Rates and impact of mental disorders among Australian youth: prevalence, severity, and trends from two national psychiatric surveys

Abstract

Background: Mental disorders are leading contributors to disease burden among young people. Recent evidence suggests rising rates of these disorders, yet no recent national comparisons using diagnostic interviews have examined changes in individual disorder prevalence among Australian youth over time. This study provides current estimates of prevalence, patterns, severity, and profiles of mental disorders among Australians aged 16–24, comparing data from 2007 to 2020–2022. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2020–2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB) and compared with the 2007 NSMHWB. A nationally representative sample of 16–24-year-olds completed the WMH-CIDI to assess 12-month DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, along with measures of severity, comorbidity, suicidality and disability. Analyses were population-weighted and accounted for complex survey design. Temporal changes were examined using logistic and proportional odds regression. Findings: The 12-month prevalence of mental disorders increased from 23.4% in 2007 to 36.2% in 2020–2022 (OR 1.86, 95%CI 1.53–2.25). Mental disorders continue to be more common in females, but increases were also observed for males. Anxiety disorders nearly tripled (12.2% to 29.1%; OR 2.94, 95% CI 2.33–3.71), and mood disorders rose from 4.9% to 13.3% (OR 3.01, 95% CI 2.16–4.20), while substance use disorders declined (12.34% to 7.76%; OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44–0.80). Comorbidity, severity, suicidal thoughts, psychological distress, and disability also rose, with one in five experiencing multiple disorders in 2020–2022. Interpretation: Mental disorders among Australian youth have increased markedly since 2007, with greater severity and functional impairment. Funding: The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.