Don’t wait to seek help with mental health

Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline are highlighting not only the importance of early intervention for those with mental health conditions but also why some of those people are not asking for help.

The results of Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Check, a survey of more than 5,000 people commissioned by Beyond Blue and carried out by the Social Research Centre, revealed the main reasons why people do not reach out.

The research found:

• 30 per cent of people living with a mental health condition that was affecting their lives were unlikely to seek support from anyone
• 39 per cent of people delay seeking support due to costs
• 30 per cent delay seeking support due to waitlists
• 27 per cent think they will get better without support, and
• 24 per cent think their problem is not serious enough.

Beyond Blue chief executive officer Georgie Harman said the data, released to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, was concerning given the deep impact of poor mental health and suicide on people, families and communities.

“People need to know accessing support early, before they reach crisis point, can help alleviate stress, worry and isolation, and prevent depression and anxiety from getting worse. My message is don’t wait, don’t hesitate.

“We know people can think their problems are too small or trivial, or they believe they are taking up valuable mental health resources. But the impacts of depression, anxiety and emotional stress can be cumulative, and small problems can snowball and become harder to manage.

“Accessing support early for yourself or someone you care about, can prevent problems escalating.”

Nearly 80 per cent of people who contacted Beyond Blue’s Support Service reported an immediate reduction in distress and ongoing feelings of reduced distress two weeks later.

“If you are delaying getting mental health support due to costs, or waitlists, you can reach out to the Beyond Blue Support Service or join our Online Community Forums. We are here for you regardless of how big or small the problem feels. It’s never too soon to seek support,” Ms Harman said.

Kids Helpline, a 24/7 counselling and support service dedicated to those aged 5-25 run by yourtown, has seen a significant increase in suicide-related contacts requiring an urgent “duty of care” response.

Chief executive officer of yourtown Tracy Adams said Kids Helpline provided 4,608 duty of care interventions between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

“Of these duty of care responses, 2,000 were undertaken where young people were at immediate risk of suicide and required emergency intervention. This is higher than we have ever experienced.

“A duty of care intervention is where Kids Helpline contacts police, child safety or ambulance when a child or young person is deemed to be at imminent risk.

“We need to take this opportunity to raise awareness of suicide and to promote action that will reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts by children and young children.

“Our hope is to encourage conversations and spread awareness in an effort to prevent youth suicide.”

To contact the Beyond Blue Support Service, phone 1300 22 4636 or head to beyondblue.org.au/getsupport

To contact Kids Helpline, phone 1800 55 1800 or head to kidshelpline.com.au