Mental health in Australia has become an increasingly important topic and is at the forefront of many minds across the country.

In Sydney and Bondi Junction, there’s been an uptake in therapy as mental health awareness and understanding grow. The perception surrounding mental health has shifted; people are seeing the value in mental wellness as more locals embrace therapy. It’s a tool for growth, self-awareness, and emotional resilience.

Bondi Junction residents are becoming more conscious of their mental health, with a diverse range of people now looking for a psychologist in Bondi Junction. From young professionals and parents to retirees and university students, the trend is clear: mental wellbeing matters more than ever.

Some key findings from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing by the Australian Bureau of Statistics were:

2. 21.5% of people struggled for 12 months with a mental health disorder, with anxiety being the most common.

3. 21.5% of people struggled for 12 months with a mental health disorder, with anxiety being the most common.

This study showcases just how common mental health struggles have become in Australia, and the need for support is there.

4. “In 2020-2022, 17.4% of Australians (3.4 million people) aged 16-85 saw a health professional for their mental health.”

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia undoubtedly shifted in not only how we viewed mental health, but also its importance for overall happiness and general wellbeing.

The demand for therapy was growing, and Australians were becoming increasingly aware of the mental health challenges they were facing.

Turning our attention to Sydney, the statistics show a similar story.

5. 6.6% of Greater Sydney residents reported having a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) in the 2021 Census.

6. Australian females who have struggled for 12 months with a mental health disorder were more likely to have seen a health professional for their mental health than males (51.1% compared to 36.4%).

Not only was our awareness surrounding mental health changing, but we were also changing how we access care.

7. “Nearly 945,000 Australians (4.8%) aged 16-85 years” used digital methods (such as their phone or internet) to access mental health services.

8. “In 2020-2022, 17.6% of Australians aged 16-85 dispensed at least one PBS-subsidised mental health-related medication.”

9. Women were more likely than men to be dispensed mental health-related medications (21.6% compared with 13.5%).

This growth in mental health services has continued, with access to online and medical services becoming a more suitable option for many people.

10. During the December quarter of 2024, nearly 3.1 million Medicare mental health services were processed across Australia.

11. During the same quarter of 2024, “almost 270,000 calls were made to Lifeline”. This rate was 5% higher than the recorded rate in the same quarter in 2023.

These developments in the mental health space demonstrate a change in the perception of mental health. Through the increasing demand, mental health challenges are becoming less stigmatised and more acknowledged.

The increase in mental health challenges brought on a wave of acceptance and advocacy, but not without challenges.

12. “In NSW in 2024, 19% of adults experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress.”

13. In 2024, a peak of 31% of people in NSW aged 16-24 years reported high or very high levels of distress (20% in men and 42% in women), which was ‘a particular increase among women since 2023’.

14. Contrastingly, this same year only 11% of people aged 75 years and over reported these high levels of psychological distress.

With these localised reports of mental health difficulties, there was an increased visibility of our mental health system across Australia.

15. The Australian Government allocated approximately $4.6 billion to mental health-related services in 2022-23 in an effort to improve mental health care.

But what was causing these difficulties to occur? Let’s look at the stats.

16. Perinatal mental illness affects up to 1 in 5 expecting or new mothers and 1 in 10 expecting or new fathers in Australia.

17.Beyond Blue’s survey of November 2022 indicated that 37% of respondents felt cost-of-living pressures had negatively impacted their mental health “quite a bit” or “an extreme amount” over the previous 12 months.

In 2024, Beyond Blue and the Australian National University’s Social Research Centre conducted Australia’s 2024 Mental Health and Wellbeing Check. The study revealed what was causing stress amongst Australians and the delay in getting support.

18. 46% of respondents listed ‘financial pressure as a key factor in their distress’.

19. Almost half (49%) of respondents said they waited until “‘they were ‘very distressed’ or ‘extremely distressed’” before they sought mental health care.

20. Other stress-causing factors were “Housing affordability and personal relationship challenges”, reported by 34% of respondents.

The cost of living in Sydney is significantly higher than the national average, meaning the city is prime for these stress-inducing factors. Financial stress heavily impacts the lives of Sydney residents.

