Mental Health Crisis in Australia

The assignment explores the alarming issue of rising suicide rates in Australia. It delves into statistics highlighting the severity of the crisis, examines various contributing factors such as mental health disorders, substance abuse, and socioeconomic disparities. The analysis also considers demographic trends in suicide rates across different regions and populations within Australia.

MENTAL HEALTH

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
1. Significant areas of concern.........................................................................................................1
a) Statistics of Suicide and Depression in Australia...................................................................1
b) Identification of the groups with relevant issues....................................................................2
2. Factors considered the client's mental health and risks...............................................................4
3. Discussion on the ethical principles............................................................................................5
4. Identifying an urgent and prioritised health risk..........................................................................6
5. Identification of the mental health problem.................................................................................7
CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Mental health considers the psychological, emotional and the social well being of an
individual. Various factors contributing the mental health of an individual involves biological
factors, life experiences and the family history etc. Many warning signs can also be considered
for evaluating the mental health and stability (McGorry, Bates & Birchwood, 2013). The report
includes the detail, the nurse can be able to get after Jonathan has been admitted in the hospital
after his father felt him semi conscious. Also, it includes all the factors that affected his mental
condition and the ways to improve them as well.
1. Significant areas of concern
a) Statistics of Suicide and Depression in Australia
As per the reports, every year about 3000 cases of suicides are registered in Australia. The
statistics presented that in the year 2015, 3027 people attempted suicide. After the Australian
Bureau of Statistics investigated, it was found that self-harming or suicide comes as on the 13th
position of ending lives in Australia (Collins & et.al, 2011). The other factors were dementia,
breast cancer etc. The statistics for the case from the year 2006 to 2015 can be shown as under:
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The suicide rate for women is three times lesser than that of men. The highest rate for men is
determined at the age of 85 where that of women as 45-49 (Josh, 2016) .
Whether in case of depression, on an estimate it is found that about 45% people observe a
mental health situation or depression (Taylor & et.al, 2011). In a year, about 1 million people
suffer from depression. AS per the studies, depression at its highest rate was observed in 1930 in
Australia and according to the WHO (World Health Organisation), 350 people every year suffer
from this issue. As observed, from 2011, the rate of depression has been increasing till the time.
In 2014-15, about 4.0 million Australians ended their lives (Josh, 2016).
b) Identification of the groups with relevant issues
Depression
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Illustration 1: Statistics of suicide in Australia
(Source : Josh, 2016)

Though it is an issue which can trouble anyone at any age but adults can be considered as
the community group that is more prone to depression these days. As per the studies, depression
in older adults is more widespread as compared to younger people (Goldberg & et.al, 2011).
However, it can be critically evaluated that older people that are depressed are more likely to
represent cognitive changes, somatic symptoms and has less interest than the younger ones. But,
in contrast to that, the older ones have gone through a lot which can also be the reason of them
getting depressed and then, it is obvious that they have generated lesser interests in things (Minns
& Clark, 2012). However, it can be critically evaluated that depression in older adults minimizes
their quality of life which motivates them to do activities like suicide etc. There may be a large
list of reasons for why older adults suffer from this issue. But, in contradiction to the above
statement, mental as well as personal conditions can badly affect a person. Studies are one of the
main causes for adults for getting depressed. The same way some are disturbed because of their
personal lives as their relationships with friends, family etc. This is the second most cause which
can be a factor for depression in adults.
Suicide
In Australia, farmer suicide is considered as a serious public and social issue (Minns &
Clark, 2012). The number of farmers attempting suicide is increasing day by day. Agricultural
group that involves the farmers in the Australia are more prone to suicides than any other group.
However, it can be critically evaluated that, to the whole economy of the Australia, farming has
been an efficient contributor throughout the years. But, in contrast to that, the number of farmers
has reduced rapidly. There have been various reasons as well as they faced extreme climatic
conditions. However, farming is considered as the psychologically demanding occupation. But it
can be contradicted as they are declining in number day by day because of various factors. When
compared the rate of suicides of farmers with the employed people, it was found that it was 1.6
times higher than that of the employed ones. The statistics for the people committed suicide are
represented as under:
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(Source: Fact Check, 2017)
The rate of suicide of farmers in Australia is represented above. In the northern and the far
northern areas, it has increased the most. The lesser amount of suicides are represented in South
West.
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Illustration 2: Suicide rate of farmers

