Australians spent over $6.3 billion, or $287 per head, on mental health-related services in 2009-10, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

 

The Mental Health services: in brief 2012 report summarises the spending on mental health services in the country, having been updated to coincide with last week’s World Mental Health Day.

 

“Spending on mental health-related services increased by an average of 4.5% per year per Australian between 2005-06 and 2009-10,” said AIHW spokesperson Alison Verhoeven.

 

“This spending is funded by a combination of state and territory governments, the Australian Government and private health insurance.”

 

The report shows that over 1.7 million Australians, or 8 per cent of the population, received public or private mental health services, with the majority receiving multiple services.

 

Depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance drove the majority of the 13.9 million mental health related GP visists over the period.

 

About 31.1 million prescriptions for mental health-related medications were dispensed in 2010-11, three-quarters of which were subsidised by the Australian Government.

 

Almost two-thirds of mental health-related prescriptions were for antidepressant medications.

 

There were 8,399 specialised mental health hospital beds available nationally during 2009-10, over three-quarters of these being in public hospitals, and the remainder in private hospitals.

 

The Mental Health Services in Australia website provides a comprehensive picture of the national response to the mental health care needs of Australians and can be accessed at www.mhsa.aihw.gov.au