The University encourages all staff and students to learn about common mental health issues, and how to respond appropriately.

1. Mental health is a continuum
2. Common forms of mental illness
3. Treatment and recovery
4. How to respond 

Mental health is a continuum

At any given time an individual’s mental health might fluctuate along a continuum from being very unwell and struggling, to periods of being very well and buoyant.

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There is often misunderstanding and misconception around mental health and mental illness. To assist with developing a shared understanding of the appropriate language and terminology around these issues a glossary of terms is available within the the University's Mental Health Policy.

Common forms of mental illness

The most common mental illnesses in Australia are anxiety disorders, affective disorders and substance use disorders.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses with 14.4% of Australians aged 16-85 experiencing anxiety disorders every year, more than twice the rate of depressive disorders. Clinical anxiety is often disregarded as ‘being stressed’. However while stress is a normal (and at times helpful) emotion, when someone experiences ongoing, long-lasting stress, it impacts on their everyday functioning and may be heading towards an anxiety disorder.  As the symptom or emotion of stress is considered both a helpful and a harmful experience, anxiety disorders are some of the most regularly misunderstood, underrated illnesses, despite being the most common.

Affective (depressive) disorders (6.2%  of Australians aged 16-85 experience affective disorders every year) are more understood and accepted in our community and people are often more comfortable disclosing them because of this reduced stigma. People are more likely to seek professional help for affective disorders than people with anxiety or substance use disorders.  

Good sources of information by condition are outlined below:

• Anxiety (SANE)
• Bipolar Disorder (Black Dog Institute)
• Depression: Causes and Symptoms (Black Dog Institute)
• Schizophrenia (SANE)
• Substance Abuse: Alcohol & Drug Search Directory and Drug Screening websites

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Treatment and recovery

Some people will have short term experiences of an illness, and with treatment and/or supports will recover. Others may have ongoing experiences of an illness over many years, where they have periods of being well, along with periods of being unwell. With treatment and support, many people identify and understand the emotional and psychological triggers, and learn to minimise the risk of exposure to these triggers and the subsequent decline into a state of illness.  

The concept of “recovery” in relation to mental illness does not simply mean that the person gets better and never has the illness again. It can mean that a person recovers the ability to successfully function in everyday life. Although they may continue to experience symptoms of the illness, they manage these symptoms with supports and treatment plans which allow them to live the life roles and experiences that they have chosen. 

Even someone with long term mental illness does not have to passively exist with the impacts. Many people live functional, purposeful lives AND experience mental illness simultaneously. Mental health is a part of health, and sits on the general health continuum.  Mental illness is treated just as any other illness, as we introduce proactive strategies to reduce our risks, and ways to manage times of illness with appropriate resources and supports.

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How to respond - general guidelines