Has+the+prevalence+of+mental+illness+in+Australian+increased+that+dramatically+or+is+the+increasing+support+and+awareness+opening+new+voices+to+the+silent?

Tutor: Michelle Newcomb
//Has the prevalence of mental illness in Australian increased that dramatically or is the increasing support and awareness opening new voices to the silent?//


 * CULTURAL ARTEFACT **

** Casting Crowns – Does anybody hear her? **
[] []

This song explores the life of a young woman and some challenges and decisions she is making. The lyrics from this song describe emotive actions that are closely related with emotions expressed from Australians suffering from a mental illness. The artist has also underlined the importance of support and understanding for those who are lost with their emotions and lonely. The video link is the music video to the soundtrack. It allows viewers to see her story (the lyrics) played out in a real life situation.


 * THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE **

The mental health of young Australians is currently one of the largest public health concerns. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has been collecting data focusing on the mental health of Australians for a period of less than fifteen years. This relevant research on mental health problems, have shown an increase in the prevalence within Australian society. In a survey of sixteen million people aged between sixteen and eighty-five, 45% have suffered a mental disorder at some point in their lives. Of the total people surveyed 20% spoke openly about the short term disorders they experienced. These included; anxiety, depressive bipolar and substance use disorder. ( Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007) A mental illness is defined as a ‘health problem that significantly affects how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people’ (Department of Health and Ageing, 2007). The mental health of Australians is a national concern. Australian government need to continue the support organisations and initiatives that are encourage suffers to speak up and seek help.


 * LITERATURE REVIEW **

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released information about the public reporting and statistics of people seeking help about mental illnesses. In the 1995 survey, only a small 5.9% of people suffering from mental illness asked for medical help, by 2001 9.6% of suffers were seeking help and from the most recent research in 2005, 11% were seeking help and assistance for their illnesses. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007) In a more recent study conducted in 2007, 20% of Australians spoke about how they had experienced symptoms of a mental disorder in the last twelve months, while 45% had experienced a mental illness at some point in their lives (Australian Bureau of statistics, 2009).

Annually each state and territory conducts research about Australian Mental Health. This is conducted through the Mental Health Information Strategy Sub-Committee (MHISS) in the form of National Minimum Data Sets (NMDS). The MHISS then has the crucial role of organising the issues and initiatives to be included in the National Mental Health Strategy (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). The National Mental Health Strategy first started in 1993. This strategy’s introduction phase focused closely on the treatment and support services for those suffering from a mental illness.

This strategy has made significant impacts on the handling of mental health issues in Australia. This government strategy has included implementing a range of health and welfare services including; income support, housing services, training and employment opportunities. General hospitals have been increasing the amount of psychiatric beds and mental health patients are being less isolated from other patients. (Department of Health and Ageing, 2011). The report shows that in 2008, 5880 new health care professionals were employed to focus on the treatment and care of each individual community. There was also an expansion in ambulatory care services for mental health care nationally. This was a 175% increase between 1993 and 2008 (Department of Health and Ageing, 2011).

The Australian Government, through their initiatives and strategies have made a significant impact on the mental health awareness and health care, aimed to reduce the burden of mental illness nationwide. Although they have increased support services and resources for suffers, statistics have not decreased. Research has shown they have slightly increased. A government report in 1999 stated there was an 18% prevalence of mental illness in society, in a more recent study between 2007-2008, the prevalence had increased to 20%. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2000; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2008). In a 2007 ABS Australian social trends research, approximately 872,000 mental illness suffers’ felt they had an ‘unmet need for assistance’. The most common concerns expressed were the lack of counselling, information and social intervention (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009).

The Government policies and strategies around mental health have become a large section of federal health funding. The total government spending on mental health increased by 137% between the years 1993 and 2008. Spending on community-based mental health services has also increased by 272% between 1993 and 2008 (Department of Health and Ageing, 2011). These large increases are necessary to continue to provide support networks and specialised mental healthcare within communities across Australia.

The Australian Government is continuing to spend large percentages of the state healthcare budgets on mental health education. Spending on mental health in 2008 was $5.32 billion, this has increased by 10% from the previous year’s budget. Mental healthcare is also funded by third parties. (Department of Health and Ageing, 2011). In the most recent 2010 report, the Australian Government was spending $1.92 billion while states and territories were spending $3.22 billion and private health insurers contributing $185 million on mental healthcare. (Department of Health and Ageing, 2011).

