6 April 2022
South Australians have ranked mental health as their greatest social policy concern in the lead-up to the federal election.
That’s according to the Salvation Army’s National Social Justice Stocktake Report which surveyed more than 15,000 Australians for the study.
55 per cent of South Australians were most concerned about mental health which was slightly above the national average of 54 per cent.
It ranked above the other priority social policy issues of housing affordability, alcohol and drug misuse, family violence, and homelessness.
The Salvation Army data follows a Chief Public Health Officer’s report which revealed 29 per cent of South Australian adults reported having a mental health problem and nearly one in 10 had reported having psychological distress.
15 per cent experienced social isolation while women and those living in metropolitan areas were more likely to report psychological distress than men and those living in rural areas.
Information for the Chief Public Health Officer’s report was gathered in 2018-19, before the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
The Salvation Army’s Secretary for Mission, Captain Stuart Glover says these concerns are widespread and politicians should seriously consider the findings of the National Social Justice Stocktake Report in the lead up to the election.
“This survey adds weight to issues, particularly around mental health and housing affordability,” Captain Glover said to The Advertiser.
“It’s not just in pockets, it’s everywhere.
“Our hope is that all candidates will take note of what people in their electorates are saying and have a response to that.”