Australia is One of the Most Depressed Countries in the World – So What Can We Do About It?

Last month, the World Health Organisation released a report detailing the prevalence of depression and other common mental disorders in countries throughout the world. It put Australia as the third most depressed country, coming an equal second place with Estonia and the U.S with a reported 5.9% of the population effected by the mental health issue. As disorders such as depression and anxiety continue to worsen throughout the country, the question must be asked – how can we forge a healthier, happier population?

The first step is awareness. Although we have certainly come a long way over the past few years, there is still undoubtedly a stigma associated with mental health issues – something that we cannot afford to be complacent with. More than 300 million people are affected by depression worldwide, making it the leading cause of disability and ill health. A condition that effects so many people deserves to be addressed with a sense of urgency and commitment, but we can’t do that if those who are suffering feel ashamed, judged or scared of speaking up about how they’re feeling.

But the stigma attached to mental health is only the beginning of the issue. Governments need to invest more of their budget into caring for the mental wellbeing of their people. Greater resources – such as psychologists, awareness and prevention programs and medication – need to be provided to those who are experiencing some form of mental illness, as this is the only way that they will be able to overcome the problems they are facing.

As a society, we must be more proactive in the way we approach mental health and wellness. It’s not enough to simply respond to the problem once it has arisen; we must also put structures in place to prevent these conditions from occurring in the first place, while also learning to recognise the first signs as soon as possible.

Our Mental Health Awareness Course aims to equip people with knowledge of mental health issues as well as the skills to communicate with those who may be affected. Get in touch with us today to learn more.