*Trigger warning: This post contains references to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. *

As a supporter of SwiftDoc you’ll know already that we’re helping ease wait times for Australian patients by providing timely access to medical professionals via online consultations.

One area of care under unprecedented strain is that of mental health care services. In fact, a 2022 study found that more than 70% of patients seeking psychology services had to wait more than two months to access care.[1]

We don’t think that is an acceptable time to wait to access much-needed care, so we’ve launched Swift Psychology, a service giving you quick access to mental health care services that are 100% online, convenient and private.

Why is there such high demand for psychology services?

The Australian Psychological Society conducts an annual survey, asking their members to report back on their experiences, and their responses give some insight into the areas of growing demand. The results in the 2022 survey found an increase in mental illness and disorders, from as early as 18 months of age.

These aren’t incremental increases either. The survey showed significant increases in disorders such as Separation Anxiety Disorder (36% increase in two years), ADHD (27%) and autism (25%). This trend continued for children in the 6 to 12-year group and the 13 to 18-year group, with a whopping 65% increase in cases of depression over two years for the latter group.[2]

Things aren’t looking much better for Australian adults. The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2022) found that 43.7% or 8.6 million Australians aged 16-85 had experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life.[3]

There has always been a need for mental health services at all age levels, but psychologists report that the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a sharp increase in the need for psychological support, with a rise in anxiety, stress, trauma and depression in particular. This has resulted in overwhelming demand for psychologists. In February 2022, one in three psychologists had closed their books to new clients, compared to one in five just eight months earlier (June 2021), and one in 100 pre-pandemic.[4]

Swift Psychology aims to help Australians waiting for psychological care

Swift by name, swift by nature, our new psychology service hopes to help ease the strain on this sector. Our 100% online, private, convenient service covers mental health concerns such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Obsessive compulsive disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• PTSD

Your mental health needs are unique to you

As with all our SwiftDoc services, it’s all about you, and your own medical needs, as discussed between you and your doctor.

There are a number of different psychotherapy treatments that may be suggested to you in your consultation such as:

• Cognitive-behavioural therapy – may be recommended for treating depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders.
• Interpersonal therapy – may be recommended for treating depression.
• Dialectical behaviour therapy – may be recommended for treating borderline personality disorder, depression and anxiety.
• Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy – may be recommended for treating PTSD.
• Psychodynamic therapy – may be recommended for treating depression, anxiety and personality disorders.

Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship problems or just need someone to talk to, our team is here for you. Book your initial consultation to get started.

While we’ve got you…

You might have noticed at the top of this story that we highlighted some statistics around the unprecedented demand for psychology services and the growing wait lists for patients trying to access mental health care.

Here at SwiftDoc we have our finger on the pulse, adapting and growing our range of services to meet the health needs of Australians.

It’s why we’ve launched Swift Psychology, and it’s also why we’re about to launch a crowdfunding offer, offering every Australian the opportunity to invest in their health, and the health of the nation.

Funds raised in this offer will help us to provide more health services such as Swift Psychology via online consultations, reducing wait times, providing convenience, and in turn improving the health of our nation.

We’re about to start seeking expressions of interest for this crowd-funding offer. To find out more, email us at investor-relations@swiftdoc.com.

This website does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately dial Triple 0 (000).

References:

1. Australian Healthcare Index. Key findings. Accessed April 2023
2. Australian Psychological Society. Aussie kids’ mental health and wellbeing. Accessed April 2023.
3. Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Accessed April 2023.
4. Australian Psychological Society. 1 in 3 psychologists are unable to see new clients, but Australians need more help than ever. Accessed April 2023.

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