Dietary strategies to Support Mental Health: New Recommendations to Improve Access

A Growing Mental Health Crisis in Australia

Dietary strategies are gaining attention as mental health conditions emerge as one of the most pressing public health issues in Australia. Recent reports reveal that over 4.3 million Australians aged 16 to 85 faced mental health challenges between 2020 and 2022, with anxiety and depression being the most common disorders. With antidepressant use in Australia among the highest in OECD countries, exploring new approaches like diet-focused interventions becomes crucial to tackling this growing concern.

In the face of these challenges, experts from Victoria University’s Health Policy Team at IHES are now calling for more attention to be given to the role of diet in supporting mental health. Their recent policy recommendations aim to make dietary support a key part of both the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions.

The Link Between Diet and Mental Health

Diet quality is not only important for physical health but is also closely connected to mental well-being. Poor dietary habits are a leading risk factor for diseases, and studies have shown that diet plays a crucial role in influencing mental health outcomes. Despite this knowledge, diet is often overlooked as a strategy for managing or preventing mental health conditions.

New Policy Recommendations to Integrate Diet into Mental Health Care

The latest policy brief from Victoria University provides four key recommendations to improve the integration of diet and nutrition into mental health care. These proposals aim to ensure that individuals with mental health conditions have better access to dietary support as part of their overall treatment plan.

1. Include Dietitians in Multidisciplinary Mental Health Teams The policy suggests that Accredited Practising Dietitians should be included as eligible allied health professionals in the Better Access Initiative. This would allow more people to access dietary advice and support as part of their mental health care.
2. National Information Campaigns on Diet and Mental Health The brief also recommends that the Australian government commission national information resources about the link between diet and mental health. These resources would be designed to help health professionals understand how diet affects mental health and support patients more effectively.
3. Social Prescriptions for Nutrition Support Another recommendation is the introduction of social prescriptions within primary health care. This means patients could be referred to community organizations that offer tailored nutrition support, helping people with mental health conditions improve their diet and overall well-being.
4. Raise Public Awareness of the Importance of Diet Finally, the policy advocates for a nationwide push to raise awareness about the role of nutrition in mental health. Through state and national mental health programs, people would be educated on how their diet can impact their mental health, encouraging better habits across communities.

Moving Towards a Healthier Future

These policy recommendations are an important step toward recognizing the power of nutrition in supporting mental health. By integrating dietary support into mental health care, Australia can improve its approach to both preventing and treating mental health conditions. With the government’s focus on improving access to care, these recommendations aim to make it easier for individuals to get the help they need.