Young people's mental health (12–24 years)

Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how people cope with stress, function in daily life and participate in their community (World Health Organisation 2025).

Mental health exists on a continuum. People may experience good mental wellbeing, mental distress or mental illness at different times.

Mental illness, also referred to as a mental disorder, is a clinically diagnosable condition involving significant disturbance in a person's thinking, emotional regulation or behaviour, often causing distress or impaired functioning.

The terms 'mental illness', 'mental disorder' and 'mental health condition' are used across different studies and data sources to describe a range of mental health and behavioural disorders, which can vary in both severity and duration. On this page, the terms are used interchangeably.

The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHW) provides national data on mental health disorders among Australians aged 16–85, including young people aged 16–24. Young people consistently had highest prevalence of mental disorders than older age groups.

In 2007, Anxiety disorders were the most common mental disorders among young people, followed by Substance useand Affective disorders. Many young people experienced symptoms in the previous 12 months, indicating current or recent mental health needs and impacts on daily functioning (ABS 2008).

By 2020–2022, almost 39% of young people aged 16–24 experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months, the highest prevalence of any age group. Anxiety disorders remained the most common conditions, and mental disorders were often associated with difficulties in education, employment and social participation (ABS 2023).

Mental health conditions among young people were often associated with impacts on daily functioning, including effects on education, employment and social participation. Data were collected during a period that included the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health measures such as lockdowns, remote learning and social restrictions were in place. Caution is advised when comparing results with earlier surveys, as pandemic conditions and temporary support measures may have affected mental health among young people (ABS 2023).

For more information see National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 2007 and the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022.

The Young Minds Matter survey provides national data on mental disorders among children and adolescents aged 4–17. Among young people aged 12–17, around 14% experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months. Anxiety disorders and ADHD were the most common conditions in this age group. Males were more likely to experience ADHD, while Anxiety and Depressive disorders were more common among females. Some young people experienced more than one mental disorder at the same time, indicating co-occurring mental health needs (Lawrence et al. 2015).

For further analysis, including modelled regional estimates, see Regional estimates of child and adolescent mental disorders.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has commissioned the third Australian child and adolescent survey on mental health and wellbeing, Young Minds: Our Future with data and results expected to be released in 2027.

• Psychological distress and prevalence of mental illness: During late adolescence and early adulthood young females are more likely than young males to report high psychological distress and to experience a mental disorder (ABS 2008; ABS 2023; AIHW 2025e). Between 2007 and 2020–2022, prevalence among females aged 16–24 increased from 29% to 46%, compared with males 23% to 32% among males of the same age group (AIHW 2025e).
• Patterns differ in early adolescence: Among those aged 12–17, males were slightly more likely than females to have a mental disorder (16% compared to 13%), largely due to higher rates of ADHD in males while Anxiety and Depressive disorders were more common among females (AIHW 2022).

Mental health among young people is influenced by a combination of individual, social and structural factors. These factors are associated with higher prevalence, greater severity and increased impact of mental health conditions during adolescence and early adulthood.

• Developmental stage: Adolescence and early adulthood involve rapid emotional, social and cognitive development, which can increase vulnerability to mental health difficulties.
• Type and complexity of conditions: Some mental disorders are more common in young people, and co-occurring conditions are associated with greater symptom severity, higher levels of functional impairment and more complex support needs.
• Social and educational pressures: Challenges related to identity, relationships, education and employment can increase stress. Experiences such as social isolation, loneliness, bullying and strained relationships can increase psychological distress and the risk of mental health conditions among young people (AIHW 2026e).
• Access to support: Barriers such as cost, awareness, availability and perceived need can limit access to mental health services.
• Broader social and environmental context: Social and economic factors, including large-scale disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, during which young people experienced social restrictions, disrupted education, reduced employment opportunities and increased uncertainty, can increase mental health risks for young people.

Many young people experience good mental health, even during periods of increased risk. Protective factors can reduce the impact of mental health difficulties and support resilience during adolescence and early adulthood.

• Supportive relationships: Strong connections with family, peers, and communities provide emotional support, practical help and a sense of belonging.
• Participation in education, work and daily activities: Engagement in meaningful activities supports routine, purpose and social connection, which are associated with better mental health outcomes.
• Access to appropriate services: Early and timely access to mental health care can reduce symptom severity and support recovery.
• Coping skills and emotional regulation: Skills that help young people manage stress and adapt to change support ongoing wellbeing.
• Supportive social and environmental conditions: Stable housing, financial security, access to services and community resources can buffer against broader stressors.

Medicare-funded services remain the most common entry point to mental health care for young people.

