20 November 2008

Salvation Army launches major initiative to help deal with depression in rural Australia as figures show depression now affects 1 million adults in Australia each year and costs over $600 million annually.

The Salvos 'Braver, Stronger, Wiser' project will see 500,000 DVDs about how to manage and tackle depression distributed across Australia - the project is targeting depression in the bush. Regional Australians will be able to order the DVD free of charge.

A massive bank of celebrities are behind the project including Stuart Diver, Peter Cosgrove, Melinda Schneider, Anne Kirkpatrick, Andrew Gaze, Jack Thompson, Neil Murray, Ita Buttrose, Troy Cassar-Daley, John Williamson and many others. The project is being officially launched on Thursday 20th November 2008.

As experts predict that by 2020 depression will be one of the biggest health problems worldwide, the Salvation Army today (Thursday November 20th 2008) will launch a huge initiative aimed squarely at helping people in rural Australia who are having issues with depression.

The Salvos have produced 500,000 DVDs all about depression and how to get help in managing the problem. The 500,000 DVDs will be distributed across the bush by the Salvation Army as part of the 'Braver, Stronger, Wiser' project.

The Salvation Army highlights that figures continue to show depression is a massive issue for the community with statistics from beyondblue: the national depression initiative showing around a million adults and 100,000 young people live with depression each year and depression costs the Australian community over $600 million. It's estimated 1 in 5 Australians will experience depression at some point in their lifetime.

The DVD follows the journey of four rural Australians who have worked through depression and have emerged successfully managing their depression. The DVD also contains many practical explanations on how to deal with depression plus contact numbers of organisations that can help. The DVD was created by filmmaker and Salvo Anna Rudd after someone she knew considered taking their life.

Anyone in regional Australia who wants a DVD will be able to get one free of charge. To register for a copy, people should simply ring 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or go to salvos.org.au/rural. The inspirational DVD shows how depression can be beaten and also contains a massive range of tips including what is depression, problem solving, taking care of yourself, dealing with panic attacks, men and depression, signs and symptoms, overcoming negative thinking and many other elements.

Salvation Army spokesman Major Phil Maxwell says the main aim of the project is to directly respond to the suicide crisis in rural Australia. He highlights that the clear message is that help is out there for depression and it can be managed successfully.

A massive bank of celebrities from all walks of life are supporting the Salvation Army's anti-depression initiative - which is also supported by beyondblue: the national depression initiative.

Supporters include Peter Cosgrove, Melinda Schneider, Andrew Gaze, John Williamson, Stuart Diver, Jack Thompson, Duncan Armstrong, Anne Kirkpatrick (daughter of the legendary Slim Dusty), Iva Davies, Rhonda Burchmore, Neil Murray, Troy Cassar-Daley, Susie Elelman, Deborah Hutton, Guy Leech, Graeme Connors and Ita Buttrose.

Thredbo survivor Stuart Diver will help launch the Salvation Army's anti-depression project at the official launch in Sydney on Thursday November 20th along with country music stars Melinda Schneider and Anne Kirkpatrick (daughter of the legendary Slim Dusty). Catherine Driver, Warren Timothy, Mark Pickford and Hannah Stone - who all feature in the educational DVD by talking about their personal battles with depression in the bush - will also be at the launch along with Associate Professor Michael Baigent of beyondblue: the national depression initiative.

Many top Salvation Army people will speak at the launch including Lieutenant Colonel James Condon, Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Finger, Major Philip Maxwell and Captain Peter McGuigan.

All media are invited to the official launch of Braver, Stronger, Wiser which will be held on Thursday 20th November at 11am. Many speakers will talk about the project. The four regional Australians featured in the DVD will be at the launch. Thredbo survivor Stuart Diver will help launch the DVD along with Melinda Schneider and Anne Kirkpatrick who will speak at the launch. The media launch will be held at the New South Wales State Parliament's Theatrette, Parliament House, Macquarie Street Sydney.

Lieutenant-Colonel James Condon said "It's deeply alarming to see what is happening in the bush right now. Depression is a very real issue in regional Australia. We are targeting depression head on with this project because it is vital rural Australia gets a hand with this issue."

"Some communities are feeling abandoned and isolated. We have to create a situation where people start to realise depression can be a 'normal experience' and that if it's happening to you, you are not crazy ... you can lead a fulfilling existence."

Lieutenant-Colonel Raymond Finger added "We want to put tools in the hands of rural Australians so if someone feels suicidal they can save someone else's life - or their own. Many rural Australians suffer from isolation because they lack services and GPs can be very thin on the ground. Psychological professionals in some areas may be almost non-existent. This Braver, Stronger, Wiser project is a Salvation Army initiative to celebrate the spirit of the bush and all that makes regional Australia so remarkable. It has the full support of beyondblue: the national depression initiative and their key clinical advisor Associate Professor Michael Baigent is a major part of this project."

Speaking about the project, Melinda Schneider said "Depression is such a serious and huge problem in Australia and the rising numbers of people affected are staggering, especially in regional Australia. I applaud the Salvos once again for raising awareness around such an important and misunderstood issue."

The Salvation Army has a huge range of services to help the bush including Outback Flying Chaplains, a drought relief program and a rural chaplains covering vast amounts of Australia's rural territory.

The four key people featured in the DVD all show how depression damaged their lives - and then they sought help and today they are successfully managing the issue. Catherine Driver battled postnatal depression and could not get assistance... she has been diagnosed as bi-polar and today manages a 70,000 acre property. Mark Pickford - a fifth generation farmer - was running a farm that at one point was losing $10,000 a month. He talks in the film about how he battled depression.

Hannah Stone had suicidal thoughts and was diagnosed with depression due to a chemical imbalance. She spoke bravely to her school as a teenager about her depression... and today she has turned a corner and works in real estate. Warren Timothy turned to alcohol and marijuana after his father's death and today he is clean and sober and after a battle with depression is a happy family man.

Leonie Young, CEO of beyondblue: the national depression initiative said "beyondblue is very pleased to have supported The Salvation Army in producing this informative and moving DVD. Having ordinary people tell their extraordinary personal stories is an effective way to raise awareness of depression, reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help early from a health professional."

Lieutenant-Colonel James Condon added "Depression can be beaten - and m. It's one of the key drivers that brings people to the door of the Salvation Army. Each year we help over 1 million Australians in crisis. It's a staggering number. We know that the bush is hurting and this project is about offering a practical tool to people to show them help is out there. Depression can ultimately happen to anybody and it can be managed."

To make the Braver, Stronger, Wiser project happen, the Salvation Army is working extensively with a number of major organisations. These include: 7000 rural GPs through the Rural Doctors Association; licensed rural postal agencies; rural Landcare offices; rural ABC radio stations; and rural Westpac branches.

Anyone in regional Australia who wants to register for a DVD should go to salvos.org.au/rural or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).