The State of Mental Health in the Covid Era:

The past year has been a tumultuous one, and has affected many people in ways they never thought possible. Worries over such things as job security, the economy, the future of the country, our health and that of our loved ones, meant that stress levels were at an all-time high.

In 2007, the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing was conducted, which provided information regarding the prevalence of mental disorders in Australians aged between 16-85 years both during their lifetime and the previous 12 months. The results of the survey indicated that almost half the population (45%) within this age range will experience a mental disorder at some point in their life and that 20% had experienced a common mental disorder in the previous 12 months. These included anxiety disorders, affective disorders (such as depression) and substance use disorders.

The data from this survey is due to be updated this year as part of the Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study, with 4 surveys conducted over 3 years. This will give a more recent indication of the state of mental health in Australia.

Until such time as we are given this updated information, it is difficult to know just how the state of mental health in Australia currently sits, especially in view of the situations with which we have been faced in the last 12 months. Yet, from anecdotal evidence, there is no denying that the past year has been mentally difficult for many of us. Emergency service workers and funeral directors report that suicides are more frequent than ever before.

One short Australian study, conducted during the first month of Covid (April to May, 2020) concluded that, ‘Mental health problems were at least twice as prevalent as in non-pandemic circumstances’.

Doctors around the country have reported a huge jump in patients seeking relief from anxiety and other mental health conditions, with prescriptions of valium and other anti-anxiety drugs soaring.

According to health data compiled from more than 1000 Australian general practices, “Anti-anxiety drugs in particular have soared by up to 31%, suggesting uncertainties over health and financial impacts are taking their toll, while antidepressant prescriptions have also risen steadily, up by double-figure percentages (13-22%) over last year for each of the eight weeks ending 6 June”.

This summer has seen a reprieve in the lockdown restrictions, and, along with it, an improvement in the mental health of many Australians. Once more, we have been able to see loved ones (albeit with restrictions on numbers allowed at social gatherings), shop whenever and wherever we want to, play sports, and go on holidays or day trips, soaking in the beauty of nature.

Yet, let’s face it–we don’t yet know what this year will bring. As the weather becomes more autumnal by the day, we are reminded that the flu season is not far off. We don’t know yet whether this winter will see a repeat of the conditions with which we were faced last year. For those of us in Victoria, in particular, the very thought of curfews, masks in all situations and lockdown is enough to send anyone into depression!

It is important to know, though, that, should you feel that you are not coping mentally, pharmaceutical drugs are not your only option. There are numerous herbs that have been used for thousands of years to improve mood and ease anxiety.

Be sure to keep an eye out for next week’s blog post where we discuss just a few of these herbs, along with one of our herbal formulae that was a Godsend to our friends and family during Victoria’s lockdown.

Resources:

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/summary-of-mental-health-services-in-australia/prevalence-impact-and-burden

https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2020/mental-health-people-australia-first-month-covid-19-restrictions-national-survey

https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/use-of-anxiety-and-depression-medication-spikes-as

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