Lifeline, one of Australia’s largest mental health organisations, have urged social media users to take greater responsibility for their actions as suicide rates in Australia rise to a 10-year high. Lifeline’s national manager John Mendel said the memory of Charlotte Dawson, the New Zealand-Australian television personality, was still “fresh”. Mr Mendel added Ms Dawson “frequently...

For many years Sergeant Kevin Briggs had a dark, unusual, at times strangely rewarding job: He patrolled the southern end of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, a popular site for suicide attempts. In a sobering, deeply personal talk Briggs shares stories from those he’s spoken — and listened — to standing on the edge of...

Canadian actress Ellen Page, who starred in the hit movie Juno in 2007, announced that she was gay at the Human Rights THRIVE conference in Las Vegas, an event that supports LBGTQ youths. “I’m here today because I am gay,” she said. “…And because I can make a difference. “Regardless, for me, I feel a...

Just over 1 week ago, it was reported that actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found deceased in the apartment of his bathroom from an apparent drug overdose. He left behind his partner of 15 years, Mimi O’Donnell and their 3 children, Tallulah, Willa and Cooper Alexander. Hoffman was the 2006 Oscar winner for Best Actor...

Australian Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe has reportedly returned to his family home from rehab whilst battling depression and alcohol abuse. Last week it was reported that Thorpe was admitted into hospital following a shoulder injury due to a fall and was released from medical care not long after. His friends have revealed that Thorpe...

Among 700 other accomplished achievers on Australia Day 2014, former NSW politician John Brogden was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his commitment to mental health issues. Brogden’s career was launched in 2002 when he became the youngest person to lead an Australian opposition party at age 33. But in 2005...

According to PerthNow, suicide is now the leading cause of teenage deaths in Western Australia, surpassing automotive-related fatalities and medical conditions at 29% and 14% respectively. Child death data shows that between 2009 and 2013, suicide accounted for almost 40% of unexpected deaths in teenagers aged between 13 and 17 years old. Of the 123...

Almost 20 years ago, writer Andrew Solomon fell into a deep depression. In this TED talk, he speaks eloquently and openly about his struggle with “the family secret we all share,” but that no one wants to talk about. If you are a human or know a human, you have to watch this talk. “The opposite...

At the World Innovation Summit for Health held late last year in Qatar, the need to help mentally-ill people was highlighted and Australian innovations were commended as examples of best practice. Professor Vikram Patel from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and co-chair of the mental health panel discussion noted that “suicide alone...

The Kids Helpline is an Australian confidential online and telephone counselling service aimed at children and young adults aged between 5 and 25 and each year receive a staggering 460,000 telephone calls from lonely and unhappy kids. Recently, Kids Helpline general manager Wendy Protheroe revealed that of these 460,000 calls over 100,000 of them were...

The National Mental Health Commission is urging Australians from all walks of life to join together in calling for an end to the seclusion and restraint of children and adults with mental health problems. To show your support for the Seclusion and Restraint Declaration, add your name at the NMHC website. It will take you...

“I was clever enough to think I needed help. It’s not a proof of weakness, it is more a strong point because you can always improve yourself.” – Romain Grosjean After multiple first lap incidents and errors during the 2012 Formula 1 season, Romain Grosjean earned himself the nickname ‘first-lap nutcase’ from fellow drivers. The...