Beyond Blue

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Beyond Blue
Formation2000;24 years ago (2000) [1]
Type Non-governmental organisation
Legal statusRegistered with the Australian charity regulator [2]
PurposeTo promote and improve mental health, and support those affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. [3]
Headquarters Melbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia [4] [5]
Region served
Australia
Chair
 Julia Gillard [6]
Deputy
 Kate Carnell [6]
CEO
Georgie Harman [6]
Website beyondblue.org.au

Beyond Blue is an Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation. They provide support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses.

Contents

The organisation works in partnership with governments, local health services, educational institutions, workplaces, media and community organisations, as well as the general community to raise community awareness about anxiety and depression and reduce the associated stigma. [3] Beyond Blue was founded in 2000 by former premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett. It is currently chaired by Julia Gillard, former prime minister of Australia. Gillard is supported by CEO Georgie Harman, and Deputy Chair Kate Carnell. [1] [6]

History

Beyond Blue began in October 2000 as a five-year initiative of the Australian Government and state and territory governments after a period of public debate on the treatment of depression sufferers assisted by intensive and persistent lobbying by former Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett. The aim was to raise awareness of depression and to reduce the associated stigma. [7]

Politicians who have encouraged people to both donate to and utilise the services of Beyond Blue include Geoff Gallop and John Brogden.

Since 2006, the Australian Football League has supported the organisation with the Beyond Blue Cup awarded annually to the winner of clashes between the Geelong and Hawthorn football clubs.

In March 2017, it was announced that former prime minister Julia Gillard would take over as chair of Beyond Blue from founder and chairman Jeff Kennett. [8] Gillard replaced Kennett on 2 July 2017. [9]

Work

Beyond Blue addresses a range of mental health issues in Australia, [10] including mental health stigma, [11] [12] indigenous issues, [13] [14] post-natal depression, [15] school based interventions, [16] and youth mental health.

LGBT Australians

In 2011, Jeff Kennett remarked publicly that children of gay and lesbian parents have worse mental health outcomes, [17] and amid a resulting controversy Beyond Blue staff and supporters called on the organisation to create specific programs for gay and lesbian Australians. [18] In 2012, Beyond Blue launched a $1.5 million year-long campaign to reduce discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people in Australia. [19] In 2015, the organisation issued a statement in support of same-sex marriage. [20] [21]

In 2018, Beyond Blue rejected a donation of $5,000 from wrestler Dave Marshall. Marshall, who is gay, publicly stated the donation was a portion of the money he earned selling pornographic photos and videos. Beyond Blue subsequently said they would not accept money that comes from "gambling, alcohol or pornography". Beyond Blue clarified that they would accept the donation if Marshall removed their name from his platforms to ensure “future consumers of your products are not given the impression their purchase is in any way supporting Beyond Blue”. [22] Marshall instead donated the money to the suicide prevention Black Dog Institute. [23]

Activism

In 2013, Beyond Blue campaigned against the insurance industry's discrimination against people who have experienced anxiety and depression. [24] They also launched a campaign featuring actor Ben Mendelsohn as the character "Anxiety", describing symptoms and how it feels to experience anxiety, [25] [26] [27] and conducted a survey into the mental health of doctors and medical students finding very high rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. [28]

A 2015 survey of 1,200 Australians by TNS Australia revealed that one in five Australians still believe that people with anxiety are just "putting it on". [29] In 2016, Beyond Blue launched another campaign on radio and TV to raise awareness of anxiety and its symptoms, with actor Guy Pearce providing the voice over. [30]

Men are a key audience for Beyond Blue and the Man Therapy campaign achieved widespread coverage. The campaign was a "first of its kind" program in Australia and featured a humorous character, "Dr Brian Ironwood", urging men to take action when it comes to their wellbeing. [31] [32] Launched in 2013, it was an international collaboration with the Colorado Office for Suicide Prevention, whose Man Therapy was adapted for an Australian audience. [33] The campaign was programmed to last one year. [31] Ipsos Social Research Institute evaluated the campaign's effectiveness for Beyond Blue and found that 1/3 of men 18 and over recognised the Man Therapy campaign, 280,000 visited the website and 5–15% of men aware of the campaign changed their attitudes to mental health. [34]

Beyond Blue and AOMB also reached agreement to fundraise an initiative to raise awareness of anxiety and depression in Australia by organising several charity events. [35]

Writing in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry , Rob Whitley criticised Beyond Blue's advertising as blaming men for their mental health issues. For example, the front page of Beyond Blue's website stating "Men are known for bottling things up". [36]

Helpline

Beyond Blue provides support for individuals struggling with anxiety and depression through their helpline. [37] The helpline is accessible 24 hours a day, providing immediate support to those in need. [38] The helpline number is 1300 224 636. [39] This service allows individuals to speak with a trained mental health professional who can provide advice and guide callers to appropriate resources. [40]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cognitive behavioral therapy</span> Type of therapy to improve mental health

