Mental health awareness
Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which individuals cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to their community. Mental illness, on the other hand, describes a number of diagnosable disorders that can significantly interfere with a person's cognitive, emotional or social abilities.
ABS data show that females aged 16–85 years have a higher rate of mental health disorders (22 per cent) than males (18 per cent). A higher rate of anxiety disorders is the main contributor to the higher overall rate for females, who are almost twice as likely as males to report post-traumatic stress disorder.
Males were more likely to have had a mental disorder at some stage in their lifetime than females (48 per cent compared to 43 per cent). This was due to a higher proportion that had a substance use disorder.
In 2007, 45 per cent of Australians aged 16–85 years reported that they would have met the criteria for a diagnosis of a mental disorder at some point in their life. One in five (3.2 million) Australians had experienced symptoms of mental illness in the previous 12 months.
Clearly, mental health is an issue affecting many Australians. An individual's ability to relate to their family, friends, workmates and the broader community can be affected by their mental health. Mental illness can cause significant distress and disability, leading to isolation of, and discrimination against, those affected.
People with a mental health disorder may also find it difficult to fully participate in the labour force. This has an individual impact in terms of the person's income, social participation and self-esteem, but also a wider economic impact. The annual cost of mental illness in Australia has been estimated at $20 billion, which includes the cost of lost productivity and reduced labour force participation.
Mental Health Week was from 4 to 10 October, culminating with World Mental Health Day on 10 October. During this time, activities and events were held in Australia to:
1.Encourage help seeking behaviour.
2.Reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
3.Foster connectivity throughout communities.
All Australians were, and still are, encouraged to make a personal mental health promise, with over 12,000 promises submitted by 12 October.
Mental Health Week encouraged people to seek help, or for family and friends to encourage people to seek help, when necessary. There are many highly trained professionals who specialise in mental health. General practitioners (GPs) for example, are able to treat and refer patients as appropriate.
Our local pharmacy can help too. One of the key aspects to managing mental illness is medicine management. Pharmacists are medicines experts and can assist you with understanding how your medicines work and any possible side effects. Pharmacies also offer services which can help people living with mental illness maintain their independence. For example, medication management services such as Dose Administration Aids. Visit our local pharmacy and find out how we can help.
Pharmacies can also provide advice on ways to maintain your mental health, and cope with stress. There is a series of mental health information cards available from our pharmacy. These cards cover a number of topics such as Anxiety, Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
There are also useful Fact Cards covering a range of related topics such as Relaxation Techniques and Sleeping Problems, all with helpful tips.
Reproduced from PSA Health Column 14/10/15
