Now what s really important
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Depression.
What's Really Important?
Bipolar Disorder and Health Funding in Australia
Mental health funding for bipolar disorder in Australia is disproportionately low compared to other health needs, despite the significant impact on individuals and the community.
The Funding Discrepancy
While discussing local issues, I learned from my local politician about the impending loss of funding for www.DepressioNet.com.au's essential 24-hour support forums. The Australian government has not allocated adequate resources for this crucial mental health service.
The Political Dilemma
In a conversation with Bill, my local representative, we discussed the difficulty politicians face when trying to allocate resources for mental health. The challenge is identifying which other health programs should face cuts. This is a common issue, reminiscent of dilemmas seen in the show Yes Minister.
Recently in South Australia, when the government announced increased mental health funding, the opposition demanded to know which programs would be sacrificed to accommodate this. The link to the full report can be found here: [ABC News Report](http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1545360.htm).
The Stigma and Its Impact
Reports highlight how stigma affects decision-making at the highest political levels, making mental health a low priority. In Australia, mental health receives less than 8% of the health budget, compared to over 12% in other OECD countries ([SANE Mental Health Report 2004](http://www.sane.org/images/assets/Research_reports_and_images/MHR2004text.pdf)).
An Access Economics report for SANE Australia in 2003 revealed that bipolar disorder costs $16,000 per person annually, yet only $3,007 is spent per individual. Astonishingly, this is less than the average health spending on Australians, despite bipolar disorder having a more severe burden of disease than several other serious conditions.
The Burden on Individuals
Half of the expenses related to bipolar disorder are borne by the affected individuals and their caregivers. Many people misunderstand mental illness behaviors as poor conduct rather than symptoms, leading to inadequate funding.
Changing Public Perception
To change political action, public opinion must shift. Those without mental illness often harbor prejudice, overshadowing the need for fair mental health funding. Changing this mindset is crucial.
Taking Action Against Stigma
Australians interested in combating stigma can join SANE Australia’s StigmaWatch program. More information is available here: [SANE StigmaWatch Program](http://sane.org/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=266&op=page).
For a detailed look at the Access Economics report, visit: [Bipolar Disorder Costs: An Analysis](http://www.sane.org/images/assets/Research_reports_and_images/bipolar_costs_es.pdf). Additional global resources are available at [Two Trees Media](www.twotreesmedia.com/links).
In summary, addressing the funding disparity for bipolar disorder requires dismantling stigma and mobilizing public and political will to ensure mental health is prioritized adequately.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Now what s really important .
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