One in five Australian adults has mental illness: Report

A government report released on Tuesday said that at least one in five Australian adults experiences a mental health difficulty in any given year.

An estimated 7.29 million Australians aged 16 to 85 have suffered mental illness; Xinhua quoted the study by the National Mental Health Commission as saying.

Commission chairperson Allan Fels called on the Australian federal and state governments to reaffirm their commitment in dealing with mental health issues.

'It is important that the prime minister (Julia Gillard) gave mental health a seat at the top table, making it a matter for premiers and chief ministers, and putting mental health in her portfolio,' Fels said in a statement.

Source: IANS