In Australia, where a sizeable fraction of the population is affected, mental health

issues constitute a serious public health concern. Despite improvements in mental

health care and awareness, discrepancies in health outcomes among Australians
with mental health issues continue. Using materials reviewed by experts and actual
cases as examples, this article explores the role that social and environmental
variables play in people with mental health issues in Australia experiencing worse
health outcomes.

For Australians with mental health disorders, the social determinants of health, which
include elements like socioeconomic position, education, and social support, play a
critical role in determining health outcomes. The increasing frequency of mental
health issues is connected to socioeconomic deprivation, which is frequently
correlated with restricted access to opportunities and services (Mental Health
Australia, 2019). Low-income individuals may face barriers to accessing quality
mental health care, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment. For instance, a
study conducted by Butterworth et al. (2011) found that individuals from lower
socioeconomic backgrounds were less likely to receive appropriate mental health
care and experienced poorer mental health outcomes over time. Education also
affects a person’s capacity to comprehend and take control of their mental health.
Australians with mental health disorders may struggle to follow treatment plans and
make knowledgeable care decisions if they lack adequate health literacy. For
instance, those with less education may find it difficult to understand prescription
instructions, which might result in noncompliance and a worsening of their mental
health symptoms.

(Environmental Health: Determinants of Health, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet,

2019) Environment determinates that have effects on the mental health and welfare
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities are access to clean
water for sanitation and hygiene hardware, including showers in sanitary bathrooms
and laundry rooms; sufficient housing, including repairs and maintenance, and
avoiding overcrowding; healthy living habits such as handling food safely in a clean
kitchen; a reliable power supply to run electronic devices; and waste management.
Furthermore, being exposed to environmental stressors like air and noise pollution
might make mental health issues worse. Noise pollution, Which is frequently present
in urban environments, has been linked to higher levels of stress and anxiety (Hume
et al., 2012). People with mental health diagnoses who live in loud surroundings may
have increased psychological anguish, preventing them from recovering.

The experiences of indigenous Australians provide evidence of the influence of

social and environmental variables on mental health outcomes. Due to historical,
financial, and cultural disadvantages, Indigenous communities frequently have
higher rates of mental health issues (Australia Human Rights Commission, 2020).
The intergenerational trauma brought on by colonisation, along with limited access to
culturally appropriate mental health care, exacerbates mental health issues among
Indigenous Australians. For instance, the “Closing the Gap” study (2020)
emphasises that Indigenous Australians experience psychological distress at
considerably greater rates than non-Indigenous Australians, demonstrating the
complex interaction between social and environmental causes.

As a result, Australians with mental health issues experience considerably worse

health outcomes because of social and environmental variables. Delays in or
inadequate mental health care, a lack of knowledge, and a lack of access to
supportive surroundings all contribute to the symptoms of mental illness being
exacerbated. These difficulties have been made worse by environmental variables,
including stressor exposure and the availability of green places. Indigenous
Australians experiences serve as a powerful illustration of the complex interplay of
social, environmental, and cultural influences in determining mental health disorders
in Australia, which requires addressing these variables through legislative initiatives,
increased access to mental health treatment, and the development of supportive
settings.
 References

Australian Government. (2020). Closing the gap report 2020. Australian Government.
https://ctgreport.niaa.gov.au/sites/default/files/pdf/closing-the-gap-report-
2020.pdf

Australian Human Rights Commission. (2018). Social determinants and the health of
indigenous peoples in Australia -a human rights-based approach. Australia
Human Rights Commission; Australian Human Rights Commission.
https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/speeches/social-determinants-and-
health-indigenous-peoples-australia-human-rights-based

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. (2019). Environmental health. Australian

Indigenous HealthInfoNet. https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/determinants-of-
health/environmental-health/

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2020). Social determinants of health.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; Australian Government.
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-of-health

Butterworth, P., Leach, L. S., Strazdins, L., Olesen, S. C., Rodgers, B., & Broom, D.
H. (2011). The psychosocial quality of work determines whether employment
has benefits for mental health: Results from a longitudinal national household
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https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2010.059030

Effects of environment noise on sleep (2012). Noise & Health a Quarterly Inter-
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