A mental health condition is characterized by a significant disturbance of thought, mood, perception and memory. It is a health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, behaves and interacts with others. About 1 in 5 people in Australia will suffer from a mental health condition, however many people will suffer from a mental health problem at some stage in their lives. A mental health condition can also affect how a person thinks and behaves, but it is generally much less severe, and is in reaction to a stressful situation occurring in a person’s life.

Mental health conditions’ are of different types and severity. Some major types are: depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorders, personality disorders and eating disorders. The most common is anxiety or depression, where people feel such strong feelings of sadness, fear or tension; they have difficulty coping with day-to-day activities such as work, leisure activities and relationships.

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