Warning: This article discusses the mental health crisis and suicide rates.

Mental health issues are on the rise in Australia, and it’s no surprise when you consider the financial pressure Australian seniors, in particular, are facing.

Record rental and mortgage prices, unfair retirement village fees, along with increasing costs of living, are weighing heavily on the mental well-being of large numbers of Australians. However, that much-needed mental health support is not accessible to many who can’t afford it.

According to Georgie Harman, the Chief Executive at Beyond Blue, the stress of rising expenses has caused 37 per cent of those surveyed by her organisation to report that it had negatively impacted their mental well-being either ‘quite a bit’ or ‘an extreme amount’.

That alone is cause for concern.

'At a time this is really biting for people, mental health support isn’t affordable, available or easy to find.'

‘How that plays out for people is they feel great shame about not being able to pay bills, quite often hide stuff from family, bunker down and internalise the worry. We know the earlier you get help and share a problem with someone, your mental load is lightened.’ she continued.

The government's own analysis shows that Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly spread, and many people are missing out. Almost 70 per cent of people who receive psychology treatment through Medicare pay out-of-pocket, and the median gap fee is $90. That is simply not affordable for a large number of Australians.

Suicide rates are on the rise and the health care system is struggling to cope with demand. Image Credit: Shutterstock

On top of this, wait times between receiving a mental health plan from your GP (who themselves have ballooning wait times), and attending their first session, have been increasing, with the median wait time increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.

These numbers don’t even consider the people who cannot access even the most basic forms of support.

Mental Health Australia Chair Matt Berriman also said that reform, workforce solutions and a fairer allocation of government spending are needed.

'Mental health needs substantial investment,' he said. 'It’s well overdue.'

But it isn’t just those seeking help who are being impacted. Suicide Prevention Australia Acting Chief Executive Matthew McLean said these stresses lead to various dangers.

'There’s a risk that people who need help will miss out.’

‘This can have a huge impact - with data showing that 46 per cent of those surveyed reported high levels of cost-of-living distress, while suicide numbers increased last year.'

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that around 8-9 lives are lost per day to suicide.

That’s not the end of the alarming statistics. According to the ABS’ 2022 data, males aged 85 and older experience the highest age-specific rate of suicide.

While it’s important to acknowledge early diagnosis and timely treatments is vital to prevent such serious scenarios, accessing that treatment sometimes comes with additional stress.

For seniors who are feeling the strain from increasing costs of living and inadequate pension increases, gaining access to appropriate mental health support can be difficult, if not impossible.

Rachel Green, Chief Executive of SANE, which represents those living with long-term mental illness, emphasised how important it is for the upcoming federal budget to acknowledge these unique needs.

'We’re seeing a significant spike in demand for online and phone support services,' she said.

‘It is critical that this upcoming budget, and the associated mental health reforms, acknowledge the unique needs of Australians struggling with significant mental ill-health.’

This increase in online and phone support could be stemming from the growing regional population. Research found that those living in rural or regional Australia are two times more likely to take their life by suicide.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health support in Australia is becoming increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible due to cost-of-living pressures.
• Beyond Blue's CEO Georgie Harman reveals that 37 per cent of surveyed individuals reported their mental health was negatively impacted by cost-of-living pressures.
• Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly distributed and many people wait longer to access treatment, with median wait times increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.
• Mental health experts are urging the federal government to prioritise mental health support and treatment, including funding and system reform, in the upcoming budget.

It is so important to look after our mental health, particularly during this trying time. We strongly suggest you utilise the free crisis helplines, speak to a doctor, call a friend, or post on our forum, if you ever feel like you don’t have anyone to reach out to.

Remember, no problem is too big or small, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Last year, we put together a list of mental health hotlines and we strongly suggest you save this page for future reference. You can find the full list here.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Each year, over 1 million Australians reach out to Lifeline for support.

You may also like to read about the five most utilised types of psychotherapy and how they can help.

Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family, too. Stay safe, members; and remember, you are not alone.

 

[kinkakuji]

Warning: This article discusses the mental health crisis and suicide rates.

Mental health issues are on the rise in Australia, and it’s no surprise when you consider the financial pressure Australian seniors, in particular, are facing.

Record rental and mortgage prices, unfair retirement village fees, along with increasing costs of living, are weighing heavily on the mental well-being of large numbers of Australians. However, that much-needed mental health support is not accessible to many who can’t afford it.

