Mental Health
Introduction
Mental health is a significant and growing issue affecting almost half (45%) of the Australian population (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017, p. 2). Mental health refers to a person’s state of psychological and emotional well-being where they have the ability to handle day-to-day stressors and function constructively in the community (World Health Organisation, 2013, p. 7). The impact of mental health is substantial in Australia with 7.8% of the total health expenditure spent on mental health associated services in 2014-15, this equates to roughly $8.5 billion (AIHW, p. 25). The distribution of mental health disorders in our society is unbiased and affects a wide variety of diverse individuals. Given …show more content…
1734; Day, 2008, p. 153). One such determinant that studies have found to strongly associated with mental health deterioration is poverty (Meyer et al., p. 1734; Tampubolon & Hanandita, 2014, p. 21; Ross et al., 2016, p. 64). Literature suggests two theories to explain their relationship, the social selection theory that hypothesis mental health problems cause socioeconomic disadvantage and the social causation theory that believes low socioeconomic status (SES) is the cause of mental health problems (Ross et al., p. 64). Both theories are backed by research that shows those with a mental health illness at an early age are significantly more likely to have low SES, and the lower your SES the more likely you are to experience mental health deterioration (Ross et al., p. 64; National Mental Health Commission, 2014, p. 20; Kiely, Leach, Olesen & Butterworth, 2015, p. 915; Happell et al., 2013, p. 203). This is said to be related to a consumer’s ability to access essentials such as food, housing and health care as well as their ability to have control over their lives (Happell et al., p. 203). An Australian survey found that over a third (38%) of mental health consumers earned less than $20,000 annually and 54% lived in public accommodation or rentals (SANE Australia, 2009, p.
Introduction
Mental health is a significant and growing issue affecting almost half (45%) of the Australian population (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017, p. 2). Mental health refers to a person’s state of psychological and emotional well-being where they have the ability to handle day-to-day stressors and function constructively in the community (World Health Organisation, 2013, p. 7). The impact of mental health is substantial in Australia with 7.8% of the total health expenditure spent on mental health associated services in 2014-15, this equates to roughly $8.5 billion (AIHW, p. 25). The distribution of mental health disorders in our society is unbiased and affects a wide variety of diverse individuals. Given …show more content…
1734; Day, 2008, p. 153). One such determinant that studies have found to strongly associated with mental health deterioration is poverty (Meyer et al., p. 1734; Tampubolon & Hanandita, 2014, p. 21; Ross et al., 2016, p. 64). Literature suggests two theories to explain their relationship, the social selection theory that hypothesis mental health problems cause socioeconomic disadvantage and the social causation theory that believes low socioeconomic status (SES) is the cause of mental health problems (Ross et al., p. 64). Both theories are backed by research that shows those with a mental health illness at an early age are significantly more likely to have low SES, and the lower your SES the more likely you are to experience mental health deterioration (Ross et al., p. 64; National Mental Health Commission, 2014, p. 20; Kiely, Leach, Olesen & Butterworth, 2015, p. 915; Happell et al., 2013, p. 203). This is said to be related to a consumer’s ability to access essentials such as food, housing and health care as well as their ability to have control over their lives (Happell et al., p. 203). An Australian survey found that over a third (38%) of mental health consumers earned less than $20,000 annually and 54% lived in public accommodation or rentals (SANE Australia, 2009, p.