Blind+to+the+Obvious!+–+Australia’s+Mental+Health+Crisis

**Blind to the Obvious! – Australia’s Mental Health Crisis**

**Health, Culture and Society**

**PUB209**

**Student Number: n8297835**

**__ Cultural Artefact __**

According to the Australian Nursing Journal (Carrigan, 2011) the prevalence of mental health in Australia is such that approximately half of the current population will suffer from some form of mental illness at some point during their life. The eighteen panel oil painting ‘The Alchemy’ by Brett Whitely is the artefact that will be used in this report to provide a insight into the world of mental illness and to aid in analysing the current state of mental health in Australia. The impressionist painting depicts Whitely’ state of mind during this time of his life and the many influences over his mind set. The painting can be viewed in full form in the Bonython Gallery, Sydney and can also be viewed online at [] (can be viewed on this wiki after reference list)

The pervasiveness of mental health in Australia as previously mentioned makes it of vital importance that the move is made for improvement of facilities, services and treatments. Again through the use of Whitley’s’ piece a greater understanding of mental illness can be had by using it as a focal point to think critically about what mental illness really means. This research will attempt to discuss the current climate state of mental health in Australia as well as investigating the key issues to find the answer to what is making this illness such a common occurrence is this country and also add plausible suggestions to correct these problems.

**__Current Climate of Mental Health in Australia__**

Mental illness has become the largest single cause of disability in Australia (Carrigan, 2011). According to the Australian Nursing Journal (Carrigan, 2011), the Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler stated that there are few of us who aren’t called on to provide support to family, friends or workmates directly affected by mental illness. The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing conducted by Australian Bureau of statistics also shows that of the 16 million Australians aged 16-85 years 7.3 million had a lifetime mental disorder at some stage throughout their life. Furthermore the National Youth Mental Health Foundation states that although mental illness is the top health issue affecting young people in Australia today only one in four of these receive professional help (Hodges, O’Brien, McGorry, 2007). More alarming is the fact that mental illness is most common amongst young Australians from ages 12-24 years of age (Hodges, O’Brien, McGorry, 2007). In addition to this National Youth Mental Health Foundation states that the prevalence of mental health problems is at its highest of any age group from the ages 18-24 which suggests that almost 1 in 4 are suffering from or have suffered from mental illness during this time. The most common of these disorders are substance abuse, dependency, depression, anxiety and eating disorders (Hodges, O’Brien, McGorry, 2007).

Information from Australian Bureau of statistics National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007 shows that mental illness affects specific groups of the population more critically than others in regards to societal factors including place of residence, economic disadvantage, lack of access to health services and cultural differences. Studies have shown that people of lower socio-economic status have a higher incidence of mental disorders, particularly Depression, and certain Anxiety disorders (Fryers et al, 2005). Included in this people in rural areas are also found to have a high frequency of mental illness. According to Australian Journal of Rural Health (Morley, Pirkis, Naccarella, Kohn, Blashki & Burgess, 2007) this could be due to unique stressors such as isolation, drought, fire and flood and socio-economic status.Mental health for Indigenous Australians also constitutes a serious problem as this minority are amongst the highest disadvantaged group by comparison with the non-indigenous population of Australia and this situation is worsened for those living in rural and remote settings (Hunter, 2007). Despite the absence of epidemiological data for indigenous state of mental health, evidence presented to the Inquiry by Aboriginal people into mental health indicates that mental illness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a common occurrence although regularly goes undiagnosed and untreated. (Ypinzar, Margolis, Haswell-Elkins & Tsey, 2007) In 2006 a step to redressing the issue was made by Department of Health and Ageing (2006) endorsing COAG National action plan on mental health (2006-2011). Under the plan, the Commonwealth intended on implementing 17 measures over five years to improve services for people with a mental illness and those persons acting in support roles. These measures involved increasing clinical and health service availability, providing new work arrangements for mental practitioners, providing increase to mental health workforce, providing new programs for community awareness etc. The task was given to separate government departments to ensure the commencement and tracking of the action plan. These are the Department of Health and Ageing who took responsibility for 11 of the 17 measures, the Departments of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Departments of Education, Employment and workplace relations (Department of Health and Ageing as part of the Council of Australian Governments' 2006-2011).