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psycho-social intervention that aims to reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions, primarily depression and anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective means of treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. CBT focuses on challenging and changing cognitive distortions and their associated behaviors to improve emotional regulation and develop personal coping strategies that target solving current problems. Though it was originally designed to treat depression, its uses have been expanded to include many issues and the treatment of many mental health conditions, including anxiety, substance use disorders, marital problems, ADHD, and eating disorders. CBT includes a number of cognitive or behavioral psychotherapies that treat defined psychopathologies using evidence-based techniques and strategies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Major depressive disorder</span> Mental disorder involving persistent low mood, low self-esteem, and loss of interest

Major depressive disorder (MDD), also known as clinical depression, is a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of pervasive low mood, low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. Introduced by a group of US clinicians in the mid-1970s, the term was adopted by the American Psychiatric Association for this symptom cluster under mood disorders in the 1980 version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III), and has become widely used since.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anxiety disorder</span> Cognitive disorder with an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations

Anxiety disorders are a cluster of mental disorders characterized by significant and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear such that a person's social, occupational, and personal functions are significantly impaired. Anxiety may cause physical and cognitive symptoms, such as restlessness, irritability, easy fatigue, difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate, chest pain, abdominal pain, and a variety of other symptoms that may vary based on the individual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Kennett</span> Australian politician

Jeffrey Gibb Kennett is a former Australian politician who served as the 43rd Premier of Victoria between 1992 and 1999, Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party from 1982 to 1989 and from 1991 to 1999, and the Member for Burwood from 1976 to 1999. He is currently a media commentator.

Specific phobia is an anxiety disorder, characterized by an extreme, unreasonable, and irrational fear associated with a specific object, situation, or concept which poses little or no actual danger. Specific phobia can lead to avoidance of the object or situation, persistence of the fear, and significant distress or problems functioning associated with the fear. A phobia can be the fear of anything.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seasonal affective disorder</span> Medical condition

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder subset in which people who typically have normal mental health throughout most of the year exhibit depressive symptoms at the same time each year. It is commonly, but not always, associated with the reductions or increases in total daily sunlight hours that occur during the summer or winter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postpartum depression</span> Mood disorder experienced after childbirth

Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a type of mood disorder experienced after childbirth, which can affect both sexes. Symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, crying episodes, irritability, and changes in sleeping or eating patterns. PPD can also negatively affect the newborn child.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental and behavioral disorder, specifically an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about events or activities. Worry often interferes with daily functioning, and individuals with GAD are often overly concerned about everyday matters such as health, finances, death, family, relationship concerns, or work difficulties. Symptoms may include excessive worry, restlessness, trouble sleeping, exhaustion, irritability, sweating, and trembling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Depression (mood)</span> State of low mood and aversion to activity

Depression is a mental state of low mood and aversion to activity. It affects more than 280 million people of all ages. Depression affects a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings, and sense of well-being. Depressed people often experience loss of motivation or interest in, or reduced pleasure or joy from, experiences that would normally bring them pleasure or joy. Depressed mood is a symptom of some mood disorders such as major depressive disorder and dysthymia; it is a normal temporary reaction to life events, such as the loss of a loved one; and it is also a symptom of some physical diseases and a side effect of some drugs and medical treatments. It may feature sadness, difficulty in thinking and concentration and a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping. People experiencing depression may have feelings of dejection or hopelessness and may experience suicidal thoughts. It can either be short term or long term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mental health</span> Level of human psychological well-being

Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing cognition, perception, and behavior. According to World Health Organization (WHO), it is a "state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community". It likewise determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making. Mental health includes subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one's intellectual and emotional potential, among others. From the perspectives of positive psychology or holism, mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and to create a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience. Cultural differences, personal philosophy, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how one defines "mental health". Some early signs related to mental health difficulties are sleep irritation, lack of energy, lack of appetite, thinking of harming oneself or others, self-isolating, and frequently zoning out.

Mental disorders are classified as a psychological condition marked primarily by sufficient disorganization of personality, mind, and emotions to seriously impair the normal psychological and often social functioning of the individual. Individuals diagnosed with certain mental disorders can be unable to function normally in society. Mental disorders may consist of several affective, behavioral, cognitive and perceptual components. The acknowledgement and understanding of mental health conditions has changed over time and across cultures. There are still variations in the definition, classification, and treatment of mental disorders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ego-dystonic sexual orientation</span> Psychiatric diagnosis

Ego-dystonic sexual orientation is a highly controversial mental health diagnosis that was included in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) from 1980 to 1987 and in the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) from 1990 to 2019. Individuals could be diagnosed with ego-dystonic sexual orientation if their sexual orientation or attractions were at odds with their idealized self-image, causing anxiety and a desire to change their orientation or become more comfortable with it. It describes not innate sexual orientation itself, but a conflict between the sexual orientation a person wishes to have and their actual sexual orientation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mental health first aid</span>

