Mental health
Mental health services activity monitoring quarterly data
Key events
This timeline covers key events within the last 4 years that have impacted mental health related service activity. It is not always possible to tease apart the effects of events that overlap each other or impact smaller regions and populations however several highlighted events can be seen directly in the data. For example, the introduction of mental health-related telehealth items on 13 March 2020 and the subsequent peak of use from 13–19 April 2020 are distinct in the national telehealth MBS data.
2019–2020 Bushfires
1 July 2019 to 4 March 2020
The 2019–20 bushfire season saw unprecedented fires sweep across eastern Australia with a massive impact on many communities, devastating the natural environment and compromising air quality. The destruction of property, displacement of communities and prolonged exposure to extreme conditions had an impact on mental health and increased use of mental health services both during and after the events (AIHW 2020).
National Lockdown
18 March 2020
The first case of COVID-19 (then known as novel coronavirus, nCoV-19) in Australia was reported on 25 January 2020 in Victoria with an additional 3 cases reported in NSW on the same day. Through February the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments announced a series of travel restrictions and advice as other countries experienced increasingly severe outbreaks of the virus. In March, governments announced a series of health and economic support packages together with a broad range of restrictions including mandatory mask wearing, restriction of movement and remote teaching and working were possible (PoA 2020a, PoA 2020b)
Introduction of COVID-19 mental health telehealth items
13 March 2020
During the pandemic, the Australian Government introduced additional services to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to support provision of health care via telehealth (telephone and videoconference). Telehealth was introduced as an alternative to face-to-face healthcare services to provide protection for both patients and healthcare providers. This was intended to reduce the risk of community transmission of COVID-19. These MBS items include mental health services provided by GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other allied health workers. In December 2021, the Australian Government announced that telehealth will become a permanent feature of primary healthcare (DoH 2021b).
PBS mental health-related prescriptions peak
16 March 2020 to 22 March 2020
PBS mental health-related prescriptions experienced a weekly maximum of nearly 1,014,000 in the week beginning 16 March 2020, corresponding to the expansion of Continued Dispensing (Emergency Measures) and messaging around obtaining necessary medication (Services Australia 2021, DoH 2022). This represents a 19% increase in the number of mental health-related prescriptions dispensed in the four weeks to 29 March 2020 compared with the four weeks to 31 March 2019.
Lockdown in Victoria
2 August 2020 to 27 October 2020
Lockdown restrictions began in Melbourne and surrounding regional areas to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases following the start of Victoria’s second wave (Vic DHHS 2020a). Restrictions included curfews, a limit of how far from home a person could travel and on people gathering. On 27 October 2020, with no newly diagnosed cases in the state, the lockdown was eased (Vic DHHS 2020b).
Additional 10 mental health sessions
7 August 2020 to 31 December 2022
Services under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS initiative (Better Access) are available to Australians with clinically diagnosed mental health disorders (DoH 2021a). In response to the pandemic, the Australian Government doubled the number of Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions per year to 20, initially to 31 December 2021, then extended to 31 December 2022 (DoH 2021b). On 12 December 2022, the Australian Government announced the additional 10 sessions would not continue beyond 31 December 2022. (DHAC 2022b, DHAC 2022d).
Brief snap lockdowns Vic, Qld, WA
1 January 2021 to 1 April 2021
There were brief snap lockdowns in Victoria (Vic), Queensland (Qld), and Western Australia (WA) to contain COVID-19 spread. From 12 to 17 February 2021 a lockdown was introduced in Vic following a cluster of community acquired cases linked to hotel quarantine (Vic DHHS 2021a). From 8 to 11 January 2021 and 29 March to 1 April 2021, lockdowns were introduced in Greater Brisbane, Qld (Qld Health 2021a, Qld Gov 2021). And from 31 January to 5 February 2021, lockdowns were introduced in Perth, Peel and Southwest Regions of WA when a hotel quarantine guard tested positive to COVID-19 (WA Gov 2021).
