Sources of information about mental health and links to help seeking: findings from the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

This paper describes the extent and nature of Internet use by young people, with specific reference to psychological distress and help-seeking behaviour. It draws on data from an Australian cross-sectional study of 1400 young people aged 16 to 25 years. Nearly all of these young people used the Internet, both as a source of trusted information and as a means of connecting with their peers and discussing problems. A new model of e-mental health care is introduced that is directly informed by these findings. The model creates a system of mental health service delivery spanning the spectrum from general health and wellbeing (including mental health) promotion and prevention to recovery. It is designed to promote health and wellbeing and to complement face-to-face services to enhance clinical care. The model has the potential to improve reach and access to quality mental health care for young people, so that they can receive the right care, at the right time, in the right way. What is known about the topic? One in four young Australians experience mental health disorders, and these often emerge in adolescence and young adulthood. Young people are also prominent users of technology and the Internet. Effective mental health reform must recognise the opportunities that technology affords and leverage this medium to provide services to improve outcomes for young people. What does this paper add? Information regarding the nature of young people’s Internet use is deficient. This paper presents the findings of a national survey of 1400 young Australians to support the case for the role of technology in Australian mental health reform. What are the implications for practitioners? The Internet provides a way to engage young people and provide access to mental health services and resources to reduce traditional barriers to help-seeking and care. eMental health reform can be improved by greater attention toward the role of technology and its benefits for mental health outcomes.

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Affective and Anxiety Disorders and their Relationship with Chronic Physical Conditions in Australia: Findings of the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.3109/00048674.2011.614590 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 45 (11) ◽

pp. 939-946 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Maree Teesson ◽

Philip B. Mitchell ◽

Mark Deady ◽

Sonja Memedovic ◽

Tim Slade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

National Survey ◽

Physical Condition ◽

Service Use ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Physical Conditions ◽

Chronic Physical Conditions ◽

Nationally Representative

Objective: The aim of this study was to report nationally representative data on the prevalence and patterns of 12 month comorbidity of chronic physical conditions (diabetes, asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis) and DSM-IV affective and anxiety disorders in Australian adults. Method: The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB) was a nationally representative household survey of 8841 Australian adults (16–85 years) assessing symptoms of ICD-10 mental disorders and the presence of chronic physical conditions. Results: Prevalence of at least one National Health Priority Area chronic physical condition was 32.2% (95%CI = 30.9%–33.5%). Among those with chronic physical conditions 21.9% had an affective or anxiety disorder. Affective and anxiety disorders were more common among people with physical conditions than among people without chronic physical conditions (affective OR 1.5; anxiety OR 1.8). Of those with a 12 month affective or anxiety disorder, 45.6% had a chronic physical condition. Physical disorders were more common in those with an affective or anxiety disorder than among people without an affective or anxiety disorder (affective OR 1.6; anxiety OR 2.0). Disability was high in those with an anxiety disorder, an affective disorder and a physical condition and 43.4% were classified as high service users. Conclusions: Comorbidity between chronic physical conditions and affective and anxiety disorders is widespread and is associated with high levels of disability and service use.

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Cannabis use and dependence among Australian adults: results from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Addiction ◽

10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.9657379.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 96 (5) ◽

pp. 737-748 ◽

Cited By ~ 89

Author(s):

Wendy Swift ◽

Wayne Hall ◽

Maree Teesson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

National Survey ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Health And Wellbeing

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The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: The Child and Adolescent Component

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1080/j.1440-1614.2000.00729.x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 214-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

Michael G. Sawyer ◽

Robert J. Kosky ◽

Brian W. Graetz ◽

Fiona Arney ◽

Stephen R. Zubrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

National Survey ◽

Large Scale ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Quality Data ◽

High Quality Data ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Key Issues

Objective: This paper describes the Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Method: The aims of the study, critical decisions in planning for the study, progress to date and key issues which influenced the course of the study are described. Results: The Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing is the largest study of child and adolescent mental health conducted in Australia and one of the few national studies to be conducted in the world. Results from the study will provide the first national picture of child and adolescent mental health in Australia. Conclusions: Large-scale epidemiological studies have the potential to provide considerable information about the mental health of children and adolescents. However, having a clear set of aims, ensuring that the scope of the study remains within manageable proportions and paying careful attention to the details of fieldwork are essential to ensure that high-quality data is obtained in such studies.

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Psychiatry and the Need for Mental Health Care in Australia: Findings from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1046/j.1440-1614.2002.00990.x ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 210-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Graham Meadows ◽

Bruce Singh ◽

Philip Burgess ◽

Irene Bobevski

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

National Survey ◽

Adult Population ◽

Psychiatric Services ◽

Care Providers ◽

Perceived Needs ◽

Health And Wellbeing

Objective: This paper describes the pattern of consultations reported with psychiatrists and primary mental health care providers in the Australian adult population. It explores whether inequalities found in utilization of psychiatric services according to area are different in degree from inequalities in utilization of medical and surgical specialists, and describes the meeting of perceived needs for mental health care within those seen by psychiatrists. Method: The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHW) was a community survey employing clustered probability sampling, with a computerized field questionnaire which included sections of the composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI), as well as self-reported service utilization and perceived needs for care. Results: By survey estimates, 1.8% of the Australian population consulted a psychiatrist in the last year. Among people with an ICD 10-diagnosed mental disorder, 7.3% consulted a psychiatrist. Only about one in five people seen by a psychiatrist report the psychiatrist as the only mental health care provider. Disadvantaged areas of the cities and remote areas, when compared with the least deprived areas of the cities, showed lower rates of utilization. This effect is stronger in psychiatry than in other specialities. Patients seeing psychiatrists seem to be a more satisfied group than those seeing only other providers; nonetheless, some needs are not well met, and the role of the psychiatrist cannot be isolated as the cause of this satisfaction. Conclusions: Most care delivered by psychiatrists is de facto shared care. Psychiatrists as clinical professionals need to be continually mindful of the need to communicate with others providing care. Psychiatric services in Australia are not delivered in an equitable manner, and the inequalities are greater for psychiatric services than for other medical specialities.

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Predictors of Partially Met or Unmet Need Reported by Consumers of Mental Health Services: An Analysis of Data from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.00924.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 455-463 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Ruth A. Parslow ◽

Anthony F. Jorm

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

National Survey ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Skills Training ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Community Services ◽

Health Practitioner ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Social Interventions ◽

Health And Wellbeing

Objective: We examined data from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing to identify factors associated with consumers of mental health help reporting that their needs were unmet or only partially met. Predictor factors included sociodemographic variables, psychological morbidity measures and type of health practitioner seen. Method: Five types of mental health help were considered: information, medication, psychological therapy, social interventions and skills training. A respondent's unmet need for each type of mental health help was given one of three values: 0: no unmet need reported; 1: some but not enough help of this type provided; and 2: no help of this type provided although it was needed. Multiple ordered logistic regressions were undertaken to identify predictor variables associated with reporting unmet need for each type of help. Results: Few sociodemographic factors were found to be associated with consumers reporting unmet need for mental health help. Those with less education were more likely to report unmet need for medication. Being male, living alone and being unemployed were associated with unmet need for skills training. Having seen a general practitioner for mental health reasons was found to be associated with reporting unmet need for both information and social interventions. Self-identifying, or being diagnosed, as having an anxiety disorder was associated with reporting unmet need for four of the five types of help. Conclusions: In this exploratory analysis, we examined factors associated with consumers of mental health help reporting that their needs were unmet or partially met. We found that the needs of those with anxiety problems were not generally well met. Our findings also indicate there is a need to continue to improve collaboration between the medical and community services sectors.

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