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Mental health
- » What is mental health?
- » Mental disorder risk factors
- » The burden of mental disorder in Australia
- » Mental health as a National Health Priority Area (NHPA)
- » NHMRC funding into mental health research
- » References
What is mental health?
The National Health Priority Areas Report on Mental Health [1] defines mental health as 'the capacity of individuals and groups to interact with one another and the environment in ways that promote subjective wellbeing, optimal development and the use of cognitive, affective and relational abilities'.
The term ‘mental health’ is often used when what is really being talked about is ‘mental illness’ and ‘mental disorder’. Measured differences in mental health are more often based on the presence of illness than its absence and generally do not take into account mental health as a positive attribute.
Some of the major mental disorders are schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, dementia and substance use disorders. Each of these disorders is unique in terms of its incidence across the lifespan, causal factors and treatments.
In the case of depression, it is estimated it will be the second largest contributor to the world’s disease burden by 2020. [1]
Mental disorder risk factors
Researchers have found it difficult to determine what risk and protective factors are important for mental health, because mental health/disorder generally, and depression particularly, appear to be affected by a very wide variety of factors. These range from an individual's psychology and biochemistry, through familial genetic predispositions, to factors of social structure such as unemployment and low socioeconomic status.
Some of the environmental and social protective factors that are important for maintaining mental health include:
- good interpersonal relationships (for example, having a supportive relationship with at least one person or, in the case of a child, with at least one parent; having good perceived social support)
- family cohesion (that is, good parent-child, inter-sibling and parent-parent relationships)
- social connectedness (having friends and spending time with them)
- academic and/or sporting achievements.
Some of the biological and psychological protective factors for maintaining mental health include:
- an easy-going temperament
- optimistic thought patterns/a positive attitude
- an effective coping skills repertoire (for example, having social skills and problem-solving skills). [1]
The burden of mental disorder in Australia
Mental disorder is one of the leading contributors to Australia’s disease and injury burden. It is associated with increased exposure to health risk factors, poorer physical health and higher rates of death from many causes including suicide.
Mental health problems are responsible for a large proportion of disability cases, incur high direct and indirect costs, result in high numbers of hospitalisations and impose a heavy burden of human suffering, including stigmatisation of people with mental disorders and their families.
More than three million Australians are estimated to experience a mental disorder, with more than 50% of those affected long term. Mental health disorders are believed to be more prevalent among residents of rural and remote areas than those in metropolitan areas, and also for people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. Suicide rates, especially among young males, are much higher for these groups than the general population.
In 2003, mental or behavioural disorder was listed as the underlying cause in 3,241 deaths in Australia. Mental health problems are estimated to have accounted for almost 5% of all GP attendances in 2003-04. There were 301,115 hospital separations (episodes of hospital care) with either a mental health-related principal diagnosis or a record of specialised psychiatric care in 2002-03, comprising 4.5% of all separations.
In 1996, mental problems or disorders were responsible for over 13% of Australia’s disease burden in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). In monetary terms, the direct costs of mental problems or disorders was estimated at $3,018 million in 2000-01.
It is estimated that one in five individuals will be affected by a mental health problem at some stage in their life. [2]
Mental health as a National Health Priority Area (NHPA)
Due to its substantial burden on the community, mental health was identified as one of the original National Health Priority Areas announced in the 1996 NHPA Initiative.
NHMRC funding into mental health research
NHMRC has invested over $217.5 million for research related to mental health from 2000 to 2007.
| Year | Funding ($m) |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10.9 |
| 2001 | 15.9 |
| 2002 | 21.3 |
| 2003 | 24.5 |
| 2004 | 27.2 |
| 2005 | 33.3 |
| 2006 | 38.3 |
| 2007 | 46.2 |
» More information on grants realted to mental health
References
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: National Health Priority Areas Report on Mental Health
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia's health 2008