Australians and mental health How have things changed? Research study into the attitudes of Australians towards mental health for World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2016. Prepared for Flourish Australia by Review Partners Pty Ltd September 2016
About this study This research study was commissioned by Flourish Australia and conducted by Review Partners Pty Ltd as part of Flourish s involvement in Mental Health Month / Day 2016. Flourish wanted to understand the current status of Australians attitudes towards mental health and how they have changed in recent years. In particular it wanted to know: How well can Australians recognise a mental health issue in themselves and in others? What are their attitudes toward people with a mental health issue? How confident are they about taking action in relation to themselves or others in relation to mental health? How do Australians feel about the World Health Day concept of psychological first aid? The survey was conducted in the first two weeks of September 2016 by Review Partners Pty Ltd among a sample of the 1000 people selected using a commercial online panel and stratified to match the most recent ABS demographics of the Australian population according to gender, age and location. (The sample characteristics are shown in the table below.) This sample size provides an approximate theoretical margin of error of 3%, which means that there is a 95% likelihood that the results would be the same if the entire Australian population responded to the survey. However, it is important to recognise that the margin of error will be greater if comparisons are made within a subset of the overall sample. Consequently, any conclusions derived in this report are all outside the theoretical margin of error and consequently are statistically likely to describe actual differences between sub-groups and attitudes. Review Partners staff are members of the Australian Market and Social Research Society (AMSRS) membership and are bound by professional codes of behaviour. Review Partners Flourish Australia Paul Costantoura Pamela Rutledge Managing Director Chief Executive Officer L8/300 George St 5 Figtree Drive Sydney, 2000 Sydney Olympic Park, 2127 Email: paulc@reviewpartners.com.au Email: pamela.rutledge@richmondpra.org.au Phone: 02 9191 9201 0415 097 400 Phone: 02 9393 9010 Page 2
Contents ABOUT THIS STUDY... 2 SURVEY SAMPLE DEMOGRAPHICS... 5 KEY FINDINGS... 6 Wide acceptance of the need for psychological first aid... 6 The theme of the forthcoming United Nations World Mental Health Day is psychological first aid and this survey has found that the overwhelming majority (96%) of Australians believe that we should all learn the basics of found psychological first aid in the same way that we learn the basics of physical first aid.... 6 Personal mental health issue... 7 The survey revealed that mental health issues are touching most Australian families.... 7 Almost four out of 10 Australians acknowledge that they are either currently dealing with their own mental health issue (17%) or have previously dealt with one (20%).... 7 A further 13% think they may have had a mental health issue but are not really sure.... 7 This suggest that half the population (50%) may have experienced a mental health issue or are currently experiencing one.... 7 Many dealing with mental health issues on their own... 8 It is concerning to see that many of these people are dealing with their mental health issue without support, since 35% admitted that they are just working through their issue themselves without support.... 8 The survey also showed that many of those seeking support are relying on a limited range of support services.... 8 While one third (34%) worked through their issue with the support of friends and family, the most common sources of professional support were a GP (41%) and/or a counsellor (41%).... 8 Despite the availability of high quality specialised support services (such as Flourish Australia), only 6% of people received support from a specialise mental health organisation... 8 Mental health issues in others... 9 In addition, more than six out of 10 Australians (63%) acknowledge that someone close to them is either currently dealing with their own mental health issue (44%) or has previously dealt with one (19%).... 9 A further 13% think they may have had a mental health issue but are not really sure.... 9 This suggest that three-quarters of the population (76%) knows someone who may have experienced a mental health issue or are currently experiencing one.... 9 Lack of confidence at recognising mental health... 10 Despite the mainstream nature of mental health issues in Australia today, a lot of people still do not feel confident about their ability to recognise mental health issues.... 10 Only 55% of people are confident at being able to identify the difference between someone who is just having a bad day and someone who is showing signs of mental illness.... 10 The other 45% admit that they are not very confident or unsure.... 10 Lack of confidence about finding the right help... 11 And a lot of people are not confident about where to find the right help... 11 While 60% feel confident about knowing where to go for the right help, 40% are not very confident or unsure.... 11 Page 3
