Essay - Mental Illness in Australia - Assessment Answer

Essay Assignment

Assignment Task

Introduction

Health system of Australia is complex. It can also be considered as a web of practitioners, services, organizational settings and recipients. Under this complex system, the issue of mental illness is very grave. It has been now recognized that mental health issues are third most leading illness issue in Australia (National Mental Health Report, 2013). Approximately one individual in every five is suffering with mental health issue, and mainly with depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior. In the recent years, great research has been done on the growing awareness of the mental illness and its impact on the general population of the country. There are various factors associated with prevalence of mental illness in Australian and co-morbidities associated with it. This essay will argue the reasons for the epidemic of mental illness in Australia and other western countries today are financial strain, unemployment and relationship breakdown.

Reasons behind Epidemic Mental Health Illness in Australia

Mental illness is considered a problem that affects the thought process of the individuals, which could be more specifically described as “all in the mind” (p. 248). Various social and environmental factors are associated with prevalence of mental disorders. The most common mental health problem found in Australians is anxiety and depression. These problems have become epidemic in Australia as well as in other Western countries. The epidemic problem of mental illness in most of the countries is associated with financial strain, drought, overwork, unemployment, relationship breakdowns and pressure to achieve something in life (p. 248). The so called modernity is also responsible for the increase in stressors, as it resulted in the decline of traditional social support and has increased the worriers of terrorism and other environmental threats.

According to the survey of National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB), one in every five Australians has faced some kind of mental disorder in the 12 months period before the survey. People are under various pressures and stressors, which are affecting their mental health. It has been found that people involved in alcoholism, substance abuse and smoking are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. However, the rate of mental health problems is found in people with every age, but it is specifically high in population between age of 16- and 24 years of age. The age related finding of the mental illness in population suggest that with increase of responsibilities and aspirations work as more heavy stressors (p. 249).

In the Western Societies illicit use of drug is very common and the most common drug used is cannabis. The use of this drug starts at the age of 16 or 17. Approximately 50% of the Australian under the age 16 and 24 have used this drug. People with low socio-economic household are likely to suffer with depression and anxiety (National Mental Health Report, 2013).The ‘epidemic’ prevalence of the mental disorders such as depression and anxiety has gained attention politically all over the world. Mental disorders are also considered as the leading cause of the fatal injuries and diseases. There are various injuries that have raised the prevalence of mental illness in Australia. These people face difficulty in accessing inpatient care. The individuals, who suffer from chronic illness, or long term chronic illness, also develop the symptoms of mental disorders. Ischaemic heart disease is a major reason, which is followed by anxiety and depression (p. 251). Relationship breakdowns involve Family and domestic violence, which is also a major reason behind increase in mental health issues. Women suffer from family violence, which lead to depression and other mental disorder. Children are also directly or indirectly affected by violence are likely to develop depression.

The disability caused due to mental health illness is very high in Australia. The people who have suffered some kind of trauma in their life are also likely to suffer with mental illness. Children, who have faced some kind of traumatic event in their life, develop the symptoms of depression. This is mainly seen in the Indigenous children, due to that changes in the kinship, people suffer with family issues. Violence in families leads children towards depression and also encourage next generation towards violence. This situation is very severe in Australia (Savy & Sawyer, 2014). One of the other major reasons behind prevailing mental illness in old age people of Australia is financial instability.

The farm workers of Australia suffer with depression, anxiety and other co-morbidities. There have been great researches done on the mental illness in farm workers in Australia. The farm workers have to go through different environment, social, economic and climatic factors (Savy & Sawyer, 2014). These different factors impact their mental state and sense of well-being. These people do not have very good opportunity to use the mental health services. Due to which their condition deteriorate with time. Depression associated with economic and financial condition of people is also very high in Australia. Drought also affects the mental state of farm workers. Farm workers are mainly dependent on farming for their life and drought can be a major problem from them. Farmers all over the world suffer from depression due to drought.

Mental health illness also results to higher level of disability. Mental health illness in a member of family not only affects their well-being, but also those who are around them. The immediate family members are affected with causes and consequences of the illness. Another reason behind prevalence of mental illness is the presence of chronic illness in people. Chronic diseases are prevalent in Indigenous population, as well as in immigrants and culturally diverse groups of Australia. Mental illness is also found to be associated with family functioning and social outcomes. Marital dissatisfaction is associated with development of depression in women. Reason of suicide in women is that women suffer from more violent and traumatic events in life. They have high level of distress and anxiety, and also they are unable to cope with their distress.

Conclusion

Mental illness is a great issue for government of Australia. It is considered as the third most epidemic problem. Mental illness is a big issue as it causes major financial burden on government and great burden of disabilities on population. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, mental illness is responsible for causing many co-morbidities and mental disorder. The signs and symptoms of mental illness are often hidden and could not be identified till clinical testing. Thus, such illness often remains untreated. Approximately 50% people suffering with mental illness are not able to get treatment for their illness. In young population boys are more likely to suffer from mental illness and commit maximum number of suicides, but in older population women are more likely to suffer from depression. Men in both the groups are likely to commit more suicides. Essay reviewed different reasons associated with high prevalence of mental illness in Australia, which suggest that Australian government require focusing more on minority groups. These groups require attention of healthcare system, so that they can have early diagnosis of their illness and can take essential treatment, before the condition gets worse.