Extensive lockdowns NSW, Vic, ACT
1 July 2021 to 17 October 2021
A series of extensive lockdowns and/or extended lockdowns occurred in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (Vic), and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) from July to October of 2021. In August 2021, lockdowns were introduced across all regional NSW (NSW Health 2021c). In October 2021, lockdowns were eased, fully vaccinated stay-at-home orders were removed, venues were reopened and mask wearing outdoors was no longer required (NSW Premier 2021b, NSW Premier 2021c). In Vic a lockdown was introduced in July following interstate incursions of COVID-19 (Vic DHHS 2021b, Vic DHHS 2021c). A state-wide lockdown was introduced in August following new locally acquired cases (Vic DHHS 2021d). Several short-term lockdowns occurred through October in Greater Shepparton, Moorabool Shire, City of Latrobe and Mildura (Vic DHHS 2021e, Vic DHHS 2021f, Vic DHHS 2021g, Vic DHHS 2021h). On 17 October 2021 the lockdowns were lifted in restricted areas across Victoria (Vic DHHS 2021i).
Restrictions introduced due to Omicron variant
24 November 2021 to 16 January 2022
From December 2021 to January 2022 widespread restrictions were introduced due to outbreaks of the Omicron variant across the nation, including through the Christmas and New Year period. In January 2022 state-wide restrictions were reintroduced in New South Wales (NSW) (NSW Premier 2021a). The lifting of restrictions, together with the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 coincided with a significant increase in cases in NSW, from a low of 208 daily case numbers on 5 December 2021 to a peak of 45,098 on 7 January 2022 (NSW Health 2021a, NSW Health 2021b). In Victoria from the end of November 2021 evidence of vaccination was required across a wide range of industries, and mandatory indoor mask wearing was reintroduced in December 2021 (Vic Premier 2021, Vic DHHS 2021j). In Queensland mandatory mask wearing was required across the state from December 2021 (QLD Health2022). In Western Australia masks were required indoors from January 2022 in Perth and Peel regions due to the Omicron variant outbreak (WA Gov 2022a). This was extended to WA’s South West regions, Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions (WA Gov 2022b)
East coast flooding QLD, NSW and Vic
22 February 2022 to 30 November 2022
From February to April 2022 widespread flooding affected the east coast of Australia with Queensland and New South Wales heavily impacted. Victoria also experienced widespread flooding later in the year from 12 October 2022 onward. Commonwealth and state governments provided additional support for mental health services in affected regions, including support for local mental health services and additional support for the mental health of children and young people (BOM 2022, QRA 2022, DHAC 2022c, NSW Health 2022b, QLD Gov 2022b).
Vaccination rates began to meet state targets, restrictions eased
1 March 2022 to 9 September 2022
From February 2022 restrictions were progressively eased across Australia as vaccination rates began to meet state targets. In April New South Wales restrictions were eased as booster uptake passed 50% and hospitalisation and ICU rates decreased (NSW premier 2022). At the same time restrictions were eased in Victoria as two-thirds of Victorians aged 16 years and over had received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (Vic DHHS 2022), in Queensland as 90% of Queenslanders aged 12 and over were fully vaccinated (QLD Gov 2022) and in Western Australia as the booster uptake reached over 80% (WA Gov 2022c). September 2022 also marked another major easing of restrictions as in most states and territories the self-isolation period was reduced from 7 to 5 days and mask wearing requirements were reduced (NSW Health 2022a, Vic Premier 2022, QLD Gov 2022a, WA Gov 2022d).
Medicare-subsidised services and mental health prescriptions
Medicare-subsidised services are provided by psychiatrists, general practitioners (GPs), psychologists and other allied health professionals. These services are provided in a range of settings – including hospitals, consulting rooms, home visits, telephone and videoconferencing – as defined in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Information is limited to Medicare-subsidised services only and covers the last 4 years of data up to the end of the 2023 March quarter. For further information on the long term analysis of MBS data please refer to the Medicare-subsidised services section.
PBS mental health-related prescriptions
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions reported in this section include medications classified as antidepressants (N06A); antipsychotics (N05A); anxiolytics (N05B); hypnotics and sedatives (N05C); and psychostimulants, agents used for ADHD and nootropics (N06B). Data include PBS subsidised (above-co-payment) and under-co-payment prescriptions.