Reluctance to get involved... 12 This could be part of the reason why, half the population (51%) admitted that, faced with someone who is experiencing mental health issues they are reluctant to get involved, preferring to leave it to professionals.... 12 Recognition of mental health warning signs... 13 However, the survey revealed that Australians are more able to recognise the warning signs of mental health issues than they probably think they are.... 13 When presented with a list of 11 possible behaviours, more than 80% of the population correctly recognised 9 out of 11 of the behaviours as mental health warning signs.... 13 Acceptance of mental health issues... 14 At the same time, we ve come a long way in our acceptance and understanding of mental issues over the past 5-10 years, with 88% of people believing that we are now more accepting of mental health issues now... 14 Mental health issues don t stop a normal life... 15 And the vast majority of Australians (91%) believe that people can live a normal, meaningful life even though they have a mental health issue.... 15 Page 4
Survey sample demographics Gender? Household type? (Single/Couple) Male 49 Couple 64 Female 51 Single 22 Age in years? Mix of adults 15 18-24 yrs 13 Age of children? 25-34 yrs 19 All under 16 years 39 35-44 yrs 19 All over 16 years 48 45-54 yrs 19 Mix of under and over 16 years 13 55-64 yrs 11 Highest education level? Over 65 yrs 19 School certificate or lower 9 Higher school certificate 16 Region? TAFE, technical college or industry training 33 NSW Sydney Greater Metro 22 Undergraduate university 26 NSW Regional 9 Postgraduate university 15 VIC Melbourne Greater Metro 20 Current working situation? VIC Regional 5 Currently in full time employment 45 QLD Brisbane Greater Metro 12 Currently in part time employment 18 QLD Regional 7 Currently not working 2 SA Adelaide Greater Metro 7 Home duties 7 SA Regional 1 Currently looking for work 2 WA Perth Greater Metro 9 Student 7 WA Regional 1 Retired 18 TAS Hobart Greater Metro 1 Household income before tax? TAS Regional 1 Less than $25,000 6 ACT 1 $25,000 - $39,999 10 NT 1 $40,000 - $59,999 11 Region - city/regional $60,000 - $79,999 12 Metro 72 $80,000 - $99,999 12 Regional 28 $100,000 - $119,999 10 Household type? (Child/No child) $120,000 - $149,999 9 Children at home 35 $150,000 - $199,999 8 No children at home 33 More than $200,000 5 No children 32 Prefer not to answer 19 Page 5
Key findings Wide acceptance of the need for psychological first aid The theme of the forthcoming United Nations World Mental Health Day is psychological first aid and this survey has found that the overwhelming majority (96%) of Australians believe that we should all learn the basics of found psychological first aid in the same way that we learn the basics of physical first aid. The World Health Organisation of the United Nations has identified the theme for this year s mental health day as psychological first aid. Today most people learn the basics of physical first aid. How important do you think it is that we all learn the basics of psychological first aid? Importance of psychological first aid? Very important 50 Important 46 Not important 3 Very unimportant 0 Importance of psychological first aid? (Important/not) Important 96 Not important 4 Not important 3% Very unimportant 0% Important 46% Very important 51% Page 6
Personal mental health issue The survey revealed that mental health issues are touching most Australian families. Almost four out of 10 Australians acknowledge that they are either currently dealing with their own mental health issue (17%) or have previously dealt with one (20%). A further 13% think they may have had a mental health issue but are not really sure. This suggest that half the population (50%) may have experienced a mental health issue or are currently experiencing one. Which best describes your own personal experience of mental health? Personal experience with mental health? I am currently dealing with my own mental health issue 17 I have previously dealt with my own mental health issue but am not at the moment 20 I have never personally experienced my own mental health issue 50 I think I may have had a mental health issue, but I m not really sure 13 I think I may have had a mental health issue, but I m not really sure 13% I am currently dealing with my own mental health issue 17% I have never personally experienced my own mental health issue 50% I have previously dealt with my own mental health issue but am not at the moment 20% Page 7
