E-Mental Health Reforms in Australia: Benefits, Limitations, and Recommendations

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH REFORMS
MENTAL HEALTH REFORMS
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1MENTAL HEALTH REFORMS
Executive Summary
This report has discussed about the E mental health strategies that has been introduced by the
Australian government in order to provide online mental health services by the help of online
websites and apps. This therapy has been found to useful for those having mild to moderate
cognitive disorders that can be improved by online counselling. The paper had further argued
on the probable limitations associated with the mental health services such as breaching of
the privacy and confidentiality, high cost and legal issues due to geographical constraints. On
the basis of limitations and the gaps identified, the report had also provided with some
recommendations- like increasing the funding of the government, proper dissemination of the
information, provision of cyber security to the patient information.

2MENTAL HEALTH REFORMS
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Mental health illness prevalence in Australia............................................................................3
E Mental health strategy.............................................................................................................4
Benefits......................................................................................................................................6
Limitations.................................................................................................................................6
Recommendations......................................................................................................................8
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8
References................................................................................................................................10

3MENTAL HEALTH REFORMS
Introduction
Mental health disorders can be referred to as a wide range of cognitive disorder that
affects the mood, thinking, behaviour. Mental health disorder affects social, professional as
well as the personal relationship of the patients. It also causes marginalisation and social
isolation, impact their interaction with the community (Bauer & Moessner, 2012). Some of
the most common mental health disorders that can be found in Australia are depression,
dementia, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia and anxiety disorder.
This report will discuss about the E mental health reforms made by the Australian
government for providing online mental health care to the mental health patients.
Mental health illness prevalence in Australia
Mental health illness is very common in Australia. One in five of the Australians
experience from mental health problems. The common mental health disorders that the
Australian faces are anxiety disorder that could develop depression. Out of 20 % of the
Australians suffering from mental health disorders, 11.6 % suffer from one disorder.
Depression has been found to be one of the non-fatal disease in Australia (23%) (Australian
Department of Health. 2012). While suicide accounts for relatively a small proportion of
death for the young people within the age 15-24. Suicide due to mental health disorders has
been found to be a matter of concern. Some of the groups that are vulnerable to suicide due to
mental health disorders are aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islander. Females are more likely
than males to face from anxiety disorders (Australian Department of Health., 2012). A wide
number of social factors have been found to be associated with mental health disorders, such
as isolation and marginalisation, racism and discrimination, marginalisation, poverty,
substance use or dementia like neurodegenerative diseases.