The designation of mental health by the Commonwealth Government and the State Governments as one of the five National Health Priority Areas is in recognition of its social and public health importance.
Mental health relates to emotions, thoughts and behaviours.
However, even minor mental health problems may affect everyday activities to the extent that individuals cannot function as they would wish, or are expected to, within their family and community. The survey objectives were to determine the prevalence of selected major mental disorders, the level of disability associated with these disorders, and health services used and help needed as a consequence of mental health problems. Measuring mental health Measuring mental health in the community through household surveys is a complex task as mental disorder is usually determined through clinical diagnosis. The World Health Organization Training and Reference Centre for CIDI in Australia, contracted by the Department of Health and Aged Care, developed a computerised version of the CIDI for the survey. For others, it recurs throughout their lives.