National
MBS
A total of 3,241,271 MBS mental health services were processed nationally in the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was less than 1% change, 6% lower and 5% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services processed (3,614,951) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Telehealth
20% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth nationally in the March quarter 2023 (Q1). This compares with 32%, 22% and 5% delivered via telehealth during the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services delivered via telehealth (1,315,011) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
PBS
The number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed (11,075,755) nationally in the March quarter 2023 (Q1) was 2%, 6% and 6% higher than the same in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2022 (Q4).
New South Wales
MBS
A total of 993,074 MBS mental health services were processed in NSW during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 1% higher, 6% lower and 7% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services processed (1,095,330) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2021 (Q2).
Telehealth
22% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth in NSW during the March quarter 2023 (Q1). This compares with 36%, 19% and 5% delivered via telehealth during the same period in 2022, 2021and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services delivered via telehealth (515,512) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
PBS
The number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed (3,142,029) in NSW during the March quarter 2023 (Q1) was 2%, 5% and 3% higher than the same in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2022 (Q4).
Victoria
MBS
A total of 930,927 MBS mental health services were processed in Vic during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 1%, 7% lower and 5% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services processed (1,089,337) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
Telehealth
26% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth in Vic during the March quarter 2022 (Q1). This compares with 39%, 37% and 4% delivered via telehealth during the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services delivered via telehealth (634,651) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
PBS
The number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed (2,789,323) in Vic during the March quarter 2023 (Q1) was 2%, 7% and 7% higher than the same in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2022 (Q4).
Queensland
MBS
A total of 681,345 MBS mental health services were processed in Qld during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 1% higher, 7% lower and 1% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services processed (742,730) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Telehealth
16% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth in Qld during the March quarter 2023 (Q1). This compares with 25%, 15% and 5% delivered via telehealth during the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services delivered via telehealth (255,430) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
PBS
The number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed (2,501,656) in Qld during the March quarter 2023 (Q1) was 2%, 6% and 8% higher than the same in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2022 (Q4).
Western Australia
MBS
A total of 313,929 MBS mental health services were processed in WA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 5% and 5% lower, and 10% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services processed from 2020 to date (348,511) was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Telehealth
11% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth in WA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1). This compares with 15%, 11% and 3% delivered via telehealth during the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services delivered via telehealth from 2020 to date (87,182) was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
PBS
The number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed (1,214,659) in WA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1) was 3%, 10% and 10% higher than the same in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2022 (Q4).
South Australia
MBS
A total of 197,971 MBS mental health services were processed in SA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 1% higher, 5% lower and less than 1% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services processed (221,177) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Telehealth
17% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth in SA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1). This compares with 31%, 14% and 5% delivered via telehealth during the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services delivered via telehealth (77,912) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
PBS
The number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed (818,291) in SA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1) was 1%, 3% and 3% higher than the same in 2022, 2021 and 2020 respectively. The highest number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2022 (Q4).
Tasmania
MBS
A total of 59,701 MBS mental health services were processed in Tas during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 3% higher, 6% lower and less than 1% change than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services processed (69,848) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
Telehealth
17% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth in Tas during the March quarter 2023 (Q1). This compares with 26%, 15% and 7% delivered via telehealth during the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services delivered via telehealth (30,973) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
PBS
The number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed (323,317) in Tas during the March quarter 2023 (Q1) was 2%, 7% and 9% higher than the same in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2022 (Q4).
Australian Capital Territory
MBS
A total of 52,383 MBS mental health services were processed in the ACT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 3%, 3% and 25% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services processed (57,305) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2022 (Q3).
Telehealth
12% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth in the ACT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1). This compares with 30%, 14% and 3% delivered via telehealth during the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services delivered via telehealth (19,893) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
PBS
The number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed (186,628) in the ACT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1) was 4%,11% and 14% higher than the same in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2022 (Q4).
Northern Territory
MBS
A total of 11,775 MBS mental health services were processed in the NT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 4%, 3% and 22% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services processed (12,698) from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2021 (Q4).
Telehealth
23% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth in the NT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1). This compares with 28%, 19% and 7% delivered via telehealth during the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of MBS services delivered via telehealth (3,222) from 2020 to date was observed in the March quarter 2022 (Q1).
