October 2014 Newsletter from Graeme Cowan

In this issue:

• Leadership and Creating a Mentally Healthy Work Culture
• Video highlights from my life changing R U OK? Kokoda Trail Fundraiser
• First Resilience Conference Perth Nov 13-14
• Using Comedy to Fight Stigma Sydney October 30

The newsletter contains a link to more details about the Conference and registration.

Mental Illness Study Reveals Workplace ‘Fear Factor’

One in five Australians are potentially being overlooked for job opportunities due to the ‘fear factor’ in hiring people who have a mental illness, according to new Not for Profit research. The Empowermental research report, released by WISE Employment explores the attitudes of 256 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Australia towards hiring disadvantaged people including those who have a mental illness. Pro Bono Australia News October 7, 2014.

Mental Health Campaign for Indigenous Youth

A national campaign that aims to get Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to talk about problems affecting their mental health and well-being has been launched. The campaign is said to be the first youth-led national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth mental health campaign of its kind and is being lead by Not for Profit organisation headspace. Pro Bono Australia News, September 30, 2024

Antidepressants can affect the brain in just three HOURS

A single dose of antidepressant medication is enough to produce dramatic changes in the brain within three hours, a study has found. Volunteers had their brains scanned after taking the widely-prescribed drug escitalopram, marketed in the UK as Cipralex and Lexapro in the U.S. Daily Mail, Australia, September 20, 2024

A Blood Test For Depression Shows The Illness Is Not A Matter Of Will

A new test that identifies particular molecules in the blood could help doctors diagnose patients with clinical depression, according to a new study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry. The blood test can also predict which therapies would be most successful for patients, and lays the groundwork for one day identifying people who are especially vulnerable to depression — even before they’ve gone through a depressive episode. huffingtonpost.com, September 16, 2024

Working Through Depression Key

Continuing to work while suffering a depressive illness could help employees to better manage their depression more than taking sick leave, a new study has found. The joint study from the University Of Melbourne and the Menzies Research Institute at the University of Tasmania is the first to estimate the long-term costs and health outcomes of depression-related absence as compared to individuals who continue to work among employees with depression in Australia. Pro Bono Australia News, September 11, 2024

Exercise for your mental health

Research has long shown exercise is a simple remedy for stress and depression – and now the medical world is starting to take notice. Flinders exercise physiologist Kim Allsopp regularly works with GPs and psychiatrists treating clients with depression. He devises fitness regimes to complement patients’ mental health care plans, encouraging people to consider exercise as a critical part of their treatment. The Black Dog Institute is also campaigning for exercise as a stress relief through its Exercise Your Mood scheme, running through September.illawarramercury.com.au, September 1, 2024

Mental health lessons cut illness, stigma

A Black Dog Institute study of students who undertook its HeadStrong program showed improved awareness led to better mental health and acceptance. Mental health lessons for secondary school students can reduce stigma and have a potentially lifelong effect, a study has found. sbs.com.au September 1, 2024

Don’t put your health on backburner

ALISON Fairleigh’s journey with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was tough. Now a leading advocate on mental health, the 2013 Rural Industries Research Industry Corporation Queensland Rural Women of the Year says suicide is ripping apart rural communities, which is a great waste because suicide is preventable. theland.com.au, August 31, 2024

Young men taking their lives at twice the rate in bush mental health crisis

YOUNG men in the bush are almost twice as likely to take their lives as those living in cities in a devastating toll that underlines the crisis in mental health care in the country. Even though 30 per cent of the population live outside metropolitan areas nearly 90 per cent of the nation’s psychiatrists are located in cities. In some remote towns the Royal Flying Doctor Service is the only mental health service available and they are often fully booked. news.com.au, August 31, 2024

Mental health stigma hasn’t gone away

According to the Mental Health Foundation, depression affects about 1 in 12 people in the population, and about 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. Since Williams’ death, talk of depression and suicide has been near constant in the media. In short, depression is everywhere. Does that mean that it’s easier for someone with depression to talk about it? www.theguardian.com, August 2014

Comparing depression to cancer doesn’t help anyone

Robin Williams’s suicide has led many to open up about depression in an effort to raise awareness about how many people are living in misery. One of the most common themes in this public discussion has been that depression is a disease like any other. But is depression just like cancer, asthma or diabetes? Making these comparisons can be useful in a personal sense, but if the analogy is not backed up by research, it may be standing in the way of helping people in need. theconversation.com August 18, 2014.

