STORY: Young Australians facing mental health crisis: expert
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 29, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 29, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:24
LOCATION: Canberra
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Australians sitting on the ground
2. various of a mental health service provider at Australian National University (ANU)
3. various of Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
4. various of the child & family center

STORYLINE:

A decline in the mental health of young Australians is a threat to the country's economy and public health system, a leading expert has warned.

Patrick McGorry, who was named the Australian of the Year in 2010 for his services to youth mental health, on Monday said Australia is in the midst of a public health crisis amid rising rates of depression, anxiety and psychosis.

According to the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2020-22, which was published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in October 2023, 38.8 percent of surveyed Australians aged 16-24 had experienced a mental health disorder in the last 12 months, up from 26 percent in 2007.

McGorry, director of mental health services charity Orygen, told the Australian Financial Review (AFR) that he has shared his concerns with Mark Butler, Minister for Health, warning that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the decline of mental health.

He said that Headspace, the national youth mental health service he helped the government establish in 2006, was being overwhelmed by high demand and said businesses were increasingly concerned about young workers.

There would be an immediate effect on productivity if we tackle this problem. But there's a long-term effect which we need to get to grips with. Not just employers, but the whole economy, McGorry said.

Data published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in July 2023 revealed that suicide is the leading cause of death among Australians aged 15-24, accounting for 36 percent of all deaths in that age group.

In response to McGorry, Butler told the AFR that he was committed to improving mental health and suicide prevention systems.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Canberra.
(XHTV)