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This FACT indicates the psychological distress levels of adults in each Australian state, per 100,000 persons.
Mental health problems can stem from factors that are associated with attributes of a low socio-economic background, such as unemployment, lower income and poor physical health. The numbers use data gathered from the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. The scale measures non-specific psychological distress based on 10 questions asked of respondents about negative emotional states.
The state which reported 'high' and 'highest' levels of distress was South Australia, at 8.5 per 100,000 people. The state with the lowest levels of psychological distress was Tasmania, at 4.9 people per 100,000.