There’s no doubt that poor mental health is something that affects us all. In fact, mental health struggles have become so part-and-parcel with everyday life that there are now thousands of social media accounts dedicated to ‘depression memes.’
We’re all aware of our mental health issues, but we need to acknowledge the fact that more young people in Australia are experiencing psychological distress than before.
According to a new report by Mission Australia and Black Dog Institute, almost one in four Australians between the ages of 15 and 19 are experiencing mental health challenges. Sadly, young females are twice as likely as males to be facing this issue, and it only gets worse for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people compared to their non-Indigenous peers.
The Can We Talk? report, which spanned over seven years from 2012 to 2018, found that the top issues of concern for young Australians include stress, mental health, school and study problems. With this year’s HSC kicking off just one week ago, these findings are more poignant than ever.
The report also found that stigma, embarrassment, fear and lack of support were the most common barriers that stop young people from seeking help.
“The sheer volume of young people who are struggling with mental health difficulties shows that there remains an urgent need for improved access to timely, accessible and appropriate support,” Mission Australia CEO James Toomey said.
Toomey added that resources need to be made available for young people “irrespective of location, background or gender.”
Black Dog Institute Director and Chief Scientist, Prof. Helen Christensen said, “global research tells us that over 75% of mental health issues develop before the age of 25, and these can have lifelong consequences.”
Both Christensen and Toomey urged the government to listen to young people’s concerns, for parents, peers, schools and healthcare professionals to be adequately equipped with more resources, and for the Internet to be a place where young people can find online and app-based tools for support.
In the midst of a climate crisis and an ever changing political and economic landscape, we are living in particularly uncertain times. This means it is incredibly important for us to support one another and for the government to make mental health a priority. Sometimes it’s as simple as reaching out and asking, “Are you okay?”
If you, or anyone you know is experiencing mental health struggles, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 for support.