Mental Health in Australia: Awareness, Roles, Media, and Community

This report provides a comprehensive overview of mental health awareness in Australia. It begins by defining mental health and its significance, emphasizing the role of the Australian government and non-government agencies in addressing mental health issues. The report delves into th...Read More

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH 1
MENTAL HEALTH
Student name:
Institutional affiliation:
Professor:
Date:

MENTAL HEALTH 2
Introduction
Mental health may be termed as the level of an individual’s psychological well-being.
They include an individual’s emotions, social well-being, and psychology. The psychological,
mental well-being state may be termed as an individual’s ability to function at a satisfactory level
in their behavior and emotion. Since, our mental well-being determines how we handle stress,
make choices, and relate to others (Engdahl, 2010, p. 14). Therefore, mental health is quite
significant in every person’s life despite the stage they are in whether childhood, adolescence all
through adulthood. As a result, any negative experience causing mental health problems our
behavior, thinking, and mood may be affected. They are several influences that underwrite to
mental health concerns which include biological factors, life experiences, and genetics of mental
disorders. However, despite the fact that mental health problems are common patients have
continued to fully recover from the health complication creating need to develop awareness of
mental health.
Due to the continued increase in mental health problems the Australian government and
other stakeholders set aside a particular week every year to create awareness of the health issue
(In Meadows, 2012, p. 22). Therefore, every year in October Americans and the world as a
whole face the reality of living with a mental health condition. This takes place during the first
week of October thus aiding to fight stigma, advocate for equal care, educate the public, and
provide support to creating public awareness of the mental health condition. The government
then coincides with the awareness week by setting an official World Mental Health Day which is
on every 10th October (Western Australia, 2012, p. 18). During the week the government and
various stakeholders will educate the public to learn more about specific mental health problems

MENTAL HEALTH 3
and the relevant places to find. Furthermore, the week plays a huge role in educating the public
on the prevention and wellness of mental health.
Purpose of the Mental Health Week and what the government hopes to achieve
The mental health week was established in 1990 by the U.S. Congress. The week was
established in recognition of efforts that the National Alliance on Mental Illness has developed to
aid educate and increase awareness about mental health complications (Walker, 2012, p. 35).
Among the purposes of the week is to discourage the myths about mental illness. The public has
adopted myths to mental health which includes the perception of limited scope for effective
treatment seeking that a person with a mental condition cannot recover from a mental illness.
However, during this week the government and other stakeholders help to change perception to
such a myth since mental health treatments can be effective. This has been proved by the fact
that patients who suffered degenerative condition like dementia there is clear evidence when the
patients are medicated and change their lifestyle they are significant effects witnessed on slowing
the onset of the disease for some patients. Furthermore, the mental health week aids educate the
public that mentally ill patients as purely fiefdom of mental health trusts. Therefore, people with
a mental condition should be handled in a coordinated way despite their health conditions thus
improving their lifestyles.
Furthermore, during the mental health week, the government and various stakeholders
also work towards attaining progress on mental health (Mental Health Council of Australia,
Mental Health Association, 2004, p. 43). Since the week seeks to create awareness during this
time progress on mental health should be noted because patients are encouraged to seek medical
advice. Moreover, mental health progress is also achieved when the members of the public are

MENTAL HEALTH 4
educated about common signs and symptoms that a patient is likely to suffer from mental illness
which includes reducing stress. Working towards reducing stigma is very important since this
will aid improve the patient’s lifestyle.
During the week the government and various stakeholders will also work towards
publicizing clinicians for mental health. The government during this week also works towards
equipping the public on where to find clinicians for mental health complications. Doing this will
lessen patients the burden and even avoid them from exploitation when trying to reach a clinician
for mental health complications (Western Australian Association for Mental Health, 2003, p. 53).
The government and other stakeholders will also familiarize the public on first aids that can be
performed to a patient before they seek medical attention.
Roles of the government and Non-government agencies in addressing mental health
in Australia
The agencies in Australia are working towards providing a picture of the national
response to mental health thus caring for the needs of the Australians. Therefore, the Australian
government and other non-government agencies share a responsibility to address mental health
policies thus providing support services for all Australians living with a mental disorder. The
government and other non-government agencies are playing a significant role in the funding and
provision of specialized mental health treatment (In Mason, In Gardner, In Outlaw, & In
O'Grady, 2016, p. 43). Hence, they are playing a relevant role in ensuring that mental health
treatment is administered to healthy patients thus equipping various health clinicians with
relevant funds to help in treating the illness.