However although it has been recognised by the government that mental illness is becoming increasingly common and an action plan has been put into place as well as significant contributions made to the mental health package budget (2.2 billion to 2.5 billion) many cuts have been made which have been largely criticized by mental practitioners. Contradictory to the COAG national action plan on mental health (2006), the 2007 reform has made cuts to the funding of access to consultations with psychologists, psychiatrists and general practitioners (Hodges, O’Brien, McGorry, 2007). Moreover whilst Mental illnesses are the third leading cause of disease burden in Australia at approximately 14 percent, only 8 percent of the total health budget is spent on mental health services showing a significant gap between current expenditure and required levels to improve mental health standards (Mental Health Council of Australia, 2011)

Using the given evidence it is plausible to suggest that occurrence of mental illness has increased over successive generations and this trend is likely to continue unless drastic action is taken to reform how Australia approaches the problem of mental health. It is observed that the current state of mental illness in Australia is in crisis and to improve upon this several reforms should be taken into effect. It is proposed that they include reviewing budget amounts to respond to consumer demand in regards to all cost facets of mental health service. It could also be said that there is the need for a new operative analysis system of mental illness in Australia (Mental Health Council of Australia, 2011). Current information on location of services provided, patient information, data tracking out of pocket expenses for patients and services provided are limited. Moreover data which provides accurate statistical information of mental health in rural and indigenous communities is similarly inadequate. It could be said that further research needs to be conducted to amend this problem to aid in care of mental health patients. The emphasis also needs to be made for the provision of a wider availability of mental health services as well as developing the better use of existing mental health professionals continued by the training of support staff. Finally it is necessary to be able to track actual progress of future reforms as current data of improvement is minimal (Mental Health Council of Australia, 2011). If enhancement of mental health in Australia is the key outcome it could be said that superior processes of evaluating current performance is necessary to be able to track what is working and what is not and to therefore make necessary changes along the track.

**__Application of Social Theory__**

Through applying Karl Marx’ social theory to this matter an attempt will be made to explain the occurrence of mental illness in Australia specifically in regard to groups typically constrained by this illness. It is proposed that capitalist society and the product of globalisation have created social classes which have largely contributed to the resultant mental illness of particular groups of Australian population. This is chiefly in relation to the health gap that exists between non indigenous Australians versus indigenous Australians and Australians living in lower socio-economic areas. Marx’ applied the theory of alienation in that societies are dominated by two greater classes and the bourgeoisie (upper class) were able to dominate the proletariat (lower class) thus creating a rift between social classes hence the health disparities (Bodkin-Andres, O’Rourke, Craven. In this case isolated indigenous peoples and those of lower socio-economic areas are the proletariat and those living in urban areas or more specifically the governing bodies of Australia could be perceived as the bourgeoisie. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Marxist theory shows that social classes form the main source of struggle and inequality within societies and it could be said that it is this inequality which has caused isolated and cultural groups e.g. indigenous Australians to have higher rates of suffering a mental illness (Fenyo, 2011). One observation which could be made to support the theory that social classes are existent within Australia is from the 1999 Productivity Commission Report which states globalisation, technological advances and government policy changes have placed pressure on businesses and communities is some regions but have resulted to growth in other regions (Whitman, 2000).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">In regard to mental health another example of evidence which supports Marxist social theory of class is in respect to indigenous suicide rates (an act which falls under the category or is related to mental illness). According to Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry (Pridmore, Fujiyama, 2009) in 2006 national figures of suicide rates for indigenous Australians accounted for 4.9% of total deaths versus non-indigenous population with suicide of 1.8% of total deaths. As mentioned previously on page five, data relating to Indigenous mental health is limited however the available evidence could suggest that, prior to contact with theWest (capitalism and construction of social class), suicide was either unknown or very rare (Pridmore, Fujiyama, 2009). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Also supporting the theory that social class has contributed to mental illness is the information stated in the International Review of Psychiatry 2010 (Ngue, Khasakhala, Ndetei, Roberts). The review discusses the fact that mental health inequalities are strongly associatedand embedded within the broader social and economic context. In almost all nations the poor are at a higher risk of developing mental disorders compared to the non-poor. Therefore Poverty which is suggested to be caused by social class construct, is therefore both a ‘determinant and a consequence of poor mental health’ (Ngue, Khasakhala, Ndetei, Roberts, 2010). This information presents credible evidence to support the theory that Marxist thinking of social classes is existent within Australia and have been a partial contributor to the mental health crisis which should bring attention to the awareness that a greater need for development is necessary to enhance the Australian population mental health.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**__Review of Cultural Artefact__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The artefact used for discussion in this essay, Brett Whiteleys ‘Alchemy’ could be interpreted as the representation of his mindset or mental state throughout his life time and as such is linked to mental illness in Australia. The 18 panel mural is known as the consolidation of all Brett Whitley’s work from which he drew all his life experience. Painted over one year, Alchemy summarized Whitley’s life in all its myriad accumulation of influences. Whiteley was a known Heroin addict and alcoholic who suffered many near death experiences through drugs. After one such episode he came to the revelation that he could never give up heroin permanently and recognised that his death was unavoidable as a consequence of this decision. Spread over 18 panels it may be read right to left as a vision of earth, ocean, sky through transmutations of flesh, genitalia, fornication and landscape, ending with a white sun and serpentine tentacles set against a gold background. A review from Barry Pearce, Head Curator, Australian Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales stated that the Alchemy represented ‘an ominous, austere pronoun uniting the notional wings of his altarpiece to nascent addiction and that the piece compacted life, passion, death and faith in a single, empowering work. ("alchemy and more," )

