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Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Australian GP's prescribing social interaction to combat increasing experience of loneliness
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has thrown its support behind prescribed social interaction to combat increasing loneliness amongst Australians. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has thrown its support behind prescribed social interaction to combat increasing loneliness amongst Australians. Credit: cocoparisienne / Pixabay (user cocoparisienne) Australian doctors are recommending a social interaction prescription to combat a growing experience of loneliness. A World Health Organisation report has found that one in six people experience loneliness, and estimates that between 2014-2019 nearly over 850,000 people died from loneliness-related causes. The report found that loneliness may increase the risk of all-cause mortality by nine to 22 per cent in older adults. A separate report from Ending Loneliness Together found that loneliness is experienced by 43 per cent of Australians between the ages of 15 and 25, and that 15 per cent of them experience chronic loneliness persisting across two years. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Michael Wright says the use of social prescription can connect patients with non-clinical community services, to fight loneliness. 'Social prescribing is increasingly being recognised as a way to build social well-being into primary care, which we saw when the RACGP joined more than 50 other key health bodies to work towards implementation of social prescribing as a parallel system of care last year,' he said. Social prescribing involves the support of patients by GPs and health professionals in the consideration of taking up hobbies, activities, or joining a community group to combat loneliness. Dr Wright said social disconnection can lead to heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety. 'One study found that lacking social connection is as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day,' he said. 'Social connection should be, and increasingly is, a public health priority.' RACGP specific interests social prescribing chair Dr Kulit Singh said support for the approach is growing and could reinforce the role of GPs as preventative and whole-of-person care specialists. 'Social prescribing can strengthen and complement our care in a way that gives patients power and autonomy,' she said. '(It) can be a health approach to addressing the social disconnection we've seen since the pandemic — a script against loneliness.' 'At the moment, there are barriers to more formal adoption of social prescribing. Most general practices don't have access to a link worker who can match patients to activities that meet their social needs.' In March the RACGP called for government and health providers to support social prescribing in regional and rural Australia to combat loneliness factors such as geographic isolation, and limited access to health and social services. A lack of transport, public or private, can mean older regional adults often lack social and health service support. But Dr Singh said support for the approach is growing a could reinforce the role of GPs as preventative and whole-of-person care specialists, referring to a 2022 WHO toolkit to support implementation and a trial program by the Victoria Government across six regions. 'There are opportunities to build networks that support social prescribing,' she said. 'And the nature of social prescribing — making healthy connections around your interests — makes it an approach with real advantages that we all benefit from growing.' In March Dr Singh urged for a focus on regional and rural Australian's, and a nationally coordinated approach to tackle the nation's mental health crisis and ease pressure on the healthcare system. 'We know that people living outside of metro areas experience poorer health outcomes,' she said. 'They face greater barriers accessing healthcare, including other specialist services such as psychologists and psychiatrists.' Dr Wright said Loneliness Awareness Week, which runs from August 4 to 10, highlighted the significance and importance of social connection to a persons health. 'Loneliness Awareness Week has highlighted the harms,' he said. 'What GPs and patients need is support to implement social prescribing as a cure.'
AU Financial Review
20 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
Trump's trade war is not the only threat to cheap PBS medicines
Despite its shortcomings, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has traditionally worked very effectively to keep medicine prices low for Australian consumers. But Australia's PBS system has recently come under renewed attack from large pharmaceutical companies, which have successfully mobilised the Trump administration to apply pressure here and in other countries with schemes similar to the PBS.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Don't tough it out: tradies' mental health in focus
Ben Pieyre has seen the language and actions around mental health transform during his two decades working in construction. Not usually considered a "touchy-feely" industry, it took some time for mental health to become a priority in the male-dominated workplace. While much has improved, people still fall through the cracks. In 2024, an employee at Boom Logistics took his life, shaking the company to the core. A second-generation employee, the bright young man had a good, secure job, a great circle of friends and was to be married within months, says Mr Pieyre, Boom's CEO. No one had any idea anything was awry - until it was too late. "He was one of us," Mr Pieyre tells AAP. "These are small communities. Everybody knows each other, everybody's related. It affects everyone, not only their family. "When you look at it from the outside ... nothing makes sense. And I think that's the biggest trouble with mental health - it doesn't make sense when you look at it from outside." Suicide remains the leading cause of death among Australian men aged 15 to 44 but the risk doubles in the construction industry. Every second day, a tradie takes their life. "It is a bit of a taboo for men to speak about and it's probably not something men in this environment are quite comfortable or even open to even think about talking about," Mr Pieyre says. He has witnessed colleagues struggle with mental health issues but says "that's something that we didn't talk about 20 years ago". "But 15 years ago, we started to acknowledge it. Ten years ago, we started saying, 'well, there's a problem, we should do something'. Five years ago, we can see an improvement ... however, it is still here," he says. "Men are stubborn and