AIHW mental health-related reports

In the 2022–‍2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, there was an increase in the proportion of people aged 18 and over reporting high and very high levels of psychological distress (17%) and in the proportion receiving diagnoses and treatment for mental illness (18%), compared with 2019. While use of licit and illicit drugs remains high, the proportion of people smoking daily in both groups has declined since 2019.

This article explores the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs among people experiencing psychological distress, and those who have been diagnosed or treated for a mental health condition in the previous 12 months. While these two groups are explored separately, there is overlap between them, and comparisons between people experiencing psychological distress and people with a mental health condition should not be made directly.

Mental health services: in brief 2019 is the companion publication to the online report Mental health services in Australia. The in brief provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians.

Mental health services: In brief 2018 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians.

Mental health services: in brief 2017 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians.

Mental health services – In brief 2016 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians. It is designed to accompany the more comprehensive data on Australia’s mental health services.

Mental health services—in brief 2015 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians. It is designed to accompany the more comprehensive data on Australia’s mental health services available online at .

Mental health services—in brief 2014 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians. It is designed to accompany the more comprehensive data on Australia’s mental health services available online.

Mental health services—in brief 2013 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians. It is designed to accompany the more comprehensive data on Australia's mental health services available online at .

The prototype Mental Health Intervention Classification (MHIC) has been developed so that information on mental health interventions can be collected using a standard classification scheme. Adoption of the prototype will enable nationally comparable and consistent reporting of trends, patterns and best practice in the provision of mental health services.

Mental health services—in brief 2012 provides an overview of the national response to the mental health needs of Australians. It includes information on mental health service provision, available mental health resources and the changes that have occurred in these over time. The publication complements the more comprehensive data that is available online at Mental health services in Australia http://mhsa.aihw.gov.au.

There is a complex relationship between mental health and substance use. This article focuses on alcohol and other drug use, harms and treatment among people with mental health conditions in Australia. The reporting uses data from a range of sources, mostly national administrative and survey data.

This paper explores what it means to flourish in later life for First Nations people, with a focus on social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention. It highlights the value of strengths-based, culturally informed approaches and outlines opportunities to improve service delivery, policy, and outcomes for older First Nations people.

This paper analyses key themes in Indigenous mental health and suicide prevention research from the AIHW’s Research and evaluation register. It highlights cultural safety, community connection, and First Nations-led approaches, offering valuable insights to inform more effective, culturally grounded policies and programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing.

The National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030 (NPHS) aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians through prevention. The National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032 is a framework for action to prevent, reduce and treat overweight and obesity. This report monitors progress against the targets set out in the strategies. It uses the latest available data to provide a mid-point assessment of how Australia is tracking, with a focus on trends and inequalities.

This paper examines the intersection of physical and mental health among First Nations people, focusing on chronic disease management and social and emotional wellbeing. It evaluates various culturally safe and community-driven health programs and policies, highlighting the importance of cultural connection, person-centred care, and overcoming barriers to improve health outcomes.

This paper examines the interconnectedness of alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related harm and mental ill-health. It highlights the importance of evidence-based, integrated responses to AOD-MH that prioritise community ownership and trauma-informed care. This paper synthesises research on AOD-MH in First Nations communities with studies of AOD-related harms and studies of mental health, wellbeing and SEWB.

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National guidelines recommend that all women are screened for signs and risk factors of mental health conditions during the perinatal period. This report brings together the latest perinatal mental health screening data in 2022 from 4 state and territory health authorities and how these vary by maternal characteristics and behaviours, birth settings, and birth outcomes. For the first time, analysis of models of care provided to women in Queensland and detailed antenatal mental health and family violence risk factor screening data from New South Wales public health services are presented. Further, it describes how efforts to improve reporting and targeted initiatives that improve outcomes for mothers and their families may be possible through data development and integration opportunities.

The AIHW Specialist Homelessness Services Collection includes information about clients receiving homelessness services support from 1 July 2011 onwards. These data have been analysed to examine service usage patterns and demographics for specific cohorts. Additional insights will be added regularly to this report.

Understanding mental wellbeing, the presence of mental health conditions, and incidence of self-injury in aged care service users is important to establish needs and plan for policy and service delivery.

This web report provides a snapshot of what is known about the mental health needs of individuals at the time of assessment for aged care services (that is, prior to, or at, entry to care) and of deaths due to suicide while accessing aged care, using linked data from the National Aged Care Data Clearinghouse and the National Death Index.

This article provides an overview of mental health patients who accessed mental health and non-mental health services provided through the Medicare Benefits Schedule and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule. It examines how patient profiles and use patterns changed during the 2012–2021 period.