Mental health first aid is an extension of the concept of traditional first aid to cover mental health conditions. Mental health first aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person experiencing or developing a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety disorders, or experiencing a mental health crisis situation such as suicidal ideation or panic attack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mental health literacy</span>

Mental health literacy has been defined as "knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management and prevention. Mental health literacy includes the ability to recognize specific disorders; knowing how to seek mental health information; knowledge of risk factors and causes, of self-treatments, and of professional help available; and attitudes that promote recognition and appropriate help-seeking". The concept of mental health literacy was derived from health literacy, which aims to increase patient knowledge about physical health, illnesses, and treatments.

An anxiety threshold is the level of anxiety that, when reached, can affect a person's performance. Anxiety is an emotion, similar to fear, that can be created by insecurities in one's abilities, concerns for the future, such as financial or situational circumstances, or past memories of frightening experiences. Anxiety can affect all age groups and if fears are irrational, it may cause mental disorders. An individual's anxiety threshold can be measured by the amount of anxiety consistently manifested from situation to situation.

Man Therapy is an interactive mental health campaign targeting working age men (25-54) that employs humor to cut through stigma and tackle issues like depression, divorce and anxiety. The campaign features the fictional Dr. Rich Mahogany, described by Adam Newman in the New York Times as "an affable, mustachioed, middle-aged man whose personality might be described as Dr. Phil meets Ron Burgundy, Will Ferrell’s fictional anchorman."

Mental health refers to a person's mental state, well-being, and ability to cope with the daily stresses of life. Good mental health also means that one has the ability to be mentally resilient, have a good life balance, having an absence of mental disorders and the ability to enjoy life. Elite athletes such as those competing in the Australian Football League(AFL), are at higher risk of developing a mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks and eating disorders. 16–34 years olds are also in the high risk category, which is the average age of a football player and extends to those who are being drafted, this puts AFL players in both high risk categories. A study conducted by Helen Christensen and Alison Parsons showed that 1 in 5 elite athletes suffered depressive symptoms. Playing elite sports is a great challenge emotionally, mentally as well as physically, some players can cope with all of these pressures while others cannot handle it and therefore suffer from a lack of mental health.

Prevention of mental disorders are measures that try to decrease the chances of a mental disorder occurring. A 2004 WHO report stated that "prevention of these disorders is obviously one of the most effective ways to reduce the disease burden." The 2011 European Psychiatric Association (EPA) guidance on prevention of mental disorders states "There is considerable evidence that various psychiatric conditions can be prevented through the implementation of effective evidence-based interventions." A 2011 UK Department of Health report on the economic case for mental health promotion and mental illness prevention found that "many interventions are outstandingly good value for money, low in cost and often become self-financing over time, saving public expenditure". In 2016, the National Institute of Mental Health re-affirmed prevention as a research priority area.

Paternal depression is a psychological disorder derived from parental depression. Paternal depression affects the mood of men; fathers and caregivers in particular. 'Father' may refer to the biological father, foster parent, social parent, step-parent or simply the carer of the child. This mood disorder exhibits symptoms similar to postpartum depression (PPD) including anxiety, insomnia, irritability, consistent breakdown and crying episodes, and low energy. This may negatively impact family relationships and the upbringing of children. Parents diagnosed with parental depression often experience increased stress and anxiety levels during early pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Those with parental depression may have developed it early on but some are diagnosed later on from when the child is a toddler up until a young adult.