believe in some type of pride that we don't talk about our feelings. There has been an improvement, but there's obviously still a lot to do." Boom has partnered with Lifeline to help employees and managers tackle this crucial issue. "There's no X-ray for mental health problems, so the only thing we have is: we need to talk," Mr Pieyre says. "It's not only the person that is being affected by mental health directly - it's the person next to them. It's giving the tools to people to recognise that change of behaviour or say 'hey, mate, what's going on - are you OK?'" Lifeline Australia has launched a Strong Foundations toolkit for Tradies National Health Month, offering practical resources to build resilience and stay connected. Lifeline chair Steve Moylan hopes making mental health support more accessible and relatable for all tradies will make a difference. "In the construction trade, admitting you're running on empty can feel like failure," he tells AAP. "But feeling stressed or burnt out are simply signs you've been carrying too much for too long. "Treating these feelings as normal responses to tough conditions removes shame and makes it easier to ask for help." Recognising there might be a problem is the first step. "Everyone faces tough days, and that's normal, but when you're running 12-hour shifts or are pulled off-site for weeks at a time, your body stays on high alert - your 'go mode' never switches off," Professor Moylan says. "That constant pressure wears you down, and without breaks with family or mates to reset, it can leave you feeling cut off. Recognising these common pressures is the first step to steadying yourself." Boom is using Lifeline messaging across company communications - from uniforms to equipment - to remind workers there is a voice on the end of the phone if they need to talk. Mental wellness is just as important as wearing hard hats and steel toe boots on site, Prof Moylan says. "When you look at safety, you can talk about safety or you can live and breathe safety. And this is the same approach that we're taking here." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Ben Pieyre has seen the language and actions around mental health transform during his two decades working in construction. Not usually considered a "touchy-feely" industry, it took some time for mental health to become a priority in the male-dominated workplace. While much has improved, people still fall through the cracks. In 2024, an employee at Boom Logistics took his life, shaking the company to the core. A second-generation employee, the bright young man had a good, secure job, a great circle of friends and was to be married within months, says Mr Pieyre, Boom's CEO. No one had any idea anything was awry - until it was too late. "He was one of us," Mr Pieyre tells AAP. "These are small communities. Everybody knows each other, everybody's related. It affects everyone, not only their family. "When you look at it from the outside ... nothing makes sense. And I think that's the biggest trouble with mental health - it doesn't make sense when you look at it from outside." Suicide remains the leading cause of death among Australian men aged 15 to 44 but the risk doubles in the construction industry. Every second day, a tradie takes their life. "It is a bit of a taboo for men to speak about and it's probably not something men in this environment are quite comfortable or even open to even think about talking about," Mr Pieyre says. He has witnessed colleagues struggle with mental health issues but says "that's something that we didn't talk about 20 years ago". "But 15 years ago, we started to acknowledge it. Ten years ago, we started saying, 'well, there's a problem, we should do something'. Five years ago, we can see an improvement ... however, it is still here," he says. "Men are stubborn and believe in some type of pride that we don't talk about our feelings. There has been an improvement, but there's obviously still a lot to do." Boom has partnered with Lifeline to help employees and managers tackle this crucial issue. "There's no X-ray for mental health problems, so the only thing we have is: we need to talk," Mr Pieyre says. "It's not only the person that is being affected by mental health directly - it's the person next to them. It's giving the tools to people to recognise that change of behaviour or say 'hey, mate, what's going on - are you OK?'" Lifeline Australia has launched a Strong Foundations toolkit for Tradies National Health Month, offering practical resources to build resilience and stay connected. Lifeline chair Steve Moylan hopes making mental health support more accessible and relatable for all tradies will make a difference. "In the construction trade, admitting you're running on empty can feel like failure," he tells AAP. "But feeling stressed or burnt out are simply signs you've been carrying too much for too long. "Treating these feelings as normal responses to tough conditions removes shame and makes it easier to ask for help." Recognising there might be a problem is the first step. "Everyone faces tough days, and that's normal, but when you're running 12-hour shifts or are pulled off-site for weeks at a time, your body stays on high alert - your 'go mode' never switches off," Professor Moylan says. "That constant pressure wears you down, and without breaks with family or mates to reset, it can leave you feeling cut off. Recognising these common pressures is the first step to steadying yourself." Boom is using Lifeline messaging across company communications - from uniforms to equipment - to remind workers there is a voice on the end of the phone if they need to talk. Mental wellness is just as important as wearing hard hats and steel toe boots on site, Prof Moylan says. "When you look at safety, you can talk about safety or you can live and breathe safety. And this is the same approach that we're taking here." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Ben Pieyre has seen the language and actions around mental health transform during his two decades working in construction. Not usually considered a "touchy-feely" industry, it took some time for mental health to become a priority in the male-dominated workplace. While much has improved, people still fall through the cracks. In 2024, an employee at Boom Logistics took his life, shaking the company to the core. A second-generation employee, the bright young man had a good, secure job, a great circle of friends and was to be married within months, says Mr Pieyre, Boom's CEO. No one had any idea anything was awry - until it was too late. "He was one of us," Mr Pieyre tells AAP. "These are small communities. Everybody knows each other, everybody's related. It affects everyone, not only their family. "When you look at it from the outside ... nothing makes sense. And I think that's the biggest trouble with mental health - it doesn't make sense when you look at it from outside." Suicide remains the leading cause of death among Australian men aged 15 to 44 but the risk doubles in the construction industry. Every second day, a tradie takes their life. "It is a bit of a taboo for men to speak about and it's probably not something men in this environment are quite comfortable or even open to even think about talking about," Mr Pieyre says. He has witnessed colleagues struggle with mental health issues but says "that's something that we didn't talk about 20 years ago". "But 15 years ago, we started to acknowledge it. Ten years ago, we started saying, 'well, there's a problem, we should do something'. Five years ago, we can see an improvement ... however, it is still here," he says. "Men are stubborn and believe in some type of pride that we don't talk about our feelings. There has been an improvement, but there's obviously still a lot to do." Boom has partnered with Lifeline to help employees and managers tackle this crucial issue. "There's no X-ray for mental health problems, so the only thing we have is: we need to talk," Mr Pieyre says. "It's not only the person that is being affected by mental health directly - it's the person next to them. It's giving the tools to people to recognise that change of behaviour or say 'hey, mate, what's going on - are you OK?'" Lifeline Australia has launched a Strong Foundations toolkit for Tradies National Health Month, offering practical resources to build resilience and stay connected. Lifeline chair Steve Moylan hopes making mental health support more accessible and relatable for all tradies will make a difference. "In the construction trade, admitting you're running on empty can feel like failure," he tells AAP. "But feeling stressed or burnt out are simply signs you've been carrying too much for too long. "Treating these feelings as normal responses to tough conditions removes shame and makes it easier to ask for help." Recognising there might be a problem is the first step. "Everyone faces tough days, and that's normal, but when you're running 12-hour shifts or are pulled off-site for weeks at a time, your body stays on high alert - your 'go mode' never switches off," Professor Moylan says. "That constant pressure wears you down, and without breaks with family or mates to reset, it can leave you feeling cut off. Recognising these common pressures is the first step to steadying yourself." Boom is using Lifeline messaging across company communications - from uniforms to equipment - to remind workers there is a voice on the end of the phone if they need to talk. Mental wellness is just as important as wearing hard hats and steel toe boots on site, Prof Moylan says. "When you look at safety, you can talk about safety or you can live and breathe safety. And this is the same approach that we're taking here." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Ben Pieyre has seen the language and actions around mental health transform during his two decades working in construction. Not usually considered a "touchy-feely" industry, it took some time for mental health to become a priority in the male-dominated workplace. While much has improved, people still fall through the cracks. In 2024, an employee at Boom Logistics took his life, shaking the company to the core. A second-generation employee, the bright young man had a good, secure job, a great circle of friends and was to be married within months, says Mr Pieyre, Boom's CEO. No one had any idea anything was awry - until it was too late. "He was one of us," Mr Pieyre tells AAP. "These are small communities. Everybody knows each other, everybody's related. It affects everyone, not only their family. "When you look at it from the outside ... nothing makes sense. And I think that's the biggest trouble with mental health - it doesn't make sense when you look at it from outside." Suicide remains the leading cause of death among Australian men aged 15 to 44 but the risk doubles in the construction industry. Every second day, a tradie takes their life. "It is a bit of a taboo for men to speak about and it's probably not something men in this environment are quite comfortable or even open to even think about talking about," Mr Pieyre says. He has witnessed colleagues struggle with mental health issues but says "that's something that we didn't talk about 20 years ago". "But 15 years ago, we started to acknowledge it. Ten years ago, we started saying, 'well, there's a problem, we should do something'. Five years ago, we can see an improvement ... however, it is still here," he says. "Men are stubborn and believe in some type of pride that we don't talk about our feelings. There has been an improvement, but there's obviously still a lot to do." Boom has partnered with Lifeline to help employees and managers tackle this crucial issue. "There's no X-ray for mental health problems, so the only thing we have is: we need to talk," Mr Pieyre says. "It's not only the person that is being affected by mental health directly - it's the person next to them. It's giving the tools to people to recognise that change of behaviour or say 'hey, mate, what's going on - are you OK?'" Lifeline Australia has launched a Strong Foundations toolkit for Tradies National Health Month, offering practical resources to build resilience and stay connected. Lifeline chair Steve Moylan hopes making mental health support more accessible and relatable for all tradies will make a difference. "In the construction trade, admitting you're running on empty can feel like failure," he tells AAP. "But feeling stressed or burnt out are simply signs you've been carrying too much for too long. "Treating these feelings as normal responses to tough conditions removes shame and makes it easier to ask for help." Recognising there might be a problem is the first step. "Everyone faces tough days, and that's normal, but when you're running 12-hour shifts or are pulled off-site for weeks at a time, your body stays on high alert - your 'go mode' never switches off," Professor Moylan says. "That constant pressure wears you down, and without breaks with family or mates to reset, it can leave you feeling cut off. Recognising these common pressures is the first step to steadying yourself." Boom is using Lifeline messaging across company communications - from uniforms to equipment - to remind workers there is a voice on the end of the phone if they need to talk. Mental wellness is just as important as wearing hard hats and steel toe boots on site, Prof Moylan says. "When you look at safety, you can talk about safety or you can live and breathe safety. And this is the same approach that we're taking here." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
