Mental health

Healthy throughout life

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Metrics

  • Proportion of adults in the general population experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress as measured by the Kessler 10 (K10) Psychological Distress Scale
  • Proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults experiencing high or very high levels of levels of psychological distress as measured by the Kessler 5 (K5) Psychological Distress Scale

Why this matters

Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

One measure of the mental health and wellbeing of our population is psychological distress.

Progress

Adults experiencing psychological distress

In 2022, 14% of people aged 18 years and over experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress - similar to 2017-18 (14%) and an increase from 2011-12 (11%).

The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing also reported around 17% of people aged 16-85 years experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-22.

From 2026 onwards, this indicator will be updated annually with data from the expanded General Social Survey.

  1. Based on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). K10 is a useful measure of psychological distress which offers an indication of a limited aspect of the mental health and wellbeing of the population during the four week period prior to the measurement. Psychological distress is not a diagnostic of mental illness and may be impacted, in the short-term, by life stressors
  2. Totals excludes persons not present at interview for cycles 2011-12 and onwards.
Data Source
ABS National Health Survey - Table 1.3

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults experiencing psychological distress

In 2018-19, around three in 10 (31%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years and over experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress, about the same as 2012-13 (30%).

Analysis of the Mayi Kuwayu study found that in the period from 2018 to 2021, 42% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress. Psychological distress prevalence was higher for those experiencing everyday racial discrimination (49% compared with 32% for people who didn't experience everyday racial discrimination).

  1. Based on the modified Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K5). K5 is a subset of questions derived from the K10 which incorporates minor wording changes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples surveys and is a useful measure of psychological distress. The K5 offers an indication of limited aspects of the mental health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population during the four-week period prior to interview. Psychological distress is not a diagnostic of mental illness and may be impacted, in the short-term, by life stressors.
Data Source
ABS National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey - Table 1.3

Differences across groups

In 2022, females aged 18 years and over were more likely to experience high or very high levels of psychological distress than males in the same age group (17% compared with 12%). 

In 2018-19, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years and over who experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress was:

  • higher for females than males (35% compared with 26%)
  • about the same for people living in non-remote areas and remote areas (31% compared with 28%)
  • about the same for all age groups.

Disaggregation

Further information about the proportion of people experiencing high psychological distress is available at the ABS National Health Survey, the ABS National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, and the ABS National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey.

Disaggregation available includes:

  • Age
  • Sex
  • Remoteness.

Additional sources

Thurber KA, Brinckley M-M (Wiradjuri), Jones R (Palawa), Evans O (Gomeroi), Nichols K (Kungarakan), Priest N, Guo S, Williams DR, Gee GC, Joshy G, Banks E, Thandrayen J, Baffour B, Mohamed J (Narrunga Kaurna), Calma T (Kungarakan/Iwaidja), Lovett R (Ngiyampaa/Wongaibon), (2022), 'Population-level contribution of interpersonal discrimination to psychological distress among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, and to Indigenous–non-Indigenous inequities: cross-sectional analysis of a community-controlled First Nations cohort study', The Lancet, 400(10368):2084-2094, accessed 15 August 2024.