New research conducted by Roy Morgan Research - commissioned by Orygen - shows 3.7 million Victorians agree that mental health should be a top priority for the next State Government of Victoria - and 3.8 million agree there is a big gap between what is needed in mental health services and research and what is being funded.
Executive Director of Orygen, Professor Patrick McGorry AO says the results of this poll confirm that Victorians see mental health as a "sleeping giant” and a vital issue not being tackled at a State level.
The research also shows 3.4 million Victorians agree young people should be a top priority for new funding of expert mental health care and 3 million Victorians said building a state of the art research facility, to create new solutions in youth mental health, should either be a high or top priority.
This research reveals:
- 3.7 million Victorians (81.2%) agree (either strongly or somewhat) that mental health should be a top priority for the next State Government of Victoria
- 3.8 million Victorians (82.6%) agree (either strongly or somewhat) that there is a big gap between what is needed and what is being funded when it comes to mental health care services in the local community
- When asked what priority should be given to building a state of the art research facility, to create new solutions in youth mental health, 52% said it should be a high priority and 14.5% said it should be a top priority
Professor McGorry says current neglect of mental health at a State level is harming Victorian families, causing widespread premature death and disability. In the community mental health is a "sleeping giant". Unprecedented public awareness and concern should demand that political parties respond with reform and new investment. There are immediate solutions on offer.
Orygen is recognised as the largest international research institute in youth mental health. Its pioneering mental health programs are now being emulated in a wide range of countries including the USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland and more.
The new research also reveals:
- 3.4 million Victorians (75%) agree (either strongly or somewhat) that young people should be top priority for new funding of expert mental health care
- 4.2 million Victorians (92.5%) agree (either strongly or somewhat) that Victorians should have ready access to community based expert mental health care
- 4.2 million Victorians (91.8%) agree (either strongly or somewhat) that it is important to extend and strengthen expert mental health care for regional Victoria
- When asked what priority should be given to funding research into better and safer methods for treating mental health and drug and alcohol problems, 66.1% said it should be a high priority and 19.2% said it should be a top priority
Professor McGorry said, "We simply wanted to take a long hard look at how Victorians feel about mental health and whether they feel enough is being done. What is very clear from the research is that people are saying mental health absolutely has to be a top priority for the next Government and the majority of Victorians want to see that. The majority said clearly there is a big gap between what is needed and what is currently being funded."
"The majority say young people should be a top priority and an overwhelming number of people want to see mental health care services greatly strengthened in regional Victoria. This research shows people are extremely concerned. This is not a surprise."
Professor McGorry added, "Without question right now a generation of young people are going to be consigned to the social and economic scrapheap unless action is taken by the next State Government. Untreated mental ill health poses a major reversible threat to the futures of our young people and to older adults too. Yet strange to say, mental health doesn't even seem to be a priority yet in this Election."
"This is a huge public health issue with solutions that are ready to go. Mental health issues lead to impaired social functioning, substance abuse and poor educational achievement ... in some cases violence. Largely preventable, especially if backed up with a renewed commitment to mental health research."
"We already know youth mental illness in 12 to 25 year olds is costing Australia over $10 billion and Australians are more likely to die of suicide than skin cancer. By the age of 21, over half of young people will have had a diagnosable mental health disorder. Without expert care many will form the next generation of mentally ill adults. We simply can't keep going the way things are. There has been a serious failure to invest in mental health. We know at Orygen that young people across Victoria are missing out."
Patrick McGorry says Victoria is in huge danger of losing its reputation as a pioneer without further action. The situation is redeemable however. A new wave of reform, redesign and investment across the board is overdue and must include investment in research as well as 21st century models of care for all age groups. Victoria still has the potential to be the engine room for national reform in mental health. Victoria created and hosts headspace, a project from 2006 originally initiated by Orygen, and there are a range of other nationally and world leading programs based in this State. Victorian leadership in mental health needs a new lease of life to secure a new level of care for all Victorians.
Professor McGorry said, "This research speaks volumes and says Victorians are extremely concerned about mental health and expect action."