According to the CDC, the childhood incidence of mental health disorders in USA are even worse:
We can see the same worsening trends for both countries.
To put it in perspective, in an average Australian class size of 22 children, three of them will experience some kind of mental health issue. If you are a teacher you will understand the nature of disruptions to teaching that can arise. It’s not just a problem for the families having to deal with seemingly insurmountable stress and health problems, but the burden is transferred throughout the whole community and to the wider population as our taxes have to pay for ever increasing support services.
To make matters worse, many of these children grow into adults unable to be productive. We therefore lose twice: Firstly, on the cost of mounting disability supports for mental health, and secondly, on the loss of potential productivity of those people.
“$9 billion was spent on mental health in 2015–16… 4 million people were estimated to have experienced a common mental disorder in 2015.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
“Mental illnesses are the largest single cause of disability in Australia, accounting for 24% of the burden of non-fatal disease.
Measured by total years of life lived with disability. This has a major impact on youth and people in their prime adult working years.” (Australian Dept Health)