The question of ‘what is mental health?’ It’s complex. Mental health includes a wide range of factors and conditions.
So what is mental health, exactly?
The World Health Organisation defines good mental health below.
“A state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life”.
Mental health encompasses psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It affects how one thinks, feels, behaves, and interacts with others. Until recently, it was an area of health that wasn’t particularly well understood.
This blog will discuss mental health and its importance and provide links to helpful resources and further support.
What are the different types of mental health issues?
There is a wide range of conditions that come under the umbrella of mental health disorders.
Some of the more widely known conditions are depression and anxiety disorders. These cover a group of different mental health conditions.
Anxiety disorders can present themselves in different ways. Some examples are general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, or even obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Behavioural conditions in children, such as ADHD and eating disorders, are also considered under the mental health umbrella. As are more complex conditions like psychosis, schizophrenia, and bipolar affective disorder.
It’s important to note that each type of mental health disorder has different symptoms, and they can present in various ways.
Understanding mental health is crucial in helping people get the proper support.
Mental health statistics in Australia
When we look at Australia’s mental health statistics, it becomes starkly apparent the prevalence of mental health conditions.
- One in five Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental health condition each year.
- 17% of Australians experienced an anxiety disorder in the previous 12 months.
- 1 in 7 children and adolescents aged 4-17 experienced a mental disorder.
- 42.9% of people aged 16–85 years have experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life.
- In 2020–2022, 17.4% of Australians aged 16–85 saw a mental health professional at some point in the previous 12 months.
- 21.6% of women saw a health professional for their mental health, compared with 12.9% of men.
- In 2021, an estimated 19% of Australians reported being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or another serious mental health condition at some time in their life.
As we can see, the awareness of mental health conditions is growing—and the good news is that there is help out there.
Why is mental health important?
Mental health is a complex, far-reaching issue as important as physical health. It encompasses our psychological well-being, how we navigate challenges, and how we see ourselves. It affects our goals, emotional well-being, and interactions with friends, family, and others.
Chronic mental health issues can also impact our physical well-being. There is a long-established association between depression and heart disease.
A range of physical health conditions have been seen to be more prevalent in people with severe mental issues than those without.
These range from increased back pain to a more remarkable instance of some cancers.
So, what is positive mental health? Positive mental health is just what it sounds like. It means that we’re resilient. It allows people to face challenges in life and manage stress practically and pragmatically.
Positive mental health doesn’t mean that a person won’t experience a mental health condition. It just means that they have the tools and techniques to manage the condition as it occurs.
How to improve your mental health
How you take care of your mental health is as varied as personal. There’s no one right way to do it that will help you improve your mental health.
If you’re wondering about practical steps to improve your mental health, keep reading. There are some widely agreed activities you can do that are known to help support the management of your mental health.
Look after your physical health.
Where mental health has been shown to impact physical health, it works the opposite way, too. Getting active can help improve mental well-being, boosting mood while providing crucial overall health benefits.
Walking, riding, doing yoga, or even gardening for 30 minutes daily can significantly improve mental health. Any physical activity can help with mental health challenges and provide long-term satisfaction.
Try implementing an exercise routine into your daily life. In addition to exercise, eating nourishing food and drinking water can help improve energy levels throughout the day.
Maintain social connections.
One key thing that can impact your mental health is the social connections you make.
Keeping up these connections can help you feel like any burden is shared. It might be talking to a friend and discussing what you’re going through or simply getting into conversations that make you both laugh.
These social connections can help you feel validated and like you belong, fighting off feelings of isolation and loneliness. If you have trouble maintaining social connections, try a support group.
Set priorities and goals.
It may sound obvious, but setting a goal gives you something to work towards. Prioritising these goals provides a framework within which to work.
This all helps to create motivation, giving you something to look forward to and feel a sense of achievement when you reach it.
However, if you’re wondering how to take care of your mental health, the number one thing you can do is seek professional support.
How to get help for mental health
If you’re concerned about your mental health, you must get support. You may seek support from a family member or friend.
You can also contact your GP about mental health services. Your GP can discuss your situation, understand how you’re feeling, and treat the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Your GP will then be able to assess if a mental health treatment plan is the best option for you. A mental health treatment plan is available to people who are diagnosed with a mental health condition. The plan helps to cover the cost of up to 10 individual sessions with a mental health professional.
Contact the Brecken Health Care Bunbury team to book an appointment with your GP and discuss a mental health treatment plan.
Mental health resources and support
Here’s where you can find more mental health information in Australia.
- Call Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Visit Beyond Blue or call 1300 22 4636 for counselling and support.
- Find a headspace centre near you, or call 1800 650 890 for support and counselling.
Black Dog Institute provides various information and tools to help support mental health.