People struggling for years before seeking support

A major survey by Beyond Blue has found people are grappling with high levels of distress and emerging mental health issues for up to 10 years before reaching out for support.

Australia’s 2024 Mental Health and Wellbeing Check, run Australian National University’s Social Research Centre on behalf of Beyond Blue, is a representative survey about the present state of mental health and wellbeing in Australia.

Researchers surveyed more than 5,000 people across the nation about the common causes of distress they have experienced in the past year and how they have supported their mental health.

This year, almost half (49 percent) of those who sought professional mental health support said they had waited until they were “very distressed” or “extremely distressed” before they reached out, compared to 30 percent who were moderately distressed.

Some people waited up to 10 years before seeking support.

The top barriers to taking action included waitlists, affordability of treatment and people thinking their problem was not serious enough to seek support.

Shame is also getting worse, with 22 percent of people saying they are not getting professional mental health support because they feel ashamed, up from 13 percent two years ago.

“The main reasons people don’t seek support are well known – it can be expensive and the waitlists are long. What’s important about this survey is that it’s telling us mental health literacy and increasing feelings of shame are barriers too,” Beyond Blue chief executive officer Georgie Harman said.

“Feeling unsure about when to seek support seems to be causing as many delays in help-seeking as long waitlists,” Ms Harman said.

“Increasingly, life feels more stressful and unpredictable. People are dealing with compounding and mounting pressures. They’re strung out but muddling through. The pressures people face can often snowball to have a real and negative impact on our mental health and wellbeing.

“This data tells us that people are delaying asking for support or waiting until they are in severe distress. Beyond Blue is working to change this with our free, effective mental health support options.

“It’s never too late and it’s never too early to contact us.”

The release of key survey findings coincides with the start of World Mental Health Month.

This is the second Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Check since it started in 2022, when cost of living pressures began to climb.

Nearly half of all respondents – 46 percent – named financial pressure as a key factor in their distress.

Housing affordability and personal relationship challenges were also identified as stress factors by 34 percent of respondents.

If you need help, phone Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, headspace on 1800 650 890 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.