Study: poor mental health is expensive
/The Productivity Commission report on poor mental health and suicide estimates it costs us $180 billion annually. That means nearly $500 million per day.
The draft report on mental health was published in late October 2019, with an enquiry into mental health launched. Feedback on the draft report has been given, with a new report expected.
Key points in the report include:
In any year about a fifth of Australians experience mental ill-health
Most people manage their mental health problems themselves
Many are not receiving the treatment they need
Many people are suffering undue distress, relationship breakdown, stigma, loss of life satisfaction and opportunities
Mental illness was tacked onto a health system that was designed for physical illness
Mental illness tends to emerge in younger people (75 per cent earlier than age 25)
Identifying risk factors and early treatment is important
Mental ill-health isn’t well defined, thus pathways to treatment are not clear
Our social support structures are not cooperating with each other as well as they might
Diminished health and life expectancy for those with mental ill-health remains a cost
Changes to the system are substantial
The proposals include early screening (early childhood development) for mental ill-health
There are five reforms proposed:
Reform area 1: prevention and early intervention for mental illness and suicide attempts
Reform area 2: close critical gaps in healthcare services
Reform area 3: investment in services beyond health
Reform area 4: assistance for people with mental illness to get into work and enable early treatment of work-related mental illness
Reform area 5: fundamental reform to care coordination, governance and funding arrangements