Computer games may ease elderly depression, study finds

BRAIN-boosting computer games may be as effective as, or even better than drugs in treating severe depression in some elderly people according to trial results. A group of 60-to-89-year-olds, for whom anti-depressants had not worked, perked up after four weeks of playing computer games that had been developed to improve brain fitness, scientists wrote in the journal Nature Communications. theaustralian.com.au August 6, 2014.

Disclosing mental illness in the workplace : should you tell ?

While there’s less stigma around mental illness than there used to be, many people remain unsure about whether to share information about their mental health at work. abc.net.au August 11, 2024

Social media – the good news for mental health

It is widely reported that social media has mental health benefits in terms of feelings of inclusion and social connectedness. For people who experience barriers to social interaction, communicating with people over social media can increase feelings of connectedness with positive outcomes for self-esteem, attitude and decreased feelings of loneliness. www.infoxchange.net.au

Veterans to get better access to mental health services

Australia’s military veterans will be able to gain treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression without having to prove their condition is related to their service, under new conditions introduced on Tuesday, the first day of the new financial year. www.smh.com.au, July 1, 2024

Mentally ill may lose disability support pension, welfare head Patrick McClure suggests

Mr McClure said he did not know how many of the 830,000 recipients on the Disability Support Pension would be moved off it, but suggested people with mental illnesses could be one such group. The report suggests people would be thrown off the DSP if they have the capacity to work, which Mr McClure said mentally ill people did. www.theaustralian.com.au,

June 30, 2024

High Rate of Mental Illness in Young People – Report

One in five young Australians are likely to be experiencing mental illness, and less than 40 per cent are comfortable seeking professional help, according to a new Mission Australia report released in partnership with the Black Dog Institute. The Youth Mental Health Report, which was launched by the NSW Mental Health Commissioner John Feneley, also found the rate of mental illness among young Australians aged 15-19 was much higher among females and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, while young people with a disability were also overrepresented. Pro Bono Australia news, June 18, 2014.

Aussies Value Mentally Healthy Workplaces

Almost half of Australian workers are leaving jobs because their workplaces are mentally unhealthy, a new survey has revealed. Pro Bono Australia news, June 6, 2014.

Social housing stress mentally ill

People living with a mental illness are struggling to cope with the new set of pressures that comes with living in social housing, a new report has found. Pro Bono Australia news, May 27, 2014.

Mental Health Education Best at Work

Recent research has revealed for the first time that evidence-based workplace depression prevention programs can significantly reduce depression symptoms among employees. Pro Bono Australia news, May 26, 2014.

NFP Launches Corporate Campaign on Mental Health

Depression Not for Profit beyondblue has launched a national campaign in conjunction with the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance to encourage Australia’s business leaders to take action on mental health. Pro Bono Australia news, May 21, 2014.

4 Steps to Mastering a Setback

The 4 Steps to Mastering a Setback discussed by Graeme Cowan are practical activities we can do each day to immunize ourselves from the emotional toll of a crisis.

It’s time to break down the myths about Schizophrenia

This Media Release from SANE Austtralia discusses the myths, the stigmatism and misunderstandings about Schizophrenia.

Getting mental health reform back on track: a leadership challenge for the new Australian Government

Mental health is still underfunded [in 2013] and continues to be locked into hospital care. This mode of service configuration appears largely provider driven when compared, for example, with client and family priorities. David Richmond, Chair, Richmond Inquiry. mja.com.au

href=”http://www.sciencewa.net.au/topics/health-a-medicine/item/2809-wa-researcher-tackles-depression-prevention-in-later-life”>WA researcher tackles depression prevention in later life

A summary of research on depression in older adults has uncovered a need for health professionals to take a more active role in its prevention. In his review of the risk factors associated with depression in this age group, Osvaldo Almeida from the West Australian Centre for Health and Ageing suggests mental health professionals work collaboratively to develop preventative interventions that can be incorporated easily into clinical practice. sciencewa.net.au May 6, 2014.

