Mental health

One in five adults will experience a mental illness at least once in their lives.

Mental illnesses may be caused by life events, genetic factors or birth defects. They can be temporary or lifelong and include mood, anxiety, personality, psychotic and compulsive disorders. Help is available to prevent or manage mental health problems.

Mental illness can come and go throughout a person’s life. Some people experience their illness only once and fully recover. For others, it is prolonged and recurs over time. Mental illness can make it difficult for someone to cope with work, relationships and other aspects of their life.

What to look for

The symptoms of mental illness may come on quickly. Almost all mental health problems can be treated or at least lessened in their severity. Getting help early can prevent what could become a lifelong mental illness.

A person with a mental illness can experience problems with their thinking, emotions and/or behaviour. These changes may happen quickly, or they may be gradual and subtle. It may take time to understand and identify what is happening. 

Psychotic symptoms 

These symptoms can include: 

  • Thoughts and feelings that are out of the ordinary or difficult to understand, such as thought of being persecuted or under surveillance for which there is no proof 
  • Experiencing sensations (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting something when there is nothing there that others can identify) 
  • Odd behaviour
  • Schizophrenia is a psychotic illness

Mood symptoms 

Some of the symptoms of a changed mood may include: 

  • Persistent and pervasive feelings of sadness, elation, anxiety, fear or irritability 
  • Changes in sleep patterns 
  • Changes in appetite 
  • Loss of interest in things that were previously enjoyable 
  • Periods of increased or decreased activity, where things may be started and not finished 
  • Difficulty thinking and concentrating 
  • Excessive worries 
  • Changes in use of alcohol and other drugs

Common mental health issues and mental illnesses include: 

  • Anxiety disorders 
  • Behavioural and emotional disorders 
  • Bipolar affective disorder 
  • Depression 
  • Eating disorders 

Compassion and understanding helps recovery

Many people may not know how to respond to a person who is mentally ill. People may react with embarrassment, rejection and abuse if they do not understand unusual behaviour. Such reactions can be a big hurdle for people with a mental illness who are trying to get well.

A person with a mental illness often faces isolation and discrimination from family, friends, employers and neighbours. These attitudes can make people hide their illness and feel ashamed. Family, friends, colleagues and other people can make a huge difference to a person’s recovery with understanding and compassion.

Type of help available

Different mental illnesses need different treatments. Most people benefit from counselling, medication or both. People may also need help with other aspects of their life, such as work or recreation, to assist with recovery.

Where to get help  

If you or someone you know needs support: 

  • Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.  
  • In an emergency, call 000. 

Other support: 

 

 

Source: Better Health Channel

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Other support services

BeyondBlue

Online counselling service

(Between 3pm & 12am): Free online chat with available counsellors.

Cost: Free

Grow support groups

Over 250 support groups in Australia. Visit website to find a group near you or call 1800 558 268.

Cost: Free

Black Dog Institute

Provides education and training for Workplaces, communities & schools on mental health and wellbeing through presentations, toolkits and consultancy services.

Cost: Free

Headspace

Free online chat with counsellors. You can email and book a time or just chat to someone when you go on, although there may be a waiting time. Also offers support for family members.

Mindspot

Free Mental Health Assessment which may be followed by recommendation of commencing a free 8-week treatment course or other referrals. Partners with Beyondblue and Macquarie University.

The MindSpot Clinic is a free service for Australian adults with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. We provide mental health Screening Assessments; Treatment Courses or help people find local services that can help.

Cost: Free

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to online, phone and face-to-face crisis support and suicide prevention services. Find out how these services can help you, a friend or loved one.

13 11 14 is a confidential telephone crisis support service available 24/7 from a landline, payphone or mobile.

Cost: Free
 
 
 
 
 

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  • replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional; or
  • constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

RBHS encourage you to seek your own medical advice from a doctor, or a registered medical or health professional and do not bear any liability of the information contained on this section of the website.