Queensland’s mental health crisis

Queenslanders living outside of cities are suffering from mental health problems at unprecedented levels, with many turning to drugs or alcohol to ease the pain, shock research reveals.

Queenslanders living outside of cities are suffering from mental health problems at unprecedented levels, with many unable to afford or access professional help and turning to drugs or alcohol to ease the pain, shock new research reveals.

The ticking time bomb of the growing mental health decline in rural and regional Queensland is exacerbated by the location of the state’s psychiatrists, with 87 per cent working in cities.

Now Australia’s leading peak body for registered counsellors is calling for the Government to include counselling services in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

Two thirds of Queenslanders have admitted to suffering depression and anxiety over the last two years, according to the National Regional Check In report, commissioned by the Australian Counselling Association. More than 40 per cent of those suffered in silence and did not seek out professional help or could not access help.

One in six people could not afford a psychologist or psychiatrist, which fuelled a further decline in their mental health and one in seven turned to drugs and alcohol or contemplated self-harm.

Philip Armstrong, chief executive of the Australian Counselling Association, said that while this is a nationwide issue it’s amplified in rural and regional areas where mental health services are most lacking.

“Our research shows that for those living in non-metro areas, more than a quarter had to wait four to six weeks to see a psychologist or psychiatrist, while approximately one in seven waited seven weeks or more to access mental health support,” he said.

Mr Armstrong said that the lack of Medicare-funded mental health providers in rural and

regional areas is exacerbating the issue.

“Sadly, the further from the cities you go, the higher suicide and self-harm rates are. To make matters worse, the Government is not proposing any timely solution to help address the crisis,

despite an immediate solution being available to them,” he said.

Mr Armstrong said that registered counsellors and psychotherapists are a qualified and under-utilised part of the mental health workforce who could provide immediate support to those in need and play a key role in helping to address the current crisis. The services are not currently offered under the MBS.

There are currently 4000 registered counsellors who would meet the current criteria for the

MBS immediately, with another 1000 who would register within six months.

Karyna Jansons had to wait to see a psychologist and hopes their services are added to the MBS. Picture: Supplied

Karyna Jansons, from the Sunshine Coast, started suffering from severe panic attacks, debilitating anxiety and depression at the age of 24 due to two sexual assaults, a car accident, job stress, unstable housing and living with a mentally unwell housemate.

“I had to wait to see a psychologist and it’s expensive. I wish I had known that I could more quickly have gained access to a counsellor to help me. I hope their services are added to the MBS as it seems a good solution to easing this mental health pandemic,” she said.

Queensland in mental health pain

• 67 per cent of Queenslanders experienced depression, anxiety in last two years

• 22 per cent of those have experienced this more than once

• 15 per cent turned to drugs or alcohol to help cope

• 18 per cent could not afford professional help

• 32 per cent had up to a six-week wait to see a professional

Source: National Regional Check In Report