Prevalence of Mental Illness in Austrlia

Every year, there is an estimate that one of every five Australians experience mental illness. Mental illness is the third leading cause of disability burden in Australia, approximately 27% of the total years lost due to disability. 4% of people who experience depressive episode in 12-month are accounted to effected by mental illness, with 5% of women and 3% of men. 14% of Australians are affected by anxiety disorder within a 12-month period. While 3% of the Australian population are affected by psychotic illness; such as schizophrenia, where is loss of contact with reality during the episode of the illness.

2% of the population with mental illness experience eating disorder, which may occur during their life with women 9 times more than men. 5% experience substance abuse disorder in any 12-month period, men more than twice as likely as women to have substance abuse.

Prevalence of mental disorder decreases with age. The most affected age is between 18-24 years. Women are more prone in developing anxiety disorders (18% compared with 11%), and mood disorders (7.1% compared with 5.3%). A national survey proves that 35% of people with mental disorder have used mental health services and 29% consulted a GP within the 12 months before the survey. Women are more likely than men to receive medical services. In Australia, the prevalence of mental or behavioral disorders among people born abroad is similar to those born in Australia. May violent people have no history of mental disorder and most people with mental disorder (90%) have no history of violence. 

REFERENCES:

http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention/talking-to-media-about-mental-illness/facts-and-stats