• Rising service use: In 2024–25, around 13 million Medicare-subsidised mental health services were provided nationally, equating to 473 services per 1,000 population, up from 10.6 million a decade earlier. Young people used Medicare-funded mental health services the most. About 2.8 million people (approximately 10% of all Australians) received at least one such service during the year and young adults had the highest uptake of any group (AIHW 2026a).
• GPs are the most common first point of help: In 2024–25, 77% of young people who accessed Medicare mental health services saw a GP for at least one of their services. GPs often provide initial assessments, mental health treatment plans and referrals to specialists. They have broad reach, especially in areas without many specialists (AIHW 2026a).
• Growth in Medicare-subsidised psychology and telehealth services: Nearly half of Medicare-funded mental health services in 2024–25 were delivered by psychologists (combining clinical and other registered psychologists) (AIHW 2026a). Young people’s use of psychological services, including via telehealth, has grown substantially. During the COVID-19 pandemic, up to half of all mental health consultations for young people were conducted via phone or video, and in 2022 around 30% continued to be delivered remotely (AIHW 2022). This shift to telehealth helped maintain access during lockdowns and has remained popular among young people for its convenience (AIHW 2026a).
• Higher service use among young females: In 2024–25, females aged 18–24 accessed Medicare-subsidised mental health services at nearly twice the rate of males (192 compared with 97 per 1,000 population). This gap has widened over the past decade, with young females showing a 25% increase in service use since 2015–16. The number of services per 1,000 population for females aged 18–24 rose from 702 in 2015–16 to 964 in 2024–25, a 37% increase. This was the largest growth among all age and gender groups (AIHW 2026a).
• Changes in medication use: National prescription data show that the population rate of dispensed ADHD prescriptions increased 11-fold, from 2 patients per 1,000 population in 2004–05 to 22 patients per 1,000 population (2% of the Australian population) in 2023–24, suggesting greater recognition and treatment of ADHD in recent years (AIHW 2025b; AIHW 2026c). 
• Provider mix: In the decade to 2024–25, the overall rate of people receiving Medicare mental health services increased with the largest rate increase for females aged 18–14. In 2024–25, about 23% of young people who received Medicare mental health services saw a psychiatrist (often for more severe or complex conditions), while 20% saw a clinical psychologist and 27% saw an ‘other’ (registered) psychologist. A smaller proportion (around 4%) accessed allied mental health providers such as social workers or occupational therapists under Medicare. Many young people see more than one provider type, so these percentages total over 100% (AIHW 2026a).

Youth-focused services play an important role in early intervention and accessible care.

• headspace services: headspace provides free or low-cost counselling and early intervention for young people aged 12–25 with mild to moderate mental health issues. In 2020–21, headspace provided more than 440,000 service contacts to about 106,000 young people nationwide, illustrating the demand for youth-friendly services.
• Early Psychosis Youth Services (EPYS): EPYS support adolescents and young adults with emerging psychotic illnesses, with a focus on early intervention to improve long-term outcomes.
• Schools, TAFEs and university counselling: Education settings provide wellbeing and counselling services on campus that address study stress, bullying and personal issues. These services are often a first point of support of young people and are delivered where young people spend much of their time (AIHW 2022). Data from the Young Minds Matter survey found 50% of young people aged 12–17 with a diagnosed mental disorder accessed school support services and 40% received individual counselling at school in the previous 12 months (Goodsell et al. 2017).

State and territory-funded community mental health care services provide both clinical and psychosocial support, particularly for young people with severe or complex mental health conditions such as severe depression, eating disorders and psychosis.

• Scope of services: Community mental health care services deliver non-admitted care, including case management, counselling, group programs, outreach and practical support. These services support daily functioning, recovery and participation in education, work and social life.
• High use among adolescents: in 2023–24, community mental health care services delivered around 9.8 million service contacts to 489,000 Australians of all ages. Adolescents aged 12–17 had the highest contact rate of any age group, at 676 contacts per 1,000 population. Young females aged 12–17 had particularly high contact rates (968 per 1,000) more than double that of young males (395 per 1,000) (AIHW 2026a).
• Role of psychosocial support: For many young people, community mental health services are the main source of structured psychosocial support. This is especially important for those who do not meet eligibility criteria for the NDIS or whose mental health needs fluctuate over time (AIHW 2026d).
• Coordination of care: Community services often assist young people through case management, psychiatric consultations, therapy, medication management and crisis intervention. These services frequently coordinate with hospitals, schools and family services, ensuring continuity of care. They can also provide home visits or outreach, benefitting young people who may not otherwise engage with clinic-based care (AIHW 2022).
• Rural and remote: These areas often have fewer community mental health resources dedicated to young people, which makes outreach and telehealth programs especially important for those regions. Moreover, young people who do not meet the strict criteria for NDIS support often rely on these community services as their primary source of professional psychosocial support (AIHW 2025d).

