The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ national study of mental health and wellbeing released today, highlights the prevalence of mental ill-health and distress, and gives us further evidence of the urgent need for system reform.

Given the study excluded people in 'non-private' dwellings (such as hotels, motels, hostels, hospitals, nursing homes, short-stay accommodation, boarding houses, and institutions) and those experiencing homelessness, it is likely these results underestimate the prevalence of mental ill-health and distress amongst Australians.

Even so, the results are a stark reminder of how common distress and mental ill-health is, and how imperative it is to reform our mental health system to meet the growing mental health needs of Australians.

This study showed almost half (44%) of Australian adults – 8.6 million people – have experienced a mental health condition at some point in their life.

Further insights from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing published today, found that in 2020-21:

• 15% of Australians reported experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress – with females (19%) more likely to experience this than males (12%)

• one in five people (20%) aged 16-34 years experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress – more than twice the rate of those aged 65-85 years

• one in six Australians (17%) aged 16-85 years had experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours in their life

• 3.4 million Australians saw a health professional for their mental health

• of people experiencing a mental health condition who saw a health professional, nearly 30% reported not have their need for counselling fully met, and 26% not having their need for information fully met.

These results indicate that unfortunately the rates of mental ill-health have not seen enough change since the last survey undertaken in 2007, which found 45% of Australian adults experienced a mental health condition in their lifetime and 20% in any given year.

Our sector is witness to countless stories of people who have found their way through the impacts of distress and mental-ill health to recovery and greater wellbeing. Incredible people and organisations have been working tirelessly to deliver effective mental health support and treatment. Yet at a national level, the numbers of people experiencing mental ill-health continues to climb.

We need to think differently about mental health support in this country. The Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health called for generational reform to create a person-centred mental health system.

While some of the wheels have been put in motion to bring about this change (for example, through the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement), the findings from this study show just how much more work is required.

An effective, integrated system of community-focused mental health treatment and support requires strong integration with sectors aimed at addressing the social determinants of mental health. To prevent distress and prevent or soften the experience of mental ill-health and the impact in people’s lives.

Addressing the social determinants of mental health is also a key step to reach our vision to see a reduction in suicides.

To support people early, we need to build genuine accountability into the system and eliminate the social and economic impacts that can contribute to distress. We need to have whole of government approaches to tackle the social determinants of health; lived experience leadership embedded into policy and practice; improved and transparent data systems; implementation of a community based mental health service system and we need to address the gaps in the suicide prevention and mental health workforces.  

The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing paints a clear picture – fundamental reform is required to reverse the trend, and improve Australian’s mental health and wellbeing. The study also give us up-to-date data that is essential for planning and prioritising delivery of mental health services.

Dr Leanne Beagley

CEO

The Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (The Framework) is a FREE, nationally available online resource. It  has been mapped against national standards to help you meet your existing requirements to provide culturally responsive care. It has been developed to support Australian mental health services, practitioners, Primary Health Networks and others to work effectively in a multicultural context. The Framework consists of a tailored set of modules and self-reflection tools, which allow organisations and practitioners to evaluate and enhance their cultural responsiveness. Registered users build on their strengths and address areas for improvement in a self-paced way, with free access to a range of support and resources to inform both professional an d service development.

A webinar series is available and provides an overview of the Framework and all 4 l modules.

These webinars are available to view anytime at: https://embracementalhealth.org.au/service-providers/webinars

For more information about the Framework contact the Embrace team: multicultural@mhaustralia.org

A new headspace campaign shining a light on the mental health of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds is encouraging young people from all cultures to seek support in tough times. Launching today, the Strength in my roots video series and online resources share the stories of three migrant and refugee young people, all of whom have lived experiences of mental ill-health. A family member supporting their migrant young person also speaks out as part of the campaign. By sharing their journeys publicly, the young people and family member hope to break down stigma in their communities and reassure other young people from diverse backgrounds that there is no shame in reaching out for help. 

Mental health services in Australia (MHSA) provides a picture of the national response of the health and welfare service system to the mental health care needs of Australians. MHSA is updated progressively throughout each year as data becomes available.

The Productivity Commission has been asked to examine the economic and social costs and benefits of providing an extended unpaid leave entitlement to informal carers of older Australians under the National Employment Standards. The Productivity Commission has released an issues paper to guide people in preparing a submission. Initial submissions are due by Wednesday 24 August 2022.

The Government is delivering on one of its core election commitments to make it easier for thousands of Australians in outer suburbs and regions to see a GP.  An update of the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification system will now recognise 700 areas with either full or partial DPA classification, meaning practices will be able to recruit GPs from a much wider pool of doctors. 