(Source: Fact Check, 2017)
The suicidal rates of Australia is represented as above. In the northern territory, it has been
increased the most.
2. Factors considered the client's mental health and risks
According to the case, the two main factors that have contributed for the mental health
issues and risks can be considered as isolation and bereavement (Minns & Clark, 2012). leave
the institute as he has not submitted his assignment yet. Before the death of his mother, he was
having positive relationship with his father. His mother was suffering from breast cancer from
last 12 months. Since then, his father used to go early for work and return late. Jonathon had also
joined an electrical course at TAFE institute. He was not able to submit the assignment of last
month as he was feeling very tired and was not well. He also had a girlfriend, Leah. After they
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Illustration 3: Suicidal rates of city and region

met in a local pub, they had a fight and Leah wants to end up their relation. These factors are
making him more alone. As he was already enough depressed because of her mother's death, and
now her girlfriend also want to leave him, Jonathon thinks he have none to talk with and is going
under more and more isolation.
The another issue he is dealing with is bereavement, as he has lost his mother few
months ago because of breast cancer. The first death anniversary of his mother is near and this is
making him more depressed. He feels himself as a failure as he was not able to submit the
assignments as well was not able to cope with her death. This guilt has made him more frustrated
that he has decided to self harm himself on the same date of death anniversary. He has also
taken an overdose of medications that were already present in the home. He has so much of grief
in himself that he even goes early for the work so that he may be able to kill himself with some
electric appliances. These two factors mainly are effecting the mental health of Jonathon.
3. Discussion on the ethical principles
Before the death of his mother, Jonathon was having good relations with his father. But as she
passed away, his father used to go early in the morning for work and come late in the evening.
This involved various risks for Jonathon which are discussed as under:
Risks of self harm
These risks involves all the activities that implies some sort of self harm. It can be
suicide, permanent scars, feeling of shame or guilt etc. Jonathon was also going through the same
as he has a guilt of his mother's loss, along with that he has not yet submitted the assignment in
the institute.
Risks of suicide
These are implied by someone going through a lot of depression or conditions that seems
unable to manage. As Jonathon was in a deep grief of his mother's death, he was also planning to
suicide on the same date of the death anniversary of his mother.
Risks of Physical harm
Jonathan once consumed an overdose of the medications that were already present in the
home. Also he often thought of going early for the work so that he can there make any harm to
him with any electrical appliance.
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Risk of reputation
AS he was having negative thoughts of self harm, at the same time was worried enough
for the reputation of his father as his mother has already died. He was also planning to do
suicide, so he was worried about the image of his family .
Risk to own reputation
It has been felt by Jonathan as he was not able to submit the assignments that he used to
submit before. He was also afraid of the fact that he may be asked to leave the institute for non
submission of the work.
Risk of self neglect
After his mother's death, he was feeling alone as his father used to go early in the
morning for work and return later. He was tired, so he did not attended the electrical classes as
well. The death anniversary of his mother is near, so he is feeling more depressed and isolated.
He is in a deep grief that he was not able to cope with the death of his mother.
Ethical principles
Beneficence
It is considered as a process that is to be done for providing benefits to the others. These
actions can either help in preventing from any harm or generally improving the condition
(Bohnert & Blow, 2012). Physicians have to help the patients and they try to refrain themselves
from providing any harm or mistake. In case of Jonathon as well, the nurse can provide him the
treatment, keeping in mind the fact that she has to ensure about his protection without any harm.
In the relationship between the doctors and patients, doctors have some obligations and they
have to follow some principles properly which are discussed as under:
 Preventing and removing any harms.
 Measuring the possible benefits against possible risks.
 Managing them towards the action (Minns & Clark, 2012).
 It also covers the protection and defending of other's rights.
 Also excluding people from danger.
 Helping persons with any sort of disabilities.
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Some examples of it can be providing vaccination to the people, discussing the prevention of
STD with the community.
Non Maleficence
It means to do no harm. The principle provides some more useful guidelines for the
physicians as the other theories have risk factors as well (Minns & Clark, 2012). This principle
can even prove more beneficial for Jonathon as it has less involvement of the risk factors and it
helps in improvements at much faster rates. The principle of non-maleficence gives concrete
guidance for taking care of the patients and these are discussed as under :
 Physicians should ensure the fact to not provide inappropriate treatments to the patients
as they can offer risk along with them (Bohnert & Blow, 2012).
 They should not intentionally do anything harmful for the patient.
 They should not even experiment some ting new on the patients.
 The principles prove more beneficial when it is being balanced against beneficence.
Some examples of it can include stopping the use of medication that seems harmful and
inappropriate.
Aspects of Mental Health Act 2007
It has introduced a new concept of supervised community treatment which further
includes its orders as well. It has replaced the supervised discharge along with the power to
return back to the patient to the hospital. It is so because there the patient can be appropriately
medicated if before, it has not been done properly. It also widens the overall range of mental
health professionals who can provide treatment to the patients responsibly. This can be done for
Jonathon as well as it has various benefits for the treatment. There are various therapies also such
as electroconvulsive therapy (McGorry, Bates & Birchwood, 2013). If Jonathon does not feels