Giving Disability Carers a Break – Report

Disability carers are extremely resilient and resourceful, but their mental and physical well-being would decline significantly if support services disappeared or were diminished, a new Not for Profit report has found. The finding comes in a new 60-page Wesley Mission report called Giving disability carers a break. The results are from a survey and interviews with disability carers in January this year.

Mental Health System Needs Urgent Rethink

This article on the Pro Bono Australia website contains commentary on a report on the mental health system in Australia. The report, called Crossroads – Rethinking the Australian Mental Health System, is a collaboration between EY and ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation.

NDIS: Parents say disability scheme failing to deliver support promised

Parents of disabled children say the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is failing to deliver what was promised. It was launched nearly 10 months ago at five trial sites across Australia, and in South Australia has a focus on children up to the age of 14. But some parents say they are feeling ambushed and confused as they try to negotiate the bureaucracy. abc.net.au May 1, 2024

Australia’s mental health system not meeting demand, should focus on self-help: report

A new report is calling for a major re-think of Australia’s mental health system, which it says is not meeting demand. The Crossroads report was prepared by Ernst and Young and the ReachOut online youth mental health service for the Inspire Foundation. The article linked contains more information, a video and a preview of the report. abc.net.au March 11, 2014.

Perinatal depression program in limbo despite illness’ toll

Postnatal depression and anxiety strike as many as one in seven new mothers in Australia and the economic cost of leaving the illnesses untreated is estimated at over half a billion dollars a year, yet a Government health initiative is in limbo.

Perinatal depression estimated to cost $535 million a year if left untreated

A new report obtained by ABC’s 7.30 estimates the cost of leaving the perinatal illness untreated at $535 million a year – and that funding is in jeopardy. The ABC page also contains a video and related link. abc.net.au/news/ April 3, 2025

Mental health funding extension offers hope SANE Australia report

SANE Australia commends the Australian Government for its decision to continue funding for existing mental health and suicide prevention programs during 2014-15, while it considers the recommendations of the Mental Health Commission’s national review. A document is available for viewing and downloading on the page on this website. Sane Australia, April 4 2014.

 

Depression Discrimination Drops A report from beyondblue

Discriminating and stigmatising attitudes towards people with depression and anxiety have steadily decreased in Australia over the past decade, according to a new report. The report by depression Not for Profit, beyondblue has also revealed that nearly two-thirds of Australians or a family member have experienced depression. To download the full report, click here. Pro Bono Australia News, March 24, 2014. Comments can be made on their page.

Losing You: When Does Grief Become Depression? An article by a psychotherapist

When we lose something or someone that was precious and special, the sense of loss and pain inside can be enormous. If you are often feeling sad, lost and subject to uncontrollable or frequent crying it can be very difficult to tell if you are in a state of grief or depression. Natalie Graham. Posted December 18, 2013.

Suicide: how to talk to someone about it New website “Conversations Matter” launched

New website Conversations Matter aims to provide ‘practical tools to have day-to-day conversations about suicide,’ says spokesperson Jaelea Skehan. smh.com.au, November 14, 2013.

Older Aussies with Mental Illness Experience Lack of Care – Study Study by SANE Australia

A lack of support and rehabilitation services is one of the major concerns for older people living with mental illness, new research by an Australian health charity has found. SANE Australia’s study, Growing Older, Staying Well – Mental health care for older Australians, also lists inadequate care, poor health, isolation and unstable housing as major concerns for many older people with mental illness. Attached to the article on this site is a copy of SANE Australia’s report. Pro Bono Australia News, November 4, 2013.

Rebuilding Broken Brains article from New Scientist

Halving Rates of Mental Illness joint communiqué by ARACY and AAIMHI

In a joint communiqué launched at the Infant and Early Childhood Social and Emotional Wellbeing conference in Canberra, the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMHI) called on the Federal Government to rethink the way money is invested in infant mental health. Pro Bono Australia News, October 31, 2013.

Aged-Care Residents Depressed – Report report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

More than half of permanent aged-care residents in Australia show signs of depression, according to new research. Pro Bono Australia News, October 16, 2013.