Psychosocial supports help young people living with severe mental illness build the skills and relationships needed to participate in everyday life. These supports focus on practical and social needs rather than clinical treatment alone. For more information see Psychosocial disability support services, Community mental health care services.

• Purpose of psychosocial supports: Psychosocial supports assist with education and employment, daily living skills, social connect, housing stability and community participation. Early access is particularly important during adolescence and early adulthood, when mental illness can disrupt key life transitions.
• NDIS access and participation: In 2024–25, around 65,300 people had psychosocial disability as their primary disability, representing around 9% of all NDIS participants. Participation rates were lowest among those aged 18 and under. Access approval rates for psychosocial disability were also lower than for other disability groups, with around 25% of applicants granted access, compared with 80% across the NDIS overall (AIHW 2026d).
• Supports outside the NDIS: Most young people who need psychosocial support rely on services outside the NDIS. These include informal supports from family and peers, community and cultural programs and mainstream health, education and housing services. Strengthening access to these supports is a priority under the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention National Agreement.
• Young people’s outcomes: While national outcome data specific to young people receiving psychosocial supports are limited, available evidence indicates that psychosocial supports can improve independence, social participation and wellbeing. Youth-specific outcome measures are limited however, broader data indicate that psychosocial supports can improve independence and wellbeing. For young people engaged through community services, improved school attendance, social participation and transition to adulthood are key goals, underscoring the importance of early support (AIHW 2026d). For more information refer to the Psychosocial disability support services.

• Young people aged 18–24 have among the highest rates of mental health-related ED presentations. Since 2015–16, females aged 18–24 have consistently presented at higher rates than males in the same age group. Presentations often involve acute mental health issues such as anxiety, distress, suicidal ideation and self-harm (AIHW 2026b).
• In 2024–25, the most common principal diagnoses for mental health-related ED presentations were Mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use (30%), followed by Neurotic and stress-related disorders (20%), schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders (15%) and Organic mental disorders (11%) (AIHW 2026b).
• Rates of mental health-related ED presentations vary by age and sex, with young females and males both experiencing relatively high rates compared with other age groups, although patterns differ across adolescence and early adulthood (AIHW 2026b).

• In 2023–24, females aged 15–19 had a hospitalisation rate for intentional self-harm of 405 per 100,000 population, nearly four times the rate for males (114 per 100,000). Among 20–24-year-olds, the rate was 253 per 100,000 population for females and 114 for males. (AIHW 2025c).
• Hospitalisations for mood disorders, eating disorders and psychosis are common among older adolescents and young people, reflecting the need for admitted care for some mental health conditions in these age groups (AIHW 2022).
• Over the past decade the rate per 10,000 population of overnight hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric has been consistently higher for young women than for young men (AIHW 2025c).

• First Nations young people experience higher levels of psychological distress and self-harm than non-Indigenous peers. Mental and substance use disorders are a leading contributor to disease burden for First Nations people, including during adolescence and early adulthood (AIHW 2025a).
• Impacts of intergenerational trauma, racism and socioeconomic inequality play significant roles young people’s mental health outcomes (AIHW 2025a).
• Strengths-based approaches and cultural connection to Country, family and community leadership through Aboriginal-led services are important sources of strength that support social and emotional wellbeing among First Nations young people (AIHW 2025a).

• Young people living in rural and remote areas face additional challenges related to service availability, distance and workforce shortages. People in these areas generally have poorer access to primary health care and specialised mental health services with limited access to services and longer wait times compared with those living in Major cities (AIHW 2025f).
• Rates of injury, hospitalisation and death are higher in rural and remote areas, and suicide rates are higher in some remote communities (AIHW 2025f).
• For mental health care, young people in these areas may rely more on GPs, EDs, telehealth and outreach services, which can affect continuity and timeliness of care (AIHW 2025f).

• CALD young people are a diverse group and experiences vary widely. Some may face language barriers, limited familiarity with the health system, or settlement-related stress, including experiences linked to migration, displacement or trauma (AIHW 2024a).
• These factors can affect help-seeking and access to mental health services. At the same time, strong family, community and cultural connections can support wellbeing and resilience for many CALD young people, particularly when services are culturally safe and accessible (AIHW 2024a).

• LGBTIQA+ young people experience higher rates of psychological distress, suicidal behaviour and self-harm compared with their heterosexual and cisgender peers. These differences are linked to experiences of stigma, discrimination, social exclusion and lack of supportive environments (AIHW 2024a).
• Mental health outcomes for LGBTIQA+ young people are influenced by whether they feel safe, accepted and supported at home, at school and in the community. Inclusive policies, affirming services and supportive relationships are associated with better mental health outcomes (AIHW 2024a).

Data sources

National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007 and 2020–2022

Provides prevalence of mental disorders, psychological distress and service use among 16–24-year-olds in Australia. For further information about the studies, see National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 2007 and National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing methodology, 2020–2022.