Many dealing with mental health issues on their own It is concerning to see that many of these people are dealing with their mental health issue without support, since 35% admitted that they are just working through their issue themselves without support. The survey also showed that many of those seeking support are relying on a limited range of support services. While one third (34%) worked through their issue with the support of friends and family, the most common sources of professional support were a GP (41%) and/or a counsellor (41%). Despite the availability of high quality specialised support services (such as Flourish Australia), only 6% of people received support from a specialise mental health organisation. How have you dealt with your issue? (Pick any that apply) How you dealt with issue? Just worked through it myself 35 Discussed it with a counsellor / psychologist 41 Discussed it with my GP 41 Worked through it with the support of friends and/or family 34 Been treated by a specialist (eg psychiatrist) 13 Received support from a specialist mental health organisation/facility 6 How you dealt with issue? (On my own/with others) Just worked through it myself 35 With support from others 65 Note: The option Just worked through it myself was exclusive (if selected, no other options could be selected). However all the other options allowed multiple selection. Consequently, all options add up to more than 100%. Just worked through it myself 35 Discussed it with a counsellor / psychologist 41 Discussed it with my GP 41 Worked through it with the support of friends and/or family 34 Been treated by a specialist (eg psychiatrist) 13 Received support from a specialist mental health organisation/facility 6 Page 8
Mental health issues in others In addition, more than six out of 10 Australians (63%) acknowledge that someone close to them is either currently dealing with their own mental health issue (44%) or has previously dealt with one (19%). A further 13% think they may have had a mental health issue but are not really sure. This suggest that three-quarters of the population (76%) knows someone who may have experienced a mental health issue or are currently experiencing one. Which best describes your experience of a mental health issue in relation to people you know (friends, family, work colleagues)? Experience of mental health in others you know? Someone close to me is currently dealing with a mental health issue 44 Someone close to me has previously dealt with a mental health issue but is not at the moment Nobody close to me has ever experienced a mental health issue 24 Someone close to me may have had a mental health issue, but Im not really sure 13 19 Someone close to me may have had a mental health issue, but Im not really sure 13% Someone close to me is currently dealing with a mental health issue 44% Nobody close to me has ever experienced a mental health issue 24% Someone close to me has previously dealt with a mental health issue but is not at the moment 19% Page 9
Lack of confidence at recognising mental health Despite the mainstream nature of mental health issues in Australia today, a lot of people still do not feel confident about their ability to recognise mental health issues. Only 55% of people are confident at being able to identify the difference between someone who is just having a bad day and someone who is showing signs of mental illness. The other 45% admit that they are not very confident or unsure. How confident are you at being able to identify the difference between someone who is just having a bad day and someone who is showing signs of a mental health issue? Confidence identifying mental health issues? Very confident 9 Confident 45 Not very confident 35 Unsure 8 Very unsure 2 Confidence identifying mental health issues? (Confident/Not) Confident identifying issues 55 Not confident/unsure identifying issues 45 45 35 9 8 2 Very confident Confident Not very confident Unsure Very unsure Page 10
Lack of confidence about finding the right help And a lot of people are not confident about where to find the right help. While 60% feel confident about knowing where to go for the right help, 40% are not very confident or unsure. If you, or someone close to you is experiencing a mental health issue, how confident are you about knowing where to go for the right help? Confidence about finding right help? Very confident 12 Confident 48 Not very confident 31 Unsure 8 Very unsure 2 Confidence about finding right help? (Confident/not) Confident finding help 60 Not confident/unsure finding help 40 48 31 12 8 2 Very confident Confident Not very confident Unsure Very unsure Page 11
Reluctance to get involved This could be part of the reason why, half the population (51%) admitted that, faced with someone who is experiencing mental health issues they are reluctant to get involved, preferring to leave it to professionals. If you were faced with someone who is experiencing a mental health issue, how likely are you to respond in each of the following 5 ways? How likely to respond in these ways? Help them understand if there is an event which triggered their feelings Bring the issue out into the open by asking the person about their feelings Help them feel there is nothing wrong with them and that they don t need to worry I would be reluctant to get involved, and prefer to leave it to professionals to help them Not say anything in case it is just a passing problem that will resolve itself Definitely Probably Probably not Definitely not 16 63 20 1 15 60 23 2 18 43 30 8 8 43 40 9 4 31 51 15 Help them understand if there is an event which triggered their feelings 79 21 Bring the issue out into the open by asking the person about their feelings 75 25 Help them feel there is nothing wrong with them and that they don t need to worry I would be reluctant to get involved, and prefer to leave it to professionals to help them 51 61 49 39 Not say anything in case it is just a passing problem that will resolve itself 34 66 Definitely, Probably Definitely, Probably not Page 12
