An upcoming mental health forum focussing on depression and
suicide aims to educate families, carers, consumers and community
members on symptoms, treatments and support.
The community forum is being hosted by South Eastern Sydney Illawarra
Health (SESIH) in an effort to reduce stigma associated with mental
health in the community.
SESIH Area Coordinator Family and Carer Mental Health Program Toni
Garretty said removing stigma helped to encourage people experiencing
mental illness to seek effective treatment.
“We want people experiencing mental health symptoms to ask for help
and we want their family, friends and carers to understand that mental
illness can be addressed with the correct support,” Ms Garretty said.
“People experiencing depression or anxiety are at a higher risk of
suicide and so this forum brings the two topics together for discussion and understanding.”
Clinical depression is a common, but potentially serious, illness affecting
about six per cent of adults in any year. Of those affected more than half
will have an anxiety disorder or a substance-use disorder.
The forum is part of SESIH’s commitment to educate the wider community
about mental health, and it builds on the expansion of mental health
services across the Area Health Service including inpatient, daypatient
and community based services.
The event will be held at the Illawarra Master Builders’ Club on Tuesday,
25 August at 6.30pm. Those interested in attending should call: 4220 7900.
The night is being supported by the Australian Rotary Research Fund and the
Rotary Club of Corrimal, while community support agencies will also be present on the
night to provide information.
Media enquiries: David Brown, 4253 4859 or 0434 327 954
