Understanding mental health
Mental health statistics
- Every year, 1 in 5 Australians aged 16-85 will experience a mental health condition
- Half of all mental health conditions experienced will have started by the age of 14
Mental health is a key component of a person’s health and wellbeing. It has an impact on the way you feel, think and act across the day and has secondary impacts on the way you perceive relationships, work, stress and everyday life.
Everybody naturally has mental health. Much like physical health, it is just a component of the person that you are.
When referring to mental health, usually it will be referencing mental ill health or mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, post natal depression or schizophrenia.
Population groups who are more at risk of suffering from mental ill health include:
- men
- indigenous populations
- rural and remote populations
- youth and adolescents
- older adults
- people with a physical illness or disability
- people with a history of substance use
- LGBTIQ+ individuals
- people who are unemployed or living in relative poverty
- people who are isolated or do not have connections within their community.
Mental ill health can affect anyone, at any time and sometimes what seems like for no apparent reason.