According to Georgie Harman, the Chief Executive at Beyond Blue, the stress of rising expenses has caused 37 per cent of those surveyed by her organisation to report that it had negatively impacted their mental well-being either ‘quite a bit’ or ‘an extreme amount’.

That alone is cause for concern.

'At a time this is really biting for people, mental health support isn’t affordable, available or easy to find.'

‘How that plays out for people is they feel great shame about not being able to pay bills, quite often hide stuff from family, bunker down and internalise the worry. We know the earlier you get help and share a problem with someone, your mental load is lightened.’ she continued.

The government's own analysis shows that Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly spread, and many people are missing out. Almost 70 per cent of people who receive psychology treatment through Medicare pay out-of-pocket, and the median gap fee is $90. That is simply not affordable for a large number of Australians.

View attachment 16432

Suicide rates are on the rise and the health care system is struggling to cope with demand. Image Credit: Shutterstock

On top of this, wait times between receiving a mental health plan from your GP (who themselves have ballooning wait times), and attending their first session, have been increasing, with the median wait time increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.

These numbers don’t even consider the people who cannot access even the most basic forms of support.

Mental Health Australia Chair Matt Berriman also said that reform, workforce solutions and a fairer allocation of government spending are needed.

'Mental health needs substantial investment,' he said. 'It’s well overdue.'

But it isn’t just those seeking help who are being impacted. Suicide Prevention Australia Acting Chief Executive Matthew McLean said these stresses lead to various dangers.

'There’s a risk that people who need help will miss out.’

‘This can have a huge impact - with data showing that 46 per cent of those surveyed reported high levels of cost-of-living distress, while suicide numbers increased last year.'

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that around 8-9 lives are lost per day to suicide.

That’s not the end of the alarming statistics. According to the ABS’ 2022 data, males aged 85 and older experience the highest age-specific rate of suicide.

While it’s important to acknowledge early diagnosis and timely treatments is vital to prevent such serious scenarios, accessing that treatment sometimes comes with additional stress.

For seniors who are feeling the strain from increasing costs of living and inadequate pension increases, gaining access to appropriate mental health support can be difficult, if not impossible.

Rachel Green, Chief Executive of SANE, which represents those living with long-term mental illness, emphasised how important it is for the upcoming federal budget to acknowledge these unique needs.

'We’re seeing a significant spike in demand for online and phone support services,' she said.

‘It is critical that this upcoming budget, and the associated mental health reforms, acknowledge the unique needs of Australians struggling with significant mental ill-health.’

This increase in online and phone support could be stemming from the growing regional population. Research found that those living in rural or regional Australia are two times more likely to take their life by suicide.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health support in Australia is becoming increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible due to cost-of-living pressures.
• Beyond Blue's CEO Georgie Harman reveals that 37 per cent of surveyed individuals reported their mental health was negatively impacted by cost-of-living pressures.
• Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly distributed and many people wait longer to access treatment, with median wait times increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.
• Mental health experts are urging the federal government to prioritise mental health support and treatment, including funding and system reform, in the upcoming budget.

It is so important to look after our mental health, particularly during this trying time. We strongly suggest you utilise the free crisis helplines, speak to a doctor, call a friend, or post on our forum, if you ever feel like you don’t have anyone to reach out to.

Remember, no problem is too big or small, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Last year, we put together a list of mental health hotlines and we strongly suggest you save this page for future reference. You can find the full list here.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Each year, over 1 million Australians reach out to Lifeline for support.

You may also like to read about the five most utilised types of psychotherapy and how they can help.

Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family, too. Stay safe, members; and remember, you are not alone.

Warning: This article discusses the mental health crisis and suicide rates.

Mental health issues are on the rise in Australia, and it’s no surprise when you consider the financial pressure Australian seniors, in particular, are facing.

Record rental and mortgage prices, unfair retirement village fees, along with increasing costs of living, are weighing heavily on the mental well-being of large numbers of Australians. However, that much-needed mental health support is not accessible to many who can’t afford it.

According to Georgie Harman, the Chief Executive at Beyond Blue, the stress of rising expenses has caused 37 per cent of those surveyed by her organisation to report that it had negatively impacted their mental well-being either ‘quite a bit’ or ‘an extreme amount’.

That alone is cause for concern.

'At a time this is really biting for people, mental health support isn’t affordable, available or easy to find.'