The Victorian Government has announced the governance board for the new Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The purpose-built facility in Melbourne will be the first of its kind in Australia, bringing together people with lived experience, researchers and health professionals to lead critical improvements in the mental health system. The Collaborative Centre will provide treatment, care and support to adults, lead cutting-edge research and serve as the 'engine room' for reform across the mental health sector and its workforce.

As part of the Co-Design work the NDIA is undertaking on Information Gathering for Access and Planning (IGAP), they want to hear from people with disability, carers, advocates and treating professionals about how they can improve information gathering for access and planning. 

The survey is open until 29 July. 

The existing Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2013, which outline the requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Register, the governance standards and external conduct standards applying to charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and requirements for registered charities’ annual financial reports, are scheduled to automatically sunset on 1 April 2023. The draft Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulations 2022 (the ‘draft Regulations’) propose to remake the Regulations, with minimal changes to the substantive requirements and inclusions.

A statement by Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly regarding the increase in cases of the new BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the COVID-19 Omicron strain. Australia is experiencing a significant increase in cases of the new BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the COVID-19 Omicron strain.

These variants are highly infectious and have an ability to evade the immune protection from either previous infection or vaccine. Although three or four doses of vaccine remain very effective at providing protection against severe disease from BA.4 and BA.5, vaccination alone is not effective at stopping infection or transmission of the virus from person to person. All indications, including previous experience with the BA.1 Omicron variant in Australia in January this year, as well as recent experience with the BA.4 and BA.5 variants in other countries, along with our weekly forecasting reports, suggest that cases will continue to rise in Australia over the coming month.

The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration commissioned qualitative and quantitative research amongst GPs in Australia who had completed either Level 1 Mental Health Skills Training or Level 2 Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training, the findings of which are summarised in the report Delivering mental health care in general practice: Implications for practice and policy.

This report presents new analysis from the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) that focuses on the attitudes and perceptions of people across Australia on various drug-related issues. The interactive data map allows people to select a region to see what people who responded to the survey thought about tobacco smoking, alcohol use, cannabis, and other illicit drugs in 2019.

Hosted by WAAMH with support from the WA Mental Health Commission and Lotterywest, the conference will be held in-person at Perth's Optus Stadium and virtually with interactive streaming and online networking on 7-8 November 2022, with the theme, 'Working together: a shared purpose'.

Despite the high prevalence of people experiencing eating disorders and high weight, eating disorders are consistently under-recognised and under-treated in this population. People who are of higher weight and experiencing an eating disorder have often experienced delayed identification of the eating disorder, misdiagnoses in assessment, subsequent inappropriate and inadequate treatment and widespread stigma. Previously, there has been little to guide clinicians on the management of eating disorders for people with higher weight. The Management of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guideline addresses this important gap.

Out From The Mist is an international music, short film, and photography competition that shines a light on mental illness.

If you have lived experience, either directly, or through a loved one, share your experience through the lens of art!

The 2022 competition is open from 1st July to 19th August 2022 and for the first time, entries will be open to music, vocal and instrumental.

Black Dog Institute is pleased to announce its Summit on Self-Harm to be held on
Thursday, 10 November 2022 at Doltone House in Sydney.

This full-day event will bring together leading international researchers, clinicians and lived experience experts to provide and share insights about self-harm.

Held virtually over two half-days, Perspectives 2022 will feature a line-up of Lived Experience speakers, leaders and advocates, including Fay Jackson, the Deputy Commissioner of the Mental Health Commission of NSW and General Manager, Inclusion at Flourish Australia.

This training program offered by BlueKnot builds on the trauma responsive leadership training program which introduced the concept of secure base leadership and focused on the foundation of understanding self in a leadership role.

Eating Disorder Core Skills: eLearning for Mental Health Professionals is comprehensive foundational eating disorder training developed specifically for mental health professionals. The five-hour, self-paced and interactive online training includes practical real-life scenarios and activities, videos from leaders in the field and people with a lived experience of an eating disorder, up-to-date resources and a formal assessment.

Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality (STARS) is a person-centred, psycho-social, needs-based semi-structured interview. It was developed to provide a very initial insight into the complex world of a suicidal person to inform immediate collaborative and compassionate client care, including further examination of suicidality as necessary.

Final places are available, but going quickly.  

Cohort intake start date: August 1st 2022 (4 weeks to complete the course)

Structure: 12 – 15 hours online, followed by 1-day skills-based webinar

Entry criteria: must have some experience working with those in suicidal distress.

The 16th National Rural Health Conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 2–4 August 2022.

The full program for the 16th National Rural Health Conference is now available online. The program includes details of keynote, invited and concurrent speakers. Keynote speakers now include well-known journalist and author Stan Grant.

Suicide Prevention Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Conference 2023 will be held over 1 – 4 May in Canberra. This event provides a gateway to unite suicide prevention experts to showcase evidence-based solutions and robust discussion, focused on solutions for saving lives.