1. Facts and stats about mood disorders
Because of the stigma attached to mental illness there is often a reluctance to talk about mood disorders in the community. However, you may be surprised to know just how common mental illness and mood disorders are.

2. 45% of Australians will experience mental illness in their lifetime
Because many people with a mood disorder withdraw from their friends and family when they are having a tough time, it is often hard to know about their problems.
Mental illness is one of the most pressing issues for today’s young people.
45% of Australians will experience mental illness at least once in their lifetime – that is, nearly every second one of us. [1]
1 in 7 Australians will experience a mood disorder (that is, depression & bipolar disorder) at least once in their lifetime. [1]
Up to 75% of all mental health problems first begin before the age of 24. [3]
[Additional notes for info]
The latest studies show 1 in 4 young people (between years of age) live with mental illness. Anxiety and depression account for nearly one quarter (24%) of these. [2]
The most common mental illnesses in young people include anxiety, substance use disorders and mood disorders [2] .
Bipolar disorder affects about 1 in 33 Australians in their lifetime. [1] However, the prevalence of bipolar disorder is probably higher than the statistics show, as many cases are often undetected or misdiagnosed. Many people experience symptoms for up to 15 years before bipolar disorder is diagnosed.
REFERENCES
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2007). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results. Canberra: ABS.
2. Australian Institute of Health & Welfare 2011 “Young Australians: Their Health & Wellbeing 2011”
26% of year olds experienced a mental health disorder in 2010.
3. Ronald C. Kessler, PhD; Patricia Berglund, MBA; Olga Demler, MA, MS; Robert Jin, MA; Kathleen R. Merikangas, PhD; Ellen E. Walters, MS – published in Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62:
”Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication”:
50% of all lifetime cases start by age 14 years and 75% by age 24 years. See RESULTS / AGE OF ONSET DISTRIBUTIONS in full article at
45% of Australians will experience mental illness in their lifetime
1 in 7 Australians will experience a mood disorder in their lifetime
Up to 75% of all mental health problems first begin before 24