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Hanif Abdurraqib, In Defense of Despair

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Mental Health in Australia: Navigating Through Policy and Population Impact

Mental health represents a significant and growing challenge in Australia, affecting individuals across various demographics. Understanding its impact and the effectiveness of policy responses is crucial for societal well-being.

Who's Most Affected?

Australia is dealing with a significant burden of mental health issues, with data showing an increase in the number of people suffering from mental health disorders. Young adults (39%), Indigenous communities (37%), and people living in rural areas (28.2%) are at higher risk (AIHW, n.d., 2021, 2023). Socioeconomic factors increase vulnerabilities, exposing a complex web of influence that requires targeted interventions (AIHW, 2024).

Government's Role and Response

Recognising the escalating mental health crisis, the Australian government has prioritised this issue, launching several initiatives and policies to combat mental health challenges. Notable among these are the National Mental Health Strategy and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, which represent the government's commitment to improving mental health outcomes (DOHAC, 2023, 2024). However, the journey from policy formulation to real-world impact is fraught with challenges.

Policy Adequacy and Equity

While these policies are significant steps forward, questions remain about their adequacy and equitable reach. There is a clear disparity in mental health service accessibility, particularly among marginalised groups. The implementation of these policies frequently falls short in rural and remote areas (Krupiński, 1979), increasing the equity gap in mental health care access. Furthermore, the focus tends to lean more towards crisis intervention rather than prevention, creating a reactive rather than proactive health system.

Identifying Policy Gaps and Contributions to the Issue

A critical gap in current mental health policy is the lack of tailored approaches to meet the diverse needs of Australia's population. This one-size-fits-all approach overlooks cultural, socioeconomic, and geographic factors that affect mental health. Critical policy gaps include insufficient funding, a lack of preventive programmes, and insufficient support for mental health professionals (Duggan et al., 2020). Addressing these gaps requires a more nuanced policy approach that takes into account the unique needs of vulnerable groups. To close these gaps, Australia requires inclusive, well-funded policies that prioritise mental health education and early intervention.

In sum, Australia grapples with the complexities of mental health, it's clear that both awareness and action have evolved. The country has made progress in recognising and addressing mental health issues, yet significant policy gaps and inequities remain. Effective and inclusive policy formulation and implementation are critical for ensuring equitable mental health outcomes for all Australians. By emphasising prevention, increasing funding, and ensuring equitable access to services, Australia can move closer to a future in which mental health is prioritised and supported at all levels of society.

References:

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (n.d.). Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.indigenousmhspc.gov.au/topics/mental-health#aboutthistopic

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2021). Australia's youth: Mental illness. Retrieved from AIHW: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/mental-illness

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2023, Sep 11). Rural and remote health. Retrieved from AIHW: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/rural-remote-australians/rural-and-remote-health

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2024, February 14). Mental Health. Retrieved from AIHW: Prevalence and impact of mental illness: https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview/prevalence-and-impact-of-mental-illness

Department of Health and Aged Care (DOHAC). (2023, October 10). National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022–2032. Retrieved from Australian Government: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/national-mental-health-workforce-strategy-2022-2032.pdf

Department of Health and Aged Care (DOHAC). (2024, February 12). What we're doing about mental health. Retrieved from Australian Government: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/mental-health-and-suicide-prevention/what-were-doing-about-mental-health

Duggan, M., Harris, B., Chislett, W.-k., & Calder, R. (2020, September). Nowhere Else To Go: Why Australia's Health System Results In People With Mental Illness Getting 'Stuck' In Emergency Departments. Retrieved from Victoria University: https://bit.ly/3TEkz7a

Krupinski J. (1979). Urbanization and Mental Health: Psychiatric Morbidity, Suicide and Violence in the State of Victoria. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 13(2):139-145. Retrieved from doi:10.3109/00048677909159126

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Rearranged this bookshelf yesterday… from ml.books

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If I were to be honest, I don't want this. I don't want to be in this place where we are fighting without a purpose. I don't want to lose you in any capacity. The reality is that my life is better with you in it. I can't explain everything away. The only thing I know for sure is that I don't want to quit you.

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Good wood - yet another miniature home, this time it’s a super green and eco-friendly one. The ‘Greenmoxie Tiny House’ is a 340 square feet green home featuring solar panels, a roof water recovery system, and low-voltage LED lighting. E-cosy (sorry).