PBS
The number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed (52,794) in NT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1) was 4%, 10% and 3% higher than the same in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of PBS mental health-related prescriptions dispensed from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2022 (Q4).
Crisis support organisations, National
Crisis support organisations such as Lifeline, Kids Helpline and Beyond Blue are available to support Australians experiencing mental health issues. Activity for these organisations is reported in this section as contacts, representing service demand, and answered contacts, representing the total number of contacts answered by each organisation.
- Lifeline data are for phone calls.
- Kids Helpline data include phone, webchat and email contacts.
- Beyond Blue data include phone, webchat and email contacts. Data from July 2020 to December 2022 includes contacts and answered contacts for both the Beyond Blue main service and dedicated COVID-19 service.
Crisis support organisations, States and territories
Crisis support organisations such as Lifeline, Kids Helpline and Beyond Blue are available to support Australians experiencing mental health issues. In this section answered contacts data are disaggregated by state/territory, where state/territory information is available.
- Lifeline data are for phone calls.
- Kids Helpline data include phone, webchat and email contacts.
- Beyond Blue data include phone, webchat and email contacts. Data from July 2020 to December 2022 includes contacts and answered contacts for both the Beyond Blue main service and dedicated COVID-19 service.
Online mental health resources and support, National
For ReachOut and Head to Health, the average number of website users per day represents the average daily volume for website activity.
Online mental health resources and support, States and territories
ReachOut weekly website visits represents the total weekly volume for ReachOut website activity. ReachOut disaggregation by jurisdiction analyses website visits because user count is unavailable by jurisdiction.
National
Lifeline
A total of 278,910 contacts were made to Lifeline nationally in the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 3% lower, 1% and 9% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts made to Lifeline (297,155) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
A total of 216,967 contacts were answered by Lifeline nationally in the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 11% and 13% lower, and 1% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Lifeline (268,750) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Kids Helpline
A total of 79,138 contacts were made to Kids Helpline nationally in the March quarter 2023 (Q1) this was 10%, 4% and 14% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts made to Kids Helpline (102,121) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
A total of 35,428 contacts were answered by Kids Helpline nationally in the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 6%, 26% and 13% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Kids Helpline (48,589) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Beyond Blue
A total of 86,229 contacts were made to Beyond Blue nationally in the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 13%, 16% and 29% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts made to Beyond Blue (87,871) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
A total of 54,401 contacts were answered by Beyond Blue nationally in March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 1%, 22% and 6% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Beyond Blue (81,602) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
ReachOut
An average of 6,846 website users per day were reported in March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 2%, 19% and 27% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of average website users per day (10,866) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Head to Health
An average of 2,739 website users per day were reported in the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 10% higher, 20% lower and 13% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of average website users per day (4,708) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
New South Wales
Lifeline
A total of 68,749 contacts were answered by Lifeline in NSW during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 14%, 20% and 3% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Lifeline (93,343) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Kids Helpline
A total of 8,053 contacts were answered by Kids Helpline in NSW during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 14%, 37% and 32% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Kids Helpline (13,821) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
Beyond Blue
A total of 9,771 contacts were answered by Beyond Blue in NSW during March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 4% higher, 25% and 19% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Beyond Blue (17,149) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
ReachOut
ReachOut reported a total of 250,328 website visits in NSW during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 7%, 15% and 10% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of website visits (360,914) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Victoria
Lifeline
A total of 62,800 contacts were answered by Lifeline in Vic during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 8% and 9% lower, and 2% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Lifeline (78,588) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Kids Helpline
A total of 6,460 contacts were answered by Kids Helpline in Vic during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 11%, 43% and 28% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Kids Helpline (12,426) from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2020 (Q4).
Beyond Blue
A total of 10,000 contacts were answered by Beyond Blue in Vic during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 10% higher, 29% and 9% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Beyond Blue (20,753) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
ReachOut
ReachOut reported a total of 148,681 website visits in Vic during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 6%, 20% and 21% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of website visits (268,115) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Queensland
Lifeline
A total of 43,847 contacts were answered by Lifeline in Qld during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 3% lower, less than 1% change and 3% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Lifeline (47,516) from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2021 (Q4).
