Introduction
Introduction
Mental ill-health is a pervasive public health issue impacting about 46 per cent of Australians aged between sixteen and eighty-five during their lifetime (AIHW 2016, p. 2). Results from the National Health Survey (ABS 2015) revealed mental and behavioural conditions to be the most prevalent long-term health condition experienced by Australians. Here, anxiety-related conditions were most frequently reported (ABS 2015). Amid the Australian population, those aged between sixteen and twenty-four experience a mental health disorder in the last twelve months more often than other age groups (ABS 2014). Younger Australians, in particularly young women reported having an anxiety-related condition at twice the rate of males …show more content…
3) defines mental health as,
“… a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
Generally, determinants of mental health include individual attributes and behaviours, social and economic circumstances as well as environmental factors (WHO 2012, p. 3). Good mental well-being facilitated by protective factors is fundamental for an individual 's capacity to lead a fulfilling life defined by biopsychosocial elements to enable the ability to study, form relationships, work, engage with leisure activities and making daily decisions (WHO 2012, p. 2).
Furthermore, as an individual’s personal attributes, social situation and environmental factors interact robustly to serve as protective or risk factors to one’s well-being, a number of these can explain Georgia’s inability to cope (WHO 2012, p.5). The dominant risk-factors which contribute to Georgia’s predisposition to anxiety include her age, sex, family history, area of study, low self-esteem, isolation, few supports, as well as ongoing stressful events such as university workload (Beyondblue 2011; Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care 2000; Thomas et al. 2014, p. 278; WHO 2012, …show more content…
2009). Ultimately, these mental illnesses/disorders are detected and managed accordingly through comprehensive assessment and clinical diagnosis by mental health clinicians (Beyondblue 2011; Muir-Cochrane et al. 2014).
Recognition and response to mental health needs
A number of studies (ABS 2014; Department of Health and Ageing 2013; Slade et al. 2009) have established the strong prevalence of mental illnesses during early adulthood, a period corresponding with significant developmental milestones such as the completion of education and the commencement of employment. The onset of mental illness, commonly implicates decline in functioning leading to compromised academic performance, premature drop out from school, and failed or delayed shift between schooling and employment (Department of Health and Ageing 2013, p. 77). Particular to Georgia and young people like her, these interruptions in education can negatively affect her career prospects, increase the risk of long term unemployment and limit opportunities for social inclusion in the wider community, which in turn, exacerbate ill mental health (Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care 2000; Department of Health and Ageing 2013, p.
Introduction
Mental ill-health is a pervasive public health issue impacting about 46 per cent of Australians aged between sixteen and eighty-five during their lifetime (AIHW 2016, p. 2). Results from the National Health Survey (ABS 2015) revealed mental and behavioural conditions to be the most prevalent long-term health condition experienced by Australians. Here, anxiety-related conditions were most frequently reported (ABS 2015). Amid the Australian population, those aged between sixteen and twenty-four experience a mental health disorder in the last twelve months more often than other age groups (ABS 2014). Younger Australians, in particularly young women reported having an anxiety-related condition at twice the rate of males …show more content…
3) defines mental health as,
“… a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
Generally, determinants of mental health include individual attributes and behaviours, social and economic circumstances as well as environmental factors (WHO 2012, p. 3). Good mental well-being facilitated by protective factors is fundamental for an individual 's capacity to lead a fulfilling life defined by biopsychosocial elements to enable the ability to study, form relationships, work, engage with leisure activities and making daily decisions (WHO 2012, p. 2).
Furthermore, as an individual’s personal attributes, social situation and environmental factors interact robustly to serve as protective or risk factors to one’s well-being, a number of these can explain Georgia’s inability to cope (WHO 2012, p.5). The dominant risk-factors which contribute to Georgia’s predisposition to anxiety include her age, sex, family history, area of study, low self-esteem, isolation, few supports, as well as ongoing stressful events such as university workload (Beyondblue 2011; Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care 2000; Thomas et al. 2014, p. 278; WHO 2012, …show more content…
2009). Ultimately, these mental illnesses/disorders are detected and managed accordingly through comprehensive assessment and clinical diagnosis by mental health clinicians (Beyondblue 2011; Muir-Cochrane et al. 2014).
Recognition and response to mental health needs
A number of studies (ABS 2014; Department of Health and Ageing 2013; Slade et al. 2009) have established the strong prevalence of mental illnesses during early adulthood, a period corresponding with significant developmental milestones such as the completion of education and the commencement of employment. The onset of mental illness, commonly implicates decline in functioning leading to compromised academic performance, premature drop out from school, and failed or delayed shift between schooling and employment (Department of Health and Ageing 2013, p. 77). Particular to Georgia and young people like her, these interruptions in education can negatively affect her career prospects, increase the risk of long term unemployment and limit opportunities for social inclusion in the wider community, which in turn, exacerbate ill mental health (Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care 2000; Department of Health and Ageing 2013, p.