One in 10 Aussies Use Mental Health Services report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

In 2010-11, 9 per cent of the Australian population (or 1.9 million Australians) received mental health services, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). And almost $6.9 billion was spent on mental health-related services in Australia during 2010-11, equating to $309 per person. Pro Bono Australia News, October 11, 2024

Skating on Thin Ice: Mental Illness & Homelessness research paper by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre

More work needs to be done to support people living with mental illness to sustain social housing tenancies, especially those relying on Centrelink payments, as the only alternative is life on the streets, according to new research. The research paper, Skating on Thin Ice, released by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) during Mental Health Month explores the difficulties people with mental illness face accessing and maintaining social housing. Pro Bono Australia News, October 8, 2013.

Tips to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace advice from beyondblue

Improving mental health in the workplace can save organisations from the direct and indirect costs of mental health problems, according to mental health Not for Profit beyondblue. Offering advice on its website on how to build a mentally healthy workplace, the organisation has listed some tips on how to build skills to improve mental health and develop a functional, high-achieving workplace. Pro Bono Australia News, October 7, 2024

Workers Suffer Discrimination Due to Mental Illness – Study study by the Mental Health Council of Australia

More than one in five Australians have experienced discrimination in the workplace due to mental illness, according to a study by the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA). The research, conducted for World Mental Health Day on October 10, asked people if they had witnessed discrimination at their place of work, due to their mental illness or the mental illness of a co-worker. Pro Bono Australia News, October 7, 2024

Cut suicide rate by half in ten years, say mental health experts Plan presented to new Health Minister

An Expert Reference Group on Mental Health Reform has presented a Six-Point Plan to new Health Minister, Peter Dutton, providing him with an early opportunity to take a leadership role in mental health reform. A key recommendation is to reduce Australia’s suicide rate by 10% within four years, and by 50% within ten years. SANE media release September 26, 2024

My friend’s depression is giving me anxiety A personal story

A number of my friends have recently admitted to me they are suffering from depression or anxiety. I applauded them for being brave enough to tell me and I felt compassion and concern for what they might be going through – but I also felt terrified. The website of The Sydney Morning Herald, July 25, 2024

Depression Across the Lifetime Often Traces U-Shaped Curve Florida State University College of Medicine

Researchers found that depressive symptoms were highest in early adulthood, declined in middle adulthood, and then increased somewhat in older adulthood. Moreover, this was the case whether the depressive symptoms were depressed affect (e.g., “I felt sad”), somatic complaints (e.g., “My sleep was restless”), or interpersonal problems (e.g., “I felt that people disliked me”). The researchers also found that women reported experiencing more depressive feelings in early adulthood than men did, but that men reported experiencing more depressive feelings in late adulthood. The American Pyschiatric Association, July 25, 2024

New SANE Australia report calls for action to reduce stigma against mental illness

A new study from mental health charity, SANE Australia, reports that stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness is widespread, harmful to recovery, and is a major barrier to participation in society for those affected. SANE media release July 24, 2024

Initiative to Create Mentally Healthy Workplaces National Initiative launched

Workplaces have been urged to share their strategies on creating a ‘mentally healthy’ workplace culture as part of a national initiative launched to improve mental health in the workplace. The program is a collaboration with the Black Dog Institute, the National Mental Health Commission and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance (MHWA) and aims to develop an economic case for improving mental health in the workplace and provide employers with practical guidance to drive sustainable changes in business culture and practice. Pro Bono Australia News, July 8, 2013.

Who Cares for the Carers? Report by the Hunter Institute of Mental Health

As many as seven out of 10 people caring for someone living with a mental illness are suffering high levels of mental distress, according to a new report. The Hunter Institute of Mental Health has launched the Supporting those who Care: Partners in Depression National Program Outcomes report, showing what it says is the ‘severe impact’ on the mental health and wellbeing of carers and the need for carer-focussed prevention programs. Pro Bono Australia News, May 28, 2013.

