Census data reveals staggering mental health numbers in Rockhampton, Livingstone

The first round of census data has been released with some staggering number showing the leading long-term health issues in Rockhampton and Livingstone. See the results here.

New data has revealed shocking new health statistics in Rockhampton and Livingstone locals, with mental health now one of the biggest long-term health issues in the region.

The first round of Census data was released last week, after Australians took part in the quinquennial data collection in August last year.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistic, the census is the most comprehensive snapshot of the country and tells the story about how things are changing.

The data captures the economic, social and cultural make-up of the country.

According to the data, 81,968 people were counted in the Rockhampton local government area and in the Livingstone LGA 39,398 people were counted.

One of the categories in the first release of data included types of long-term health conditions.

According to the data, for people in the Rockhampton LGA mental health (such as anxiety and depression) was the leading long-term health issue, with arthritis and asthma trailing closely behind.

The data also shows the pay bracket with the highest number of mental health numbers in the Rockhampton LGA was people who earn between $300 and $649 a week, with 3,088 people falling into this category.

Of these people, 328 had also, at some stage whether it was current or previous, served in the defence force.

Of those more than 9,000 people, 5,539 were women and 3,500 were men.

In Livingstone, mental health was the second biggest long-term health issue with 3,321 people saying it was one of their health issues and 2,001 of these people were female while 1,303 were male.

Like in the Rockhampton LGA, the weekly income bracket with the highest number of mental health issues was the people earning between $300 and $649 a week with 158 of those had, at some stage, served in the defence force.

Experts say the Census data nationally showed mental ill-health continued to be a challenge for young people in the community.

National clinical Adviser for headspace Simon Dodd said the organisation had seen a “significant increase” in the number of young people reaching out for mental health support.

“More young people than ever before are presenting to headspace with complex mental health challenges,” he said.

“We know the impacts of Covid-19 and efforts to contain its spread have disproportionately impacted young people, who were separated from their support networks at an important time in their development.

“Many young Australians have also experienced natural disasters, including floods and bushfire, over this time.”

Mr Dodd said more young people in the community were willing to seek help for their mental health.

“There is also greater awareness and acceptance of mental ill-health in the community, resulting in more willingness among young people to seek help. Reduced stigma is an important step in getting young people the support they need to avoid poorer health outcomes.

“Young people, their families and their friends are encouraged to reach out for support in tough times.

“Reaching out for help takes courage. But young people are strong and resilient, and with the right supports they can and do go on to live happy, healthy lives.”