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I'm caught in the waves of the city, but I learned how to surf on them to catch the air of freedom again. (at Liwliwa Surfing Beach, San Felipe, Zambales)

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Summer lusting. (at Liwliwa Surfing Beach, San Felipe, Zambales)

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I speak in black and white, I think in color. . . . . . #poem #poems #literature #spokenword #spokenwordpoetry #prose #proses #hugot #hugotlines #hugot101 #whogoat #poemsofinstagram #spokenword #spokenwords #spokenpoetry #spokenwordpoetry #iwrite #freeverse #freeversepoetry #poemsporn #poetry #poetryph #poet #poetrysociety #poetrycommunity #poetryisnotdead #quoteoftheday #poetsofig #words #poemsofig #poemsph #wordsmith

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12 hours a day. 6 days a week. Personal space is invaded. Choice has been deprived. It's not healthy anymore. Im not even happy. So yea, Im on my last legs. #thisisnotadrill

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GIVEAWAY TIME! Enter to win Wonder Woman: Warbringer!

Have you heard? I’m celebrating my one-year blogiversary by giving away a copy of Wonder Woman: Warbringer, by @lbardugo!!!

Giveaway is international and runs until September 9 at midnight.

Don’t miss out. Find more details on my blog!

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Anyone who read #FantasticBeasts already? Well, I haven't, but I want to read it so bad. I bought 2 copies when it was published last November. And because I feel kind, I let my friend borrow my Hatchette Book Group copy (that's the matte HB!) So I am left with my Scholastic copy 😖 Oh don't get me wrong, but I just love the matte cover and besides, I feel restless whenever someone borrow my book and doesn't return it yet. Not sure if I'm selfish or just too protective with me books. #yalit #harrypotter #jkrowling #youngadult #bookstagram #booknerd #booknerds #booknerdigans #bookgeek #bookgeeks #books #book #toread #read

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Hi guize! What is up? I've decided to make this page active again. Tho I might not post just books but poetries as well, 'cause I kinda messed it up in my personal page. Anyhow, after months-long, I'm finish rereading the Harry Potter series, huzzah! Now, I'm diving in to #CrookedKingdom, the second installment of #SixOfCrows. I love the first book so much so my expectations are quite high for this one. But Leigh never failed to surprise me so if you will excuse me, I'm going to throw myself to Crooked Kingdom. But anyone who read this book? Opinions? #yalit #booknerds #bookstagram #book #booknerdigans #youngadult

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I kept losing my mind Trying to understand yours. I even broke myself Trying to fix you. I know I shouldn’t do that. I know I shouldn't want you. But I still do. I don’t regret it Even though I probably really should. . . . photo © unsplash Poem by yours truly . . . #tulata #tula #prose #hugot #hugotlines #hugot101 #whogoat #poemsofinstagram #spokenword #spokenwords #spokenwordsph #spokenpoetry #spokenwordpoetry #iwrite #freeverse #freeversepoetry #poemsporn #poetry #poetryph #poet #poetrysociety #poetrycommunity #poetryisnotdead #quoteoftheday #poetsofig #words #poemsofig #poem #poems #wordsmith

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Naalala mo pa ba? Parang kailan lang ng ako ay humingi ng tawad. Akala ko tuluyan ng napawi ang lahat. Akala ko tapos na. Akala ko napagbayaran ko na. Kailan ba? Kailan mo pa mapapatawad ang sarili mo? Pati ba ako madadamay sa init ng ulo mo? Pati ba ang relasyon natin kailangan magsakripisyo? Bakit ganito? Bakit kailangan magkalayo tayo? Bakit kay hirap pumasok sa buhay mo? Ano ba ang nagawa ko para ipagtulakan mo? Tila lahat aking ginagawa ay mali sa paningin mo. Mukhang lahat ng aking pagsisikap ay napanis Ngunit ako ay handa pa ring ibigay ang iyong nais. Hahayaan ka munang mag-isa. Hahayaan na munang hanapin ang iyong sarili. Baka sa huli, Ako naman ang iyong hagilapin at patawarin. photo © unsplash Poem by yours truly

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Miss na kita kaya lang naalala ko wala ka nga palang pakialam. - 2AM thoughts #tulata #tula #prose #proses #hugot #hugotlines #hugot101 #whogoat #poemsofinstagram #spokenwords #spokenpoetry #spokenwordpoetry #iwrite #freeverse #freeversepoetry #poemsporn #poetry #poet #poetsph #poetrysociety #poetrycommunity #poetryisnotdead #quoteoftheday #poetsofig #words #poemsofig #poems #poem #poemsph #wordsmith

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GIVEAWAY:  Win a copy of United as One by Pittacus Lore.  Find out how the Lorien Legacies concludes!

Ends August 14, 2016.  Open internationally!

ENTER HERE!