that he has the capacity to use it, it may not be given to him and even if he wants to, it is to be
given with an advance directive or decision of the court of protection.
4. Identifying an urgent and prioritised health risk
As Jonathon was undergoing a huge amount of issues, he was not able to submit the
assignments, his girlfriend was also about to break up with him and the death anniversary of his
mother was near, it is an obvious fact that he was having higher levels of stress. He has lost his
mother as she was having breast cancer from 12 months. His relationship status was also not
going well. He was afraid of the fact that her girlfriend might leave him alone. The death
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anniversary of her mother was also nearby, which was another reason for him getting depressed
and stressed. He has decided to self-harm himself on the same date of anniversary.
He was also not able to submit the last assignment in the institute and he was afraid that
they may ask him to leave the institute. These factors were continuously increasing his stress
levels, thus, motivating himself in negative activities. These factors lead the feeling of self-
harming in him. Problem solving therapies and treatment planning can be considered as the
interventions that can help Jonathon to stay away from these negativities and focus on improving
his life and moving on. These techniques can help him in staying positive and accepting the fact
that what has been done cannot be changed and he has to move on for a better future.
5. Identification of the mental health problem
Out of all the issues Jonathon is facing low mood issues at the most. After the death of
his mother, the actual problem started. Before, he had a very positive relationship with his father
but after his mother's death, his father, Dennis started working more hard for managing all the
expenses of the family. He used to go early in the morning and comes back till late in the
evening. Jonathon was deeply alone after the death of her mother. She was suffering from breast
cancer from 12 months. As he was feeling tired and was observing lower energy levels, he had
not submitted his assignments in Technical and Further Education (TAFE). He was undergoing
stress that he has not yet submitted the assignment , he may be asked to leave the institute.
These factors had made his mood lower than ever and he was depressed enough that he has
decided about self harm.
His relationship status was also not going well. Another reason for his low mood, was
that Leah might want to have a break up with him which was making him more stressful. The
death anniversary of her mother was also near so as he decided to suicide on the same date. His
level of depression was so high that he was not even able to take the correct decisions. Non
submission of the work that has been allotted to him in the institute, mother’s death and bad
relationship status, all these factors were becoming a reason for his lower level of mood.
The interventions that can prove relevant for the scenario are discussed as under :
Client Nurse Relationship
The relationship between the patient with the doctor or nurse is essential. An efficient
relationship between the nurse and the client makes the patient more compatible with her. They
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both will be able to connect easily with one another. Thus, it will help in solving the issues
faster. It will also prevent any difficulties in the diagnosis process as they will be able to
communicate well with each other.
Psycho Education
It is considered as a process of providing support and information to the people seeking
for mental health services. Jonathon can also adopt this process it can help him getting out of all
the stress and will help him in moving on in the life. The process includes some therapies that
focuses on educating the patients about their sickness and different ways for coping with it.
CONCLUSIONS
It has been concluded from the report that Jonathon had a positive relationship with his
father before the death of his mother. Non submission of the assignment, poor relationship status
and his mother's death were the main reasons that lead to increased stressed levels which further
lead to the thoughts of suicide as well. As per the statistics, the rate of suicides and depression
have increased from the years. It was also found that depression is most commonly found in
older adults while farmers in the Australia are more to suicidal measures. Depression and anxiety
are considered as the main two factors that have contributed to the mental health issues and risks.
Some therapies and treatments can be applied for Jonathon that can help him improving his
condition and focus for a better life ahead.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bohnert, A. S., & Blow, F. C. (2012). Risk of death from accidental overdose associated with
psychiatric and substance use disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry. 169(1). 64-70.
Collins, P. Y., & et.al. (2011). Grand challenges in global mental health. Nature. 475(7354). 27-
30.
Elliott, D. S., Huizinga, D., & Menard, S. (2012). Multiple problem youth: Delinquency,
substance use, and mental health problems. Springer Science & Business Media.
Goldberg, S. E., & et.al. (2011). The prevalence of mental health problems among older adults
admitted as an emergency to a general hospital. Age and ageing. 41(1). 80-86.
Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K. M., & Christensen, H. (2010). Perceived barriers and facilitators to
mental health help-seeking in young people: a systematic review. BMC psychiatry. 10(1).
113.
Hawton, K., & et.al. (2013). Risk factors for suicide in individuals with depression: a systematic
review. Journal of affective disorders. 147(1). 17-28.
McGorry, P., Bates, T., & Birchwood, M. (2013). Designing youth mental health services for the
21st century: examples from Australia, Ireland and the UK. The British Journal of
Psychiatry. 202(s54). s30-s35.
Minns, A. B., & Clark, R. F. (2012). Toxicology and overdose of atypical antipsychotics. The
Journal of emergency medicine. 43(5). 906-913.
Taylor, P. J., & et.al. (2011). The role of defeat and entrapment in depression, anxiety, and
suicide. Psychological bulletin. 137(3). 391.
Online
Josh., B. 2016. Australia's Suicide Crisis Has Peaked To A Terrifying New Height. [Online].
Available through: <http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/09/27/australias-suicide-
crisis-has-peaked-to-a-terrifying-new-height_a_21480647/>. [Accessed on 2nd September
2017].
Fact Check. 2017. [Online]. Available through: <http://www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck/2014-
10-16/farmer-suicide-rates-bob-katter-fact-check/5805450>. [Accessed on 2nd September
2017].
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