World Mental Health Day 2019

The Collective family acknowledged World Mental Health Day last Thursday 10th October as one of particular importance as its focus this year was on suicide prevention. Looking after our mental health can be especially challenging for those experiencing difficulties and hardship as a result of the extended drought conditions. We have some understanding of what our clients are going through and have the privilege of listening to their stories and offering support as best we can.

The reality is that the suicide statistics are grim with one person dying of suicide approximately every 40 seconds and it is completely preventable. Sadly this trend has risen in recent years and suicide is the leading cause of death of youth aged 15-29 years. Depression and anxiety are now the largest leading cause of human suffering globally.

The Black Dog Institute reports that every year in Australia:

• Over 65,000 Australians make a suicide attempt

• More than 3,000 Australians died by suicide in 2017

• Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between 15 and 44 years of age 

• Young Australians are more likely to take their own life than die in motor vehicle accidents

• In 2017, about 75% of people who died by suicide were males and 25% were females 

• In 2017, the suicide rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were approximately twice that of non-Indigenous Australians

The causes of suicide are complex. Factors that may contribute to suicide include:

• stressful life events

• trauma

• mental illness

• physical illness

• drug or alcohol abuse

• poor living circumstances

By contrast, there are protective factors that make us more resilient and can reduce suicidal behaviour, such as:

• supportive social relationships

• a sense of control

• a sense of purpose

• family harmony

• effective help-seeking

• positive connections to good health services available

The good news is that there are many organisations that provide support and education for people with mental health problems and their families and carers throughout Australia. Some of them are:

• Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. Call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week.

• Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14.

• Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free 24/7 confidential and private counseling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800.

• Blue Knot Foundation Helpline (formerly ASCA Professional Support Line) provides help, information, support or referral for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, their partners, family and friends, health professionals and anyone in the workplace working with people who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, 9am - 5pm AEST/7 days a week.

• Butterfly Foundation’s National Helpline, ED HOPE, is a free, confidential service that provides information, counselling and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image and related issues. Call 1800 33 4673, 8am-midnight AEST / 7 days a week.

• Eheadspace provides mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families. Call 1800 650 890, 9am-1am AEST / 7 days a week.

• MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.

• MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 61 44 34 AEST, 8am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-6pm (Sat).

• QLife provides nationwide telephone and web-based services to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people of all ages. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm-12am (midnight) AEST / 7 days a week.

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) provides a national telephone information, counselling and referral service staffed by trained volunteers, professional counsellors and supervising staff. Many helpline counsellors have had their own experience of perinatal depression or anxiety. Call 1300 726 306, 9am-7:30pm AEST (Mon-Fri).

• SANE Australia provides support, training and education enabling those with a mental illness to lead a better life. Call 1800 18 7263, 10am-10pm AEST (Mon-Fri).

• Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.

• Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling provides 24/7 free and confidential, nationwide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and anger. Call 1800 011 046.