MENTAL HEALTH 5
Secondly, the government and various non-government agencies are on the front line in
ensuring that national mental health reform initiatives are actually carried out in the country.
This includes providing a number of services to patients found suffering with mental health
services (Vostanis, 2007, p. 11). By doing this, the government plays a relevant role in avoiding
the stigma of patients suffering from the illness since they encouraged that the government is
willing to help them by any means possible.
Subsequently, the Australian government and non-government agencies have played a
relevant role in ensuring that several mental health reforms undertakings have been initiated. The
series of reforms include transferring responsibility from the national government to the newly
created Australian government’s Primary Health Networks (PHNs). The PHNs will then take up
the roles of integrating mental health planning thus ensuring that patients with mental health
disabilities are taken care of effectively to upgrade their medical condition.
Moreover, beyondblue a non-government agency which was established by Jeff Kennett
with the funding from Commonwealth and Australia State government is playing a role in
ensuring that there is a decrease in the prevalence of depression in all mental health patients
(Bayat, 2015, p. 34). The organizational effectiveness has been confirmed by the 24-hour
information helpline services that have been established to all mental health practitioners in
Australia. Furthermore, other non-government agencies such as Carers Association of Australia,
Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH), among other are playing significant
roles in ensuring that mental illness in Australia is addressed accordingly thus helping patients
cope with the disorder.

MENTAL HEALTH 6
The Value of engaging community in mental health initiatives
Actively engaging the community with mental health initiatives has continued to be very
useful in creating a positive stigma to mental health patients. When the community is invloved in
mental health issues, they can frame mental issues. These have resulted in values such as health
reforms (Duin, Nater, Anklesaria, & University of Minnesota, 2012, p. 62). Engaging the
community has increased health reforms since patients who were earlier suffering from stigma
can overcome stigma thus seeking medical attention.
Community engagement in health initiatives has demonstrated a sense of empowerment
to the public. As a result, the healthier relationship with peers and participation in activities has
improved. This is because the members of a community have been empowered to accept living
with mental illnesses since it’s a normal complication like other health complications (Deravin-
Malone & Anderson, 2016, p. 44). Furthermore, empowering the members of the community has
also played a relevant in enhancing the need to seek treatment when one is suffering from mental
illnesses.
On the other hand, engaging the community has played a significant role in overcoming
myths in the community such as a myth that mental disorders are not curable. When the society
is actively involved in mental health initiatives patients, have continued to overcome myths in
the society since they have been able to be encouraged to seek medical attention (Francis, 2014,
p. 53). As a result, the government and non-government agencies can comfortably improve
healthcare to the affected patients.
Moreover, the community has been equipped with relevant knowledge on how to handle
first aid to a person who has mental illness and the possible signs and symptoms (Kemshall,

MENTAL HEALTH 7
2008, p. 11). This has helped members of the society educated on the signs and symptoms of the
likely hood to suffer from mental illnesses. As a result, members of the community are now
vigilant since they have also been equipped with relevant knowledge that will help them assess
their health status.
Health practitioners after engaging with the community they can get a greater
understanding of the members of the community strengths and weaknesses learning new skills to
approaching problems. Equipping themselves with strategies that will help them in dealing with
mental health challenges in the community thus been able to handle mental complications
efficiently. Furthermore, various government agencies and non-government after direct
interactions with the society they acquire direct feedback which enhances their skills in
delivering mental health care.
Role and impact of the media in mental health promotion
Recently, the media has been seen to play important functions in the promotion of
mental health. Since a large number of people in the community are using media technologies (In
Mucic & In Hilty, 2016, p. 33). However, the media has both positive and negative impact
depending on the information people are sharing regarding mental health. Nevertheless, the
media has played an active role in creating awareness of mental health diseases. Media has made
it possible to exchange information regarding creating awareness since it’s only a click away to
develop information from the internet.
Subsequently, the media has played an active role in ensuring that the society is equipped
with knowledge about mental illness. Media has made it possible to receive all types of
information regarding the mental disorder. As a result, members of the society are now equipped

