About this topic
For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Indigenous Australians), good mental health is indicated by feeling a sense of belonging, having strong cultural identity, maintaining positive interpersonal relationships, and feeling that life has purpose and value (Dudgeon & Walker 2015; Dudgeon et al. 2014). Conversely, poor mental health can be affected by major stressors such as removal from family, incarceration, death of a close friend or family member, discrimination and unemployment, as well as stressors from everyday life (PM&C 2017; Gee et al. 2014).
The legacies of colonisation and the ongoing trauma experienced by Indigenous Australians also affect mental health. Dispossession from land, forced removal of Indigenous children from families, and institutionalised racism have enduring effects on social and emotional wellbeing (Dudgeon & Walker 2015).
Connection to mind and emotions
Connection to mind and emotions is 1 of the 7 domains of social and emotional wellbeing for Indigenous Australians.
Social and emotional wellbeing is a holistic way of looking at relationships between individuals, family, kin and community in the context of land, culture, spirituality and ancestry. Cultural groups and individuals each have their own interpretation of social and emotional wellbeing (Gee et al. 2014).
Factors that support the connection to mind and emotions are education, agency and strong identity. Conversely, mental illness, development or cognitive impairments and other disability, trauma, racism and unemployment can negatively affect the connection to mind and emotions (PM&C 2017).
Mental health is a positive state of wellbeing in which a person can manage their thoughts and feelings to cope with the normal stressors of life and reach their potential in the context of family, community, culture and broader society. Mental health problems are ‘diminished cognitive, emotional or social abilities but not to the extent that the criteria for a mental illness are met’, such as psychological distress (AIHW & NIAA 2020).
Mental illnesses are diagnosed according to criteria and range from high‑prevalence disorders such as anxiety and depression, through to low‑prevalence disorders such as psychosis, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder (AIHW & NIAA 2020).
There are cultural differences to be considered by practitioners when identifying and treating mental health conditions in Indigenous Australians. Symptoms such as a weakened spirit and community disconnection may require cultural resolution and healing with culturally appropriate counselling services (Gee et al. 2014). Additionally, expressions and perceptions of mental health conditions such as depression may differ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians (Brown et al. 2012; Vicary & Westerman 2004).
Key statistics
The information presented above is from survey data. Estimates are calculated using a sample selected from a population rather than all members of that population. See the downloadable excel workbook for notes related to this data and for alternative text.
In 2018–19, based on self-reported survey responses, an estimated 24% of Indigenous Australians reported having a diagnosed mental health or behavioural condition with a higher rate among females (25%) than males (23%). More than one in 10 individuals reported having diagnosed anxiety (16.5%) or depression (13.3%) (ABS 2019).
Two-thirds of Indigenous adults reported ‘low or moderate’ levels of psychological distress (66%). The rate was higher among males (70%) than females (63%) (ABS 2019).
From 2004–05 to 2018–19, the proportion of Indigenous adults reporting ‘high or very high’ levels of psychological distress increased from 27% to 31%. Those aged 45 to 54 years were most likely to report ‘high or very high’ levels of psychological distress in 2018–19 (ABS 2019).
The proportion of Indigenous adults reporting high levels of psychological distress was 31% in Non-remote areas (major cities and regional areas) and 28% in Remote areas in 2018–19 (ABS 2019).
In 2018, mental and substance use disorders were the leading cause (23%) of total disease burden for Indigenous Australians. Within this disease group, the leading causes of burden were:
- 23% anxiety disorders
- 19% alcohol use disorders
- 19% depressive disorders
- 9% drug use disorders (excluding alcohol)
- 7% schizophrenia (AIHW 2022).