thoughts. The main Lifeline number is: 13 11 14 [20]

Health Direct[]

Health Direct serves as a portal providing information about Australia's health services and general information about illnesses. Under the Mental Health disorders sub-category, Health Direct links to a range of other Australian organisations designed to cover a wide range of patient needs.[21]

National Mental Health Commission[]

National Mental Health Commission is an organisation that reports on the current status of Australia's mental health support system. The National Mental Health Commission's mission statement "is to give mental health and suicide prevention national attention, to influence reform and to help people live contributing lives by reporting, advising and collaborating."[22]

OzHelp Foundation[]

OzHelp Foundation is a non-profit organisation aimed at industry and workplaces, focused on preventing mental illness and improving mental wellbeing of employees. The mission of the OzHelp Foundation is: "OzHelp continue to strive towards improving the mental health and wellbeing of people in the workforce and the wider community."[23]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results". ABS.gov. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Gallagher. "Progress of mental health system reform in Australia". Health.gov.au. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Mental Health Care Plan: What It Is, Why You Will Need It And How Do You Get One From Your GP?". Find The Right Psychologist For You | New Vision Psychology. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  4. ^ Senate Committee. "Select Committee on Mental Health" (PDF). BPD Community. Commonwealth of Australia 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  5. ^ Dax; EC (1989). "'The first 200 years of Australian psychiatry". Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 23 (1): 103–110. doi:10.3109/00048678909062599. PMID 2649057. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  6. ^ Burdekin; Hall; B; D; Guilfoyle (1993). "Human rights and mental illness: Report of the national inquiry into the human rights of people with mental illness". Retrieved 9 April 2019. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ AMA. "Mental Health - 2018". Australian Medical Association (AMA). Australian Medical Association. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  8. ^ AIHW. "The Australian Burden of Disease Study 2011". AIHW. AIHW. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  9. ^ AIHW. "Mental health services in Australia". AIHW. AIHW. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  10. ^ Eyers, K; Parker, G (2008). Mastering Bipolar Disorder: An insider's guide to managing mood swings and finding balance. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
  11. ^ AIHW. "The health and welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: 2015". AIHW. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  12. ^ AIHW. "Perinatal depression: data from the 2010 Australian National Infant Feeding Survey". AIHW. AIHW. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  13. ^ "SUICIDE IN AUSTRALIA". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  14. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics. "National Health Survey: First Results, 2014-15". ABS. Canberra: ABS. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Welcome to Head to health". Head to health. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  16. ^ "Helping veterans and their families lead happy and healthy lives". At Ease. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  17. ^ "Beyond Blue Home". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Headspace information & support". Headspace. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  19. ^ "Kidsmatter". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  20. ^ "Lifeline". Lifeline Australia. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  21. ^ "Mental Health Direct". Mental health disorders. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  22. ^ "Mental Health Commission Home". Mental Health Commission. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  23. ^ "OzHelp Home". OzHelp. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
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