Recognition of mental health warning signs However, the survey revealed that Australians are more able to recognise the warning signs of mental health issues than they probably think they are. When presented with a list of 11 possible behaviours, more than 80% of the population correctly recognised 9 out of 11 of the behaviours as mental health warning signs. For each of the following 11 descriptions of a person's behaviour, please tell us whether you think it is more likely to be a mental health warning sign or just a normal part of life. Mental health warning or normal part of life? A mental health warning sign Just a normal part of life Engaging in self-harm 97 3 Feeling sad or depressed for a long period of time and unable to focus 94 6 Behaving out of character in an aggressive or erratic manner 91 9 Beginning to consume excessive amounts of illegal or legal drugs, including alcohol 90 10 Swinging between extremes of high energy and enthusiasm to low energy and apathy 87 13 Feeling worried, scared or anxious for no apparent reason 85 15 Becoming quiet and nervous and withdraw from contact with people 85 15 Strongly losing interest in participating in normal activities 83 17 Joking about suicide 80 20 Finding it difficult to get over some traumatic or negative event in their lives 72 28 Finding it difficult to sleep or can t establish regular sleep patterns 62 38 Finding it difficult to sleep or can't establish regular Finding it difficult to get over some traumatic or Joking about suicide Strongly losing interest in participating in normal Becoming quiet and nervous and withdraw from Feeling worried, scared or anxious for no apparent Swinging between extremes of high energy and Beginning to consume excessive amounts of illegal or Behaving out of character in an aggressive or erratic Feeling sad or depressed for a long period of time and Engaging in self-harm 62 72 80 83 85 85 87 90 91 94 97 38 28 20 17 15 15 13 10 9 6 3 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% A mental health warning sign Just a normal part of life Page 13
Acceptance of mental health issues At the same time, we ve come a long way in our acceptance and understanding of mental issues over the past 5-10 years, with 88% of people believing that we are now more accepting of mental health issues now What do you think about society s attitudes towards talking about mental health issues today compared to five or 10 years ago? Society's attitudes towards mental health? People are somewhat more accepting now 56 People tend to be much more accepting now 32 No change in people s attitude 11 People are somewhat less accepting now 1 People are much less accepting now 0 Society's attitudes towards mental health? (More/less accepting) More accepting 88 No change in people s attitude 11 Less accepting 2 People are somewhat less accepting now 1% People are much less accepting now 0% No change in people's attitude 11% People tend to be much more accepting now 32% People are somewhat more accepting now 56% Page 14
Mental health issues don t stop a normal life And the vast majority of Australians (91%) believe that people can live a normal, meaningful life even though they have a mental health issue. How much do you agree or disagree with the following 6 statements? Agree with statements? Row % Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree People can live a normal, meaningful life even though they have a mental health issue 28 63 8 1 Domestic violence is often linked to a mental health issue that has not been addressed 14 59 23 4 Some high profile people just use mental health issues as an excuse for bad or disrespectful behaviour towards others 13 51 31 4 Relationship break-ups are just part of life and do not qualify as a mental health issue 9 40 44 6 I would feel nervous if found out my neighbour had a mental health issue 3 21 59 17 If a work colleague told me they had a mental health issue I would be reluctant to trust their judgement 3 21 61 15 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% People can live a normal, meaningful life even though they have a mental health issue 91 9 Domestic violence is often linked to a mental health issue that has not been addressed Some high profile people just use mental health issues as an excuse for bad or disrespectful behaviour towards others 65 73 35 27 Relationship break-ups are just part of life and do not qualify as a mental health issue 50 50 I would feel nervous if found out my neighbour had a mental health issue If a work colleague told me they had a mental health issue I would be reluctant to trust their judgement 24 23 76 77 Agree Disagree Page 15