Mental health disorders have surged among Australia's youth, with young women experiencing the highest rates, according to the nation's first comprehensive mental health survey in 15 years.
The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing provides a country-wide snapshot of the prevalence and impact of mental health conditions in the community.
Conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it was last undertaken in 2007.
More than 5,500 Australians aged between 16 and 65 were involved in the new study, which took place between December 2020 and July 2021.
A shadow pandemic of mental ill health
The data paints a concerning picture of the state of mental health among young Australians and comes after repeated warnings from mental health experts about a "shadow pandemic" of mental ill health.
Almost 40 per cent of people aged between 16 and 24 reported experiencing a mental health disorder in the year leading up to the survey.
Among young women, the rate was even higher, with almost half found to be living with a mental illness during the same period, compared to roughly a third of young men.
Australians who identified as LGBTQI+ also had elevated rates of mental illness, with almost half experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder in 2020-2021.
One in four young people reported seeking mental health support from a health professional, but more than a third said they did not receive the counselling they needed.
Australians asked about self-harm and lived experience of suicide for the first time
The survey also included several new questions, including on disordered eating, self-harm and the lived experience of suicide.
Just under 9 per cent of Australians reported having self-harmed at some point in their lives, while young women were found to be most at risk.
Roughly a quarter of women aged between 16 and 34 reported having self-harmed at some point, while one in 14 had self-harmed in the last year.
The survey also showed the devastating impact of suicide, with two in five Australians having had someone close to them die by suicide or attempt suicide during their lifetime.
More than one in 20 people reported someone close to them dying by suicide or attempting suicide in the year leading up to the survey.
About one in six Australians experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours during their lives, while just under one in 20 had made a suicide attempt.
Anxiety disorders remain the most common mental health conditions
While mental health conditions spiked among some groups, overall lifetime rates of mental health appeared relatively stable.
The survey found more than two in five Australian adults have experienced a mental health condition at some point in their lives, while one in five experienced a mental health disorder in 2020-2021.
This is relatively similar to the findings of the 2007 study, which in large parts is not directly comparable, due to changes in diagnoses for some mental health conditions.
Anxiety disorders were the most common conditions, affecting almost 17 per cent of Australians; followed by affective disorders (7.5pc), including depression and bipolar; and substance use disorders, which affected around 3 per cent.
Women of all ages were at higher risk for mental illness, experiencing most disorders, except substance use disorder, more frequently than men.
Women were also more likely to seek help for their mental health, with 55 per cent of women who lived with a mental illness in 2020-2021 reporting seeing a mental health professional.
National survey still ongoing
The findings are just the first phase of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, which is part of a larger multi-year national intergenerational health survey.
About 11,000 people are currently taking part in the second phase, with results expected in 2023.
Once finished, the mental health study will be the largest ever in Australia, with 17,000 people expected to take part.
The survey is expected to provide the data to enable governments and other health providers to plan and coordinate better health services.
Pandemic and natural disasters contributing to mental health disorders
Suicide Prevention Australia chief executive Nieves Murray said the pandemic and natural disasters were compounding to create a mental health crisis.
"We are now at a critical juncture for suicide prevention," she said.
"Research finds the largest increase in suicide rates can occur two-to-three years after a disaster, when initial support factors subside and immediate community responses fade away.
"It's important to remember that every statistic represents a life lost or an individual in distress that has a cascading impact among families, friends, colleagues and community groups."
She called on the federal government to introduce a national suicide prevention act to help mitigate the impacts of factors contributing to mental ill-health like interest rates, financial stress and affordable housing.
Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler said the government had reversed cuts to regional mental telehealth services to support those experiencing mental health difficulties.
"We know that ease of access is essential to people seeking support and telehealth mental health services continue to be delivered to regional and remote Australians," he said.
"Our government is developing a free mental health check tool to prompt more people to have the important first conversation with their GP or health care provider to respond to mental ill health earlier."
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride said demand for mental health support had surged to record levels across the country.
"The Albanese government is working to deliver a range of mental health support measures including a $200 million student wellbeing boost to help school kids bounce back from the pandemic," she said.
"We have also delivered $44 million to improve headspace services across Australia so young people can get the care they need when they need it."
