Mental Health Services in Australia

Mental health services in Australia provides a picture of the national response of the health and welfare service system to the mental health care needs of Australians.

Mental illness comprises a wide range of disorders and varies in its severity. The effect of mental illness can be severe on the individuals and families concerned and its influence is far-reaching for society as a whole. Social problems commonly associated with mental illness include poverty, unemployment or reduced productivity and homelessness. Those with mental illness often experience problems such as isolation, discrimination and stigma.

Around 7.3 million or 45% of Australians aged 16–85 years will experience a common mental health-related condition such as depression, anxiety or a substance use disorder in their lifetime according to the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Estimates from second National Survey of Psychosis conducted in March 2010 suggest almost 64,000 people have a psychotic illness and are in contact with public specialised mental health services each year.

AIHW estimates that over $6 billion per annum is spent on mental health-related services in Australia. Services include residential and community services, hospital based services (both in-patient and outpatient), consultation with specialists and General practitioners.

Mental health services topics