Table 1 Data sets used to fit the dynamic model in Fig. 1. Note that analyses using psychological distress data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Survey [18] yield results qualitatively similar to those presented here for the HILDA Survey data (see Supplementary appendix 4)
Model output | Data source | Data points (n) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Psychological distress | Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey [19] | 6 (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019) | Data on the prevalence of high to very high psychological distress (K10 scores of 22 or more) among Australian adults (aged 18 years and above) were derived from the HILDA Survey [19]. Numbers of people experiencing high to very high psychological distress, obtained by multiplying the HILDA Survey prevalence estimates by Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates (i.e., for the same year), were used for model fitting. |
Population | National demographic statistics [20] | 12 (one per year for 2008–2019) | Population estimates (18 years and above, 30 June in each year) were taken directly from national demographic statistics published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics [20]. |
Total mortality | National mortality statistics [21] | 12 (one per year for 2008–2019) | Total numbers of deaths per year (18 years and above, all causes) were taken directly from national mortality statistics published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics [21]. |
Patients receiving mental health care per year | Mental Health Services in Australia (online report) [22] | 12 (one per year for 2008–2019) | National data on mental health services provision were derived from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s online report Mental Health Services in Australia [22]. Numbers of adults (18 years and above) with high to very high psychological distress receiving Medicare-subsidised mental health services per year were obtained by multiplying total numbers of patients receiving care by estimates of the proportion of all patients receiving services who are aged 18 years and above (85.20% [22]) and the proportion of patients aged 18 years and above with high to very high psychological distress (34.45% [23]). Medicare-subsidised mental health services include Australian Government-funded services provided by general practitioners, psychiatrists, and psychologists and other allied health professionals. |