‘How that plays out for people is they feel great shame about not being able to pay bills, quite often hide stuff from family, bunker down and internalise the worry. We know the earlier you get help and share a problem with someone, your mental load is lightened.’ she continued.

The government's own analysis shows that Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly spread, and many people are missing out. Almost 70 per cent of people who receive psychology treatment through Medicare pay out-of-pocket, and the median gap fee is $90. That is simply not affordable for a large number of Australians.

View attachment 16432

Suicide rates are on the rise and the health care system is struggling to cope with demand. Image Credit: Shutterstock

On top of this, wait times between receiving a mental health plan from your GP (who themselves have ballooning wait times), and attending their first session, have been increasing, with the median wait time increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.

These numbers don’t even consider the people who cannot access even the most basic forms of support.

Mental Health Australia Chair Matt Berriman also said that reform, workforce solutions and a fairer allocation of government spending are needed.

'Mental health needs substantial investment,' he said. 'It’s well overdue.'

But it isn’t just those seeking help who are being impacted. Suicide Prevention Australia Acting Chief Executive Matthew McLean said these stresses lead to various dangers.

'There’s a risk that people who need help will miss out.’

‘This can have a huge impact - with data showing that 46 per cent of those surveyed reported high levels of cost-of-living distress, while suicide numbers increased last year.'

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that around 8-9 lives are lost per day to suicide.

That’s not the end of the alarming statistics. According to the ABS’ 2022 data, males aged 85 and older experience the highest age-specific rate of suicide.

While it’s important to acknowledge early diagnosis and timely treatments is vital to prevent such serious scenarios, accessing that treatment sometimes comes with additional stress.

For seniors who are feeling the strain from increasing costs of living and inadequate pension increases, gaining access to appropriate mental health support can be difficult, if not impossible.

Rachel Green, Chief Executive of SANE, which represents those living with long-term mental illness, emphasised how important it is for the upcoming federal budget to acknowledge these unique needs.

'We’re seeing a significant spike in demand for online and phone support services,' she said.

‘It is critical that this upcoming budget, and the associated mental health reforms, acknowledge the unique needs of Australians struggling with significant mental ill-health.’

This increase in online and phone support could be stemming from the growing regional population. Research found that those living in rural or regional Australia are two times more likely to take their life by suicide.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health support in Australia is becoming increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible due to cost-of-living pressures.
• Beyond Blue's CEO Georgie Harman reveals that 37 per cent of surveyed individuals reported their mental health was negatively impacted by cost-of-living pressures.
• Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly distributed and many people wait longer to access treatment, with median wait times increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.
• Mental health experts are urging the federal government to prioritise mental health support and treatment, including funding and system reform, in the upcoming budget.

It is so important to look after our mental health, particularly during this trying time. We strongly suggest you utilise the free crisis helplines, speak to a doctor, call a friend, or post on our forum, if you ever feel like you don’t have anyone to reach out to.

Remember, no problem is too big or small, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Last year, we put together a list of mental health hotlines and we strongly suggest you save this page for future reference. You can find the full list here.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Each year, over 1 million Australians reach out to Lifeline for support.

You may also like to read about the five most utilised types of psychotherapy and how they can help.

Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family, too. Stay safe, members; and remember, you are not alone.

Warning: This article discusses the mental health crisis and suicide rates.

Mental health issues are on the rise in Australia, and it’s no surprise when you consider the financial pressure Australian seniors, in particular, are facing.

Record rental and mortgage prices, unfair retirement village fees, along with increasing costs of living, are weighing heavily on the mental well-being of large numbers of Australians. However, that much-needed mental health support is not accessible to many who can’t afford it.

According to Georgie Harman, the Chief Executive at Beyond Blue, the stress of rising expenses has caused 37 per cent of those surveyed by her organisation to report that it had negatively impacted their mental well-being either ‘quite a bit’ or ‘an extreme amount’.

That alone is cause for concern.

'At a time this is really biting for people, mental health support isn’t affordable, available or easy to find.'

‘How that plays out for people is they feel great shame about not being able to pay bills, quite often hide stuff from family, bunker down and internalise the worry. We know the earlier you get help and share a problem with someone, your mental load is lightened.’ she continued.

The government's own analysis shows that Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly spread, and many people are missing out. Almost 70 per cent of people who receive psychology treatment through Medicare pay out-of-pocket, and the median gap fee is $90. That is simply not affordable for a large number of Australians.

