Population Health Essay

How do social and environmental determinants lead to poorer health outcomes for Australians diagnosed
with a mental health condition?
Mental health conditions affect 1 in 5 Australians, approximately 4.2 million people. (Mental illness
2020) A mental illness is a clinically diagnosable disorder that significantly interferes with an individual's
cognitive, emotional, and social abilities. (National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2020-21)
There are a number of social and environmental determinants of health, that are critical in influencing the
outcomes of mental health conditions, diagnosed in Australians. These determinants include
socioeconomic status, social support and exclusion and environmental risks, climate change. There are a
number of studies that have shown that individuals diagnosed with a mental health condition are more
likely to experience adverse outcomes when exposed to these determinants.
Using the socio-ecological model, it is understood that individuals are influenced by factors at different
levels including individual, relationship, community and societal. To address these determinants and
improve the outcomes of mental illness, a multi-level approach is key. This would involve interventions
at each level of the model, to address the social and environmental determinants of mental health
conditions. For example, increasing social support, access to mental health services and addressing the
health inequities could all contribute to improved outcomes for Australians. Social support and exclusion
are key determinants of the outcomes of health. Young Australians with limited support networks are
more likely to experience poorer mental health outcomes, and higher rates of anxiety and depression.
(Mental Health Services in Australia: Mental health: Prevalence and impact 2019) A study found that
adolescents that are bullied are more likely to exhibit mental health conditions. There is a clear
association between bullying and the psychological health of individuals. Bullying and exclusion has
evidently had a negative impact on victims’ mental health, leading to a diagnosable mental illness.
(Rothon et al., 2023)
Socioeconomic factors are crucial determinants of health, as they have an influence on health inequities,
avoidable differences in health status. They enable Australians to have access to resources and materials
and participate in society which is vital in maintaining a good level of health. (Mental Health Services in
Australia: Mental health: Prevalence and impact 2019) Typically, disadvantaged populations like
individuals with a low socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely to develop a mental illness, as opposed
to those with a high SES. It was found that at all levels of income, health and illness follow the social
gradient, the lower the income, the worse the health outcomes. (Social Determinants of Health 2023)
Inability to access these necessary services, directly correlates with the cost of the services. A study
conducted states that it is necessary to find cost-effective ways to make resources and services a standard
part of care for those diagnosed with mental health conditions. (Willis, 2019)
Environmental determinants, such as climate change, can also significantly affect mental health outcomes
in Australians. The climate crisis will likely cause one of the greatest impacts to the outcome of mental
health conditions. There are numerous studies that indicate a large percentage of Australians being
concerned about climate change, and that there is a link between climate change and diagnosed mental
health conditions. (Albrecht et al., 2019) Young individuals who are concerned with the climate crisis are
experiencing significant rates of eco-anxiety. One-in-four individuals directly experiencing the effects of
climate change have met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and show symptoms of pre-trauma.
Specifically, those with a low SES in disadvantaged areas are more likely to be affected by mental health
conditions, like eco-anxiety. (Patrick et al., 2022) Conclusively, Australians who are directly and
indirectly experiencing climate change, have a significantly higher rate of diagnosed mental health
issues.
Furthermore, it has been concluded that both social and environmental determinants lead to poorer
outcomes for Australians diagnosed with a mental health condition. There have been several studies,
which all deduced that symptoms of mental illness were described as negative and restrictive, and
ultimately lead to a low quality of life. (Albrecht et al., 2019)
References:
 Healthdirect Australia. (2022, November). Mental illness. healthdirect.

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-illness
 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022, July). National study of mental health and wellbeing.
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-
wellbeing/2020-21#key-statistics
 AIHW. (2019). Mental health services in Australia. Retrieved from
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/
report-contents/socioeconomic-status
 World Health Organization. (n.d.). Social Determinants of Health. World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1
 Willis, O. (2019). People with mental illness experience poorer physical health, and the gap may
be getting worse, experts say. ABC News.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2019-07-17/physical-health-impacts-of-mental-illness-new-
report/11315404
 Rothon, C., Head, J., Klineberg, E., & Stansfeld, S. (2023). Can social support protect bullied
adolescents from adverse outcomes? A prospective study on the effects of bullying on the
educational achievement and Mental Health of adolescents at secondary schools in East London.
Journal of Adolescence, 34(3), 579–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.02.007
 Patrick, Snell, T., Gunasiri, H., Garad, R., Meadows, G., & Enticott, J. (2022). Prevalence and
determinants of mental health related to climate change in Australia. Australian and New Zealand
Journal of Psychiatry, 486742211078–48674221107872.
 Albrecht, Sartore, G.-M., Connor, L., Higginbotham, N., Freeman, S., Kelly, B., Stain, H.,
Tonna, A., & Pollard, G. (2019). Solastalgia: the distress caused by environmental change.
Australasian Psychiatry : Bulletin of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of
Psychiatrists, 15(S1), S95–S98. https://doi.org/10.1080/10398560701701288
 Connell, J., Brazier, J., O’Cathain, A., O., Lloyd-Jones, M., & Paisley, S. (2012). Quality of life
of people with mental health problems: A synthesis of qualitative research. Health and Quality of
Life Outcomes, 10, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-10-138

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How do social and environmental determinants lead to poorer health outcomes for Australians diagnosed

with a mental health condition?

 Healthdirect Australia. (2022, November). Mental illness. healthdirect.

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