The Current State of Mental Health in Australia

Recently I was asked to respond to a few questions about the current state of mental health in Australia. Working both in private practice as well as working across a few of Australia’s mental health service lines has given me the privilege of insight into the issues being faced by a broad demographic of Australians. Granted, the sample size is biased to those facing mental health issues. Still, the variance within that sample is far-reaching. My responses to the questions covered the prevalence of mental health issues, the main causes, the state of mental health in a post-covid world, as well as tips and tools for individuals struggling with mental health issues.

Is the prevalence of mental health issues under reported/under stated?

I think, as a society, we are becoming increasingly aware of, not only the importance of mental health, but what constitutes poor/adequate/optimal health. Whether or not the data indicate an accurate depiction of the prevalence of mental health issues in our society is a different thing altogether. Due to stigma or a lack of personal awareness, many people do not seek the help they knowingly/unknowingly need. All we can do is continually educate and spread awareness, so that people are more attuned to the signs and symptoms of acute and/or perpetuating mental health issues.

What is/are the main cause/s?

Currently, financial stress, loneliness and a lack of meaningful work appear most frequently—and these factors seem to ripple into one another. Oftentimes, people will call the service lines well aware of the reasons why they’re feeling stressed, anxious and isolated; and one cannot help but empathise with their reasoning. Financial stress leads to less time spent doing the things one enjoys, which catalyses a sense of isolation—not only from others but from themselves, their authenticity. Additionally, the cost of living is an ongoing issue in our society that effects many industries including the mental health system making it harder for people to get the help they need due to supply restrictions. We see this most commonly in triage services but on the service lines too whereby some people often have lengthy wait times before they can engage with a counsellor.

Which demographic is most at risk?

Middle-aged men living in rural parts of the country are most at risk of suicide/self-harm. Though not always struggling with suicidal ideation, individuals who belong to this demographic often feel stuck and lost without hope that a better life exists around the corner. That sense of hopelessness often precipitates a depressive episode. Additionally, individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions are also at risk. Having said that, suicide/self-harm is often hard to predict and, though we are aware of certain risk factors, the issue is multifaceted.

Are there more high-risk areas of Australia?

Time and time again, access to healthcare is a risk factor. Accordingly, people living in rural communities who have to travel further to their GP or mental health clinician for example, are at greater risk, and this feeds into the ongoing problem of isolation being implicated in mental health issues. If someone is experiencing loneliness and/or isolation, we often encourage them to seek support more so as a preventative measure than a management strategy.

Do you think it’s worsened since the pandemic?

The pandemic brought a lot of issues to the surface forcing individuals and, in particular, relationships, to confront them. Financial stress and couple conflict skyrocketed, and we saw this with businesses failing, marriages ending in divorce, and, concerningly, increasing rates of domestic violence. Some thrived throughout the pandemic—those perhaps more introverted or who were able to adapt and upskill into different industries or innovate. But I think the pandemic, like all challenges, either brought out the worst or the best in people. Unfortunately, those who could ride the wave of the pandemic were often those in more fortunate positions; and that’s why I think many of the mental health problems people face in our society unfortunately emanate from socioeconomic inequalities.

Are people’s perceptions of mental health changing (for the better)?

I do believe perceptions are changing for the better, especially if you broaden the timespan and compare the modern age to the early twentieth century where men were being dishonourably discharged from the Great War for what would only later become known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Having said that, our contemporary world brings with it its own challenges, namely from an existential perspective: feelings of nihilism and cynicism about the world catalysed by the rise of AI, the threat of nuclear war and consumerism which makes it harder to cultivate personally meaningful values and, more importantly, an authentic life path void of external perception/social validation.

Though every generation has its struggles, what we typically hear on the service lines now is this lack of meaning phenomenon; but, on the other hand, I think that very level of self-awareness reflects the changing perceptions of mental health. People now have the words to describe their emotional lives and inner worlds which is a clear advantage.

Can you provide tips for people to improve their mental health?

Asking for help is the most important—and oftentimes, scariest—thing someone can do to improve their mental health. Whether that be a friend, a GP, or psychologist, reaching out and asking for support, even if you think your concerns are trivial or less significant than others, will go a very long way. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to optimising your mental health but discovering, playing with and developing tools and tips along the way as your learn more about who you are, why your mental health is as it is, and who you want to become will be much easier and less cumbersome with the help of others.

All of us can learn from each other and we often hear how validating it is when someone engages with our service lines explaining how they felt when they realised they weren’t alone in their respective struggles. One final tool I would offer is to accept the degree of stress that is outside your control. We often exacerbate our stress levels trying to change what cannot be changed. Though I’m not particularly religious, I have always been fond of the Christian Serenity Prayer as it offers such wonderful insight and practical application to mental health. Doing what we can, so to speak, and accepting what we can’t, will go a long way on our path to finding happiness.