Australia’s latest national health report has revealed a sharp rise in mental health disorders among young people, prompting renewed calls for the health system to expand beyond traditional models of care.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) Australia’s Health 2026 report, released today, found the prevalence of mental disorders among people aged 16–24 increased from 26 per cent in 2007 to 39 per cent in 2020–22. Over the same period, the rate across the broader population remained relatively stable at about 22 per cent.
The findings also show suicide and self-inflicted injuries are now the leading cause of disease burden among males aged 15–44, while anxiety and depressive disorders are the leading causes for females in the same age group.
Young people are also the age group most likely to access Medicare-subsidised mental health services, with young women using those services at around twice the rate of young men. Among women aged 25–34, Medicare-subsidised mental health service use has increased by 26 per cent over the past decade, compared with an overall increase of almost 9 per cent.
Access to care remains a challenge. The report found around one in four Australians delayed or avoided seeing a GP in 2024–25, with the proportion citing cost as a barrier nearly doubling since 2015 to 16 per cent.
The AIHW also identified significant gaps in data on mental health services delivered in education settings and community primary care, limiting understanding of where and how young Australians receive support.
Professor Ian Hickie, Co-Director of Health and Policy at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, said the figures highlighted the need to rethink how mental healthcare is delivered.
“Today’s data shows that we’re seeing a structural crisis in youth mental health, with young people carrying a disproportionate and growing share of the burden. With 29 per cent of young Australians experiencing mental health disorders it’s a question of whether our traditional models are failing to keep pace with the scale of the need. A system that was built decades ago wasn’t designed for numbers like this.”
Professor Hickie said the data also pointed to the need for earlier intervention, particularly for young men.
“The glaring gender gap in people seeking help is costing young men their lives. We need to stop waiting for people to walk into clinics and start reaching them where they are or we risk serious disaster. We can’t rely solely on traditional face to face services to meet demand.”
He said digital technologies should complement existing services rather than replace them, while also helping address longstanding gaps in mental health data and service delivery.
“To address the critical data gaps in community and educational settings, we must rapidly deploy digital health tools and smart technologies. Our team is working on essential interventions that can help provide immediate and personalised support to young people in distress. These tools must be used as part of essential mental health support, rather than assuming what will or won’t work for people.”
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