Mental health continues to be a significant issue affecting our community. It is prevalent everywhere, but we can no longer be reticent about it. The Australian health 2020 report shows that one in five Australians reported a mental or behavioural condition.
There is still a significant stigma associated with mental health issues, despite a growing awareness of the prevalence and significance of mental illness. This stereotyping, prejudice and stigma can lead to discrimination. From personal attitudes of believing that going to a mental health professional equates to being “crazy”, to systemic discrimination in our health care system; our legal system, mental illness often causes significant social disadvantage.
Dealing with mental health issues can be a very isolating experience. It is crucial to recognise the root causes and contributors to mental illness and support individuals in recovery from mental health problems. In particular, there is a pressing need for practitioners to raise awareness about mental health among young people in Australia.
Since Springvale Monash Legal Service (SMLS) opened in 1973, we have been at the forefront of dealing with clients experiencing mental health issues. Many of our clients live in the City of Greater Dandenong, which has the highest rate of psychological and socioeconomic distress in Victoria. Unemployment, poverty, language barriers, and challenges caused by visa restrictions place people in situations causing ongoing stress and at risk of developing long-term mental and psychological consequences. Every day, we see the ways in which mental illness can contribute to someone’s life, in particular legal issues such as discrimination at work, housing issues, social security issues, consumer issues, such as credit card debt and banking issues. People with mental illness are also vulnerable to being victims of crime as well as family violence.
SMLS, like other Community legal centres (CLC), has recognised that a holistic approach is required to support people with a disadvantage in the community. We recently submitted to the ‘Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System’ about inquiry into the mental health impact. You can read our submission here.
Talking about mental health can be challenging for some people. As a community, we must do more to support our people experiencing difficult times, personally and at a policy level. Mental health influences how you think, feel, and, ultimately, act. So, it is crucial to have an open dialogue about it with family, friends, professionals and as a society.
In the words of Sangu Delle; “Being honest about how we feel does not make us weak, it makes us human.”
We need to involve ourselves in the conversation and give people permission to speak safely and be prepared to listen, at a human, organisational and policy level.
In particular, we look forward to the implementation of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health system that will ensure people experiencing mental illness are supported and can live their lives free from stigma and discrimination.
