Young Minds Matter: The second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2013-14

The objective of the Young Minds Matter survey was to estimate the prevalence, severity, and impact of mental disorders in children and adolescents in Australia. Seven mental disorders were assessed using the parent or carer completed version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV (DISC-IV), and major depressive disorder was also assessed using the youth self-report version of the DISC-IV. Severity and impact were assessed using an extended version of the DISC-IV impact on functioning questions, and days absent from school due to symptoms of mental disorders. Data were collected in a national face-to-face survey of 6,310 parents or carers of children and adolescents aged 4-17 years, accompanied by self-report surveys of 2,969 young people aged 11-17 years. The 12-month prevalence of mental disorders was 13.9%. The most common class of disorders was ADHD followed by anxiety disorders. Mental disorders were more common in step-, blended- or one parent families, in families living in rented accommodation and families where one or both carers were not in employment. Some 2.1% of children and adolescents had severe disorders, 3.5% had moderate disorders and 8.3% had mild disorders. Mental disorders were associated with a substantial number of days absent from school, particularly in adolescents.