National Survey on Mental Health

Seventeen thousand Australian households will be contacted for interviews about their mental health and wellbeing for the Second National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing – 10 years after the first survey.

About 300 Australian Bureau of Statistics staff will carry out these interviews from August and over the next four months.

The new survey will gather information about the prevalence of mental illness in the Australian population, the amount of associated disablement, and the use of health and other services by people with mental disorders or mental health problems.

Findings from the first survey were the basis for a number of major policy initiatives by the Australian Government, including our investment in the ‘Better Outcomes in Mental Health’ program and the setting up of ‘beyondblue’, the National Depression Initiative.

The results of the second survey will be important in evaluating the objectives of the COAG national action plan and also in guiding future decisions in mental health.

For more information visit www.abs.gov.au (click on Survey Participant Information tab, then Current Household Surveys)