Mental Health in Australia: A Case Study and Policy Recommendations

This presentation provides an overview of mental health in Australia, focusing on the prevalence of mental illness, particularly in the context of public health policy. It examines the impact of mental health conditions, including anxiety, substance use disorders, and affective disorders like depression, on the Australian population. The presentation includes a case study, highlighting specific demographics such as men in the Australian Defence Force and young women, to illustrate the scope of the problem. It also addresses the challenges practitioners face, such as early diagnosis and selecting appropriate treatments. The presentation emphasizes opportunities for practitioners, including various programs and the importance of skills like effective communication. It concludes by highlighting the need for effective policies and the utilization of available opportunities to address the mental health crisis in Australia. The presentation references relevant sources such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's reports and academic publications.

Developing Health Public Policy

Table Of Content
 Introduction
 Overview
 Case Study
 Challenges Practitioners must be aware of
 Opportunities for Practitioners
 Conclusion
 References

Introduction
Health policies refer to decision plans as well as actions which
are being taken up for attainment of peculiar healthcare goals
within the society. This presentation will provide an overview of
mental illness which is being faced by people of Sydney,
Australia.

Overview
 Mental illness is defined as health condition which comprises of
behaviour or thinking, change within emotions or both these
aspects. Basically, they are involved with problems and distress
functioning within work, family or social activities. Almost half of
Australians who are in between 16 to 85 years i.e. near about 7.3
million people will experience mental illness at any moment of life.

Cont..
 This involves anxiety, substance use disorders such as alcohol use
and affective disorders such as depression. Mental illness as well
as substance use disorders is liable for 12% disease burden across
Australia.

Case Study
Mental illness is becoming a major problem in Australia and it is
anticipated that around 7.3 million of people once in their life
span will have this problem. With respect to population of
Australia some aspects have been identified they are:
 Men, those served in Australian Defense Force are likely twice
i.e. 9.4% to experience disorders such as depression as compared
to those who have not served (5.7%).

Cont..
 Females with age 15 to 24 for around 3 in 5 community mental
health issues for eating disorders (58%) and are hospitalized for
the same (57%).
 Individuals who are identified as bisexual or homosexual are
likely to have anxiety disorders (32%) with respect to
heterosexual people (14%).

Challenges Practitioners must be aware of
The above sections clearly indicate that there are wide range of
people who are going through health issue i.e. mental illness. it is
important to acknowledge all the aspects associated with this:
 It is difficult to identify depression at initial stage due to mood
swings sometime a patient may be normal and may become
aggressive at other instance.

Cont..
 Selecting appropriate treatment for right patient with respect to
one that can be tolerated for right symptom as well as lead to
optimal functioning.
 There may be probable side effects that have to be communicated
to patient but the way in which they respond is necessary while
giving particular treatment.

Opportunities for Practitioners
There is a lack of understanding related with mental health which
leads to mainstream service providers. For this practitioners within
Australia have different options like National Workplace Program,
Workplace mental health & wellbeing programs and many other are
there which provides them with adequate knowledge with respect to
ways in which patients can be treated in an enhanced manner. Along
with this, effective communication, analytical abilities, problem
solving and team work are major skills that must be developed.

Conclusion
From above it can be concluded that, mental illness is
defined health conditions which creates an impact on
behaviour, mood and thinking. For this, it is necessary that
adequate policies are being formulated by making use of
opportunities which they have.