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GROW Qld 2009 Member Survey

GROW QLD
2009 MEMBER SURVEY

Questionnaires were distributed in June 2009 to members who regularly attend GROW meetings, with an invitation to complete.

65 questionnaires were completed and returned.

What follows is a summary of the information received.

Demographic Information

  • A majority of respondents (52%) were female,
  • 25% were in the 36 to 45 age bracket,
  • 23% of respondents were in the 46 to 55 year age bracket,
  • 26% of respondents were in the 56 to 65 year age bracket,
  • though the full range was from 23 to 81 years.
  • 78% of respondents were born in Australia.
  • They had been members of GROW for periods ranging from 1 week to 40 years,
  • the average length of membership being 3.8 years.

Employment

  • 57% of respondents receive Centrelink benefit or pension.
  • 34% of respondents are in paid employment.
  • 40% of respondents are involved in volunteer work.
  • 42% of employed Growers say that GROW has helped them to retain or regain their employment.

Diagnosis

  • 78% of respondents had received a diagnosis of mental illness.

Of those with a diagnosis:

  • 73% were diagnosed with depression,
  • 49% were diagnosed with anxiety,
  • 24% were diagnosed with bi-polar affective disorder,
  • 24% were diagnosed with panic attacks,
  • 6% were diagnosed with post natal depression,
  • 22% were diagnosed with schizophrenia,
  • 12% were diagnosed with other disorders.


Use of Professional Services

Professional help (medical, para-medical or counselling)

  • 95% of respondents had received professional help at some time,
  • 18% no longer receive professional help,
  • 50% report that GROW helped them reduce or end their need of help.

Psychiatric Medication

  • 91% of respondents have taken psychiatric medication at some time,
  • 56% report GROW helped them to continue taking prescribed medication,
  • 24% have had their dosage reduced and
  • 31% have had their dosage ceased by their doctors.

Hospital Treatment

  • 65% of respondents have been hospitilised for mental illness with the average stay of 17 weeks, with an average of 4 admissions,
  • 52% report GROW has helped them to no longer need hospital support, and
  • 67% have significantly less need of hospital support.


Improved Lifestyle

Respondents indicated improvements in their lifestyles in the following areas:

  • Prevention of mental illness/breakdown

57% of respondents

  • Recovery from mental illness/breakdown

 57% of respondents

  • Overcoming thoughts of suicide

 43% of respondents

  • Prevention of suicide attempts

 25% of respondents

  • Recovery from addictions

 12% of respondents

  • Developing their own resources

 72% of respondents

  • Improved personal value

 80% of respondents

  • Improved network of friends

 86% of respondents

  • Improved relationships

 55% of respondents

  • Increased community involvement

 71% of respondents

  • Growth towards spiritual maturity

 55% of respondents

  • Maintaining stable housing

 26% of respondents


SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Lifestyle

  • 92% of respondents report improvement in two or more of the lifestyle categories listed above.
  • The average number of categories was 6.4.

 

Use of Mental Health Services

  • 95% had accessed a mental health professional at some time, and 65% had been hospitilised.
  • 50% report that their use of mental health services has decreased as a result of their membership in GROW,
  • 52% report no longer requiring hospital support and 67% as needing significantly less hospital support as a result of GROW.
  • 74% of respondents said they would refer others to GROW. (26% did not answer).