Fresh Chat

Today, October 10, is World Mental Health Day. Beyond Blue has also declared the entire month of October Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month with the week from 5-11 October being designated Mental Health Week.

Blue Day 2008 are calling for those active in the social media space to contribute to depression and anxiety awareness. You can follow BlueDay2008 on Twitter or become a fan of their Facebook page.

Recent research indicates that 56 percent of the Australian population now recognises depression as a major mental health problem.

We conducted a quick straw poll around the office, and it seems each of us has been affected by or knows someone who’s been affected by depression or a depression-related condition.

A catch 22 of depression is that when you most need to reach out to somebody, you find it hardest to do so. With that in mind, online resources are very useful. If you or somebody you know suffers from depression the following websites are great resources.

Beyond Blue is Australia’s national depression initiative, hosting a wealth of resources on depression, anxiety and related disorders.

depressioNet provides online counselling services and resources for mild to moderate depression suffererers and also sponsors Working Well which provides advice for dealing with depression and anxiety in the workplace.

The Black Dog Institute is a community-oriented research organisation specialising in depression and Bipolar Disorder (formerly known as Manic Depression).

Y b blue (Youth Beyond Blue) is a specific resource for younger people and their families.

Mood GYM is an online cognitive behavioural therapy program for treating and preventing depression.