Psychiatrist Patrick McGorry’s six tips on mental health system

Psychiatrist Professor Patrick McGorry reveals his six tips to help support a young person when they experience mental ill health.

Periods of poor mental health are as much part of life as poor physical health.

Australians typically see their doctor for physical health issues every year if not more often.

Yet for mental health there are many barriers getting in the way of receiving high quality care and only a minority of the 5 million Australians with mental illness access such care.

Australia is grappling with a youth mental health crisis and severe underfunding of mental health care.

It is a similar story for older adults. It doesn’t have to be this way.

But until this changes, how can you support young people in your life when they experience mental ill-health – or help them avoid illness altogether? Below are some tips.

1. Understand what mental ill-health is – and what it isn’t

Improve your “mental health literacy”.

Educate yourself and your family about the many ways mental illness reveals itself.

Feeling sad or anxious for a few days especially after stressful events or setbacks is normal. But if anxiety and/or low mood persist, and worsen over several weeks, this is not normal. You have a genuine need and a right to health care.

Similarly problems with attention and concentration are common, and do not necessarily mean that one has ADHD.

Patrick McGorry says ADHD is being misdiagnosed.

ADHD was underdiagnosed but is now being misdiagnosed due to consumer pressure in too many cases.

And being different doesn’t necessarily mean one is “on the spectrum”.

Diversity and distress are not diseases, unless they produce impairment and some functional disability.

However, on the other hand, it is clear now that rates of clinically significant anxiety, depression, and eating disorders are not only common but increasing, notably and alarmingly so in young people.

2. Consider all aspects of a person’s life

The social and economic circumstances around people, especially young people, have powerful effects on their mental health.

Housing insecurity, family relationships and social connection, financial stress and cost of living, and personal and community safety must be optimised in reducing our risk for mental ill health.

Consider if any of these triggers are present and can be tackled.

3. Ask for help

If you or a family member are experiencing distress and recognise possible symptoms of mental illness you must reach out for help.

Covering up or “soldiering on” is not brave, but foolish, especially in men who tend to do this.

It can be fatal. The first port of call is someone who you trust and can rely on, and can help you access the right professional help.

4. Understand the options that are realistically available

There are many doorways to help but some are just a door with very little on the other side. Others are locked, and still more have an entry charge which is a major barrier.

You might also unknowingly choose the wrong door.

The first step unless there is an immediate risk of self harm, suicide or excessive frustration and aggression is the primary care system, a local GP, or for young people a headspace centre where this available.

Costs can be a barrier.

Digital options and emergency call numbers can be another pathway and these, and key websites, at least may provide information about local options for access, especially bulk billed or low cost services.

5. Never give up

The key message is “don’t give up” if you encounter long waitlists and financial barriers or if the first health professional you see doesn’t feel right or doesn’t help you.

Try to feel powerful and don’t give in to feelings of powerlessness.

Shop around, be assertive and persistent.

Make sure you have family members, friends or allies to advocate for you, especially if you are struggling and lack the energy required to find the right care in this underdone mental health “system”.

If you can’t get the help you need, call this out. By challenging the system and making complaints, by talking to your local MP and even seeking out the media who are often very keen to help. This may sound extreme to some who haven’t been there, but it could save your life or that of someone you love.

6. Demand better

Ultimately, we need a much more equitable system of mental health care on a par with the rest of health care such as cancer services. If you have had trouble getting what you need from the system, add your voice to the chorus for a fair go for all Australians with mental ill health and mental illness.

Professor Patrick McGorry AO is a psychiatrist, professor of youth mental health at the University of Melbourne and founding editor of the journal Early Intervention in Psychiatry.

He is also the Executive Director of Orygen, a not-for-profit youth mental health research institute and charity.