Use of prescribed medications in a South Australian community sample

The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recent bushfires and flash floods, have resulted in significant and unprecedented mental health impacts in Australia. Despite the known impacts, there is a paucity of research directly asking Australian community members about their mental health experiences and what they perceive to be the most important mental health issues in the context of the pandemic. This study utilises qualitative data from Alone Together, a longitudinal mixed-methods study investigating the effects of COVID-19 on mental health in an Australian community sample (N = 2,056). Of the 1,350 participants who completed the first follow-up survey, a total of 1,037 participants, who ranged in sex (69.9% female), age (M = 40-49 years), state/territory of residence, and socioeconomic status, shared responses to two open-ended questions regarding the most important issues for mental health in Australia and the impact of COVID-19 on their individual mental health. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants described COVID-19 as primarily impacting their mental health through the disruption it posed to their social world and financial stability. A key concern for participants who reported having poor mental health was the existence of multiple competing barriers to accessing good mental health care. According to participant responses, the pandemic had pressurized an already over-burdened mental health service system, leaving many without timely, appropriate support. Further absent or stigmatising rhetoric around mental health, at both a political and community level, also prevented participants from seeking help. Insights gained from the present research provide opportunities for policymakers and health practitioners to draw on the expertise of Australians’ lived experience and address priority issues through targeted policy planning. This could ultimately support a more responsive, integrated and effective mental health system, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The long-term mental health impact of peacekeeping: prevalence and predictors of psychiatric disorder

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.001321 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 32-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

David Forbes ◽

Meaghan O'Donnell ◽

Rachel M. Brand ◽

Sam Korn ◽

Mark Creamer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Community Sample ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Health Impact ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Potentially Traumatic Events ◽

Military Mental Health ◽

Health Initiatives ◽

Australian Community ◽

Peacekeeping Missions

BackgroundThe mental health outcomes of military personnel deployed on peacekeeping missions have been relatively neglected in the military mental health literature.AimsTo assess the mental health impacts of peacekeeping deployments.MethodIn total, 1025 Australian peacekeepers were assessed for current and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, service history and exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs). A matched Australian community sample was used as a comparator. Univariate and regression analyses were conducted to explore predictors of psychiatric diagnosis.ResultsPeacekeepers had significantly higher 12-month prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (16.8%), major depressive episode (7%), generalised anxiety disorder (4.7%), alcohol misuse (12%), alcohol dependence (11.3%) and suicidal ideation (10.7%) when compared with the civilian comparator. The presence of these psychiatric disorders was most strongly and consistently associated with exposure to PTEs.ConclusionsVeteran peacekeepers had significant levels of psychiatric morbidity. Their needs, alongside those of combat veterans, should be recognised within military mental health initiatives.

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Effectiveness of a Web-Based Self-Help Program for Suicidal Thinking in an Australian Community Sample: Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/jmir.8595 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. e15 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Bregje AJ van Spijker ◽

Aliza Werner-Seidler ◽

Philip J Batterham ◽

Andrew Mackinnon ◽

Alison L Calear ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Community Sample ◽

Web Based ◽

Suicidal Thinking ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Self Help ◽

Australian Community

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“Our Country Needs a Strong Leader Right Now”: Economic Inequality Enhances the Wish for a Strong Leader

Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/0956797619875472 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (11) ◽

pp. 1625-1637 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Stefanie Sprong ◽

Jolanda Jetten ◽

Zhechen Wang ◽

Kim Peters ◽

Frank Mols ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Health ◽

Social Cohesion ◽

Community Sample ◽

Economic Inequality ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Democratic Values ◽

Australian Community ◽

Societal Inequality ◽

Mental And Physical Health

Societal inequality has been found to harm the mental and physical health of its members and undermine overall social cohesion. Here, we tested the hypothesis that economic inequality is associated with a wish for a strong leader in a study involving 28 countries from five continents (Study 1, N = 6,112), a study involving an Australian community sample (Study 2, N = 515), and two experiments (Study 3a, N = 96; Study 3b, N = 296). We found correlational (Studies 1 and 2) and experimental (Studies 3a and 3b) evidence for our prediction that higher inequality enhances the wish for a strong leader. We also found that this relationship is mediated by perceptions of anomie, except in the case of objective inequality in Study 1. This suggests that societal inequality enhances the perception that society is breaking down (anomie) and that a strong leader is needed to restore order (even when that leader is willing to challenge democratic values).

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