Health & wellbeing

Good mental health is a state of wellbeing in which individuals are able to cope with the everyday stresses of life. Sections below provide data on some areas that can affect a person’s mental health & wellbeing.

Mental illness burden of disease

In the Burden of Disease Study 2024, Mental health conditions and substance use disorders were responsible for 15% of total burden placing it second after Cancer. 

Mental illness and substance use

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey found that, compared with adults without a mental illness, those with a mental illness were more likely to drink alcohol at risky levels (37% compared with 32%).

Physical health of people with mental illness

 People living with mental illness and in particular severe mental illness are more likely to develop comorbid physical illness and tend to die earlier than the general population.

Social isolation and loneliness

Social isolation and loneliness can harm both mental and physical health and may affect life satisfaction.

 Stress & trauma

Stress and trauma affect the physical and emotional wellbeing of millions of Australians.

Suicide, self-harm and mental health

Mental illness is a risk factor for both suicide and self-harm.

Life satisfaction

Picture to show indicatorsLife satisfaction reflects a broad sense of how life is going across domains such as relationships, work, health and personal development.