A SELECTION OF LINKS TO OTHER SITES
MensLine Australia: supporting men and their families
"When you feel like it's all getting too much, help is as close as the phone. Talk to someone who understands." MensLine Australia aims to help Australian men to build and nurture healthy personal relationships that support healthy families, workplaces and communities.
Beating the Black Dog
Watch it on YouTube
Five Australians tell their story of beating depression, the "black dog" affecting one in five people in this country. This documentary was produced by Four Corners, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's long-running (Four Corners celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011), award-winning investigative journalism program, and originally aired in 2004. It explores this important issue through the moving personal stories of those who have struggled with depression for years. They and their families reveal the cost to themselves and those around them. They tell of their courageous battles to lead their lives. For some, this has meant taking medication in conjunction with therapy and lifestyle changes. Others have found that they are able to manage their condition without the need for ongoing medication.
The documentary is available for download from Journeyman Pictures. The transcript of the program is also available.
Headspace
Mental health is the single biggest health issue facing young Australians. headspace, Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation, is working to make appropriate and responsive services readily accessible for young people aged 12-25. It aims to be the focal point for youth mental health issues, and to deliver improvements in mental health, social wellbeing and economic participation for young people. There are headspace services in each state and territory.
Beyondblue
Depression and anxiety can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time. beyondblue is an organisation actively working in Australia to “build a society that understands and responds to the personal and social impact of depression, works actively to prevent it, and improves the quality of life for everyone affected by it.”
My experience of depression is that most people don't understand it, and are not able to understand what you are feeling or thinking when you are depressed. I was really encouraged when beyondblue was established in 2000. It's role in educating people—both those who suffer from depression and those who don't—is a vital one.
Includes help in diagnosing symptoms, personal stories, and beyondblue's TV ads.
SANE Australia
SANE Australia is a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness through campaigns, education and research. Free Factsheets can be read online or downloaded. Bookshop.
Black Dog Institute
An educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility dedicated to improving the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders.
Where beyondblue's focus is the general public, The Black Dog Institue's emphasis is on diagnosis and management of mood disorders by raising clinical, research, education and training standards. The site includes information on depression and bipolar disorder.