On World Mental Health Day, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is urging the Australian Government to improve mental health support for the community by increasing the number of mental health workers available across the country.

Every year, one in five Australians will experience a mental health condition, and almost half of Australians will experience mental ill-health in their lifetime. Despite this, many Australians are missing out on affordable, accessible, and effective mental health care when and where they need it most.

New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) for 2022-23 released today shows the need for greater investment in the mental health workforce as demand within the community increases:

• Contacts for specialised community mental health care services, which consists of specialised community and hospital-based outpatient psychiatric services, rose by over 1 million between 2013-14 and 2022-23, reaching 9.7 million.
• 82% of private and 55% of public overnight mental health hospitalisations involved specialised psychiatric care, underscoring the need for more investment in the specialist mental health workforce.
• Schizophrenia was the most common principal diagnosis among people aged 18-74, while depressive episodes were most frequent among those aged 75 and older.
• First Nations people were hospitalised with specialised psychiatric care at nearly three times the rate of non-Indigenous people and represented 12% of specialised community mental health care (CMHC) patients.
• The proportion of First Nations service contacts for CMHC grew by 41% compared to non-Indigenous people.
• Overnight mental health-related admissions as a proportion of total hospital admissions increased from 5.29% in 2013–134 to 5.91% in 2022-23, peaking in 2019-20 at 6.42%
• Hospitalisation rates for specialised psychiatric care generally decreased with increasing remoteness (per 10,000 population), but those in remote areas had the greatest representation in community mental health care (32 patient per 1,000 population).

RANZCP President, Dr. Elizabeth Moore, said, “For many Australians, mental health care is too far away, involves too long a wait, is too expensive, or simply unavailable.”

This year’s theme, Mental Health at Work, also puts a spotlight on the challenges faced by mental health workers themselves, placing both patient care and their own wellbeing at risk.

“Despite being responsible for providing vital mental health care, mental health workers are more vulnerable to stress, burnout, and mental illness compared to the general population," Dr. Moore said.

A RANZCP survey of 1269 Australian psychiatrists last year revealed that 93% believe the workforce crisis is negatively impacting patient care, with nearly 7 in 10 reporting symptoms of burnout in the past three years. 

Additionally, 80% said workforce shortages are contributing to burnout in the workforce.

“Workforce shortages remain the biggest barrier to providing timely and accessible mental health care for Australians.

“Those on the frontlines are grappling with overwhelming demand and insufficient resources, putting both the community and workers at risk. 

“Without enough hands on deck, mental health workers feel demoralized and distressed, especially when they’re unable to adequately care for their most vulnerable patients.”

While mental health challenges are increasing across the population, Dr Moore said workers who face significant stress in their workplaces due to high job demands, job insecurity, or long hours are at higher risk. 

“Workplace pressures add to the mental health burden, of not just those seeking help but also for those providing it.  

“On the flipside, workplaces also play a positive role in improving people’s mental health outcomes, and we must ensure that workplaces that prioritise the safety and wellbeing of their workers are the norm. 

Dr. Moore called on the Federal, state and territory governments to do more to attract, train, and retain mental health workers across Australia to ensure that everyone can access the care they need.

“When Australians reach out for help, it is these workers—the psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and GPs—who reach back. 

“When people cannot get this help, it harms their health, reduces productivity, and increases absenteeism, driving up costs for businesses.  

“Good mental health at work is good for productivity and economic growth. 

“But without investment in the workforce, people will continue to suffer without the support they desperately need, both at work and at home.

“The entire workforce is united in calling for change. We need our policy and decision makers to help us help you,” she said.

For media inquiries, please contact: Dishi Gahlowt on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org

For all other expert mental health information visit Your Health in Mind, the RANZCP’s consumer health information website.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.