Young Minds Matter: the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

The most recentAustralian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental health and Wellbeing, also known as the Young Minds Matter Survey, was conducted in 2013–14. Almost 3,000 people aged 4–17 participated, and the survey included a structured diagnostic interview to assess young people against mental illness criteria (Lawrence et al. 2015). For more information, go to Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Admitted patient mental health-related care

Information on admitted patient mental health-related hospitalisations from Australian public and private hospitals are sourced from the National Hospital Morbidity Database (NHMD). It includes a collation of data on admitted patient care defined by the Admitted Patient Care National Minimum Data Set (APC NMDS). For more information and data, go to Admitted patient care.

Community mental health care services

Mental illness is often treated in specialised community and hospital-based outpatient psychiatric services, which are referred to as specialised community mental health care (CMHC). Data to describe the care provided by CMHC services are from the Community Mental Health Care National Minimum Data Set (CMHC NMDS) that is compiled annually into the National Community Mental Health Care Database (NCMHCD). For more information and data, go to Community mental health care services.

Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)

Medicare-subsidised mental health services are delivered by Psychiatrists, General practitioners, Psychologists, and Other allied health professionals. These services are delivered in a range of settings – for example, hospitals, consulting rooms, home visits, and via telehealth – as defined in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Information is provided on both patient and service provider characteristics and is limited to Medicare-subsidised services only. For more information and data, go to Medicare mental health services.

Mental health services provided in emergency departments

Information on mental health-related emergency department are sourced from the National Non-Admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database (NNAPEDCD). Data are available at the national, jurisdictional and regional levels. For more information and data, go to Mental health service provided in emergency departments.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS)

Statistics on mental health-related medications on subsidised prescriptions and under co-payment prescriptions (that is, prescriptions that cost less than the threshold for subsidy under the PBS) are sourced from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) data set. For more information and data, go to Mental health-related prescriptions and ADHD medications dispensed 2004–05 to 2023–24.

Prevalence and impact of mental illness

There are a number of surveys which collect information on different aspects of the extent of mental illness in the Australian population. The estimated population rate of mental illness in Australia can vary depending on what data source is used, how recent this has been collected, what instruments and measures have been used in the survey and the criteria for reporting as having a mental illness. There are several informative studies that can be used to report on the prevalence of mental illness in Australia. For more information, go to Prevalence and impact of mental illness.

Psychosocial disability support services

People with serious mental illness may also have a psychosocial disability – a disability that results from mental illness. Information on specialist disability support services are provided under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to participants with a psychosocial primary disability and participants with a psychosocial secondary disability whose primary disability is not categorised as psychosocial. For more information and data, go to Psychosocial disability support services.

ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2008) National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 2007, ABS website accessed 16 March 2026.

ABS (2023) National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022, ABS website accessed 16 March 2026.

AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2016) Mental health of Australia’s young people and adolescents (PDF 513KB) Australia's health 2016, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 11 February 2026.

AIHW (2021) Australia's youth: Mental illness, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 11 February 2026.

AIHW (2022) Mental health of young Australians, Australia’s health 2022: data insights, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 12 February 2026.

AIHW (2024a) Health of young people, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 16 February, 2026.

AIHW (2024b) Health and wellbeing of First Nations people, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 16 March 2026.

AIHW (2025a) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework: Summary report, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 16 March 2026.

AIHW (2025b) ADHD medications dispensed 2004–05 to 2023–24, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 16 February 2026.

AIHW (2025c) Admitted patient mental health-related care – National data, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 11 February 2026.

AIHW (2025d) Community mental health care services – National data, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 11 February 2026.

AIHW (2025e) Prevalence and impact of mental illness, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 11 February 2026.

AIHW (2025f) Rural and remote health, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 16 March 2026.

AIHW (2026a) Medicare mental health services, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 16 March 2026.

AIHW (2026b) Mental health services provided in emergency departments – National data, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 16 March 2026.

AIHW (2026c) Mental health-related prescriptions, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 16 March 2026.

AIHW (2026d) Psychosocial disability support services, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 9 March 2026.

AIHW (2026e) Social isolation and loneliness, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 17 March 2026.

Goodsell B, Lawrence D, Ainley J, Sawyer M, Subrick SR and Maratos J (2017) Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Educational Outcomes. An analysis of educational outcomes from Young Minds Matter: the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (PDF 4.6MB) The University of Western Australia, accessed 11 February 2026.

Lawrence D, Johnson S, Hafekost J, Boterhoven De Haan K, Sawyer M, Ainley J and Zubrick SR (2015) The mental health of children and adolescents. Report on the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website, accessed 11 February 2026.

WHO (World Health Organization) (2025) Mental health, World Health Organisation website accessed 10 March 2026.