Psychological Distress

Indicator Rationale

The remarkable progress in physical and material wellbeing for most Australians over the twentieth century has not necessarily been matched by gains in mental and subjective wellbeing. Good mental health is fundamental to the wellbeing of individuals, their families and the population as a whole. Although largely ‘invisible’, mental health problems and mental illness are a major cause of poor health in Victoria. It is estimated that they will affect more than one in five adults in their lifetime. Mental health problems and mental illness include a range of cognitive, emotional and behavioural disorders that interfere with the lives and productivity of individuals.

The National Mental Health Strategy 2003–08 defines a mental illness as a clinically diagnosable disorder that interferes significantly with an individual’s cognitive, emotional and social abilities, whereas mental health problems which also affect these personal aspects, are less severe and of shorter duration than mental illness. Mental health problems may develop into mental illness.

Data Source

Victorian Population Health Survey, 2005

Measure

Reported at regional level: Victorian Population Health Survey: Percentage of adult population that are at risk of psychological distress: Kessler 10 score above 21.

Unlike other serious illness where progress may be measured simply by recording reductions in the number of people dying of the illness, this is inappropriate for mental health disorders. There is no register of cases of depression. Indeed, many people with the condition do not seek help. Also, many sufferers who have symptoms of depression but whose problems fall below the cut-off level for a formal diagnosis may be significantly disabled by their problems. These factors mean that the only reliable statistics on the mental health of the entire population must come from surveys.

References

Department of Health and Aged Care & Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (DHAC & AIHW) 1999c.

National Health Priority Areas report: mental health 1998. Canberra: DHFS and AIHW.