Report shows physically ill people susceptible to mental health problems

AUSTRALIANS with common health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, arthritis and even cancer are also at much greater risk of mental health problems — and the health system is struggling to cope, a new report has found.

AUSTRALIANS with common health conditions such as asthma and heart disease are also at much greater risk of mental health problems.

The strong links between physical ill health and mental illnesses have been laid bare in an Australian-first report highlighting the shortcoming of the nation’s health system.

With more than 2.4 million Australians suffering simultaneously from both a chronic physical and mental condition, a Victoria University study has found most have to prioritise one of their conditions over the other, with disastrous results.

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While 18 per cent of Australians are at risk of heart failure, hypertension or other circulatory conditions, the rates jump to 27 per cent for those who have mental health conditions.

Prof Rosemary Calder said those with back problems, diabetes, arthritis, asthma and cancer were between 20 to 80 per cent more likely to experience psychological issues, which could cause competing illnesses to worsen.

“It goes two ways; if you have a mental health condition you are far more likely to die of a chronic physical condition than others; once you have established physical health conditions you are at risk of developing mental health conditions,” Prof Calder said.

“When one is dominant — your diabetes is getting worse or your mental health condition is getting worse — the other one gets neglected.

A Victoria University study says 2.4 million Australians have to prioritise one of their conditions over another.

“We don't have a set of health arrangements that ensure you are cared for by a multidisciplinary team. It is not good enough for the health conditions of the 21st century.”

With physical health issues often preventing a person overcoming mental health issues, and vice versa, Prof Calder said providing greater resources allowing GPs to address all of a patient’s conditions could ease the burden on the health system and save lives. “It is not OK. In a country with excellent health systems and services, we should be able to do better,” she said.

“We want to see a clear emphasis and investment ensuring primary care and general practice is better resourced to manage people with both physical and mental health conditions (and) policy options that are affordable.”

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