Loneliness and a weakened sense of community are taking a toll on the mental health of Australians, with one in three distressed due to isolation. Source: Herald Sun.
New Beyond Blue research, which surveyed more than 5000 people, found 30 per cent of respondents rated their sense of community as either “poor” or “fair” in 2024, up from 28 per cent in 2022.
Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said the data showed the importance of community connection.
“It confirms life is really hard for people at the moment, and there’s never going to be enough psychiatrists and psychologists to meet demand,” she said.
“We’ve got to start thinking about the things that keep us well and connected.”
The survey found 30 per cent of Australian adults experienced distress from loneliness.
Of those, 76 per cent reported having anxiety, 66 per cent said they had depression and 29 per cent had suicidal thoughts or behaviours, according to the Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Check 2024.
The results are being released to mark World Mental Health Day today.
The Beyond Blue research showed those who had mental health issues felt a poorer sense of community than the general population – 51 per cent compared to 30 per cent.
Thirty-three per cent of those who experienced mental health problems said their ability to receive support from friends and family was “poor” or “fair” compared to 18 per cent of the general population.
More people were seeking support for their mental health with 39 per cent reaching out to a professional, service or someone close to them in 2024, compared to 37 per cent in 2022.
However, 49 per cent of those who sought help were already highly distressed.
Ms Harman said this was caused by several external factors such as financial strain, long wait times and shame when reaching out.
“One in eight people wait up to 10 years before they take that first step to support,” she said.
“It’s like a decade of driving with the handbrake on.”
FULL STORY
New data reveals shock number of Aussies feel isolated (By Taylor Penny, Herald Sun)
