Bondi Junction and the eastern suburbs of Sydney are often seen as vibrant, affluent, and outwardly carefree. But even amongst this idyllic Sydney setting, mental health challenges are real and increasingly visible. Stress, anxiety, and depression are still concerns and not immune to the pressures of modern life.
At The Anxiety Clinic, we understand these pressures firsthand. As a leading psychology practice in Bondi Junction, we provide experienced and professional care for a range of mental health concerns. We regularly support individuals, couples, families and groups to navigate challenges.
In 2025, raising mental health awareness and improving local support are essential for our community. This article examines 30 evidence-based statistics to provide clarity around the mental health landscape Australians are navigating, with insights relevant to Bondi Junction residents.
While figures are often reported on a national or statewide scale, the trends translate meaningfully into contexts like Bondi Junction: demographics with high stress, cost pressures, commuting, relationship strain, and social comparison all intersect here to shape the wellbeing of our area.
By understanding these statistics, we can better appreciate the realities surrounding us, promote an open conversation, and ensure support is accessible for everyone in Bondi Junction and the surrounding areas.
Awareness, Attitudes and Prevalence
Understanding how our community views mental health is the first step to creating meaningful change. Here, we examine key statistics on public awareness, attitudes towards mental health, and how willing people are to discuss their experiences.
- 5.7% of Bondi Junction residents reported having a type of mental health condition.
- In Bondi Junction – Waverly, 6.2% of residents reported having a type of mental health condition.
- 43% of Australians (aged 1685) have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime.
- 21.5% (roughly 4.3 million) reported a 12-month mental health challenge in 2020-22.
- Those reporting a 12-month mental health issue, 45.1% saw a health professional.
- 17.4% of Australians saw a health professional for their mental health in the past 12 months.
- 12.4% saw a GP, and 7.8% saw a psychologist in the same period.
- 24.6% of Females and 18.3% of Males reported a 12-month mental health condition.
- 19% of adults in NSW experienced high or very high psychological distress in 2024.
- In Australia, almost 1 in 5 were dispensed a mental health-related prescription in 2023-24.
- Mental health conditions accounted for 15% of the total burden of disease in 2024.
- Anxiety disorders alone contributed to 3.9% of the total disease burden in Australia.
Even in vibrant communities like Bondi Junction, many people still struggle. Understanding local awareness helps reveal where conversations are working and in which areas or demographics stigma persists.
While our knowledge is improving, creating an open dialogue around mental health is key to supporting wellbeing.
Therapy Uptake, Accessibility and Investment in Mental Health
Knowing about mental health is one thing, taking action is another. Here, we explore statistics on how many people actually seek professional support, which services they use and how accessible care really is. These numbers demonstrate the opportunities and gaps in mental health care for locals.
- In 2023-24, about 2.7 million Australians (10%) received 12.6 million Medicare mental health services.
- 3,396 young people (aged 12-25) accessed services at the Headspace Bondi Junction centre.
- Beyond Blue reports that over 75% of mental health issues occur before the age of 25, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
- Medicare mental health services include GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and allied health professionals.
- In NSW, 20% of Medicare-subsidised mental health services (Q2 2025) were delivered via telehealth.
- NSW’s public hospital systems trialled virtual/remote outpatient care: patients generally rated their experiences positively.
- Community mental health (CMH) services in NSW served 146,498 patients in 202-21, implying under-coverage of 29%.
- Australia spent $13.2 billion on mental health in 2022-23, around 7% of government expenditure.
- States deliver specialist community, inpatient, and residential mental health services in addition to primary care.
While access is expanding, there’s still room to ensure every resident can easily find and engage with the support they need. The frequency at which people are looking for mental health support demonstrates the sector as a worthy demand and focus.
Barriers, Cost & Future Trends
Even when people recognise they need help, obstacles can get in the way. Let’s examine factors that prevent Australians and Bondi Junction residents from accessing care, including cost, stigma, and demand for care.
- 9% of Australians aged 16-85 had self-harmed in their lifetime; 2% in the prior 12 months.
- Between 2003 and 2024, total burden from mental & substance use disorders rose to 31%.
- Following the tragic events at Westfield Bondi Junction in 2024, the Black Dog Institute highlighted the importance of community support in the aftermath of traumatic incidents. They emphasised that individuals may experience a range of emotional responses, including shock, grief, and distress, encouraging people to seek support.
- In 2023, Australians lost an estimated 5.6 million healthy years due to disease, with mental health and substance use accounting for 54%.
- It’s been reported that anxiety, depressive, and bipolar disorders together make up 54% of the mental health burden.
- Mission Australia found that 28% of young people in NSW experienced mental health challenges (e.g. low self-esteem or anxiety) in 2023.
- About 11% of people aged 15+ reported seeing a mental health professional in 2021.
- Women are more likely to seek mental health support. In 2020-22, 21.6% of females saw a mental health professional vs 12.9% of males.
- Of those with a 12-month mental condition, 14.3% accessed digital or phone mental health services.
Everybody faces hurdles, whether they be financial, social or systemic, that delay or prevent care. Understanding these barriers helps the community plan for a more inclusive mental health space. Recognising these challenges now allows Bondi Junction to shape services, reduce obstacles, and meet the mental health needs of residents in the future.
The Anxiety Clinic is Here to Support You
These statistics tell us that mental health is no longer hidden. Whether in Bondi Junction or the broader NSW and Australia-wide context, awareness is growing. However, with that growth comes further challenges around access, cost, stigma, and evolving delivery modes like telehealth.
While Bondi Junction’s reported mental health statistics may be lower than the national averages, this doesn’t necessarily mean residents are experiencing fewer mental health difficulties. Mental health conditions are often underreported, especially in affluent or high-achieving communities, due to stigma, fear of judgment, or simply not recognising symptoms. Many choose to self-manage stress, anxiety or depression rather than seeking care.
Research highlights that even when support is available, a significant proportion of Australians (particularly young people and professionals) delay seeking help for months or even years. This ‘hidden burden’ suggests that official statistics can underestimate the true prevalence of mental health concerns in communities like Bondi Junction.
Encouraging open conversation, reducing stigma, and promoting accessible services are essential steps to ensure all residents feel comfortable reaching out when they need help.
If you’re in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and feel curious, stressed, overwhelmed, or just wanting someone to talk to, you don’t have to process these feelings alone. Our team at The Anxiety Clinic is here to help you.
Founded and led by Harvard-trained clinical psychologist and global innovator in anxiety, Dr Jodie Lowinger, our team has been proudly supporting Sydney residents using evidence-based care.
Our team can help with a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma counselling, as well as ADHD and Autism Assessments. If you’d like to book an appointment with us and live outside of the local area or prefer to engage in therapy remotely, we also offer telehealth appointments.
To get started, use our contact form below or explore some of our services to see how we can assist you.