Australian Mental Health

Mental illness is much more common in Australia then people realize. Gone are the days of asylums and sufferers are usually treated as out-patients, living at home and simply visiting their doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist as necessary. With sufferers being out of sight and out of mind, the huge number of cases is invisible to the general public.

In some respects this has actually increased the stigma associated with mental illness. When a family member or work colleague is diagnosed with a mental health problem, they are often seen as someone strange, to be feared and avoided. Memories of movies people have seen about insane asylums and mental hospitals come flooding back.

Fortunately, the Australian mental health system is very good. There are many websites and organizations that provide help and support. Medicare rebates make counselling affordable and the PBS system means medication is subsidised and relatively cheap. Doctors can refer patients to psychiatrists and psychologists for an initial six week period and a further six weeks can be approved if required. The patient then only has to pay the Gap fee. Often major hospitals even have a free mental health clinic.

If the patient cannot work, Centrelink can put them on a Disabilty Support Pension, which can enable them to meet their living costs. Rental assistance can also be paid. Full time carers can also be paid a Carer Allowance.

Psyche wards do still exist in some hospitals, but they are normally only used as a short term in-patient option. Once the correct diagnosis has been made and suitable medication arranged, the patient is encouraged to re-join society. It is very unusual nowadays for sufferers to be kept in long term in-patient care.

The good news is most people who suffer from illnesses such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and almost any personality disorder actually function quite well if diagnosed properly and given the right medication and therapy. They integrate into society and the workforce, seldom causing major disruption. In fact it is often the employer or family who have the biggest problem and educating them is the hard part!