Mental Health Living Longer is a population-wide data linkage developed to support research and service reform in NSW. It uses NSW Health data to understand and reduce excess mortality in people using public mental health services.
The program is developing data and research in four themes:
The program is led by the System Information and Analytics Branch, NSW Ministry of Health. You can contact us for more information: InforMH@health.nsw.gov.au
Find out about the Mental Health Living Longer Program's datasets, linkage methods and other planned studies.
Enhanced ED self-harm reporting using additional ICD-10 codes and free text
Summary: We developed an enhanced method for identifying self-harm presentations in Emergency Department (ED) data. The method uses additional ICD-10 codes and automated searching of presenting problem text. It produces much more accurate estimates than diagnosis codes alone and is now used in NSW reporting.
ED self-harm and suicidal ideation presentations before and since COVID-19
Summary: Self-harm and suicidal ideation presentations in young people accelerated during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in females aged 12-17 and in urban areas.
Breast cancer screening in NSW mental health service users
Summary: Breast screening saves lives through early detection before advanced cancer develops. Only 30% of mental health service users participated in breast screening, compared with 53% of other NSW women. This is not due to differences in socioeconomic disadvantage or living in rural areas.
Breast cancer spread at diagnosis in mental health service users
Summary: Early cancer detection leads to more effective treatment. Mental health service users with breast cancer were 63% more likely to have advanced cancer at first diagnosis compared to other NSW women. They were also less likely to have had prior breast screening. Increasing screening rates in women who use mental health services is critical. We also need to understand other causes of delayed diagnosis or more advanced cancer.
Cervical cancer screening in mental health service users
Summary: Women using NSW mental health services were 26% less likely to have cervical cancer screening than other NSW women. This means that around 16,000 mental health service users missed out on recommended screening over the 2-year study period.
Visual abstract: NSW Mental Health service users have lower rates of cervical screening
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Potentially preventable hospitalisations for physical health conditions
Summary: Mental health service users had nearly 3.6 times more hospitalisations for preventable physical conditions than other NSW residents. Risks were particularly high for vaccine-preventable conditions, respiratory disease and diabetes complications.
Vaccine-preventable hospitalisations in adult mental health service users
Summary: Mental health service users were 3.2 times more likely to be admitted to hospital for conditions like hepatitis, pneumonia and COVID-19 which can be prevented by vaccines. People living with mental ill health need better access to vaccines.
Can mental health service users access surgery when they need it?
Summary: NSW mental health service users had 1.5 times more surgery than other people in NSW, perhaps because they have more illnesses which need surgery. However mental health service users were 4.5 times more likely to have emergency surgery, and less likely to have surgery for some disabling conditions. This suggests there are barriers to accessing surgery when it is needed.
Visual abstract: NSW Mental Health service users have high rates of emergency surgery
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