| Spring 2011 |
Mental Health Week is here - get the facts and get involved!
This year, Mental Health Week runs from Sunday 9 October to Saturday 15 October. Mental Health Week is a national awareness event, held every October and incorporates World Mental Health Day (Monday 10 October).
During Mental Health Week, beyondblue is encouraging everyone to make an effort to help break down the stigma associated with depression and anxiety. A national Mental Health Stigma Summit is being held in Brisbane (10-11 October), with representatives from government and key mental health organisations coming together to discuss issues around stigma and how the people working in the sector can collaborate to combat stigma.
Our message for Mental Health Week is: Depression and anxiety don't discriminate. Do you?
To get involved, you can:
- Share the facts - depression and anxiety are common illnesses, not weaknesses, and with the right treatment,
most people recover. - Download our free Mental Health Week postcards and posters and display them in your workplace, school or local community health centre.
- Share beyondblue's newsletter article on depression, anxiety and stigma via your intranet, Facebook page or Twitter feed.
- Update your Facebook or Twitter profile picture with our badge.
| Seniors Weeks and Festivals in Vic, Tas, WA and SA |
Raising awareness of depression in refugee communities |
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 A poster from the new campaign for older people |
beyondblue is proud to be a major supporter of Seniors Weeks and Festivals across Australia. This month, Seniors Weeks and Festivals are being held in South Australia (1-31 October), Tasmania (1-7 October), Victoria (2-9 October) and Western Australia (31 October-7 November). To coincide with this month's Seniors Weeks and Festivals, beyondblue has launched a new awareness campaign for older people. To read more, click here |
 An image from Universal Stories of Healing from Depression |
A new audio-visual resource, titled Universal Stories of Healing from Depression, has been developed to raise awareness of depression in refugee communities. There are three stories from three different communities spoken in English, Dari (Afghanistan), Karen (Burma) and Sudanese Arabic (Sudan). To read more, click here |
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| FREE beyondblue mental health training for small to medium businesses |
Online courses for people with OCD, PTSD, chronic pain, and older people |
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beyondblue is encouraging people in small to medium businesses (SMBs) to take part in a free training program to prevent and manage depression and anxiety in the workplace. To read more, click here |
Online courses, also referred to as e-therapies, can be an effective way for people to recognise and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety in the privacy of their homes. To find out more about free trials of online courses from The eCentreClinic of Macquarie University, NSW, click here |
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| Depression, anxiety and substance use |
Five minutes with ... Natasha Stott Despoja |
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 The latest beyondblue/MJA supplement |
In addition to funding research, beyondblue promotes research findings through the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) Supplements. beyondblue's latest supplement for the MJA looks at depression, anxiety and substance use. To read more, click here |
 Natasha Stott Despoja |
beyondblue Board Director Natasha Stott Despoja may no longer be treading the halls of Federal Parliament, but she’s still crusading for the issues about which she is passionate. To read more click here |
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Upcoming events
Netball Australia Test Series - 9-16 October - beyondblue is the charity partner for the Holden Netball Test Series currently being played between Australia Diamonds and England. beyondblue wristbands and information are being distributed at the games, being played in Newcastle (October 9), Canberra (October 12) and Sydney (October). Go Diamonds!
Carers Week - 16-22 October - Carers Week is an annual celebration which aims to recognise, support and celebrate people who care for others. To find out more, visit www.carersaustralia.com.au
Movember - the month formerly known as November - is just around the corner. During Movember, men grow a moustache to raise awareness of depression and prostate cancer. Mo Bros and Mo Sistas ask for support and sponsorship from their families, friends and colleagues. beyondblue is a proud beneficiary of Movember - funds raised by Mo Bros and Mo Sistas go towards beyondblue programs, research and resources for and about men. To find out more, visit www.movember.com
Mental health and suicide “Let’s Talk About It” public forum and live ABC broadcast - 8 November – At a special live ABC Local Radio forum on November 8, beyondblue Deputy CEO Dr Nicole Highet will join psychiatrist and Australian of the Year 2010, Professor Pat McGorry and Lifeline’s Director of Communications and Government, Chris Wagner to discuss depression, anxiety and suicide. The forum will be broadcast on the ABC Statewide Drive program hosted by Kathy Bedford, and will take place at The Capitol Theatre in Bendigo on November 8 (3-6pm). For more information or to stream the forum live, go to www.abc.net.au/centralvic
Postnatal Depression Awareness Week - 13-17 November - Up to one in 10 Australian women will experience depression during pregnancy. This increases to one in seven in the year following birth. Anxiety is thought to be even more common. Help raise awareness and reduce the stigma. To find out more about visit www.JustSpeakUp.com.au
beyondblue is an independent, not for profit organisation based in Australia.
Please note, our info line number is for callers in Australia and materials cannot be sent overseas.
The beyondblue bulletin is specifically for people working in the health, mental health, government and community sectors.
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Visit www.beyondblue.org.au Call 1300 22 4636 Email infoline@beyondblue.org.au