MENTAL AND BEHAVIOURAL CONDITIONS

Mental and behavioural conditions comprise a range of organic conditions (such as dementia and genetic disorders) and psychological conditions (such as depression, substance use disorders and anxiety disorders).

In 2014-15 there were 4 million Australians (17.5%) who reported having a mental or behavioural condition.

Of people who reported having a mental or behavioural condition, 53.8% had consulted a GP in the last 12 months for their condition, 23.8% had consulted a specialist and 29.1% had consulted an other type of health professional. The most commonly visited other health professionals were psychologists (18.3%).

In 2014-15, of people with a mental or behavioural condition who were employed, at school or studying around one-quarter (28.2%) took time off work or study/school in the last 12 months due to their condition. In general, younger people were affected more than older people, with one-third (37.7%) of 15-24 year olds with a mental or behavioural condition reporting having time off in the last 12 months.





In 2014-15, nearly one-third (29.8%) of people reporting a mental and behavioural condition reported taking antidepressants for their condition within the last two weeks. Other common medications taken in the last 2 weeks included tablets or capsules for anxiety or nerves (12.2%), and sleeping tablets or capsules (8.1%). Of all people with a mental or behavioural condition, half (49.7%) had not taken any type of medication for their condition in the last 2 weeks.





Of all specific medications taken in the last 2 weeks reported by persons with a mental or behavioural condition, the most common were psychoanaleptics (35.3%), analgesics (20.8%) and psycholeptics (12.1%).