What is Mental Health?

Learning you have a mental health disorder might bring relief, but it also might bring feelings of shame, uncertainty and fear.

But you are not alone. Key statistics released on the 5th of October 2023 by the Australian Bureau of statistics, revealed that (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023):

  • 42.9% of people aged 16-85 years had experienced a mental health disorder at some time in their life

  • 21.5% of people had a 12-month mental disorder, with anxiety being the most common group (17.2% of people aged 16-85 years)

  • 38.8% of people aged 16-24 years had a 12 month mental disorder

Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community (World Health Organization, 2022).

Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm (World Health Organization, 2022).

A psychosocial disability is a term used to describe a disability that may arise from a mental health issue. Not everyone who has a mental health condition will have a psychosocial disability, but for people who do, it can be severe, longstanding and impact on their recovery (National Disability Insurance Agency, 2023). A psychosocial disability focuses on the social and economic impacts of living with a mental health condition.

Those who experience a psychosocial disability are more likely to experience things like (Disability and Psychosocial Disability - Reimagine, n.d.):

  • Unemployment

  • Poor health

  • Difficulty with relationships

  • Inadequate housing or homelessness

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) strives to build the potential of people living with a psychosocial disability by providing coaching, setting goals, increasing awareness and independence, encouragement of community participation and providing emotional regulation skills and coping mechanisms. The NDIS can also assist with accessing support services for housing, health and additional support.


There are many mental health conditions, we have listed some below:

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health disorders that can include generalised anxiety disorder, social phobias, panic

disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) (Better Health Channel, 2023). In 2019, 301 million people were living with an anxiety disorder including 58 million children and adolescents. Anxiety disorders are characterised by:

  • Excessive fear

  • Excessive worry

  • Related behavioural disturbances

Symptoms are severe enough to result in significant distress or significant impairment in functioning (World Health Organisation 2022).


Depression

Depression is a mood disorder characterised by lowering of mood, loss of interest and enjoyment, and reduced energy. It is not just feeling sad. There are different types, severities and symptoms of depression (Better Health Channel, 2023). In 2019, 280 million people were living with depression, including 23 million children and adolescents. Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. During a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed moods or a loss of pleasure/interest in activities for most of the day, nearly everyday, for at least two weeks.

Several other symptoms are also present and might include:

  • Poor concentration

  • Feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth

  • Hopelessness about the future

  • Thoughts about dying or suicide

  • Disrupted sleep

  • Changes in appetite or weight

  • Feeling especially tired or low in energy

People will depression are at in increased risk of suicide. Effective psychological treatments exist (World Health Organisation, 2022).


Bipolar

Bipolar affective disorder is a type of mood disorder, previously referred to as ‘manic depression’. A person with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of mania (elation) and depression (Better Health Channel, 2023). In 2019, 40 million people experienced bipolar disorder.

During a depressive episode, the person experiences:

  • Depressed mood

  • Feeling sad, irritable and empty

  • Loss of leisure or interest in activities (for most of the day, nearly everyday)

During a manic episode, the person experiences:

  • Euphoria or irritability

  • Increased activity or energy

  • Increased talkativeness

  • Racing thoughts

  • Increased self-esteem

  • Decreased need for sleep

  • Distractibility

  • Impulsive reckless behaviour

The person may or may not experience psychotic symptoms. Environmental stressors can also trigger episodes (World Health Organisation, 2022).


Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop as a response to people who have experienced any traumatic event. This can be a car or other serious accident, physical or sexual assault, war related events or torture, or natural diasters (Better Health Channel, 2023). The prevalence of PTSD and other mental disorders is high in conflict-affected settings.

It is characterised by all of the following:

  • Re-experiencing the traumatic event or events in the present (intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares)

  • Avoidance of thoughts and memories of the event(s) or avoidance of activities, situations, or people reminiscent of the event (s)

  • Persistent perceptions of heightened current threat

Symptoms persist for at least several weeks and cause significant impairment in functioning (World Health Organisation, 2022).


Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex psychotic disorder characterised by disruptions to thinking and emotions, and a distorted perception of reality (Better Health Channel, 2023). Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people worldwide. People with schizophrenia have a life expectancy 10-20 years below that of the general population. Schizophrenia is characterised by significant impairments in perception and changes in behaviour.

This includes:

  • Persistent delusions

  • Hallucinations

  • Disorganised thinking

  • High disorganised behaviour

  • Extreme agitation

People with schizophrenia may experience persistent difficulties with their cognitive functioning (World Health Organisation, 2022).


Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are behavioural conditions characterised by severe and persistent disturbances in eating behaviours and associated distressing thoughts and emotions. Eating disorders can be very serious conditions affecting physical, psychological and social function. Types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, other specified feeding and eating disorder, pica and rumination disorder. (Guarda, 2023).

In 2019, 14 million people experienced eating disorders including almost 3 million children and adolescents.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa involves:

  • Abnormal eating

  • Preoccupation with food

  • Prominent body weight and shape concerns

These symptoms or behaviours result in significant risk or damage to health, significant distress, or significant impairment of functioning (World Health Organisation, 2022). Eating disorders can affect people of all ages and genders (Better Health Channel, 2023).

