How many people have mental health issues and who are they?

The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, has found that one in five of Australian adults had a mental disorder in the previous 12 months and that almost half the total Australian population would experience a mental disorder at some time in their lives. However, the prevalence of mental disorders declines with age: from 1 in 4 young people (16-24) to 1 in 20 (75-85 years).