Surveys Reveal Australians Need Mental Health Support

Surveys Reveal Australians Need Mental Health Support

Australian Churches Mental Health Survey found that 1 in 5 Australians experience mental health issues and in 1 in 3 churches are not equipped for counselling or pastoral care.  Mental health, substance addiction and sexual identity are among the top three issues church leaders are being confronted with today. Depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder are the most commonly experienced amongst Australians.  The statistics show the growing need for churches to be equipped with skills enabling them to listen, help & support their congregation and general public. The church is the most popular go to place in times of crisis.

Here are more reasons why we need to be there for our congregation and community

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics,  the impact of mental illness in Australia has come at an estimated cost of $20 billion annually,  included in the calculation is the loss of productivity and labour participation.  “Mental health disorders where identified as the main cause of a loss of healthy years of life in 2003”

A survey conducted in 2007 on participants aged 16 – 85 years of age who had experienced a mental health disorder or substance abuse in the year prior to the survey.  It was found that 45% of Australians surveyed have experience a mental disorder.   7.5 Million People in Australia in this survey had experienced mental disorders.

The disorders found in the survey ranged from:

• Suicide attempts
• Substance dependence and abuse – alcohol or drugs
• Anxiety Disorders – Anxiety disorders were more prevalent in women than in men.
• Mood disorders
• Depression + Loss of self-confidence and self esteem
• Bipolar Disorder – Manic episodes characterised by less sleep

Of those surveyed the severity varied between severe, moderate and mild disorder.

• 21% were found to have a severe disorder
• 33% had a moderate disorder
• 46% had a mild disorder
• 1.4 Million Or 38% of those surveyed had more than one disorder. This is known as Comorbidity.

From the survey conducted in 2007 it showed that 65% of people with a mental disorder did not seek help for their mental health problems. Statistics also showed that women were found to have a higher usage of mental health services than men.  However in 2007 GPs had 11.9 million encounters for mental health related issues.

How Mental Health Services Can Help.

The most common method in the survey to seek help was by visiting a GP.  This is a great start as your GP can refer to the right services based on your specific needs. People with mental illness may want to talk to a counsellor or visit their local community mental health services where available.

Sources

Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australian Churches Mental Health Survey

Sandra Ciminelli
Cred.Dip.Couns.(Christian)