It is important to remember we all have different lived experiences with mental health. There isn’t a one size fits all approach. We all have different signs and symptoms, feelings and responses. Adaptive therapies and medical treatment options may be used to treat mental health conditions.

Treatment options may include (Mayo Clinic, 2019):

  • Medication

  • Psychotherapy

  • Brain stimulation therapy

  • Hospital and residential treatment programs

  • Substance misuse centres

Working together with your health care professionals is vital to ensure thorough and efficient treatment. You are in control of your treatment, care team and advocating for your care.

Remember, you are not alone. 1 in 5 people in Australia have a mental health disorder (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023). You have support. You have potential. You have life.


stories of light and hope

In the tangled web of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, I found myself lost in a storm that felt like it would never end. But here I am today, standing tall, working in the mental health and disability field, a testament to the fact that the journey through mental health challenges is not just about surviving—it's about thriving.

Let's rewind a bit. There were moments when giving up seemed like the easiest option. The weight of my diagnoses felt crushing, like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. But deep down, I knew I had a fire inside me that refused to be put out. I was worth fighting for, despite what my diagnoses might have suggested.

Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are more than just fancy words; they're part of my story, shaping who I am and how I see the world. Discovering schema therapy was like finding a map in the middle of a dark forest—it showed me where I'd been, where I was, and where I could go. It gave me hope and the power to understand and accept myself, warts and all.

Let's be real. Understanding and accepting myself wasn't a walk in the park. It took guts to face the parts of myself I'd rather ignore. But with each step, I reclaimed a bit of myself that had been lost in the shadows.

Today, I'm not just surviving; I'm thriving. My journey isn't just about me—it's about showing others that there's light at the end of the tunnel. By embracing who I am, I've found meaning in helping others on their own paths to healing and happiness.

So, if you're struggling in your own darkness, remember this: no matter how thick the clouds may seem, the sun is always shining behind them. With a little self-acceptance and a lot of courage, you can break through the storm and bask in the warmth of your own light.


help and support

There is support available.

If you are in need of immediate support or resources, please contact 000 for crisis support.

additional support can be accessed
with the below information.

 

for specific groups in the community.


helpful apps

our favourite apps

Sayf

Sayf is a Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Prevention App developed from lived experience. The concept was created by Caleb Podhazcky, who after many years struggling with mental health and substance abuse, thought there has to be a better way to let people know when you’re not okay. Caleb joined forces with Jeremy West. Jeremy has volunteered in emergency services for over 15 years and suffers from emergency services related Post Traumatic Stress.

Sayf’s purpose is simple, to make seeking help as easy as possible.

Sayf allows you to check in with those who care about you, and let them know when you are okay, and when you are not.

Sayf has been developed by those with lived experience of mental illness and suicide. We understand what you are feeling, and we are here to help you feel safe when you need it the most.

The Sayf app is free and designed for personal use. Available on IOS and Android. To find more information, go to:

https://youaresayf.com.au.

Calm

Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't need to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalised content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life. Relax your mind, and wake up as the person you want to be.

Calm is the #1 mental health app designed to help you manage stress, sleep better, and live a happier, healthier life. Our research-based tools help you build life-changing habits to support your mental health. If you're having trouble falling asleep, our 250+ Sleep Stories®, soundscapes, and guided sleep meditations can lull you to sleep. If you're spiralling in negative thoughts and need immediate relief, our 60-second Breathe Bubble grounds you in the moment and helps your body return to a state of relaxation. If you're overwhelmed at work and need a breather, our stress and burnout specialists can guide you through exercises to help calm your mind. We're here for you whenever or wherever you need us with more content and tools being added monthly.

For more information, go to: https://www.calm.com


references

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023, May 10). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-2022 |

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Www.abs.gov.au.

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/2020-2022

Australia, V. (2020). Telephone and online services. Vic.gov.au.

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-services/telephone-and-online-services

Better Health Channel. (2023, February 21). Types of mental health issues and illnesses. Vic.gov.au.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ServicesAndSupport/types-of-mental-health-issues-and-illnesses

Disability and psychosocial disability – Reimagine. (n.d.).

https://reimagine.today/what-is-psychosocial-disability/disability-and-psychosocial-disability/

Guarda, A. (2023, February). What Are Eating Disorders? Psychiatry.org; American Psychiatric Association.

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders

Mayo Clinic. (2019, June 8). Mental Illness - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org; Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374974

National Disability Insurance Agency. (2023). Mental health and the NDIS | NDIS. Www.ndis.gov.au.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/how-ndis-works/mental-health-and-ndis

Support, I. T. C. (2022, February 2). Mental Health Victoria | Urgent support. Mental Health Victoria.

https://www.mhvic.org.au/need-urgent-help

World Health Organization. (2022, June 17). Mental Health. World Health Organization.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

World Health Organization. (2022, June 8). Mental disorders. World Health Organization.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders