About one in five Australians will experience difficulties with their mental health at some stage of their lives. One in 200 people will experience psychosis.

‘Mental illness’ is a general term that refers to a group of conditions, and includes schizophrenia, eating disorders, anxiety and depression. These conditions can significantly affect how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people, and they are diagnosed according to standardised criteria.

People living with a mental illness daily have to deal with issues of homelessness, poverty, isolation, poor physical health, unemployment, and stigmatisation.  Having a mental illness can significantly affect a person’s capacity to care for themselves and to continue in employment or education. 

The good news is that people can and do recover.

The information about mental illness provided on this website is very general. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing mental health difficulties, you should contact your General Practitioner (GP). Only a qualified medical practitioner or a clinical psychologist can make the appropriate diagnosis.