MENTAL HEALTH 8
with the relevant knowledge needed for awareness of the illness. Furthermore, the media has
outlined how to cope and seek medical advice once you suffer signs and symptoms linked to
mental disorders.
Thirdly, the media has played a major role in ensuring that mental health patients do not
suffer stigma (Bauman & Rivers, 2015, p. 43). The media has made mental disorders sound like
any other health complication. Patients can now seek treatment without fear of isolation and
rejection. Furthermore, the media is teaching on the importance of taking care of mental people
with a mental health condition since they have encouraged their empowerment resulting to
positive change towards their behavior.
On the other hand, the media has negatively influenced and impacted mental health
disorders. Often, social media has been seen to significantly criticize people with mental health
condition (Rogers, 2014, p. 32). This has discouraged them from seeking medical attention since
they are afraid of social criticism. Moreover, mental disorders in some communities have been
viewed as a curse. Thus patients who suffer from these disorders have been kept in isolation
hindering them from seeking treatment.
The internet has been identified as a source of misleading information about mental
health. Misleading information about mental health has been seen to be shared via the internet.
This has resulted in transferring of false information across our society yet the government and
various stakeholders have laid down strategies to aid in improving mental health. As a result,
mentally challenged patients are finding it difficult to access healthcare.

MENTAL HEALTH 9
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Australian government, non-government agencies, and the world have
played a significant role in achieving and creating awareness of mental disorders. The
establishment of strategies such as the mental health week has created awareness, empowered,
and educated the society on mental health. Furthermore, engaging the community has helped
mental patients cope with the illness like any other illness despite claims that mental disorders
are as a result of myths. On the other hand, social media has played a large role in creating
awareness positively since patients can retrieve the information they need regarding mental
health on the internet. However, mental illness can be viewed as any other health complications
since patients of mental health have continued to recover and can now cope with the changing
world since their complications can be easily handled in the current society. Nevertheless,
everyone is expected to take up personal responsibility to stop mental health stigma, on the
contrary, create it’s awareness thus encouraging mental patients to seek medical care.

MENTAL HEALTH 10
References
Bauman, S., & Rivers, I. (2015). Mental health in the digital age.
Bayat, M. (2015). Addressing challenging behaviors and mental health issues in early
childhood.
Deravin-Malone, L., & Anderson, J. (2016). Chronic Care Nursing. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Duin, A. H., Nater, E. A., Anklesaria, F. X., & University of Minnesota. (2012). Cultivating
change in the academy: 50+ stories from the digital frontlines at the University of
Minnesota in 2012. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota.
Engdahl, S. (2010). Mental health. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press/Gale Cengage
Learning.
Francis, A. P. (2014). Social Work in Mental Health: Contexts and Theories for Practice. New
Delhi: SAGE Publications.
In Mason, D. J., In Gardner, D. B., In Outlaw, F. H., & In O'Grady, E. T. (2016). Policy &
politics in nursing and health care.
In Meadows, G. (2012). Mental health in Australia: Collaborative community practice.
In Mucic, D., & In Hilty, D. M. (2016). e-Mental health.
Kemshall, H. (2008). Understanding the community management of high risk offenders.
Maidenhead: Open University Press.

MENTAL HEALTH 11
Mental Health Council of Australia, Mental Health Association (Qld.), Multicultural Centre for
Mental Health and Wellbeing, Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre, &
Mental Health Week (Qld.). (2004). Report on the Mental Health Week 2004 event
Exploring the wisdom within cultures. Brisbane, Qld: Queensland Transcultural Mental
Health Centre.
Rogers, A. (2014). A sociology of mental health and illness.
Vostanis, P. (2007). Mental health interventions and services for vulnerable children and young
people. London: Jessica Kingsley Pub.
Walker, J. R. (2012). The feasibility of a spirituality-based wellness program on stress reduction
and health behavior change.
Western Australia. (2012). Music Feedback: Music talks about mental health, so can you : event
toolkit.
Western Australian Association for Mental Health. (2003). Mental Health Week: Storybook.
Perth, W.A.: Author.