Top Mental Health Issues in Australian Young Adults
July 24, 2023
Lesley Gregg, Head of Sales and Marketing LYSN

Top Mental Health Issues in Australian Young Adults


Mental health is a critical component of overall wellbeing, yet mental health challenges are widespread, particularly among young adults in Australia. According to a 2019 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, mental health is the leading cause of disability burden among young Australians aged 18-24. With this in mind, let's take a closer look at the top mental health issues faced by young adults in Australia and their impact.


1. Anxiety

Anxiety is a common mental health issue affecting young adults in Australia. According to Beyond Blue, one in six Australians experience anxiety at some point in their lives, with young people particularly susceptible. In 2020, there were approximately 2.5 million reported cases of anxiety disorders among young Australians, representing a significant increase from previous years. Anxiety can be caused by various factors, including increased pressure from social, academic, or professional expectations, leading to feelings of worry, nervousness, or overwhelm.


2. Depression

Depression is another prevalent mental health issue among young adults in Australia. Young people experiencing depression may show symptoms such as a loss of interest in activities, feelings of worthlessness and sadness, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns. In 2020, it was estimated that around 1 million young Australians experienced depression, making it a significant concern. Depression can be triggered by social, academic, or family pressures, including financial stress, relationship issues, and isolation.


3. Eating Disorders


Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, are also commonly reported among young adults in Australia. These disorders are often linked to distorted self-image and body dissatisfaction. It is estimated that approximately 9% of young adults in Australia have experienced an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Eating disorders can significantly impact an individual's physical and mental health, with long-lasting consequences.


4. Substance Abuse


Substance abuse is also a significant mental health issue among young adults in Australia, whether it involves alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. Substance abuse can lead to a range of mental and physical health issues, including addiction, depression, anxiety, and even suicide. In Australia, it is estimated that 1 in 6 young adults engage in risky drinking behavior, highlighting the need for preventive measures and support services.


Conclusion


Mental health challenges are a pressing issue in Australia, particularly among young adults. Anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse are just some of the high impact mental health issues affecting young people. The statistics on these issues highlight the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and access to appropriate mental healthcare services.


If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, it is essential to seek professional help. You may reach out to mental health services in your local area or contact trusted professional mental health professionals such as LYSN at welysn.com for support.


Remember, getting help is a sign of strength, seeking support is a critical step towards better health and quality of life.


#MentalHealth #YoungAdults #Australia #Anxiety #Depression #EatingDisorders #SubstanceAbuse #Wellness.

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The Top 4 Patient Benefits of Mental Health Telehealth in Australia

By Lesley Gregg, Head of Sales and Marketing, LYSN • July 24, 2023
The Benefits of Mental Health Telehealth in Australia: Enhancing Patient Care Mental health telehealth services have brought about a revolution in the delivery of mental healthcare in Australia. With advancements in technology and the adoption of telehealth solutions, individuals experiencing mental health challenges, such as depression, are now able to access care conveniently and comfortably from their own homes. In this short article, we explore the top four benefits for patients of mental health telehealth in Australia and how it is improving patient care. 1. Improved Access to Healthcare Mental health telehealth services have significantly enhanced access to care, promoting greater equity for individuals who may face barriers in seeking in-person treatment. For those who may be hesitant or reluctant to leave their homes due to anxiety, privacy concerns, or physical limitations, telehealth provides a safe and accessible avenue to connect with healthcare professionals. This increased access ensures that individuals can receive the care and support they need in a timely manner. 2. Reduced Travel, Expense, and Time Away from Home Telehealth eliminates the need for individuals to travel long distances or incur expenses for transportation and accommodation when seeking mental health care. It significantly reduces the financial burden associated with accessing care, particularly for those in remote or rural areas where mental health services may be limited. Additionally, telehealth saves valuable time for patients, as they can receive consultations from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating the need for lengthy commutes and time away from work or family obligations. 3. Reduced Waiting Times and Improved Continuity of Care Mental health telehealth services support faster diagnosis and appropriate treatment by reducing waiting times for consultations. At LYSN we often have same day telehealth appointments and evening appointments and patients can have prompt access to mental health professionals, thereby expediting the diagnosis process and enabling timely intervention. Additionally, telehealth enables improved continuity of care, as patients can receive local treatment from a known healthcare provider while being under specialist supervision. This ensures a seamless transition between virtual and face-to-face consultations, enhancing the overall patient experience. 4. Increased Opportunity for Contact with Healthcare Providers Telehealth provides individuals with increased opportunities to contact their healthcare providers between face-to-face consultations. This regular and convenient contact helps patients stay connected to the support they need, fostering a sense of continuity and security. Whether it's to discuss changes in symptoms, medication management, or any concerns that may arise, telehealth facilitates ongoing communication and engagement between patients and their healthcare providers. Conclusion Mental health telehealth has brought about a paradigm shift in patient care, offering improved access, reduced travel and expenses, shorter waiting times, and increased continuity of care. The convenience and flexibility of telehealth allow individuals living with mental health challenges to access care comfortably from the confines of their homes, benefiting from specialist supervision and guidance. As Australia continues to embrace telehealth solutions, the landscape of mental healthcare is transforming, ensuring that individuals can receive the care they need, when they need it. Remember, seeking mental health care is an essential step towards overall wellbeing. Telehealth is here to support you on your journey towards a healthier mind and life. LYSN's network of over 600 clinicians are accessible by telehealth and you can book online 24x7. Visit welysn.com to find your best fit clinician. #MentalHealth #Telehealth #Australia #AccessToCare #Convenience #ReducedWaitingTimes #ContinuityOfCare #VirtualMentalHealthcare

