Significant increase in mental health concerns since pre-COVID

One of Australia’s largest medical centre operators, Myhealth, which runs approximately 107 clinics across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, has reported a sharp increase in the number of patients presenting with anxiety and other mental health challenges.

GPs consulting through the Myhealth network service over 3 million patient visits a year have seen approximately a 50% rise in the number of patients seeking help for mental health concerns since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Myhealth’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Mohammed Hasan and practising GP, emphasised that while patient confidentiality prevents the recording of precise data on appointment specifics, the rise in mental health-related visits is undeniable.

"Anecdotally, GPs have seen about a 50% increase in the number of patients presenting with anxiety or mental health challenges, before COVID about 1 in 5 patients would have a challenge, now it's more like 1 in 3,” said Dr Hasan.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many people assumed that anxiety and mental health issues would dissipate. However, the ongoing cost of living pressures, return to work mandates, relationship breakdowns, and children adjusting to post-pandemic schooling have only exacerbated these issues.

“People often come to GPs for simple health checks, and it quickly becomes apparent that they need help with anxiety or other mental health concerns."

Dr Hasan, who practices in Western Sydney, noted that GPs are often the first point of contact for patients, making them crucial in identifying and addressing mental health challenges.

However, he highlighted the strain on GPs who often lack the resources to offer comprehensive care or access to timely, specialised support.

“GPs are the heart of our healthcare system. For most people, their family doctor is the first person they turn to for support,” Dr Hasan continued.

"It’s challenging for us as GPs when we know our patients need more help but don’t always know where to refer them or how to provide the kind of mental health support they need."

A strong primary care system is essential to delivering high-quality, accessible mental healthcare, and Dr Hasan believes more resources are needed to address the growing demand for mental health support.

Medibank, which holds a 91% share in Myhealth, has called on the Federal Government to make targeted investments in primary care to better support individuals with mental ill-health, particularly those suffering from anxiety and depression.

Medibank’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Wilson stressed the importance of improving access to services that bridge the gap between primary care and acute hospital care for patients requiring more intensive mental health support but not hospitalisation.

"In Australia, we need to invest more in primary care to better support those presenting with mental ill-health," Dr Wilson said.

"While the Federal Government's $8.5 billion investment in Medicare rebates, and more recently its $1 billion commitment for more free mental health services is a positive step, we also need better resourcing and funding for multidisciplinary models of care that brings together GPs, mental health professionals, and specialists to provide comprehensive care."

Dr Wilson further recommended that the government test and refine a GP-led, team-based model for mental healthcare in primary care, starting with a two-year pilot program that would include flexible funding for psychiatrists and multidisciplinary roles to support GPs.

"This model would include funding for mental health nurses, psychologists, counsellors, social workers, and peer workers to work alongside GPs. The government could start by piloting this approach through Primary Health Networks and GP clinics, with the goal of expanding availability once the model is validated,” said Dr Wilson.