Consultation with health professionals for mental health in Australia in 2020–2022 and changes since 2007: Findings from the 2020–2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the proportions of Australians aged 16-85 years who consulted health professionals for mental health in 2020-2022, and changes since 2007. METHODS: = 8841). RESULTS: In 2020-2022, 17.4% of Australians aged 16-85 years had consulted a health professional (including overnight hospital admission) for their mental health in the past year (vs 11.9% in 2007). The largest increases between the surveys were in use of psychologists (123%), other (non-medical) mental health professionals (64%), and general practitioners (53%). Of adults with a 12-month mental disorder, 46.6% consulted a health professional in 2020-2022 (vs 37.5% in 2007), increasing with severity (mild 22.9%, moderate 48.4% and severe 68.8%). Multivariate regression models showed that consulting a health professional was positively associated with age < 65 years, female sex, being unmarried, disorder severity, and affective or anxiety disorder; these patterns held for consultations with most types of professionals. Socioeconomic and geographical characteristics were associated with consulting particular professionals: lower income (consulting a psychiatrist), high income and living in a major city (psychologist), living in a less disadvantaged area (general practitioner). Increases in consulting were not experienced by all groups (e.g. the likelihood of consulting increased for people aged 16-45 years, but not for older age groups). CONCLUSION: Consultation with health professionals for mental health improved between 2007 and 2020-2022 but remains below national targets. Some changes may reflect recent service reforms; however, gaps in access persist.