2 in 3 Young Aussies needed mental health support in 12 months
Two in three young Australians aged 18-39 have sought mental health assistance in a 12-month period, with one in four accessing multiple services, a national study has revealed.
Bupa’s Pulse Check Survey found mental health ranked as the top concern among young Aussies when it came to fears about developing a chronic illness in the future. The survey also found that more than 50% of all Australians had accessed at least one form of mental health assistance in 12 months, with the majority looking to family or friends for support.
The survey, which looked at people’s attitudes towards their health and wellbeing, found those aged between 18-39 suffered most from poor mental health, and most expressed their mental health played a major role in shaping their perception of overall quality of life, surpassing even their financial circumstances.
In an Australian first, and to help take pressure off our mental health system, Bupa is the first private health insurer to offer renowned mental health treatment programs by This Way Up, developed by mental health clinicians and researchers at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital and the University of New South Wales, free to all eligible members.
Bupa’s Wellbeing and Safety General Manager, and registered Psychologist, Chanel Nesci said the program offered support for people who were experiencing mental health concerns and didn’t know where to turn to for help.
“When it comes to mental health concerns, taking the first step and asking for help can often be the biggest challenge. But it’s OK to say you’re struggling with your mental health, and we all have a part to play in supporting each other and reducing the stigma,” Ms Nesci said.
When it comes to mental health concerns, taking the first step and asking for help can often be the biggest challenge. But it’s OK to say you’re struggling with your mental health, and we all have a part to play in supporting each other and reducing the stigma.
“By offering these effective programs for free to about a quarter of Australia’s population, we are making it easier for people to get the support they need. With wait times to see a psychologist now stretching up to six months, these self-guided treatment programs offer an immediate and safe alternative that can be done in the comfort of their own home, in their own time.”
From September 1, eligible members will have 24/7 free access to a single mental health program for 12 months to the therapy-on-demand online platform, which provides access to effective and evidence-based mental health treatments to help with depression, anxiety, OCD, panic, stress, perinatal mental health, insomnia, mindfulness and teen mental health.
More than 200,000 Australians have been treated by TWU programs, with 80% showing improvement, and 50% reporting they are no longer troubled by their mental health symptoms.
Ms Nesci said preventive mental health care was an important part of looking after one’s wellbeing
“Sometimes we can go from feeling good to feeling bad quite quickly. Knowing how to maintain good mental health is a life skill and picking up the signs that our mental health, or that of a loved one might be deteriorating as early as we can, is also important,” she said.
For more details about Bupa’s partnership with This Way Up.