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">It might be understood that this art work is a reflection of the mentally ill, and that through it there is it a possibility of having an understanding of the life of a person coping with a mental illness. The painting is a window into the mind of a mentally ill man with dependency issues. Whilst this is a lone case it brings light to the broader issue that mental illness is a serious problem being faced in Australian society today. Understanding mental illness and being aware of the consequences involved with living with a mental illness is a key concept of amending the problem. Approaching issues from a different angle like using an art work to analyse mental health might be another way to aid in providing information of this illness and could be used to address different bodies of people instead of taking direct approaches for example critiquing art versus providing a list of statistics. It is apparent that a state of mental health crisis is existent in Australia at this time. Current evidence would suggest that the problem has worsened over time and it could be assumed that this trend will continue. It is clear that progress in this area is needed to improve upon current mental health standards and bridging the gap between cultural and social groups within this country.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**__Reference List__** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Alchemy and more alchemy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brettwhiteley.org/alchemy_and_more/alchemy

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Australian Government. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Prevalence of Mental Disorders. Canberra: Australian Government, 2007. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Australian Government. Australian Department for Health and Ageing. COAG national action plan on mental health (2006-2011). Canberra: 2006. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Australian Government. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Nations report card. Canberra: 2010. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Australian Government. Mental Health Council for Australia. Mental Health Council of Australia Submission on Inquiry into Mental Health Services. Canberra: 2011. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Bodkin-Andrews, G., O'Rourke, V., & Craven, R. G. (2010). The utility of general self-esteem and domain-specific self-concepts: Their influence on indigenous and non-indigenous students' educational outcomes. Australian Journal of Education, 54(3), 277-306.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Carrigan, C. "Mental health in 2011: where are we headed?" Australian Nursing Journal. 19.3 (2011): 24-27. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Fenyo, M. D. (2011). The dialectics of human migration. Journal of Third World Studies, 28(1), 11-17.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Hodges, C.A, M.S. O'Brien, and P.D. McGorry. "headspace: National youth mental health foundation: making headway with rural young people and their mental health." Australian

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Journal of Rural Health. 15.2 (2007): 77-80. Print

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Hunter, E. (2007). Disadvantage and discontent: a review of issues relevant to the mental health of rural and remote indigenous Australians. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 15(2), 88-93.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Judd, F.K., and J.S. Humphreys. "Mental health issues for rural and remote Australia." Australian Journal of Rural Health. 9.5 (2001): 254-258. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Morely, B., J. Pirkis, L. Naccarella, F. Kohn, G. Blashki, and P. Burgess. "Improving access to and outcomes from mental health care in rural Australia." Australian Journal of Rural Health. 15.5 (2007): 304-312. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Ngui, E. M., Khasakhala, L., Ndetei, D., & Roberts, L. W. (2010). Mental disorders, health inequalities and ethics: a global perspective. International Review of Psychiatry, 22(3), 235-244.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Pridmore, S., & Fujiyama, H. (2009). Suicide in the northern territory, 2001-2006. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43(12), 1126-1130.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Ypinazar, V. A., Margolis, S. A., Haswell-Elkins, M., & Tsey, K. (2007). Indigenous Australians’ understandings regarding mental health and disorders. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41(6), 467-478.


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