Kids Helpline
A total of 5,663 contacts were answered by Kids Helpline in Qld during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 1%, 23% and 21% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Kids Helpline (7,766) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
Beyond Blue
A total of 5,408 contacts were answered by Beyond Blue in Qld during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 6% higher, 27% and 14% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Beyond Blue (7,824) from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2020 (Q4).
ReachOut
ReachOut reported a total of 106,674 website visits in Qld during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 8%, 22% and 23% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of website visits (156,716) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Western Australia
Lifeline
A total of 15,454 contacts were answered by Lifeline in WA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 8% and 7% lower, and 15% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Lifeline (20,002) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Kids Helpline
A total of 1,806 contacts were answered by Kids Helpline in WA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 24%, 46% and 36% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Kids Helpline (3,358) from 2020 to date was observed in the March quarter 2021 (Q1).
Beyond Blue
A total of 3,224 contacts were answered by Beyond Blue in WA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 23% higher, 19% and 2% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Beyond Blue (3,995) from 2020 to date was observed in the March quarter 2021 (Q1).
ReachOut
ReachOut reported a total of 60,464 website visits in WA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was less than 1% change, 18% and 16% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of website visits (82,193) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
South Australia
Lifeline
A total of 16,345 contacts were answered by Lifeline in SA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 23%, 30% and 1% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Lifeline (24,836) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Kids Helpline
A total of 1,414 contacts were answered by Kids Helpline in SA during March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 29%, 48% and 35% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Kids Helpline (2,844) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2021 (Q2).
Beyond Blue
A total of 2,636 contacts were answered by Beyond Blue in SA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 4%, 25% and 3% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Beyond Blue (3,617) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
ReachOut
ReachOut reported a total of 39,247 website users in SA during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 8%, 25% and 23% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of website users (62,090) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Tasmania
Lifeline
A total of 4,046 contacts were answered by Lifeline in Tas during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 15% and 5% higher, and 30% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Lifeline (6,187) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Kids Helpline
A total of 1,128 contacts were answered by Kids Helpline in Tas during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 5%, 66% and 38% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Kids Helpline (3,577) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Beyond Blue
A total of 581 contacts were answered by Beyond Blue in Tas during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 7%, 29% and 31% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Beyond Blue (975) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
ReachOut
ReachOut reported a total of 10,366 website users in Tas during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 10% higher, less than 1% change and 11% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of website users (12,980) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Australian Capital Territory
Lifeline
A total of 4,679 contacts were answered by Lifeline in the ACT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 20% and 15% lower, and 3% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Lifeline (6,672) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2021 (Q3).
Kids Helpline
A total of 484 contacts were answered by Kids Helpline in the ACT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 34%, 54% and 34% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Kids Helpline (1,042) from 2020 to date was observed in the March quarter 2021 (Q1).
Beyond Blue
A total of 587 contacts were answered by Beyond Blue in the ACT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 20% higher, 21% lower and 10% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Beyond Blue (890) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
ReachOut
ReachOut reported a total of 8,658 website users in the ACT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 36%, 40% and 33% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of website users (17,605) from 2020 to date was observed in the June quarter 2020 (Q2).
Northern Territory
Lifeline
A total of 1,033 contacts were answered by Lifeline in the NT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 8% higher, 6% lower and 31% higher than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Lifeline (1,278) from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2021 (Q4).
Kids Helpline
A total of 64 contacts were answered by Kids Helpline in the NT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1) this was 45%, 73% and 65% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Kids Helpline (284) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
Beyond Blue
A total of 250 contacts were answered by Beyond Blue in the NT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 40% higher, 17% and 7% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of contacts answered by Beyond Blue (347) from 2020 to date was observed in the December quarter 2020 (Q4).
ReachOut
ReachOut reported a total of 1,697 website visits in the NT during the March quarter 2023 (Q1), this was 17% higher, 13% and 5% lower than the same period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The highest number of website visits (2,493) from 2020 to date was observed in the September quarter 2020 (Q3).
