Australian Medical Association

On the eve of World Mental Health Day, AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said there needs to be greater community awareness and education about mental health and a significant boost to mental health funding and services.

Dr Pesce said mental health problems are common in the community and that the Australian Bureau of Statistics has estimated that nearly half of all adult Australians will experience a mental disorder at some point in their life.

What is stress?

Stress is a normal part of everyday life. It is the way our bodies respond to events which are stressful and could be a threat. Crossing the road can become stressful if a car speeds towards us. Once we sense the danger of the oncoming car, the body releases adrenaline, which speeds everything up. Our heart beats faster, we breathe more quickly, we may sweat more or get ‘butterflies’ in our stomach. The brain sends a signal to the body to do something. In this case it would be to run and get out of the way.

What causes stress?

Youth Health: Feeling Down?

AMA and RANZCP Recommended Integrated Government Mental Health Initiatives June 2006

The AMA submission notes that: "Mental health and indigenous health are the two weakest links in the Australian health care system. Both areas suffer from under-funding and under-manning. The health outcomes in both areas are very poor. There is ample scope for Australia to lift its game" The submission addresses what the AMA sees as the majort problems in mental health delivery and opportunities to correct these.

The Mental Health Privacy Coalition (the Coalition), consisting of the Autralian Medical Association (AMA), Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA), have combined their skills, knowledge and experience to develop this mental health service provider specific kit.