If you can't stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.

No-one is forcing anyone to be an actor. People choose to be actors. If soneone finds that this choice isn't working for them then they should change jobs. There are scores of different industries in Australia: construction, legal, food production, medical, education, ... etc...etc. And thousands of different kinds of jobs/career in these industries. A failed actor has plenty of options available to find a living that suits/satisfies them.

Are actors different to other people with particular abilities ?

Actors are different from the rest of us - fortunately - as are writers, artists and others who try to make a living by lifting us out of the humdrum and tedium of everyday life when we need it. And, a lot of them find it just as hard to find work as do other people; and a hell of a lot of them take crappy jobs while they look for work.

.... humdrum and tedium ...
ttbn,
That must be missing from my life because I don't need entertainers at all to lift my spirits !
Most of them are so predictably un-entertaining most of the time that they actually need to tell each other how hilariously funny they are during saturation promo playing !
Having said that I recently saw a Youtube video of a bloke I'd never heard of before & he was good. Al Bano singing Va Pensiero.

For example of rising above the challenges of mental illness spoken of in this article, it would be hard to find a more fitting example than Janet Frame, a renowned NZ novelist, who spent eight years of her youth and young adulthood in a psychiatric hospital in NZ, before her recognition as an author.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Frame

"When will we shed the assumption that actors need to suffer for their art and just see human beings in despair? It was only until recent times that rampant sexual exploitation in the entertainment industry wasn’t perceived as anything other than the norm. Do we need another #MeToo style movement to stress when enough abuse, addiction, mental illness and suicide is truly enough?"

I'm glad it ended there because I've read more than enough.

If any of my friends were in a job where they were subjected to abuse, (physical and sexual) addiction, mental illness and suicide then I'd tell them they need another job.

Actors are willing to put up with it because they seek fame.
If any normal person was told they can have the job but first you've got to you know what...
Most would say no, but actors want fame, and are probably willing to go to extreme lengths to get it.

'Suffering in silence for their art: Australian actors battle with mental health'

I actually do have friends who are subjected to physical and sexual abuse and a daily basis,
They also have to deal with mental illness;
AND ITS A PART OF THEIR JOB DESCRIPTION.

When your job is taking care of mentally ill handicapped people they will attack you, sexually assault you, spit on you, piss in your car and the people who employ you will underpay and exploit you.

You know what my friend does?
She cops it and goes back to work the next day.
- Because that's what she has to do to take care of her kids.
You know what she looks forward to?
A few beers after work and going fishing on the weekend. NOT FAME
Maybe your acting friends should take a walk in her shoes...

You talk about 'widespread lack of understanding, respect and duty-of-care by those in positions of power';
What does that mean exactly?
Lets say I want to make a production, so I audition for people for the parts;
Why is it my responsibility to take care of actors and actresses mental health?