The rise of mental health awareness and demand for accessibility to the sector means it’s essential to look at this accessibility and how easy it is to get mental health support in Sydney and Australia.

21. “In 2022, there were approximately 25,000 mental health nurses, 33,000 psychologists, 2,800 mental health occupational therapists, and 2,900 accredited mental health social workers working in Australia.”

22. Approximately “2.7 million Australians (10% of the population) received Medicare mental health services in 2023-24.”

23. “18% of Australians were dispensed mental-health related medications in 2023-24”.

24. “Spending on mental health-related services increased from $11.3 billion (2018-19) to $13.2 billion in 2022-23”.

25. The Australian Government’s expenditure on Medicare mental health services and mental health-related medications provided through the PBS accounted for 48% of the total mental health spending in 2022-23

26. In total, “over $1.5 billion was spent on mental health-related Medicare services and $691 million on PBS mental health-related prescriptions in 2023-24”

27. Private Health Insurance Premium Rebates made up 4% of total mental health spending.

28. During 2023-24, “17% of people saw at least one health professional for their own mental health, similar to 2022-23 (16.5%)”.

Of these figures, it was reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics that:

29. 12.7% saw a GP for their mental health.

30. 8.3% saw a psychologist.

31. 3.2% saw a psychiatrist.

32. 2.5% saw another mental health professional, e.g. mental health nurse, social worker or counsellor.

While the uptake in seeking professional care remained relatively stable with a subtle increase, there was still evidence of people delaying treatment due to various barriers, like financial constraints.

33. In 2023-24, 20.4% of people delayed or did not see a health professional for their mental health when needed due to cost.

34. People in the most disadvantaged areas were more likely to delay or go without prescription medication due to cost (10.9%).

The increase in telehealth availability for psychology appointments helped counter inaccessibility for people living in remote areas, with busy work schedules, or who did not feel comfortable attending an appointment in person.

35. In 2023-34, 26.2% of people who saw a health professional for their mental health did so at least once using a telehealth service.

36. In the December quarter of 2025, 20% of Medicare-subsidised mental health-specific services were delivered via telehealth.

37. In NSW specifically, 938,888 Medicare-subsidised services were processed in this same quarter.

38. Of these services, 21% were delivered via telehealth in NSW to assist with mental health care.

39. In this same quarter, it was reported that 3,554,406 mental health prescriptions were dispensed in NSW.

It was not only telehealth that assisted NSW residents.

40. Lifeline reported, “61,204 answered contacts for NSW in the Dec quarter 2024”.

Digital and telehealth mental health services have demonstrated their importance in Australia’s mental health landscape. Through increased accessibility, more Australians can access vital mental health support.

It’s undeniable that a large portion of Sydney residents and beyond, have been experiencing mental health challenges and psychological distress in recent years. However, the growing awareness surrounding mental health has led to people becoming more receptive to seeking support.

But barriers remain. Stigma surrounding mental health difficulties is still prevalent, and cost continues to deter and delay Australians from experiencing therapy and care.

It’s important to know there are options available to assist you. By booking with your GP and getting a Mental Health Care Plan, you are entitled to up to 10 sessions with Medicare rebates with an eligible mental health professional.

Looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and this Medicare access makes support a little easier. The rebate can cover a significant portion of your session fee. For many people, this lowers the financial barrier that stops them from getting help.

But rebates aside, the real value lies in the investment you’re making in yourself. Prioritising your mental health can improve relationships, energy levels, and your overall wellbeing and happiness. You don’t need to be in a crisis to seek mental health support, and you shouldn’t go through it alone.

No matter what you’re experiencing, The Anxiety Clinic can help.

In the vibrant hub of Sydney’s Bondi Junction, you can find the compassionate and experienced team at The Anxiety Clinic.

Founded and led by clinical psychologist and global anxiety expert Dr Jodie Lowinger, The Anxiety Clinic is a safe and supportive environment to process your emotions and thoughts, and focus on your mental wellbeing.

Our team of clinical and registered psychologists can help you navigate mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma, and more. Working with children, teenagers and adults, we exclusively use evidence-based therapy strategies to help you not only recover, but grow.