S.TRUEMAN PhD THESIS 2016

12

10 15 20 25 30 35 40

A&TSI Non-A&TSI

0 5

0-14 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 Over 65

Figure 1.3. Population age profile by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status as percentage of total population. Source: AIHW, 2014a.

A&TSI: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Table 1.3 Population Age Profile by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Status as Percentages of Total Population (Source: AIHW, 2014a)

Age range

0–14 18.8 35.9

15–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–64 Over 65

Non-Indigenous

13.1 19.3

13.7 13.1

14.3 12.3

13.9

11.9

14.2

Indigenous

9.7

5.9

3.8

The age profile of Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in remote Australia is a major contributor to the increased incidents and higher per capita levels of serious mental illness and suicide in remote Australia (ABS, 2011a; Holland, Dudgeon & Milroy, 2012). In remote and very remote communities, there is a higher incidence of serious mental illness in early teenage years and early twenties, including psychotic disorders, major depression and substance use disorders (Kelly, Dudgeon, Gee & Glaskin, 2009;