Managing Stress in the Workplace

By Nancy Sokarno, is a Psychologist at LYSN • July 11, 2023
Stress in the workplace can unfortunately occur at any time, sometimes without a triggering moment or event (although in these cases, it may be due to accumulation of stressors and a lack of coping skills or resources). It can become all-consuming and not only effect work performance, but other areas of a person’s life. However, the good news is that stress can be managed. Below, Lysn psychologist Nancy Sokarno provides her top tips for managing stress in the workplace. TURN BIG TASKS INTO SMALLER ONES It can sometimes be difficult to keep your eyes on the prize when you’re dealing with mammoth tasks, especially at work. Large tasks that might take a lot of time and effort can seem overwhelming and out of reach. However, creating smaller and achievable goals can allow you and your team to be more motivated. The reason this happens is because you’ve broken down each task and therefore are more likely to achieve them quicker (and can reward yourself when you do)! Even if it’s the simple satisfaction of crossing it off your task list, those small accomplishments achieved on a daily basis are better than going days without feeling like you haven’t made any achievements. PRIORITISE - Write down what you and your colleagues might be feeling stressed about and try to prioritise in order or importance. This can help you and your team to feel less overwhelmed and instead start thinking the current task at hand. List all of the to-do jobs and mark out dates for when each item needs to be achieved. CHANGE SURROUNDINGS OR REGULAR ROUTINE – If you’ve noticed that you and your team are feeling particularly stressed, try to take some time out and gain a different perspective from a change in surroundings or routine. For those that work in the same salon or office on a daily basis, temporarily changing your surroundings can be really beneficial. This might simply mean doing that morning meeting from a coffee shop instead of the salon. Changing your surroundings or routine can reignite your motivation and improve your productivity. Sometimes a small shift in scenery can mean a big shift in motivation. Different surroundings provide a new perspective whilst enabling you to interact with different people and which can also spark your creativity. As humans we are all creatures of habit, but it is important to break your regular routine from time to time. This can help to hits the refresh button if you’re feeling like work is particularly stressful or overwhelming. TAKE REGULAR BREAKS – During any particularly stressful periods it can sometimes feel counterproductive to take regular breaks because it means taking time away from a busy workload. However, it’s actually more productive to take smaller breaks more regularly. Stepping out and taking a moment to refresh will help you and your team to de-stress and will have a positive effect on your mind and body. It’s not healthy to stay in the same place or position for too long, and neither is it healthy to work nonstop. Hitting the break and refresh button regularly will help you stay on track with tasks, keep your energy levels boosted, change your work dynamic and in turn, ease some of those stress levels. PRACTICE STRESS REDUCING ACTIVITIES - Practice ways to reduce stress levels such as meditation, breathing exercises and mindfulness. Whilst these types of practices might not be the norm for your workplace, you can implement periods throughout the day where it is encouraged or bring in an expert to help. Breathing exercises are a great way to alleviate stress because stress can make your heart beat faster, breathing quicker and cause blood vessels to constrict. So by taking time out to practice deep breathing, it can help relax a person and slow their heart rate down. Nancy Sokarno is a psychologist at Lysn . Lysn is a digital mental mealth company with world class wellbeing technology which helps people find their best-fit professional psychologist whilst being able to access online tools to improve their mental health. www.welysn.com

Want to Build a Thriving Workplace Culture? Unlock the Power of Collaboration

By Lesley Gregg, Head of Sales and Marketing at LYSN. • July 3, 2023
Collaboration and trust are the keys to unlocking a thriving and productive workplace culture. When these key pillars are firmly in place, employees experience a profound sense of empowerment, respect, and acceptance within a nurturing and safe environment. Studies conducted by the Australian Psychological Society emphasise the significance of collaboration, revealing that challenges in managing work relationships, such as strained staff relationships, can lead to increased workplace stress. By intentionally designing organizational structures and equipping leaders with the necessary skills, organisations can create a safe and healthy work environment that encourages collaboration and effectively manages conflict. Managers can develop the skills to effectively manage conflict As leaders, it's vital to recognise the importance of investing time, effort, and resources in building a collaborative culture and the importance of developing the skills to manage conflict and tensions among team members. Unresolved conflicts can have a detrimental impact on team productivity and engagement, casting a long shadow. Cultivate an atmosphere with equal participation To foster healthy workplaces and reduce conflict within teams, it's important for leaders to appreciate that the importance of cultivating an atmosphere that encourages effective collaboration. It's critical to create an environment where individuals feel comfortable having emotional and personal conversations, and everyone's perspectives and insights are respected and valued. Team conversations should promote equal participation to avoid any single person or clique dominating the discussion. Thriving workplaces lead to greater success and growth Investing in promoting trust and collaboration in the workplace yields immense rewards, enabling leaders to create a thriving workplace culture leading to greater success, contentment, and growth. For instance, Forbes reports that participants who were primed to act collaboratively stuck to their tasks 64% longer than their solitary peers, with higher engagement and lower fatigue levels. Mentoring and Coaching strengthen ability to manage conflict Creating a culture of collaboration and trust is achievable for any organisation. Mentoring and coaching leaders on effective communication skills and strengthening ability to manage conflict, can be extremely effective in supporting leaders on their transformative journey towards a thriving workplace culture. Training and Facilitated Discussions by LYSN, provide valuable support in this regard, helping you to have courageous conversations, manage team conflict, thrive through uncertainty and change and understand how to better support employees with mental health in the workplace. By learning practical skills leaders can take effective steps to foster a culture of collaboration and trust, which ultimately boosts overall workplace wellbeing. If you're interested in exploring workplace training, coaching, or facilitated discussions, reach out to LYSN at sales@welysn.com, and our workplace wellbeing specialists will be happy to assist you.