Be aware, seek support

This October the Yarrawonga Chronicle and Corowa Free Press are teaming up to encourage locals to recognise the signs within themselves and check in with their friends and family.

Yarrawonga Mulwala Psychology Director and Principal Psychologist Dr Leah Brennan sees clients of all ages and genders from across the region and said she is seeing increased awareness of mental health, the need to seek treatment, and awareness that effective help is available.

“Mental health concerns are increasing across all age ranges,” Dr Brennan said.

“We are seeing increases in young people (children, adolescents, and young adults) and also in those particularly impacted by current circumstances (e.g. business owners, parents with families and associated high costs of living etc).

“There are likely a few factors impacting here. We are still dealing with the social, emotional and financial impacts of COVID including lockdowns, returning to post-COVID normal for example.

“While we hear a lot about the impact on young people who have missed school and extracurricular activities, adults have also been impacted by these changes and it is impacting on their wellbeing too.”

While mental health illnesses have been around for many years and has now become more widespread across age groups, genders and ethnicities, men still have one of the highest rates of the illness and unfortunately hold the title for the highest rate of suicides.

According to Beyond Blue, on average one in eight men will experience depression and one in five men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives.

Men make up an average seven out of every nine suicides every single day in Australia.

The number of men who die by suicide in Australia every year is nearly double the national road toll.

It is well-documented and observed that men are known for bottling things up. But when you’re feeling down, taking action to call in extra support is the responsible thing to do.

“Fortunately awareness of mental health problems and treatment is increasing, and the stigma associated with having a mental illness and seeking treatment is reducing, however this is taking a little longer for men,” Dr Brennan said.

“Historically men have been told to "just get on with it" and they are less likely to recognise and/or acknowledge that they have a problem, talk to others about their difficulties, and seek help.

“Also, some mental health problems present differently in men than in women and so may be overlooked.

“For example, we often think that depression means sadness, but in some cases, it presents more as irritability. Fortunately things are improving.

“There is increasing awareness of and discussion about men's mental health. This has been helped by public figures (sports players, coaches etc) talking about their struggles with mental health, the consequences they have experienced, and the benefits of treatment.

“We always get an increase in men seeking help with men's mental health talked about in the media.”

As well as men, an age group that suffers the illness in high numbers is teenagers.

Mental health has always been a compounding issue in teenagers lives with the last two years of social isolation in particular taking their toll on teenagers and their livelihoods.

Recent Australian studies have found over 75% of mental health issues occur before the age of 25, while suicide continues to cause the largest loss of life of young people in Australia.

According to the Black Dog Institute more than 40% of Year 12 students report symptoms of anxiety and depression higher than the normal range for their age group.

“Young people have been particularly impacted by COVID restrictions. It is vitally important that young people access treatment as early intervention is most effective (but it's never too late),” Dr Brennan said.

“In addition to GPs, schools are a good resource. School staff are now more aware of mental health prevention and treatment, and there is more funding to support prevention, treatment and referral in schools.

“I suggest starting with the teacher, year coordinator and/or wellbeing leader who can help link you into supports available within the school and/or other appropriate services.

“Supporting a young person who is struggling with mental health issues is also tough, and the difficulties parents in this situation face can be overlooked. I encourage parents to seek support for themselves too.”

While sometimes it may seem that there is no one to reach out to or that would understand, there are many avenues to assist in overcoming mental health from physically seeking help.

For those who would rather text, speak on the phone or chat to someone online, your first port of call is just around the corner.

“GPs are a good first point of contact for mental health support. They can provide support themselves, and they can link into other available services,” Dr Brennan said.

“While it can be more difficult to find help in rural areas, there are an increasing number of psychologists, social workers and other mental health clinicians in the local area, and the availability of telehealth also helps with accessibility.”

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