We need to do more for mental health

It’s no surprise to anyone paying attention that Australia is facing a mental health crisis.

Across the country, parents, educators and healthcare workers are sounding the alarm: Australians are grappling with unprecedented levels of emotional distress. Diagnoses of anxiety and depression are climbing, eating disorders are appearing at younger ages, and chronic stress is becoming a normal part of our fast-paced lives. These worrying patterns have been intensifying for years.

What’s causing this epidemic of mental health challenges? There’s no single explanation. Experts point to a combination of factors including the relentless presence of social media, the long-term impact of the pandemic and lockdowns, war, economic insecurity, climate anxiety, and a sense of disconnection from real-world communities. It’s a tangled web, and we are only beginning to understand its full complexity.

Despite growing awareness, the path forward remains unclear. There’s no universal solution to supporting people who are in distress, just a patchwork of approaches that work for some and not for others. Still, one major shift has been a positive one, the fact that poor mental health is no longer the taboo it once was. Seeking support is encouraged, and the shame that once silenced so many is slowly lifting. More people are accessing services and having open conversations about their emotional wellbeing.

But even with this progress, we’re still falling short.