Mental Health Report Card highlights urgent action required

Last week the National Mental Health Commission published the National Mental Health Report Card 2023 monitoring the performance of Australia’s mental health systems.

Angus Clelland, CEO of leading Australian mental health promotion charity Mental Health First Aid International (MHFAI), welcomed the publication of the report card.

‘The report card sadly confirms what we already know – that significant members of the community are facing high levels of distress through psychosocial risk factors like cost of living and the lingering aftermath of the pandemic and various devastating natural disasters.

‘That psychological distress doesn’t look like it’s ending any time soon, as we continue to live in an environment of global conflict, economic uncertainty, and political unrest at home and abroad, leading to an uncertain future for so many.’

MHFAI joins calls from peak bodies including Mental Health Australia, urging all parties in the lead-up to the election to prioritise significant investment and reform to build and deliver the mental health system that Australia urgently needs.

As MHFAI prepares to launch its new Strategic Plan 2024–30, it is strengthening its commitment to advocacy in key areas.

1. A unified, whole-of-system approach to mental health reform is urgently required

The 2023 report card underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, whole-of-sector mental health reform to address systemic issues and improve outcomes for individuals and communities nationwide.

Concerningly, the data highlights that over the past decade or more there has been no improvement in mental health and wellbeing for people in Australia, with some experiencing a decline in overall life outcomes.

With an estimated 4.3 million, or 1 in 5, Australians experiencing a mental disorder within a 12-month period, there is a clear need for a unified, whole-of-system view of mental health across all levels of government and jurisdictions. 

‘Whole-of-system reform, with a heavy emphasis on prevention and early intervention, is essential for creating a seamless, efficient and effective mental health care system,’ Mr Clelland said.  

‘By aligning resources and strategies across all sectors, we can better meet the needs of individuals and communities.’ 

Karen Bates, Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA Programs, said it is vital that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are prioritised in any reform agenda.  

‘More than ever we need the Government to ensure equity for our First Nations peoples – particularly in self-determination and agency – to create early interventions for impacts on social and emotional wellbeing. I’m confident, with the right funding and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led implementation, we can create a circle of safety in community.’   

Marc Bryant, Executive Director of Strategic Relationships and Advocacy, added that this is a critical time for collective conversations and sharing innovations that work in collaboration with others.  

‘As MHFAI continues to empower workplaces, schools and communities with the right skills to support those with early signs of psychological distress, we want to build strong partnerships with the sector and support programs informed by evidence and lived experience.’

2. Early intervention and mental health literacy programs are needed in schools and universities

Young Australians in particular need improved health promotion and early intervention for mental ill-health, with 38% of young people aged 16–24 having experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months compared to the national average of 22%. Support during adolescence in particular is critical, as data reveals that 50% of adult mental health problems emerge before the age of 18.  

‘Early education on mental health is crucial for improving mental health literacy, empowering peer-to-peer support and addressing mental health problems early, during key developmental years,’ Mr Clelland said.  

‘Embedding programs like Mental Health First Aid into schools and universities will empower students to recognise signs of mental health problems or distress in themselves and others to ensure timely support can be received.

‘Partnering with peak university bodies will help to ensure students are equipped with these critical skills before they enter their careers, strengthening the mental health and resilience of workforces at increased risk of psychological distress.’

3. The sector needs robust impact measurement frameworks

The report highlights the importance of robust impact measurement frameworks to assess the effectiveness of mental health initiatives. Since many social determinants of mental health sit outside the health portfolio, such as in education, justice and social services, mental health outcomes are dependent on the availability and integration of services across these areas. Insufficient data means that we cannot fully understand the impact and effectiveness of these parts of the system. 

‘Accurate and comprehensive impact measurement is vital for improving mental health services and ensuring accountability. By developing robust national measurement frameworks, we can better understand what works and continuously improve our approaches,’ Mr Clelland noted.  

In 2022 the University of Melbourne’s School of Population & Global Health developed a Mental Health Support Scale (MHSS), led by Associate Professor Amy Morgan in association with MHFAI, to measure help provided and received and transform understanding of program outcomes and impacts. 

Dr Jakqui Barnfield, Executive Director of International Programs, Quality and Research, said MHFAI welcomes ongoing collaboration with the mental health sector to address and respond to gaps in data.

‘We are continuing to explore opportunities to measure the impact of MHFA training in workplaces, education settings and communities. This is to supplement our current research that measures MHFA impact via mental health literacy and ability to provide support.’ 

4. More investment is needed in addressing critical mental health workforce shortages

Significant workforce shortages of mental health professionals are another critical issue. Recent national workforce research and analysis suggest critical shortages across all professions in the mental health workforce.  

In 2019, there was a 32% shortfall in mental health workers compared to the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework targets, and this is expected to increase to 42% by 2030 if not addressed. 

‘Investing in our mental health workforce is imperative to meet the growing demand for services. We need targeted strategies to attract, train and retain mental health professionals across all disciplines,’ Mr Clelland urged.  

‘While there continues to be a shortage of mental health clinicians,’ Dr Barnfield added, ‘it is imperative that we continue to support our communities through the investment of programs such as MHFA, which create communities of people ready, willing and able to help and support people experiencing mental health problems or elements of mental distress.’

Mental Health First Aid International looks forward to working closely with the sector to advance outcomes in these key areas, as we advocate for whole-of-system reform both here in Australia and internationally.