4364.0.55.001 - Australian Health Survey: First Results, 2011-12

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/10/2012 First Issue

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Contents >> Long-term health conditions >> Mental and behavioural conditions

MENTAL AND BEHAVIOURAL CONDITIONS

Mental and behavioural conditions in the Australian Health Survey comprise a range of organic and psychological conditions such as dementia, depression, substance use and anxiety disorders.

In 2011-12 there were 3.0 million Australians (13.6%) who reported having a mental and behavioural condition, an increase from 11.2% in 2007-08 and 9.6% in 2001. Mood (affective) problems, which include depression, were most prevalent (2.1 million people or 9.7% of the population) followed by anxiety related problems (850,100 people or 3.8%).

Mental and behavioural conditions continued to be more common amongst women than men (15.1% compared with 12.0% respectively).

Information on psychological distress was also collected from adult respondents in the Australian Health Survey using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). See Psychological distress.

Graph Image for Proportion of persons with a mental and behavioural condition, 2001 to 2011-12

Source(s): Australian Health Survey: First Results