Mental Health Gets Final Reform Funding Headspace to deliver a new youth treatment service

National youth mental health foundation, Headspace will deliver a new youth treatment service as the final element of the Federal Government’s national mental health reform plan. Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler said the $247 million in Federal Government funding would allow Headspace to broaden its service to deliver nine early psychosis youth services across Australia to support young people with more complex mental illnesses. Pro Bono Australia News, May 23, 2013.

Young people go online for help during tough times Reachout.com survey

The ReachOut.com National Survey 2012 has found that young people in distress look for help online rather than seek help from a mental health professional. The cross-sectional study of more than 3,600 young people under 25 found that 75% of participants were experiencing high to very high levels of psychological distress at the time of visiting ReachOut.com, yet the majority of them (60%) had never accessed professional help. inspire.org.au May 14, 2024 and ProBono Australia News May 16, 2013.

High Cost of Mental Health Revealed Medibank report

A new report, by private health insurer Medibank, has estimated the overall cost of supporting people with mental illness in Australia at $28.6 billion per year. And the Medibank/Nous Group report says that while substantial funding is being directed at mental health, the system needs to be better coordinated. ProBono Australia News, May 9, 2024

New Partnership to Make Workplaces Mental Health Friendly beyondblue and ACCI

A new partnership between depression Not for Profit beyondblue and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) is set to focus on making Australian workplaces more mental health friendly. ACCI chief executive Peter Anderson and beyondblue chief Kate Carnell AO signed a Letter of Collaboration late last week. ProBono Australia News, April 11, 2024

Depression link for young women with insomnia sleep disorders a possible cause of depression

Young women with regular sleep problems have a four to fivefold increased risk for depression, a study of nearly 10,000 Australians has found. Experts say sleep disorders could be the hidden cause of depression in a huge proportion of young people, with changes in sleep behaviour potentially reaping benefits in physical and mental health down the track. theage.com.au April 6, 2025

Mental Health Research Gets $10 Million Boost Victorian government grants

The Victorian Government has awarded $10 million to five innovative research projects into mental illness – including major Not for Profit and University research partnerships. Pro Bono Australia News, March 28, 2013.

Mental Health Spending on the Rise – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

The latest figures, released on the AIHW’s Mental Health Services in Australia website, show that after allowing for inflation, spending on mental health-related services increased to almost $6.9 billion in 2010-11, an increase of about $450 million from 2009-10. Pro Bono Australia News, March 27, 2013.

Mental Health Service Goes Mobile Friendly access to on line service for young people

Young people can now use their smartphones and tablet devices to access an online mental health services staffed by qualified clinicians. Pro Bono Australia News, March 1, 2025

New Partnership to Tackle Mental Health in the Workplace beyondblue and Australian Workers Union

Mental health Not for Profit, beyondblue has formed a partnership with the Australian Workers Union (AWU) to tackle depression and anxiety in the workplace. Pro Bono Australia News, February 20, 2025

Victoria Legal Aid cuts vital mental health legal serviced media release

The Federation of Community Legal Centres is calling for the immediate reversal of a decision late last week by Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) to cut funding for the Mental Health Legal Centre (MHLC), an independent community legal centre providing representation, advice and advocacy for people living with a mental illness in Victoria. Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria February 12, 2012.

Research Centres to Target Substance Use and Suicide clinical and research experts united

Two new national research centres have been launched into the most pressing mental health issues affecting the Australian community – substance use and suicide. The centres were launched in Sydney by Federal Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek and Federal Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler. Pro Bono Australia January 31, 2013.

beyondblue Stands Up to the Insurance Industry campaign against discriminatory policies

Depression Not for Profit beyondblue has begun a campaign to fight what it claims are the insurance industry’s discriminatory policies against Australians with a mental illness – calling on the Federal Government to strengthen anti-discrimination laws. Pro Bono Australia January 24, 2025

How do we keep a person with a mental illness safe from suicide? – Q & A session

LIFE News, the online newsletter of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, recently published a Q&A session with SANE Australia’s Jack Heath and Sarah Coker. Posted January 23, 2013.

New drug lifts hard-to-treat depression in hours Trial of drug which also targets NMDA receptors

Depression need not linger if a new class of drugs that can improve symptoms within hours becomes available. Drugs that target receptors for a chemical called NMDA appear to take effect much faster. NewScientist.com January 3, 2013.

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