The COVID pandemic has brought the painful reality of mental distress and mental illness into the lives and homes of many Australians. But what does the journey of declining mental health look like, and how can service delivery and support be improved to meet people where and when they need help?
A team of researchers from the University of New England (UNE) is currently gathering evidence to inform the National Mental Health Commission’s work. Findings will be used to inform potentially life-saving policies for priority populations.
On the back of a large body of previous research for the National Suicide Prevention Advisor, Professor in Social Work Myfanwy Maple and her team are now conducting the second of two major surveys. It gives participants the opportunity to share their personal stories of mental ill health, to help ensure that others get the kind of health care they need when they need it.
The time between the emergence of mental illness and diagnosis and treatment can be long and complex. If people don’t receive appropriate care early on, it can lead to much poorer outcomes.
“We are investigating the ways people experience distress over time, how service providers interact, and how others in the community might identify when someone needs help,” Professor Maple said. “The time between the emergence of mental illness and diagnosis and treatment can be long and complex. If people don’t receive appropriate care early on, it can lead to much poorer outcomes.
“We want to hear stories from people who have had really good support, as well as those who have struggled. People can be left bouncing between services, experience long delays in getting a diagnosis and even be recommended inappropriate medication and therapies, so that what might have started as a relatively mild mental illness results in significant trauma due to deteriorating mental health. Luckily for others, the opposite is the case and good care and timely diagnosis can led to relatively minor disruptions and good quality of life.”
Mental illness affecting 1 in 5 Australians every year
Mental illness is common. One in five Australians will experience a mental illness in any given year. For some, mental illness can lead to suicidal ideation and death. Professor Maple said care for those with emerging mental ill health can be haphazard and difficult to navigate, depending on where you live and your knowledge of health systems.
“At the time the wheels are falling off and your problem-solving is impaired and your distress is increasing, it can be hard to know what you need, but later – when you are well – you can look back to what would have helped,” she said. “Gathering this information will enable us to develop proactive intervention models and a smorgasbord of appropriate and timely support.”
The greater focus on mental health during the pandemic has “got more people talking about it and reaching out for help earlier and more often”, Professor Maple said. “This is supported by statistics from Lifeline and hospital presentations and admissions, but now we need to identify the clear points along a person’s trajectory where services and support works best,” she said.
Seeking diverse views
The UNE researchers are interested in a variety of different views, so are asking people from diverse groups to participate. This includes young people (must be over 18 years), men, people from culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTQAI+ communities, and those living in rural and remote Australia.
Given the Federal Government’s political appetite for urgent mental health reform, Professor Maple said the survey findings will feed directly and swiftly into national policy. They will also suggest where public education might be improved, to better inform friends and family.
We recognise that mental ill health could be something experienced by someone in our family, somebody we care about or work with, or even ourselves. That makes this research vitally important
“There are so many people struggling right now, but there is also a clear government mandate to act, and the same level of public interest,” Professor Maple said. “We recognise that mental ill health could be something experienced by someone in our family, somebody we care about or work with, or even ourselves. That makes this research vitally important.”
If you would like to share your anonymous thoughts, you can find the survey at https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1z4W23VEAjcroOi?Source=LinkedIn
