Mental Health in Australia: Have you ever had a bad day? Maybe you were feeling down, or maybe you had a fight with your partner and couldn’t get out of bed for days. Have you ever felt angry at something or someone, so much that it controlled how you acted and thought in the moment? How did this make you feel afterwards? Feeling stressed, frustrated, sad or irritable are all perfectly normal parts of everyday life – but if these feelings don’t go away after a few weeks then this may be an indication that there is something wrong with your mental health.
Mental health refers to how we think, feel and behave as individuals. It includes our emotional wellbeing as well as our overall sense of contentment with life. Mental health can be affected by many different factors including genetics, the way our genes are inherited, environment, our surroundings and experiences, our upbringing. Children can also experience mental illness due to their age; because they’re still developing it’s easier for them to develop certain disorders than adults would have done when they were younger.
History of Mental Health in Australia
Mental health in Australia is a relatively new field. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that mental health was considered worthy of scientific study and the term “mental illness” was coined. The first psychiatric hospital in Australia opened its doors in 1816, with others following shortly after.
It wasn’t until WWII that Australians began to acknowledge the importance of treating mental illness as a medical condition rather than a moral failing. Following this period of change, there has been an increase in awareness surrounding mental health problems and how these issues can affect people’s lives.
Today, we are seeing more and more people approaching counselling services like those offered by Australia Counselling to find relief from their struggles with anxiety, depression or other psychological distresses.
Mental health has long been a problem in Australia. In fact, there are more people living with mental illness than any other health condition. The good news is that counselling services like those offered by Australia Counselling are available to help individuals suffering from these conditions and to support those who care about them. The future is bright for those who seek professional assistance in dealing with their mental health. However, we need to be careful because nowadays there are several causes
Mental Health Organisations In Australia
There are many different mental health organisations in Australia that can help people in your life who may be struggling with anxiety and depression. Some of these include;
- Mental Health Australia: The National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) is a non-government body that aims to improve mental health outcomes in Australia. It offers information on mental health and prevention, as well as the latest policy developments.
- Mental Health First Aid Australia: This organisation provides training courses for people who want to know how to help someone experiencing a crisis or developing a mental illness.
- Mental Health First Aid Victoria: This state-based organisation offers free online training courses for anyone who wants to be trained as an effective helper in an emergency situation where someone may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or other life crisis.
- Mental Health First Aid NSW: The NSW branch of MHFA offers free online training courses for anyone who wants to be trained as an effective helper in an emergency situation where someone may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or other life crisis.
- Mental Health First Aid Queensland: The Queensland branch of MHFA offers free online training courses for anyone who wants to be trained as an effective helper in an emergency situation where someone may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or other life crisis.
Mental Health Issues in Australia
The most common mental health issues in Australia are depression and anxiety. The following are additional mental health issues facing Australia today.
1. Depression
Depression is a serious medical condition that affects your mood and how you feel about yourself. Depression can be caused by many things, including chemical changes in the brain. If you have depression, you may think about harming yourself or others. Depression is also linked to other mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders and substance abuse problems.
You may have symptoms of depression if: You feel sad or anxious most of the time; You don’t enjoy things that used to give you pleasure; Your sleep patterns change, too much sleep or too little; You eat more or less than usual; You have a hard time concentrating on things like schoolwork or work tasks; Or your energy level drops you’re tired all day long.
2. Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in Australia. Anxiety disorders include symptoms such as: Feeling anxious, worried or panicky much of the time; Feeling tense and jumpy or always on edge; Experiencing trouble sleeping, insomnia, often waking up feeling tired after too little sleep; Having a hard time concentrating on things like schoolwork or work tasks; Being irritable and short-tempered with other people.
3. Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that affects a person’s mood, energy and ability to carry out everyday tasks. It can cause severe problems with thinking, feeling and behavior. It usually develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. The most common type of bipolar disorder is known as ‘manic depression’, or bipolar I disorder. This is when people experience at least one manic episode, a period of unusually high energy, activity and spending and at least one depressive episode, low mood, loss of interest and self-confidence. People with bipolar disorder may also have episodes of feeling anxious or stressed.
4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental disorder that causes people to have uncontrollable and unwanted thoughts and fears. People with OCD are plagued by repetitive thoughts or compulsive urges, often related to personal hygiene, orderliness, or fears of contamination. They will often perform rituals to relieve the anxiety they feel when these thoughts occur.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is different from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For example, people who have this condition don’t necessarily experience obsessions or compulsions they may just be perfectionistic or inflexible instead.
5. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, warfare and natural disasters.
It’s estimated that one in every 10 Australians will experience PTSD at some stage in their lifetime. These statistics are even higher for those who have experienced trauma as children, with around 20% of people having PTSD at some point before the age of 12 years old.
Cost of Mental Health in Australia
The cost of mental health in Australia is high, with an estimated annual cost of $36.5 billion covering the direct and indirect costs associated with mental illness. The National Mental Health Commission states that these figures are likely to be a serious underestimate because they do not include costs related to suicide or work productivity losses.
The total amount spent on mental health services in Australia is approximately $12 billion per year, which includes both government spending on public programs and private out-of-pocket expenses by individuals.
How to Find A Mental Health Professional
If you are experiencing mental health issues, it can be difficult to know who to speak with. It is important that your counsellor or psychologist has the right qualifications and training in order for them to provide you with effective support.
You may have heard that some therapists require that their clients take part in a session before they decide whether or not they will continue working together. While this is an option for some people, it’s not always necessary and should be discussed between yourself and the therapist beforehand.
Asking questions about what their experience is like working with people who have similar problems as yours will help you figure out if this professional would be able to provide you with beneficial therapy sessions.
It also helps if your potential counsellor or psychologist has been practicing for at least five years so that they are familiar with current trends in mental health treatment and research – something which will help them prescribe appropriate strategies for overcoming your own issues.
To find a professional counsellor, you can start by looking for a professional counsellor in your area. The Australia Counselling is an organisation that is highly reputable in the field of counselling and psychology, they are experience and have a team of qualified professional counsellors who can help you with your mental health. They are experienced in working with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, so whether you are seeking counselling for depression, anxiety or another condition, they will be able to assist you.
Conclusion
Mental health is a serious and growing problem in Australia. But it’s also one that can be treated with the right help. If you or someone you know needs help, remember that there are many organisations to turn to for support. A good place to start is calling https://www.australiacounselling.com.au/ and making an appointment with one of their counsellors. They can help you get back on track and feel better about yourself again.