A significantly higher proportion of Tasmanians are living with a long-term mental health condition compared to the rest of the country, according to the latest census data.
8.8 per cent of Australians — around 2.3 million people — reported to the 2021 census that they had a long-term mental health condition.
In Tasmania, that figure is 11.5 per cent, just under 64,000 people.
"It's certainly no surprise when you consider the population in Tasmania that are living in rural and remote areas," David Tilley from the Mental Health Council of Tasmania (MHCT) said.
"Many people won't have access to face-to-face mental health support services."
The census shows the median weekly income in Tasmania is $701, compared to $805 nationally.
At 42, Tasmanians are also — on average — a little older than the rest of the nation (38), and suffer from other chronic illnesses at a higher rate.
"What we know is that when we see a higher level of chronic illnesses, it's generally in concert with a higher level of conditions like anxiety and depression," Mr Tilley said.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of Tasmanians accessing Medicare-funded mental health support went from just 4.9 per cent of the population in 2008-09 to 10.2 per cent in 2019-20.
COVID likely to have lifted figures
Headspace's national clinical advisor, Simon Dodd, said while data during the height of the pandemic is not available yet, those percentages are likely to have gone up.
"Over the past two years, Headspace has seen a significant increase in the number of young people reaching out for mental health support, and more young people than ever before are presenting to Headspace with complex mental health challenges.
However, more people accessing services is not necessarily a sign things are going backwards.
"There is also greater awareness and acceptance of mental ill-health in the community, resulting in more willingness among young people to seek help," Mr Dodd said.
"Reduced stigma is an important step in getting young people the support they need to avoid poorer health outcomes."
'We need more people'
The pandemic also had the effect of fast-tracking new ways for health practitioners to reach their clients, which Mr Tilley said could now be used to improve access for Tasmanians living in rural and remote areas.
"When Tasmanians had access to the telepsychiatry services in 2021, 8,000 Tasmanians accessed those services," he said.
"The government has announced that they'll be reintroducing that under the Medicare rebate, which we welcome."
Regardless of how those services are delivered, the MHCT said the state desperately needed more trained professionals in order to offer them.
"What we're seeing on the ground is that we need more people.
"Ultimately, our focus should be on getting more people who are qualified and are appropriately trained, so we can get their boots on the ground to provide that face-to-face support."
Premier and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Jeremy Rockliff said improving access was a focus for his government.
"We were on the front foot in recent years in terms of investing in mental health," he said.
"Creating a brand new mental health precinct as part of the Launceston General Hospital master plan, for example, a brand new mental health precinct in the north-west of Tasmania.
"But, we will need to continue to invest and improve our system and service when it comes to mental health in Tasmania, the demand appears to be increasing."
