National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007
The second National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHW2) was conducted in 2007 to provide updated evidence on the prevalence of mental illness in the Australian population, the amount of associated disablement, and the use of services and medication by people with mental disorders. The NSMHW2 focuses on the more common or high prevalence mental disorders, namely affective disorders (including depression), anxiety disorders and substance use disorders.
The NSMHW2 is a general adult survey of 16-85 year olds from 8,841 households across Australia.
The NSMHW2 found that one in five (20%) of Australian adults experience mental illness in any year. Based on these prevalence rates, approximately 3.2 million Australians had a mental disorder in the previous 12 months. Almost half of the Australian population (45.5%) experience mental illness at some point in their lifetime.
Detailed information on the findings from the Survey can be found in the publications listed below.
List of publications presenting results from the second National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results. ABS Cat No. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS
Further Information
For general information and enquiries about the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007 please contact Suzy Saw, Workforce Development Branch, Department of Health and Ageing on (02) 6289 6835 or email Suzy.Saw@health.gov.au.
Requests for specialised data tables can be obtained from the ABS. Please contact Jane Griffin-Warwicke on (02) 6252 6535 or email jane.warwicke@abs.gov.au.
For further information about accessing Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs) please email the Micro Data Access Unit at microdata.access@abs.gov.au.
Page currency, Latest update: 13 March, 2007