People Struggle For Years Before Getting Mental Health Support According To New Data

Australia’s 2024 Mental Health and Wellbeing Check, undertaken by Australian National University’s Social Research Centre on behalf of Beyond Blue, is a representative survey that gives a reliable pulse check on the current state of mental health and wellbeing in Australia.

Researchers surveyed more than 5000 people around the country about the common causes of distress they’ve 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 ten years before seeking support.

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

Shame is also getting worse - 22 percent of people say they aren’t getting professional mental health support because they feel ashamed, up from 13 percent two years ago.

BeyondBlue CEO Georgie Harman said this survey told us that mental health literacy and increasing feelings of shame were also barriers.

“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. The pressures people can 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. BeyondBlue 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 undertaken 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.

Just over a quarter of respondents who reported that they’d experienced a mental health challenge in the past 12 months did not seek any support for their mental health.

Ms Harman said mental health issues, or experiences of situational distress, were easier to manage when dealt with early, before they snowballed.

“We want people to know that you don’t need to be struggling for years before your problems are worth addressing - you don’t have to be at crisis point to benefit from support,” Ms Harman said.

“Feeling constantly overwhelmed or worried, prolonged feelings of being flat or stuck, or having trouble sleeping are some of the signs you need to look out for.”

“Our message this World Mental Health Month is that when it comes to your mental health, don’t wait until things really get on top of you.”

“Let people know how you’re feeling or check in with someone you’ve noticed changes in. BeyondBlue offers free, 24/7 support right around Australia.”

“There’s the BeyondBlue Support Service, which offers support by phone, webchat and email, and there’s our online community forums.”

BeyondBlue’s Support Service is available 24/7 on 1300 224 636 and via web chat or email at beyondblue.org.au/getsupport.

You can find BeyondBlue’s online community forums at forums.beyondblue.org.au

• Topics:

• Mental Health