Majority of the awareness and support Initiatives over the last decade has been a result of the Australian Governments Mental Health Initiatives and Mental Health Strategy. Barbara Hocking explains that ‘//The media is a principal source of information for the community, and has a major role in influencing community attitudes towards mental illness’//. (B Hocking, 2003) A study of 538 news and current affairs shows was conducted on free-to-air Sydney television from May 2005 to October 2007. The study was aimed at evaluating the news coverage of mental illness and focusing on the depictions of people with mental illness and its place within the community. The research was separated into two categories; ‘one of us’ (a positive depiction) and ‘one of them’ (a negative depiction). The results showed that 49% of the items sampled depicted mental illness in positive ways with over half of the positive influences referring to seeking help and recovery stories. (Henson, C et al., 2009).


 * CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS **

It is said that mental illness is becoming more prevalent within Australian society. Whether this is correct or not, it is essential to understand that mental illness seems to be more common across Australia because of the increasing support and public awareness. The World Health Organisation (nd) explains that ‘//positive mental health is central to building a healthy, inclusive and productive society’.// In developing a greater understanding of mental disorders in Australian society and its seemly growing prevalence, Durkheim theory of suicide can be explored. This theory incorporates any individuals’ level of societal integration alongside their own ability to cope with rapid social change (Wills, 2002). In different experiences an individual can gain a sense of normlessness, helplessness, meaninglessness or estrangement from their own society and its continually changing norms (Wills, 2002). There are many different factors that are associated with mental illness. In connection with Durkheim theory, emotional factors such as stress, family breakdowns, loneliness, unemployment and death are forms of rapid social change which in turn, will affect the mental health and wellbeing of a person. These factors and identified and discussed in the National Mental Health Report, 2011.

Social and cultural influences have started to impact on social views on mental illness in positive and encouraging ways. With the use of the internet as a tool for mental health support, organisations such as //Beyondblue// have been able to provide connections and professional advice to seek help. Over the past decade Beyondblue has funded $34 million towards strategic research projects. These include; clinical research, public health research, interventions and disorders studies focusing on a variety of population groups, different cultures and communities (Beyondblue, 2010). Current affair programs and major news networks are also changing to a more supported and sympathetic nature when covering topics on the mental health of Australians. Australia is becoming more supportive and accepting of mental illness, its awareness and education.

A popular postmodern theorist, Michael Foucault believed in cultural and social origins in the nature of meaning, values, identities, knowledge and power. (Mohr, 1995) Foucault believed that what is in a person mind shapes who they are and how they behave. A collective group of individuals’ behaviour then shapes a culture and in turn society’s culture then shapes our minds with beliefs, values and norms This explains the change from negative to positive views on mental illness. This postmodern thinking has changed the social perspectives of mental illness and the people who suffer from these disorders.

In a society where values are constantly changing, technology is always evolving and norms are not as restricting, it is not surprising that the mental health of Australians is at a higher risk than ever before. In the rapid social changing society that Australia is, Durkheim’s theory is the most accurate to explain the increasing prevalence of mental disorders. Mental illness in Australia is not becoming more common, it is the awareness and acceptance around this health issue that is allowing suffers to speak up and seek help. Today, the way mental health is presented to the community has a large impact of the social and cultural views about mental illness. The topic of Australian mental health is not an issue that is going to disappear over the next decade. The Australian government has taken the right steps evolving the views on mental health, changing past society views and slowly removing the stigma of mental illness.


 * ANALYSIS OF THE ARTEFACT **

This song and YouTube video //Casting Crowns-Does anybody hear her,// explores the emotions and struggles a young woman faces daily. These emotional responses described in the lyrics and the body language shown in the video can easily represent a person suffering for a mental illness or disorder. The song itself does have an underlying religious meaning but the emotive language and descriptive tone of the song really influences its audience to consider their personal attitudes towards someone in this situation or if they are in this situation then why. The lyrics of this song are extremely powerful and emotive. This verse explores the feeling of loneliness. With ‘For shelter and affection…she never found a home’ referring to having no one they love to support them through their struggles. // She is yearning //

// For shelter and affection //

// That she never found at home //

// She is searching //

// For a hero to ride in //

// To ride in and save the day // The last verse really confronted me. It shows an example of the attitudes towards people who are different or who might be suffering from a mental illness or disorder. Then the song moves back into the powerful chorus. This chorus centres on the issue of expectance, understanding and support. There are many pronouns powerfully used to describe the people this song talks about, the lost and lonely people. // If judgement looms under every steeple //

// If lofty glances from lofty people //

// Can't see past her scarlet letter //

// And we never even met her // // Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see? //

// Or does anybody even knows she's going down today //

// Under the shadow of our steeple //

// With all the lost and lonely people //

// Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me //

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

Mental illness is an issue within Australia. I knew that the awareness and positive education surrounding mental healthcare was increasing but I was not aware that the prevalence of mental health disorder with society were increasing. After researching and looking through literature, social and cultural representations surrounding this topic, it is evident that mental illness is not a spreading disease, it is a condition that affects nearly every Australian at some point in their lives. The increase in positive representation and support networks have allowed suffers to speak up and seek help. The people suffering from mental illnesses should not be discriminated within society or suffer through the stigma alone any longer. I must continue to support Mental Health preventions and strategies because we may come to a point in our lives were we are the ones needing help.


