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People living with mental illness, and in particular severe (and often long-term) mental illness, such as a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia, are more likely to develop comorbid physical illness and tend to die earlier than the general population. 

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 report 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.

Stress and trauma affect the physical and emotional wellbeing of millions of Australians. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold and there is a significant amount of uncertainty, it is normal for people to experience symptoms of emotional distress.

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 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.

Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use is a major cause of preventable disease, illness and death in Australia. This report consolidates recent information on the availability and consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in Australia, and related impacts, harms and treatment.

This report is regularly updated with data from a range of sources. There are differences in the source year and frequency of publication. For more information see the Summary of main data sources and Notes.

Content is correct as at 29 May 2024. Reports released after this date will be included in the next scheduled release.

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. 

This release includes up to 20 years of weekly health service use data by Statistical Area Level 4 geography. It includes data relevant to respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental health conditions, as well as other health conditions. The report includes data and visualisations on:

• hospitalisations
• emergency department presentations
• Medicare Benefits Schedule service claims
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescriptions dispensed.

National guidelines recommend that all women are screened for signs and risk factors of mental health conditions during the perinatal period. This report explores, for the first time, perinatal mental health screening data from three state and territory health authorities and how these vary by maternal characteristics and behaviours, birth settings, and birth outcomes. 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.

People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are identified as a priority population in a number of key Australian Government health strategies. This web report is part of a program of work on the health status of CALD people in Australia and presents data on the prevalence of chronic conditions reported by CALD Australians in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2021 Census of Population and Housing.

Australia’s health 2022: data insights is a collection of 10 in-depth articles on selected health topics, including a focus on the health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolution of the health system over the last 100 years, and the importance of a strong evidence base for supporting the health of Australians.

Australia’s health 2022 is the 18th biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. This edition's full product suite comprises:

• Australia's health 2022: data insights
• Australia’s health: topic summaries
• Australia’s health 2022: in brief.

People experiencing both homelessness and mental health issues are a vulnerable sub-group of SHS clients. Longitudinal SHSC data can be used to provide deeper insights into the experiences of these SHS clients over time.

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.