View attachment 16432

Suicide rates are on the rise and the health care system is struggling to cope with demand. Image Credit: Shutterstock

On top of this, wait times between receiving a mental health plan from your GP (who themselves have ballooning wait times), and attending their first session, have been increasing, with the median wait time increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.

These numbers don’t even consider the people who cannot access even the most basic forms of support.

Mental Health Australia Chair Matt Berriman also said that reform, workforce solutions and a fairer allocation of government spending are needed.

'Mental health needs substantial investment,' he said. 'It’s well overdue.'

But it isn’t just those seeking help who are being impacted. Suicide Prevention Australia Acting Chief Executive Matthew McLean said these stresses lead to various dangers.

'There’s a risk that people who need help will miss out.’

‘This can have a huge impact - with data showing that 46 per cent of those surveyed reported high levels of cost-of-living distress, while suicide numbers increased last year.'

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that around 8-9 lives are lost per day to suicide.

That’s not the end of the alarming statistics. According to the ABS’ 2022 data, males aged 85 and older experience the highest age-specific rate of suicide.

While it’s important to acknowledge early diagnosis and timely treatments is vital to prevent such serious scenarios, accessing that treatment sometimes comes with additional stress.

For seniors who are feeling the strain from increasing costs of living and inadequate pension increases, gaining access to appropriate mental health support can be difficult, if not impossible.

Rachel Green, Chief Executive of SANE, which represents those living with long-term mental illness, emphasised how important it is for the upcoming federal budget to acknowledge these unique needs.

'We’re seeing a significant spike in demand for online and phone support services,' she said.

‘It is critical that this upcoming budget, and the associated mental health reforms, acknowledge the unique needs of Australians struggling with significant mental ill-health.’

This increase in online and phone support could be stemming from the growing regional population. Research found that those living in rural or regional Australia are two times more likely to take their life by suicide.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health support in Australia is becoming increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible due to cost-of-living pressures.
• Beyond Blue's CEO Georgie Harman reveals that 37 per cent of surveyed individuals reported their mental health was negatively impacted by cost-of-living pressures.
• Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly distributed and many people wait longer to access treatment, with median wait times increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.
• Mental health experts are urging the federal government to prioritise mental health support and treatment, including funding and system reform, in the upcoming budget.

It is so important to look after our mental health, particularly during this trying time. We strongly suggest you utilise the free crisis helplines, speak to a doctor, call a friend, or post on our forum, if you ever feel like you don’t have anyone to reach out to.

Remember, no problem is too big or small, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Last year, we put together a list of mental health hotlines and we strongly suggest you save this page for future reference. You can find the full list here.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Each year, over 1 million Australians reach out to Lifeline for support.

You may also like to read about the five most utilised types of psychotherapy and how they can help.

Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family, too. Stay safe, members; and remember, you are not alone.

 

[kinkakuji]

Warning: This article discusses the mental health crisis and suicide rates.

Mental health issues are on the rise in Australia, and it’s no surprise when you consider the financial pressure Australian seniors, in particular, are facing.

Record rental and mortgage prices, unfair retirement village fees, along with increasing costs of living, are weighing heavily on the mental well-being of large numbers of Australians. However, that much-needed mental health support is not accessible to many who can’t afford it.

According to Georgie Harman, the Chief Executive at Beyond Blue, the stress of rising expenses has caused 37 per cent of those surveyed by her organisation to report that it had negatively impacted their mental well-being either ‘quite a bit’ or ‘an extreme amount’.

That alone is cause for concern.

'At a time this is really biting for people, mental health support isn’t affordable, available or easy to find.'

‘How that plays out for people is they feel great shame about not being able to pay bills, quite often hide stuff from family, bunker down and internalise the worry. We know the earlier you get help and share a problem with someone, your mental load is lightened.’ she continued.

The government's own analysis shows that Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly spread, and many people are missing out. Almost 70 per cent of people who receive psychology treatment through Medicare pay out-of-pocket, and the median gap fee is $90. That is simply not affordable for a large number of Australians.

View attachment 16432

Suicide rates are on the rise and the health care system is struggling to cope with demand. Image Credit: Shutterstock

On top of this, wait times between receiving a mental health plan from your GP (who themselves have ballooning wait times), and attending their first session, have been increasing, with the median wait time increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.

These numbers don’t even consider the people who cannot access even the most basic forms of support.

Mental Health Australia Chair Matt Berriman also said that reform, workforce solutions and a fairer allocation of government spending are needed.

