Depression Among Young

People In Australia
Institution
Name
Date
 Introduction
Depression relates to a mood disorder that results in sadness and loss
of interest. In Australia, depression causes a considerable burden to
young individuals aged 12 to 25 years more than other illnesses
(Hammarberg et al., 2020 ). One in six young individuals undergoes
depression during their adolescence stage. According to Schofield et al.
(2016) Australia, 14 to 30 percent of young females have depressive
episodes and 13 to 17 percent of males. Thus, young females have
higher depression rates than males in Australia.
Psychological distress was
experienced by 15% of
Australians aged 12 to 25
years in 2020-21.
Psychological distress was
more common in women
(19% versus 12%) than in men
In the age group 16-34, 1 in 5
(20%) Australians experience
high or very high levels of
psychological distress
compared to 1 in 10 (9%) in
the age group 65-85.
• A mental health professional treated 3.4 million Australians aged 16-25 (17%) in
2020-21. because these age groups suffer a lot in

• Anxiety

• Self-esteem

• Stress like the death of loved ones

• Substance abuse

• Repeated experiences of criticism and failure

Mental health was the reason 13% of people saw a GP. Only 8% of people saw a
psychologist. Additionally, about 612,000 Australians accessed mental health
services over the phone or through digital technology in addition to consultations
with health professionals. Mental health support groups and forums, online
treatment programs and tools for improving mental health, crisis support services
and counselling are all examples of mental health support services.
References
• Hammarberg, K., Tran, T., Kirkman, M., & Fisher, J. (2020). Sex and age
differences in clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety
among people in Australia in the first month of COVID-19 restrictions: a
national survey. BMJ open, 10(11), e042696.
• Schofield, M. J., O'halloran, P., McLean, S. A., Forrester‐Knauss, C., &
Paxton, S. J. (2016). Depressive symptoms among Australian university
students: Who is at risk?. Australian Psychologist, 51(2), 135-144.
• Hickie, I. B., Luscombe, G. M., Davenport, T. A., Burns, J. M., & Highet, N.
J. (2007). Perspectives of young people on depression: awareness,
experiences, attitudes and treatment preferences. Early Intervention in
Psychiatry, 1(4), 333-339.