The social determinants of mental health (SDOMH) are societal problems that disrupt mental health, increase risk of mental illness among certain groups, and worsen outcomes for individuals with mental illnesses. Much like the social determinants of health (SDOH), SDOMH include the non-medical factors that play a role in the likelihood and severity of health outcomes, such as income levels, education attainment, access to housing, and social inclusion. Disparities in mental health outcomes are a result of a multitude of factors and social determinants, including fixed characteristics on an individual level – such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation – and environmental factors that stem from social and economic inequalities – such as inadequate access to proper food, housing, and transportation, and exposure to pollution.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jeff Kennett hands the reins of beyondblue to Julia Gillard" (PDF). Beyond Blue. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  2. ↑ "Anxiety, depression and suicide prevention support". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Who we are and what we do". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "Contact us". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "Beyond Blue leaves leafy Hawthorn for new city digs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Our governance structure". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  7. ↑ Pirkis, Jane; Hickie, Ian; Young, Leonie; Burns, Jane; Highet, Nicole; Davenport, Tracey (14 February 2012). "An Evaluation of beyondblue , Australia's National Depression Initiative". International Journal of Mental Health Promotion. 7 (2) (published 2005): 35–53. doi:10.1080/14623730.2005.9721865. ISSN   1462-3730.
  8. ↑ "Julia Gillard to replace Jeff Kennett as Beyond Blue chair". ABC News. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  9. ↑ "Former PM Julia Gillard takes over as new Chair of beyondblue" (Press release). Beyond Blue. 2 July 2017. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "Treating depression: the beyondblue guidelines for treating depression in primary care". mja.com.au.
  11. ↑ Griffiths, Kathleen M; Christensen, Helen; Jorm, Anthony F (2008). "Predictors of depression stigma". BMC Psychiatry. 8 (1): 25. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-8-25 . ISSN   1471-244X. PMC   2386456 . PMID   18423003.
  12. ↑ Henderson, Claire; Evans-Lacko, Sara; Thornicroft, Graham (2013). "Mental Illness Stigma, Help Seeking, and Public Health Programs". American Journal of Public Health. 103 (5): 777–780. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.301056. ISSN   0090-0036. PMC   3698814 . PMID   23488489.
  13. ↑ "Beyond Blue to launch a new campaign highlighting the link between racism and depression". news.com.au.
  14. ↑ Hart, Laura M; Jorm, Anthony F; Kanowski, Leonard G; Kelly, Claire M; Langlands, Robyn L (2009). "Mental health first aid for Indigenous Australians: using Delphi consensus studies to develop guidelines for culturally appropriate responses to mental health problems". BMC Psychiatry. 9 (1): 47. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-9-47 . ISSN   1471-244X. PMC   2729076 . PMID   19646284.
  15. ↑ Leigh, Bronwyn; Milgrom, Jeannette (2008). "Risk factors for antenatal depression, postnatal depression and parenting stress". BMC Psychiatry. 8 (1): 24. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-8-24 . ISSN   1471-244X. PMC   2375874 . PMID   18412979.
  16. ↑ Spence, Susan; Sawyer, Michael; Sheffield, Jeanie; Patton, George; Bond, Lyndal; Graetz, Brian; Kay, Debra (2014). "Does the Absence of a Supportive Family Environment Influence the Outcome of a Universal Intervention for the Prevention of Depression?". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 11 (5): 5113–5132. doi: 10.3390/ijerph110505113 . ISSN   1660-4601. PMC   4053893 . PMID   24828082.
  17. ↑ Stark, Jill (2 October 2011). "Gay radio in push to oust Kennett from charity chair". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  18. ↑ Stark, Jill (9 October 2011). "What lies beyond?". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  19. ↑ Hagan, Kate (5 September 2012). "Beyondblue in anti-discrimination push". The Age . Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  20. ↑ "Beyondblue backs marriage equality as a weapon against discrimination". The Guardian . September 2015.
  21. ↑ "Statement from beyondblue Board in support of marriage equality". Beyond Blue.
  22. ↑ "'Thanks, but no thanks': Charity rejects $5k donation raised through gay porn". au.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  23. ↑ Gilet, Anthony (14 December 2018). "Even Charities Reject Our Sexualities". Cocktailsandcocktalk. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  24. ↑ Lion, Patrick (23 January 2013). "Fight looms on insurance for mentally ill". news.com.au . Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  25. ↑ Berry, Sarah (17 May 2013). "I am anxiety". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  26. ↑ Coote, Gavin (6 May 2013). "Beyond Blue launches campaign to tackle anxiety". abc.net.au . Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  27. ↑ Sundstrom, Kathy (17 May 2013). "National campaign targets anxiety". Sunshine Coast Daily . Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  28. ↑ Harrison, Dan (7 October 2013). "Doctors more likely to get depressed". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  29. ↑ "One in five Australians believes people with anxiety 'put it on'". The Age . 18 April 2016.
  30. ↑ "beyondblue ad campaign raising anxiety awareness". SBS News . 18 April 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  31. 1 2 O'Leary, Cathy (5 June 2013). "Funny ads are serious about male depression". The West Australian . Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  32. ↑ "Beyondblue renews Man Therapy TV push during summer of sport". Mumbrella . 8 January 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  33. ↑ "Man Therapy". Beyond Blue. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  34. ↑ "Man Therapy Interim Evaluation Results to 31 December 2013" (PDF). Ipsos Social Research Institute / Beyond Blue. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  35. ↑ "Australia Oriental Media Buddhist Charity Association". Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  36. ↑ Whitley, Rob (September 2018). "Men's Mental Health: Beyond Victim-Blaming". The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 63 (9): 577–580. doi:10.1177/0706743718758041. ISSN   0706-7437. PMC   6109881 . PMID   30141987.
  37. ↑ "The Facts". Beyond Blue.
  38. ↑ "Get Immediate Support". Beyond Blue.
  39. ↑ "National help lines and websites". Beyond Blue.
  40. ↑ "Get Immediate Support". Beyond Blue.
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