Public health systems have an aim of aiding in the prevention of diseases in a country. Many diseases affect the society some of which are non-infectious chronic diseases, while others are infectious. Some of the diseases affect majority of the population in certain countries.Mental health is usually described as the way in which individuals feel, think or act as they cope with life situations. It is very important to stay mentally healthy through every stage of life. Mental illness may be as a result of disorders which are common. This paper will discuss the health care system in Australia in regard to mental health as a major concern.
Statistics on the effect of mental health illness in Australia
More than 20% of Australians suffer from mental illness at least ones in their lives. Some suffer from more than one form of the same. Around 20000 Australians are diagnosed of mental illness annually which raises concern within the health system. At least three million out of these get depressive illness while five percent suffer from anxiety. Others suffer from schizophrenia while others go through serious psychotic illnesses (1).
There have been surveys done showing that one in every five Australians is affected by mental illness. In this category, women report more on cases of anxiety and affective disorders than men. Men however, are more likely to have disorders that are as a result of substance abuse such as alcohol. They are also more prone to schizophrenia .It has also been noted that compulsive disorders are very common in both sexes with at least 90% of eating disorders occurring among women (2).
Populations most affected by mental illness are around the ages of 18 to 24 with at least 14% of children below 17years being affected by problems of mental health (2). Conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders however occur after teenage hood with adolescents exhibiting use of drugs or high rate of suicidal thoughts. It has been noted that culture affects the access to medication since those individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds can’t access health services as often as those in the mainstream population (2).Mental health illnesses have been shown to be the main cause of absenteeism in the work place in Australia.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Discussion
- Statistics on the effect of mental health illness in Australia
- Types of mental problems
- Anxiety Disorders
- Mood Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Impulse Control and Addiction Disorders
- Factors that cause mental illnesses
- Effect of mental illness in society
- Actions taken to improve mental health and limitations
- Suggestions to improve the mental health system
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the state of mental health in Australia, focusing on the healthcare system's response to this major concern. The paper discusses the prevalence, types, causes, and societal impact of mental illness, as well as examining the limitations and potential improvements in the existing mental health system.
- Prevalence and Statistics of Mental Illness in Australia
- Types and Characteristics of Mental Disorders
- Factors Contributing to Mental Illness
- Social Impact of Mental Illness
- Challenges and Suggestions for Improving Mental Health Services
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins with an introduction highlighting the significance of mental health as a public health concern. It then delves into the discussion by presenting statistics on the prevalence and impact of mental illness in Australia, covering a wide range of disorders including anxiety, mood, psychotic, eating, and impulse control disorders.
The paper further explores the factors contributing to mental illness, examining genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and social determinants of health. It also discusses the societal implications of mental illness, including its impact on education, employment, and overall well-being.
Finally, the paper analyzes the current state of the mental health system in Australia, identifying key limitations such as inadequate funding, staffing shortages, and discriminatory practices. It concludes with suggestions for improvement, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and equitable approach to mental healthcare.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Mental health, Australia, healthcare system, prevalence, statistics, anxiety, mood, psychotic, eating, impulse control, genetics, environmental factors, social determinants, societal impact, education, employment, well-being, limitations, funding, staffing, discrimination, equity, reform.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Richards Macdonald (Autor:in), 2011, Metal Health In Australia, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/213352
