Canberra has the highest life expectancy in Australia – but mental health has declined, according to the Vital Signs report published yesterday.

Ambulance attendance rates for suicide attempts are some of the highest in the country. The ACT has the second highest rate of suicide attempts by women (72%) after the Northern Territory. Men are three times more likely to successfully suicide.

The number of people reporting only ‘Fair’ or ‘Poor’ mental health increased (from 23 per cent in 2019 to 39 per cent in 2020). More adults reported high rates of distress (from 7 per cent in 2019 to 17 per cent in 2020).

“The mental health of young people in the ACT is arguably the worst across Australia,” Dr Justin Baker (Youth Coalition of the ACT) said.

The ACT has the highest rate of youth self-harm of any jurisdiction in Australia (21 per 100,000 youths, up from 17 per 100,000 in 2018); youth mortality has deteriorated (from 31 to 40 per 100,000); and the second highest rate of youth psychological distress (from 20 per cent in 2018 to 27 per cent today).

 “We are at a crisis point for youth mental health,” Dr Baker said.

Canberra’s LGBTIQ young people face “staggering” rates of mental health concerns, Peter Gordon (Hands Across Canberra) said. 80 per cent suffer from high or very high levels of psychological distress, while 55 per cent had considered suicide in the last year. 

There is not enough mental health support for young adults over 18, Dr Baker said; he believes the ACT needs targeted policies, interventions, and supports for these groups.

Similarly, domestic and family violence crisis calls were significantly higher during the pandemic, said Snow Foundation CEO, Georgina Byron. 289 incidents of domestic and family violence were reported per month in 2021, compared to 263 in 2020, while the number of hours needed for sexual assault counselling increased by 304 per cent.

Education

Canberra is one of the most educated jurisdictions in the country, but Dr Baker said, educational participation and attainment – normally indicators for success – might not equate to financial success.

ACT residents are the most likely to finish school (81 per cent of Canberrans aged 15 to 64 have a Year 12 certificate or equivalent, the highest in Australia); almost half the population (49 per cent) have at least a Bachelor’s degree (compared to 36 per cent nationally).

But in Canberra, that is not enough for them to access and participate in society as they would like, Dr Baker said.

“Even their education credentials don’t necessarily translate to a job that will allow you get enough money to be able to live in Canberra.”

Government response

“Everyone in our community should have support and opportunities to engage, connect, and participate across our city,” said Emma Davidson, ACT Minister for Mental Health.

“Many Canberrans have had their mental health impacted throughout the pandemic. It is an ongoing period of uncertainty and insecurity about the future, employment, social connection, and housing.

“Raising the rate of JobSeeker and introduction of JobKeeper in the 2020 lockdown was great to lift people above the poverty line temporarily, but Canberrans in need were acutely aware of the end date of these supports, and that the impact of the pandemic would last well beyond lockdown.”

The ACT Government funded groups and programs throughout the lockdown periods to ensure that Canberrans from all across our community would have more access to mental health, wellbeing, and food support, Ms Davidson said. This included funding for services to support new or expecting parents, the LGBTQI+ community, young people, Canberrans at-risk of or experiencing homelessness, carers, workers and businesses, people with eating disorders, and First Nations communities.

Through the recently launched MindMap youth navigation portal, additional funding to Catholic Care, and the Youth Aware of Mental Health program, Ms Davidson said more children and young people could access skills, information, and support for their mental health and wellbeing.

“As we exit lockdown, we need to remember to stay kind and caring to one another’s needs,” Ms Davidson said. “People in our community, such as older Canberrans and people with disability, may not feel comfortable to re-enter face to face activities like working in the office. The very low rate of JobSeeker payments will continue to fall short of the poverty line, well beyond the pandemic.”