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Consultation with health professionals for mental health in Australia in 2020–2022 and changes since 2007: Findings from the 2020–2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

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Title: Consultation with health professionals for mental health in Australia in 2020–2022 and changes since 2007: Findings from the 2020–2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Authors: Harris, Meredith G, Tapp, Caley, Vescovi, Joshua J, Sunderland, Matthew, Diminic, Sandra, Chapman, Cath, Slade, Tim N, Teesson, Maree, Pirkis, Jane, Burgess, Philip M
Source: Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. Sep2025, Vol. 59 Issue 9, p810-823. 14p.
Subjects: Mental illness treatment, Medical care research, Mental health services, Australians, Secondary analysis, Patients, Psychologists, Hospital admission & discharge, Socioeconomic factors, Health policy, Psychological well-being, Descriptive statistics, Severity of illness index, Multivariate analysis, Wages, Marital status, Medical referrals
Geographic Terms: Australia
Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to estimate the proportions of Australians aged 16–85 years who consulted health professionals for mental health in 2020–2022, and changes since 2007. Methods: Secondary analysis of merged data from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing in 2020–2022 (N = 15,893) and its 2007 predecessor (N = 8841). Results: In 2020–2022, 17.4% of Australians aged 16–85 years had consulted a health professional (including overnight hospital admission) for their mental health in the past year (vs 11.9% in 2007). The largest increases between the surveys were in use of psychologists (123%), other (non-medical) mental health professionals (64%), and general practitioners (53%). Of adults with a 12-month mental disorder, 46.6% consulted a health professional in 2020–2022 (vs 37.5% in 2007), increasing with severity (mild 22.9%, moderate 48.4% and severe 68.8%). Multivariate regression models showed that consulting a health professional was positively associated with age < 65 years, female sex, being unmarried, disorder severity, and affective or anxiety disorder; these patterns held for consultations with most types of professionals. Socioeconomic and geographical characteristics were associated with consulting particular professionals: lower income (consulting a psychiatrist), high income and living in a major city (psychologist), living in a less disadvantaged area (general practitioner). Increases in consulting were not experienced by all groups (e.g. the likelihood of consulting increased for people aged 16–45 years, but not for older age groups). Conclusion: Consultation with health professionals for mental health improved between 2007 and 2020–2022 but remains below national targets. Some changes may reflect recent service reforms; however, gaps in access persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Objective: This study aimed to estimate the proportions of Australians aged 16–85 years who consulted health professionals for mental health in 2020–2022, and changes since 2007. Methods: Secondary analysis of merged data from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing in 2020–2022 (N = 15,893) and its 2007 predecessor (N = 8841). Results: In 2020–2022, 17.4% of Australians aged 16–85 years had consulted a health professional (including overnight hospital admission) for their mental health in the past year (vs 11.9% in 2007). The largest increases between the surveys were in use of psychologists (123%), other (non-medical) mental health professionals (64%), and general practitioners (53%). Of adults with a 12-month mental disorder, 46.6% consulted a health professional in 2020–2022 (vs 37.5% in 2007), increasing with severity (mild 22.9%, moderate 48.4% and severe 68.8%). Multivariate regression models showed that consulting a health professional was positively associated with age < 65 years, female sex, being unmarried, disorder severity, and affective or anxiety disorder; these patterns held for consultations with most types of professionals. Socioeconomic and geographical characteristics were associated with consulting particular professionals: lower income (consulting a psychiatrist), high income and living in a major city (psychologist), living in a less disadvantaged area (general practitioner). Increases in consulting were not experienced by all groups (e.g. the likelihood of consulting increased for people aged 16–45 years, but not for older age groups). Conclusion: Consultation with health professionals for mental health improved between 2007 and 2020–2022 but remains below national targets. Some changes may reflect recent service reforms; however, gaps in access persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00048674
DOI:10.1177/00048674241307919