The+Scars+From+Abuse+Are+Not+Always+Physical+-+Mental+Health+in+Australia,+2011


 * Name: Samantha Bull**
 * Student No: n7554168**
 * Tutor's Name: Sophie**

How well does Australia deal with Mental Health in 2011? What is working, what isn’t, and what should be done?
Within our society, who has a greater need for attention and care? Who are the most at-risk groups, and what aspects of their lives need to be paid closer attention to?


 * Artefact:**

media type="youtube" key="64EWjvxqbYg" height="315" width="560"

This advertisement from the Time to Change Campaign depicts the harsh realties that patients of mental health are facing in their day to day lives. The struggles and difficulties they face seem minor and normal, however due to their illness a different reaction is taken, which affects their mental state.

Mental illness has become one of the leading health issues nation wide. The artefact that I have chosen to represent this health topic portrays mental health and the stigma attached to this common and misunderstood disease. It briefly alludes to the various groups that are affected mental illness. I am to identify who is most at risk of succumbing to mental illness and what aspects of these groups' lives need to be payed closer attention to.
 * Public Health Issue:**

The World Health Organisation identifies that more than 450 million people suffer from mental disorders; however there are also many more who suffer from various mental problems. Mental heath it more than the absence of mental disorders. The WHO defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community." (World Health Organisation, 2011)
 * Literature Review:**

Particular groups and people are at a higher risk than others for developing a mental illness, whether it is impacted by social, environmental, biological and psychological factors. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011) However, mental health depends simply on the individual and their ability to cope with the added stressors of their lifestyle. Poor mental health can also be related to an unhealthy lifestyle, risk of violence and physical well-being, stressful working and living conditions, discrimination (age, gender, sex, culture, etc), social exclusion and rapid social change. (WHO, 2011)

In a survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007), more that 3 million Australians are estimated to experience a mental disorder within their lifetime, with over 50% of cases being long term conditions. One in five Australians aged between 16-85 years from a sample of 8,841, will experience a mental illness at some stage in their life.

Research from the //National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing// (ABS, 2007) has found that women experience higher rates of 12-month mental disorders than men, with 22% of women, and 18% of men. A 12-month mental disorder is based on the lifetime diagnosis and presence of the disorder over the 12 months prior to the survey being conducted. Women alo experience higher rated of anxiety and affective disorders. Women between the ages of 16-24 had nearly double the prevalence of 12-month affective disorders, compares to the 4.3% of men. However, men has twice the amount of substance abuse disorders, with 7%, compared to the 3.3% for women.

Mental health disorders also vary across the different age groups. Younger people experience higher rates of mental disorders that the older population; with more than a quarter of people between the ages of 16-24 and 25-35 experiencing a mental disorder in the preceding 12 months to the conduction of the survey. This is compared to the very small 5.9% of people between the ages of 75 and 85 years of age. (ABS, 2007) Overall, the prevalence of mental health decreases as age increases.

However, it is important to recognise that these figures that are presented in Australian clinical and research settings do not clearly demonstrate the full affect of mental health within Australia. These statistical research underestimate the prevalence of mental illness, only portraying typically identifies mental illnesses; neglecting the substantially greater unspecified, unidentified and undiagnosed mental illnesses that are present among members of our nations. (Clifford, 2010)

Mental health illness can be determined by multiple social, psychological and biological factors that impact the individual. One's mental health can be impacted by carious societal factors, including economic disadvantage, poor housing, lack of social support and their level of access to health services. Studied have shown that people of lower socio-economic status have a higher prevalence of mental disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. (ABS, 2007)

From these determinants, mental health disorders are believe to be more prevalent among residents of rural and remote areas, than those who live in metropolitan areas; as well as people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. (Rethink Mental Illness, n.d) This is due to decreased health status and limited access to specialised care. While, economically disadvantaged people who are unemployed are more vulnerable to mental illness due to insecurity, hopelessness and rapid social change. (ABS, 2007)

From these statistics, it is evident that the younger population is most at risk to mental health disorders, as adolescents with mental health problems report a high rate of depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as other risky health related behaviours such as smoking and drug use. (Rethink Mental Illness, n.d) To reduce these increased numbers of mental health disorders among the entire population, we must pay particular attention to the younger generations by increasing their awareness and information of the risk of mental health illnesses. Mental health is a largely neglected illness, clouded in shame and stigma; however the impact is highly visible among our nation. Mental health must be seen as a vital component of primary health, as it is a treatable and curable disease. Care and counselling services need to be improved for the adolescents of our society who are at risk of developing mental health disorders, to reduce further increased numbers and more serious cases as our youth and their health develops.

Many leading theorists believe that accurate perception of one's self, the world, and the future area fundamental aspect of good mental health. However, it is suggested that overly positive self-evaluations, exaggerated perceptions of control or mastery, and unrealistic optimism are characteristic of normal human thought.These false representations can promote other criteria of mental health, including the ability to care about others, the ability to be content/happy, and the ability to engage in productive and creative work. However, these positive illusions may be advantageous when an individual receives negative feedback and may be especially adaptive under these circumstances. (Taylor, Shelley, Brown, 1998)

McGorry (2009) identified that 'While the priorities of mental health have been clear for some time, it will require strong national leadership and accountability and much more flexible models of funding to implement reform and impacts on the lives of everyday people.'

Mental health illnesses are abundant among our society, however it still remains a problematic concept that we are unable to grasp. Cultural and linguistic background combined with socioeconomic factors interact in complex ways that influence and impact one's health and wellbeing. The varied diversity of our society poses a great challenge for the delivery of equitable and high quality care within a mental health scenario. (Furler & Kokanovic, 2010)
 * Cultural and Social Analysis:**

Cultural factors effect the experience of the illness in various ways by defining the experience as normal or abnormal and shaping beliefs about the cause of the illness in relation to their cultural upbringing and understanding. This can determine whether, when and how a patient will seek medic attention for their mental illness, and influence their expectations; this can also relate back to the stigma surrounding the illness. (Furler & Kokanovic, 2010) Culture is best described as an 'ever changing construction emerging from interactions between individuals, communities, institutional practices etc. (Kirmayer, 2001) This does not simply mean ethnicity or language groups, however it refers to the interaction between extensive social and societal factors underlying health experiences. Culture continually transforms one's identity, which can impact the recognition and detection of mental illness and ongoing care. (Furler & Kokanovic, 2010)

Social inequalities in mental health have been well documented in various reports, where it is understood that the quality of the social environment is worse where financial deprivation is greatest. It has also been indicated that people with a healthy social network will live a longer life and have less risk of depression and disease. This alludes to an increasingly apparent relationship between low economic status and high incidences and prevalence of mental illness. This leads us to believe that cultural and social capital conjoin together to predict one's mental health status. (Hartwell, 2008)