Beyond Blue: Difference between revisions
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|purpose = To provide a national focus and community leadership to reduce the impact of depression and anxiety in the Australian community. |
|purpose = To provide a national focus and community leadership to reduce the impact of depression and anxiety in the Australian community.:) |
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|headquarters = [[Hawthorn, Victoria|Hawthorn]] |
|headquarters = [[Hawthorn, Victoria|Hawthorn]] |
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|location = [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]], [[Australia]] |
|location = [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]], [[Australia]] |
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Revision as of 00:49, 1 June 2015
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2014) |
| Formation | October 2000 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To provide a national focus and community leadership to reduce the impact of depression and anxiety in the Australian community.:) |
| Headquarters | Hawthorn |
| Location | |
Region served | Australia |
Chairman | Jeff Kennett |
CEO | Georgie Harman |
| Website | www.beyondblue.org.au |
beyondblue is an Australian, independent non-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety disorders and related mental disorders. beyondblue works in partnership with health services, schools, workplaces, universities, media and community organisations, as well as people living with anxiety and depression, their friends and family, to raise community awareness of anxiety and depression and reduce associated stigma.
beyondblue takes a public health approach to anxiety and depression, focusing on improving the health of the whole population, across the whole lifespan. beyondblue works with specific population groups in a range of settings - including educational settings, workplaces, health services and online - in order to be accessible to as many people as possible.
The chairman of beyondblue is Jeff Kennett, former Premier of Victoria, and its CEO is Georgie Harman.
beyondblue began in October 2000 as a five-year initiative of the Australian federal and state and territory governments after a period of public debate on the treatment of depression sufferers. The aim was to move the focus on depression away from a mental health service issue and towards one which is understood, acknowledged and addresses by the wider community.
Many politicians have encouraged people to donate and get help if they are suffering from depression from beyondblue. These include former West Australian Premier Geoff Gallop and John Brogden, former Opposition Leader for the New South Wales Liberal Party.
Since 2006, the Australian Football League has supported the organisation with the beyondblue Cup awarded annually to the winner of clashes between the Geelong and Hawthorn football clubs.
Controversy
In October 2011, gay rights activists called for Jeff Kennett to resign as chairman of the charity following his comments that children have better mental health if raised in heterosexual marriages.[1] beyond blue staff, supporters and the gay and lesbian community have also reportedly been angry for years due to beyondblue's lack of programmes addressing the high rates of suicide among young gays and lesbians.[2] In 2012, however, beyondblue launched a $1.5 million year-long campaign to reduce discrimination against the LGBTI community in Australia.[3]
Activism
In 2013 beyondblue campaigned against the insurance industry’s discrimination against people who have experienced anxiety and depression.[4] They also launched a campaign featuring actor Ben Mendelsohn as the character "Anxiety", describing symptoms and how it feels to experience anxiety,[5][1][6] and conducted a survey into the mental health of doctors and medical students finding very high rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.[7]
Men are a key audience for beyondblue and the Man Therapy campaign has achieved widespread coverage. The campaign was a “first of its kind” program in Australia and features a humorous character, Dr Brian Ironwood urging men to take action when it comes to their wellbeing.[8][9]
References
- ^ a b Stark, Jill (2 October 2011). "Gay radio in push to oust Kennett from charity chair". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2011. Cite error: The named reference "smh" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Stark, Jill (9 October 2011). "What lies beyond?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
- ^ Hagan, Kate (5 September 2012). "Beyondblue in anti-discrimination push". The Age. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ Lion, Patrick (23 January 2013). "Fight looms on insurance for mentally ill". news.com.au. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ Coote, Gavin (6 May 2013). "Beyond Blue launches campaign to tackle anxiety". abc.net.au. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ Sundstrom, Kathy (17 May 2013). "National campaign targets anxiety". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ Harrison, Dan (7 October 2013). "Doctors more likely to get depressed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ O'Leary, Cathy (5 June 2013). "Funny ads are serious about male depression". The West Australian. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ "Beyondblue renews Man Therapy TV push during summer of sport". Mumbrella. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.