In light of the events this week COH has spent a lot of time with the media in our attempt to highlight the importance of a quality, reliable mental health system. We see the snowballing effects of a poor mental health system everyday in our work but so many normal everyday families are also suffering due to lack of support. In many cases it is a silent, isolating illness. Suffering a mental health issue can be so very lonely, this is more prevalent with those who, through lack of help, have sunk to their lowest point and have removed themselves from society, or through lack of understanding have been rejected from society. I read an article this week about a homeless man who was found dead in a dilapidated house in America. Hospital records noted that he would often neglect to follow through with a medication plan, the reason he gave was that when he didnt take his meds at least the voices in his head kept him company. He was lonely. Mental health is not a weakness it is an illness. Statistics show a very large number of our population either indirectly or directly deal with mental illness on a daily bases. We unfortunately seem to live in a time where placing judgments on people has become more natural than helping people. We hope to change this. We have said this many times on our page but we feel judgement should be reserved until you walk a mile in others shoes. Try less to make assumptions and more to understand or help. Facts about mental health in Australia.... * In each year, approximately one in every five Australians will experience a mental illness. * Mental illnesses are the third leading cause of disability burden in Australia, accounting for an estimated 27% of the total years lost due to disability. * About 4% of people will experience a major depressive episode in a 12-month period, with 5% of women and 3% of men affected. * Approximately 14 % of Australians will be affected by an anxiety disorder in any 12-month period. * About 3% of Australians are affected by psychotic illness; such as schizophrenia, where there is a loss of contact with reality during episodes of illness. * Approximately 2% of Australians will experience some type of eating disorder in their life, with women 9 times more likely than men. * About 5% of Australians will experience substance abuse disorders in any 12-month period, with men more than twice as likely as women to have substance abuse disorders. * Prevalence of mental illness decreases with age, with prevalence greatest among 18-24 year olds. * Women are more likely than men to seek help for anxiety disorders (18% compared with 11%) and mood disorders (7.1% compared with 5.3%). * A national survey showed that 35% of people with a mental disorder had used a health service and 29% consulted a GP within the 12 months before the survey. * Women are more likely than men to use services for mental health problems. * Limited research suggests that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience mental disorders at least as often as other Australians. * In Australia, the prevalence of mental or behavioural disorders among people born overseas is similar to those born in Australia. * Many violent people have no history of mental disorder and most people with mental illness (90%) have no history of violence.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 03:05:03 +0000
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