 * MY LEARNING REFLECTIONS **

http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/+Are+you+Sexy+Enough+for+Sport%3F Sam has very creatively written and explored the ways females are portrayed in sports and sporting media. I was really interested by the study constructed by Clark and Paechter (2007) that you explored. I remember experiences like that in school so clearly. I actually remember a young girl in my grade six soccer team, who was told she was too aggressive to play in the girls’ soccer team. Then my thoughts turned to all the American teen films I have watched. The social representations of female characters are always cheerleaders or the girls are just playing //non nail breaking// sports. This report is interesting but confronting read. He has brilliant research and a great in depth cultural understanding of the ways females are treated within the sporting industry. Nice work Sam, I really enjoyed yours.
 * Are you sexy enough for sport? **

http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/+Generation+Y+-+Are+we+clicking+our+lives+away%3F Sonja Pajonck has used such an interesting topic for her wiki report. Not only was this a really interesting read but it became a really relevant reading for myself personally. I found your evaluation on Thompson and Heinbergs 1999 "body image dissatisfaction and eating disordered symptomatology" very real and honest. I think that myself, like most young women, have compared themselves in pictures to the ideal beauty in media and have just left ourselves frustrated and disappointed. I agree that sadly this is just becoming a part of life, viewing what beauty //should// look like. Not long ago, I was well on my way to an eating disorder; luckily I had some close friends to pull me up on it! I really enjoyed your cultural artefacts-very interesting. These videos are going to be one of those special internet finds that I will always remember. Well done, good wiki and great discussion topic!
 * Generation Y - Are we clicking our lives away? **


 * REFERENCES **


 * Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2007). // National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results // . Retrieved from []=
 * Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). //Australian social trends, March 2009: Mental health//. Retrieved from: []
 * Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing. (2007). //What is mental illness?// [Brochure]. Canberra, NSW: Author.
 * Australian Government, Department of Health of Ageing. (2011). //National mental health report, 2010.// Retrieved from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Retrieved from []
 * Barbara Hocking (2003) Sane Australia Factsheet 5. //Violence and mental illness//. Retrieved from: []
 * Beyondblue. (2010, November 26) Strategic Research Overview. Retrieved from: []
 * Beyondblue. (2011, October 20) Downloadable Information Resources. Retrieved from: []
 * Henson, C., Chapman, S., McLoad, L.,Johnson, N., McGeechan, K., & Hickie, I. (2009). More us than them: Positive depictions of mental illness on Australian television news. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43(6), 554-560.
 * Lopez, L.R. (1991). Adolescents’ attitudes towards mental illness and perceived sources of their attitudes: an examination of pilot data. //Archives of Psychiatric Nursing//, 5 (5), 271-80
 * Mohr, R. D. (1995). The perils of Postmodernism. //The Harvard Gay & Lesbian Review, 9-13.// Retrieved from []
 * Perring, C (2007). “Special Issue on the Biopsychosocial Model,” //Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology//, 14 (2): 299–379. Piper, A., 1996, //Hoax and Reality: The Bizarre World of Multiple Personality Disorder// Lanham, MD: Jason Aronson, 1996//.//
 * Perring, Christian, (2010) "Mental Illness", //The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy //, Retrieved from []
 * Power, A. K. (2010). Transforming the nation's health: Next steps in mental health promotion. // American Journal of Public Health, //// 100 // (12), 2343-2343-6. Retrieved from []
 * Ward, G. (1997). Making headlines: Mental health and the national press. //Health Education Authority//. London 21 (8), 571-574. Retrieved from EBSCO //host.// [|http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/ehost/detail?sid=6ccd796f-45bc-4e71-a436-b274a32af4f7%40sessionmgr174&vid=1&hid=113&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvcsadfd^bGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=c385cAN=1997047873]
 * Wills et al. (2002). Ready to Die: African-American Adolescent Male Suicide. //Social Science & Medicine, 55, 6,// 907-920. Retrieved from: []