Samuel B Harvey1, Mark Deady2, Min-Jung Wang2, Arnstein Mykletun3, Peter Butterworth4, Helen Christensen5, Philip B Mitchell2. 1. University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW s.harvey@unsw.edu.au. 2. University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. 3. Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. 4. Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC. 5. Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess changes in the prevalence rates of probable common mental disorders (CMDs) and in rates of disability support pensions (DSPs) for people with psychiatric disorders in Australia between 2001 and 2014. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Secondary analysis of data from five successive Australian national health surveys of representative samples of the working age population (18-65 years of age) and national data on DSP recipients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of probable CMDs with very high symptom level (defined by a Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K10] score of 30 or more) or with high symptom level (K10 score of 22 or more); the proportion of working age Australians receiving DSPs for psychiatric conditions. RESULTS: There was no change in the prevalence rate of probable CMDs with very high symptom levels between 2001 and 2014, but a slight decrease in the prevalence of probable CMDs with high symptoms levels, particularly among those under 45 years of age. Over the same period, the proportion of working age individuals receiving DSPs for psychiatric conditions increased by 51% (for trend, P < 0.001), equivalent to one additional DSP for every 182 working age Australians. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to popular belief, the prevalence of probable CMDs in Australia was stable between 2001 and 2014. However, the proportion of the working age population receiving DSPs for psychiatric conditions increased dramatically over the same period. This conundrum is a major public health problem that should be further examined.
OBJECTIVES: To assess changes in the prevalence rates of probable common mental disorders (CMDs) and in rates of disability support pensions (DSPs) for people with psychiatric disorders in Australia between 2001 and 2014. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Secondary analysis of data from five successive Australian national health surveys of representative samples of the working age population (18-65 years of age) and national data on DSP recipients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of probable CMDs with very high symptom level (defined by a Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K10] score of 30 or more) or with high symptom level (K10 score of 22 or more); the proportion of working age Australians receiving DSPs for psychiatric conditions. RESULTS: There was no change in the prevalence rate of probable CMDs with very high symptom levels between 2001 and 2014, but a slight decrease in the prevalence of probable CMDs with high symptoms levels, particularly among those under 45 years of age. Over the same period, the proportion of working age individuals receiving DSPs for psychiatric conditions increased by 51% (for trend, P < 0.001), equivalent to one additional DSP for every 182 working age Australians. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to popular belief, the prevalence of probable CMDs in Australia was stable between 2001 and 2014. However, the proportion of the working age population receiving DSPs for psychiatric conditions increased dramatically over the same period. This conundrum is a major public health problem that should be further examined.
Authors: Elizabeth Stratton; Amit Lampit; Isabella Choi; Rafael A Calvo; Samuel B Harvey; Nicholas Glozier Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-12-21 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Katherine Petrie; Aimée Gayed; Bridget T Bryan; Mark Deady; Ira Madan; Anita Savic; Zoe Wooldridge; Isabelle Counson; Rafael A Calvo; Nicholas Glozier; Samuel B Harvey Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-05-23 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: M Deady; D A Johnston; N Glozier; D Milne; I Choi; A Mackinnon; A Mykletun; R A Calvo; A Gayed; R Bryant; H Christensen; S B Harvey Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2018-06-01 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Mark Deady; David Johnston; David Milne; Nick Glozier; Dorian Peters; Rafael Calvo; Samuel Harvey Journal: JMIR Mhealth Uhealth Date: 2018-12-04 Impact factor: 4.773
Authors: Aimée Gayed; Anthony D LaMontagne; Allison Milner; Mark Deady; Rafael A Calvo; Helen Christensen; Arnstein Mykletun; Nick Glozier; Samuel B Harvey Journal: JMIR Ment Health Date: 2018-07-03
Authors: Aimée Gayed; Leona Tan; Anthony D LaMontagne; Allison Milner; Mark Deady; Josie S Milligan-Saville; Ira Madan; Rafael A Calvo; Helen Christensen; Arnstein Mykletun; Nicholas Glozier; Samuel B Harvey Journal: Internet Interv Date: 2019-07-13