Mental Health as non-communicable disease is included in the National Health Priority Areas of Australia (AIHW, 1997), as a Public Health matter. It has a primary goal to “Reduce the loss of health, well-being and social functioning associated with mental health problems and mental disorders” (AIHW, 1997). Following the Australia Bureau of Statistics “42.9% of people aged 16–85 years had experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life” (ABS, 2023). The cultural awareness of the Australia Government regarding Mental Health, has created several programs to protect, promote and prevent mental health condition in the community as primary care respond.
Some mental health determinants are education or mental health awareness, lifestyle or routines, income, diet, drug dependence, physical condition, sleeping patterns, emotional wellbeing, among others, being a complex public health matter. Surveys have shown that people have little knowledge about mental health conditions such as depression (Highet, N., H., I., D., T., 2002). Regarding education or mental health awareness, about the major mental health problem, “for young Australians, alcohol or other substance misuse was considered important, and for older Australians, cognitive disorders were prominent after heart disease or cancer” (Highet, N., H., I., D., T., 2002). However, depression was the major mental health condition reported with 39% of responses (506/1449); “followed by anxiety/stress/pressure (18%, 264/1442), schizophrenia/psychosis (11%, 160/1442), dementia/Alzheimer’s disease (6%, 90/1449) and alcohol and other substance misuse (5%, 73/1449)” (Highet, N., H., I., D., T., 2002). Increasing the awareness of mental health through education can prevent incidence of mental health conditions in the community.
Alcoholism and Drug used are risk factors of poor mental health. These can involve harmful use or addiction, and misusing those substances can provoke long term consequences on the health of individuals and negative impact on communities (AIHW, 2024). In 2023, following the ABS, substance use disorders was one of the common causes of mental illnesses in Australia in the 12 months prior with 3%, representing 650,000 of the population (AIHW, 2024), where 26% of males and 13% of females, between the ages of 16-85 years old of Australians have presented life time mental health condition due to any substance use disorder (AIHW, 2024). “The association with neuroticism may be a reflection of the negative psychological effects of particular illicit drug use” (Wadsworth, E., M., S., S., S., S., A., 2004). Avoiding the consumption of these substances can improve health in general, reducing the harm that can provoke, and some intervention can be reducing the demand and supply (DH, 2021).
Another determinant that can provoke mental health conditions is the relationship between physical health. If an individual has poor physical health, it can increase the risk of poor mental health, which can increase morbidity and mortality incidence. Also, it can decrease the quality and quantity of life in an individual. “The excess of physical health problems seen among people with mental illness is thought to be explained by a combination of lifestyle factors, patient factors and side effects of medication.” (Simon, C., 2014). Lifestyle, income, smoking habits, sleeping patterns, can affect the physical health of an individual and per se their mental health. “Poor diet can also predispose individuals with mental health problems to physical illness, and in particular diabetes and cardiovascular disease” (Simon, C., 2014), affecting self-esteem and motivation, physical activity, social interactions. If an individual is not feeling physically well, it can provoke an emotional respond and with it a mental health condition.
There are many initiatives and programs in the community promoted by Australia Government as intervention on these determinants before mentioned, such as Beyond Blue, Are you ok?, VIC kids eat well, Kids Helpline, 13YARN, AFL Max Program, between others; which are government funding organization as well as non for profit organization, that prevented, supported and engaged with people, with the intention to provided awareness of physical and mental health through education, activities and actions.
Reference:
1. ABS (2023) National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. At << https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release>>
2. AIHW (1997) First report on National Health Priority Areas. At << https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/11b6bbee-cfcf-4af0-9d32-d303e0d7ee3b/frnhpa96.pdf?v=20230605182843&inline=true>>
3. AIHW (2024) Prevalence and impact of mental illness. At <<https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview/prevalence-and-impact-of-mental-illness>>
4. Chantal, S. (2014) Physical health and mental illness. InnovAiT Volume 7, Issue 12, Pages 716-722. At <<https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/1755738014556495>>
5. DH (2021) National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030. At << https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/12/national-preventive-health-strategy-2021-2030_1.pdf>>
6. Highet, N., Hickie, I., Davenport, T. (2002) Monitoring awareness of and attitudes to depression in Australia. Medical Journal Australia Vol 176. At <<https://www.mja.com.au/system/files/issues/176_10_200502/hig10079_fm.pdf>>
7. Wadsworth, E., M., S., S., S., S., A., (2004) Factors associated with recreational drug use. Journal of Psychopharmacology 18(2), pp. 238–248. At << https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/0269881104042628>>
8. WHO (2023) 'Mental disorders'. At << https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders>>
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