'Mental health needs substantial investment,' he said. 'It’s well overdue.'

But it isn’t just those seeking help who are being impacted. Suicide Prevention Australia Acting Chief Executive Matthew McLean said these stresses lead to various dangers.

'There’s a risk that people who need help will miss out.’

‘This can have a huge impact - with data showing that 46 per cent of those surveyed reported high levels of cost-of-living distress, while suicide numbers increased last year.'

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that around 8-9 lives are lost per day to suicide.

That’s not the end of the alarming statistics. According to the ABS’ 2022 data, males aged 85 and older experience the highest age-specific rate of suicide.

While it’s important to acknowledge early diagnosis and timely treatments is vital to prevent such serious scenarios, accessing that treatment sometimes comes with additional stress.

For seniors who are feeling the strain from increasing costs of living and inadequate pension increases, gaining access to appropriate mental health support can be difficult, if not impossible.

Rachel Green, Chief Executive of SANE, which represents those living with long-term mental illness, emphasised how important it is for the upcoming federal budget to acknowledge these unique needs.

'We’re seeing a significant spike in demand for online and phone support services,' she said.

‘It is critical that this upcoming budget, and the associated mental health reforms, acknowledge the unique needs of Australians struggling with significant mental ill-health.’

This increase in online and phone support could be stemming from the growing regional population. Research found that those living in rural or regional Australia are two times more likely to take their life by suicide.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health support in Australia is becoming increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible due to cost-of-living pressures.
• Beyond Blue's CEO Georgie Harman reveals that 37 per cent of surveyed individuals reported their mental health was negatively impacted by cost-of-living pressures.
• Medicare-funded mental health services are unevenly distributed and many people wait longer to access treatment, with median wait times increasing from 18 days in 2018 to 22 days in 2021.
• Mental health experts are urging the federal government to prioritise mental health support and treatment, including funding and system reform, in the upcoming budget.

It is so important to look after our mental health, particularly during this trying time. We strongly suggest you utilise the free crisis helplines, speak to a doctor, call a friend, or post on our forum, if you ever feel like you don’t have anyone to reach out to.

Remember, no problem is too big or small, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Last year, we put together a list of mental health hotlines and we strongly suggest you save this page for future reference. You can find the full list here.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Each year, over 1 million Australians reach out to Lifeline for support.

You may also like to read about the five most utilised types of psychotherapy and how they can help.

Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family, too. Stay safe, members; and remember, you are not alone.

 

[kinkakuji]

If you are an older senior citizen and can no longer take care of yourself and need Long-Term Care, but the government says there is no nursing home care available for you, what do you do? You may opt for Medicare Part G. The plan gives anyone 75 or older a gun (Part G) and one bullet. You may then shoot one worthless politician. This means you will be sent to prison for the rest of your life where you will receive three meals a day, a roof over your head, central heating and air conditioning, cable TV, a library, and all the health care you need. Need new teeth? No problem. Need glasses? That's great. Need a hearing aid, new hip, knees, kidney, lungs, sex change, or heart? They are all covered! As an added bonus, your kids can come and visit you at least as often as they do now! And, who will be paying for all this? The same government that just told you they can't afford for you to go into a nursing home. And you will get rid of a useless politician while you are at it. And now, because you are a prisoner, you don't have to pay any more income taxes! Is this a great country or what? Now that you have solved your senior Long-Term Care problem, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

 

[Luckyus]

If you are an older senior citizen and can no longer take care of yourself and need Long-Term Care, but the government says there is no nursing home care available for you, what do you do? You may opt for Medicare Part G. The plan gives anyone 75 or older a gun (Part G) and one bullet. You may then shoot one worthless politician. This means you will be sent to prison for the rest of your life where you will receive three meals a day, a roof over your head, central heating and air conditioning, cable TV, a library, and all the health care you need. Need new teeth? No problem. Need glasses? That's great. Need a hearing aid, new hip, knees, kidney, lungs, sex change, or heart? They are all covered! As an added bonus, your kids can come and visit you at least as often as they do now! And, who will be paying for all this? The same government that just told you they can't afford for you to go into a nursing home. And you will get rid of a useless politician while you are at it. And now, because you are a prisoner, you don't have to pay any more income taxes! Is this a great country or what? Now that you have solved your senior Long-Term Care problem, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

My brother sent me this the other from the he where he lives in the Philippines