AIHW mental health-related reports

A National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) is a core set of data elements agreed by the National Health Information Management Group for mandatory collection and reporting at a national level. One NMDS may include data elements that are also included in another National Minimum Data Set. A NMDS is contingent upon a national agreement to collect uniform data and to supply it as part of the national collection, but does not preclude agencies and service providers from collecting additional data to meet their own specific needs. The National Health Data Dictionary contains definitions of data elements that are included in NMDS collections in the health sector, including data elements used to derive some of the performance indicators required under Australian Health Care Agreements (bilateral agreements between the Commonwealth and State/Territory governments about funding and delivery of health services). The following pages contain the Community mental health establishments NMDS and its associated data elements and data element concepts.

Mental health services in Australia 2000-01 describes the characteristics and activity of Australia's mental health care services including ambulatory and residential mental health-related care provided by hospitals, community-based services, general practitioners, private psychiatrists and some disability support services. Information on the broad trends in mental health care is presented in easy-to-use summaries. Detailed statistics show the hospital care of patients admitted with a mental health-related diagnosis, the services, beds, staffing and expenditure in psychiatric hospitals and community-based services, and mental health-related medications prescribed by general practitioners and private psychiatrists.

Mental Health Services in Australia 1999-00 describes the characteristics and activity of Australia's mental health care services including ambulatory and residential mental health-related care provided by hospitals, community-based services, general practitioners, private psychiatrists and some disability support services. Detailed statistics show hospital care of patients admitted with a mental health-related diagnosis, the services, beds, staffing and expenditure in psychiatric hospitals and community-based services, and mental health-related medications prescribed by general practitioners and private psychiatrists.

"Mental health services in Australia 1998-99: National Minimum Data Sets - mental health care" provides detailed statistics on the characteristics and hospital care of admitted patients with a mental health related diagnosis and/or who were treated in specialised psychiatric services during 1998-99. For the first time data on Australia's community based mental health services are presented. These data, and data on psychiatric hospitals, include the number of services and beds in Australia, and key statistics on staffing and expenditure. The report also outlines data developments for collecting more comprehensive mental health service information.

This is the first report to provide detailed statistics on the characteristics and hospital care of admitted patients with a mental disorder diagnosis and/or who were treated in specialised psychiatric services during 1997-98. Statistics on psychiatric hospitals and specialised services in acute hospitals are also provided. The report provides additional information from a range of sources that places hospital data in a broader context of service delivery across different settings. It includes data on private psychiatric services, general practice activity related to mental health care, and population data on the use of health services for mental disorders.

Focuses on depression and builds on the data and trends provided in the First Report on National Health Priority Areas. It provides an overview of mental health, summarises the current status of mental health activity in Australia and proposes a framework for future collaborative action between all stakeholders. This is one in a series of biennial reports to Australian Health Ministers on each of the five National Health Priority Areas (NHPAs). It is part of a process that involves various levels of government and draws upon expert advice from non-government sources, with the primary goal of improving the health of Australians.

Summarises the 'NHPA report on mental health 1998: a report focusing on depression', which updates data and trends provided in the First Report on National Health Priority Areas, outlines the current status of mental health in Australia and proposes a framework for future collaborative action between all stakeholders.

Employment is a protective factor for mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This paper provides an overview of policies and programs that address employment and its association with mental health outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

[Summary PDF | 2.51MB]

This paper covers evidence on the importance of housing and homelessness in the improvement
of mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It also includes key
information about research, evaluation, program and policy initiatives and outlines limitations and
gaps in the evidence.

[Summary PDF | 2.3MB]

This paper provides a synthesis of relevant information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander self-governance in relation to mental health and wellbeing. It also explores the ways
in which self-governance is enabled by Indigenous organisations and how this also contributes to
Indigenous wellbeing.

[Summary PDF | 2.29MB]

Childhood is an important time for healthy development, learning, and establishing the foundations for future wellbeing. Most Australian children are healthy, safe and doing well. However, childhood is also a time of vulnerability and a child’s outcomes can vary depending on where they live and their family’s circumstances. This report brings together a range of data on children’s wellbeing and their experiences at home, school and in the community. Highlights are presented in Australia’s children: in brief.

This report summarises evidence on the prevalence of sleep problems and their relationship with chronic health conditions. It shows that Australian adults commonly report sleep problems, and that getting too much or too little sleep is associated with an increased risk of several conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Data limitations and opportunities for monitoring sleep are also discussed.

Australia’s welfare 2021: data insights presents an overview of the welfare data landscape and explores selected welfare topics – including the social determinants of wellbeing, and the impact COVID-19 has had on employment and income levels, the housing system and wellbeing – in 8 original articles.

Australia’s welfare 2021 is the 15th biennial welfare report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. This Australia’s welfare 2021: data insights report is part of an expanded product suite that includes:

• Australia’s welfare snapshots
• Australia’s welfare 2021: in brief
• Australia’s welfare indicators.

This report looks at the direct and indirect health effects of COVID-19 in Australia. It includes information on case numbers, deaths and burden of disease as well as the impact on other diseases, health services, changes in health behaviours and social determinants. By 20 June 2021, there had been just over 30,000 cases and 910 deaths from COVID-19 in Australia. Some groups in the population were more affected than others.

While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel more culturally safe in services delivered by Indigenous mental health workers, they are underrepresented in the mental health workforce. This publication reviews the evidence of what works to improve the retention and advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers. 

[Summary PDF | 2.1MB]

Culturally relevant programs are successful at engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in contact with the criminal justice system. This publication explores the characteristics of preventive programs and those that are successful at engaging Indigenous Australians. Adopting an Indigenous perspective of health and wellbeing is essential for improving mental health outcomes.

[Summary PDF | 2.35MB]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are over-represented in the child protection system. Mental health conditions and self-harm are also more common among them. The subsequent transition to out-of-home care may involve substantial adjustment for children and young people. This publication explores approaches targeted at improving both mental health and suicide outcomes for children and young people who have contact with the child protection system.

[Summary PDF | 2.33MB]