Mental Health

Mental health is defined as, "a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in." (World Health Organisation).

Mental health affects our thoughts, how we feel, and the way we act. It can also affect various aspects of day to day life, including work and relationships. Over time, our mental health can gradually change - from feeling unsettled, to struggling, to healing or healthy. Experiencing this continuum is unique to the individual, with each person facing varying degrees of difficulty and distress. Many individual, social, and structural factors may combine to influence a person's mental health, in turn shifting their position on the mental health continuum. (Beyond Blue)

• In 2024, an estimated 1 in 5 Australians aged 16 - 85 experienced a mental disorder within the past 12 months. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)

• Almost a third of people in Australia will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime. (Beyond Blue)

• Between 2020-2022, 16% of Australians had experienced an Affective disorder such as a Depressive Episode. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)

Mental Health Continuum (adapted from Beyond Blue)