New Australian data reveals youth mental health crisis

Australian youth confront significant mental health concerns, marked by gender-based disparities in conditions and help-seeking.

New research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that nearly two in five young Australians surveyed during 2020 to 2022 experienced symptoms of a long-term mental health condition.

The survey found 38.8 percent of respondents aged 16 to 24 had symptoms of an anxiety disorder, an affective disorder (including depression and bipolar disorder) or a substance abuse disorder in the year before the survey, compared with 21.5 percent of the larger 16 to 85-year-old survey sample.

The survey found that anxiety and affective disorders were more common in young women than young men, while substance abuse disorders were more common in young men than young women.

Nearly 16,000 Australians responded to the ABS survey, enabling statisticians to calculate a reliable estimate of the prevalence of mental health conditions and how people seek help in the entire Australian population.

The survey also highlighted differences in how young men and women accessed help in managing mental health conditions.

Young women were far more likely to have consulted with a professional about their mental health condition, even when accounting for the higher number of mental health conditions experienced by young women compared to young men.

Over half — 54 percent — of young women with symptoms of a long-term mental health condition in the year before the survey had consulted with a health professional about their mental health, but only just over a third — 37 percent — of young men had.

These differences extended to when they were seeking help via digital technologies like phones, video or apps.

Young women with symptoms of a long-term mental health condition in the year before the survey were four times more likely to have used online crisis support or counselling services in the year before the survey than young men.

However, the difference between young men and women was less pronounced when looking at mental health support groups, forums or chat rooms, as well as information services about mental illness or treatment options.

And they appeared to favour different services. More young men with mental health symptoms accessed support groups, forums or chat rooms than crisis support or counselling services, whereas the reverse was true for young women.

The findings are significant for youth mental health researchers, who may consider targeted interventions to address the concerning state of youth mental health in Australia and bridge the gender-based disparities in seeking support.

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Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™.

Editors Note: In the story “Youth mental health” sent at: 08/10/2023 15:00.

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