Where Australia’s Better Access scheme has had an impact on mental health: A commentary on Jorm (2018)
File version
Author(s)
Frost, ADJ
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
In a recent paper, Professor Jorm (2018) concluded that there was no discernible impact of the Better Access Scheme on the mental health of the Australian population. In making this conclusion, Jorm focussed on two population metrics, namely, the prevalence of psychological distress as measured by the K10 and the annual suicide rate. He argued that the increased use of mental health services after the introduction of Better Access had no detectable effect on either measure. K10 data, however, significantly varied during periods that align with changes in Better Access. Furthermore, for several reasons, the annual suicide rate is not a reasonable metric to assess the influence of Better Access on population health. While it is undoubtedly important to evaluate the Better Access initiative, that evaluation should occur in the context of the intended purposes of Better Access.
Journal Title
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
53
Issue
3
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Biomedical and clinical sciences
Psychology
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Lee, CW; Frost, ADJ, Where Australia’s Better Access scheme has had an impact on mental health: A commentary on Jorm (2018), Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2019, 53 (3), pp. 259-261