Industry update article for allied and natural health practitioners | Housed on Metagenics Institute, a natural medicine learning and resource portal | 2021

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The 2021 World Happiness Report tells us that Australians and New Zealanders are amongst the happiest in the world,¹ ranked at #12 and #9 respectively, but does it mean we’re impervious to stress and mood disorders?

Not the case, it seems, with over four million Australians receiving mental health related prescriptions in 2018 to 2019.

It’s consistently one of the top reasons patients seek an appointment with their Practitioner, with 87% of Practitioners treating patients for stress and mood disorders (Thrive Insights, 2021). Even so, there are many more people out there struggling – roughly 2 in every 3 people living with a mental health condition aren’t seeking help, according to the Black Dog Institute.² Risk factors for stress and mood disorders include family history, trauma, occupation, and pre-existing medical conditions such as chronic pain.³

Safe Work Australia states that each year, 7200 Australians are compensated for work-related mental health conditions.⁴ The common characteristics amongst these workers? A high level of interaction with other people, those providing a public service, and those conducting their jobs in challenging circumstances. Police officers, train and tram drivers, indigenous health workers, prison officers and paramedics are most likely to require time off for mental health conditions, along with defence force members, and social and welfare professionals.

But anyone can be struck with mental ill-health; 1 in 2 Australian adults will face it at some point in their lives according to the Australian Department of Health.⁵ We know that stress and mood disorders can be long-term and even lifelong conditions, with treatment focusing on recovery and the reclamation of personal wellbeing, rather than cure.

This broad need across the community is matched by Practitioners’ dedication to their field. Stress and anxiety rank #1 and #2 respectively, as topics that Practitioners most want to learn about through natural medicine education.

It’s a timely interest too. Monday, August 3rd, saw Lifeline service 3,345 calls for support, their busiest day ever and a likely result of Australia’s current lockdowns. The continuing uncertainty of life returning to normal, and the collective global experience of lockdowns in various forms over the past eighteen months seem to have lifted the shroud on mental ill-health a little higher than it has been in the past. The conversation is occurring more often amongst social circles, has gained more acknowledgment in the workplace, and caused heated debate at the top tiers of world sport.

Two high profile athletes, world number two tennis star, Naomi Osaka, and world champion gymnast, Simone Biles, recently withdrew from elite level competition for mental health reasons. These actions brought the conversation of mental health into the spotlight, with streams of both criticism and support flooding the media, leading to discussions on the athletes’ decisions, as well as society’s expectation to ‘soldier on’ no matter the personal cost.

While Osaka and Biles are very public examples, the experience translates across to patients, who need support to protect, restore, and re-build their mental health. Let’s not forget that Practitioners may also experience their own challenges with mental health, and as with any caregiving role, can become weary from the emotional toll of consulting and supporting patients while neglecting their own needs. Self-care looks different for everyone and it’s important to find ways to unwind and reset while taking care of your mind, body and soul.

Up to 91% of Practitioners choose to treat stress and mood disorders through supplementation. With the options and combinations available in this product category, a personalised prescription can be developed for all patient presentations.

As the conversation on mental health expands to diverse communities across society, those seeking help will more often be supported by their peers and family, with better outcomes for all. Practitioners play a significant role in the lives of patients, and together we can all contribute to a healthier and happier
community.

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References
1 World Happiness Report https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2021/ 2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/584d7a31-7c4a-46cb-97db-a46874265354/Mental-health-related-prescriptions-2018-19.pdf
2 Black Dog Institute https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/research-areas/translation-implementation/
3 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/584d7a31-7c4a-46cb-97db-a46874265354/Mental-health-related-prescriptions-2018-19.pdf
4 Safe Work Australia https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/topic/mental-health
5 Australian Department of Health https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/mental-health-and-suicide-prevention