Story Submission by Anonymous, Age 24 I have always loved cars, but I didn’t appreciate the freedom of losing myself in driving until I got my license at 18. My dad bought me a little hatch and I have to admit I flogged it until I finally replaced it after 6 years and 200-something-thousand kilometres...
Story Submission by Ross, Age 19 In early 2012 I went to Brisbane to stay with my brother for a month, as something of a holiday over the Christmas period. A few days before we left home, I had started noticing bouts of shortness of breath and an impending feeling, but I couldn’t quite explain...
At Cars For Hope we believe that community is everything. Sharing stories, giving hope and letting people know that they matter is a massive part of our cause. At World Time Attack Challenge 2014, we teamed up with competing racing teams to raise awareness about mental health. By helping us spread our message, these teams...
Denny Morrison challenges three commonly held but irrational beliefs about behavioral health care: First, that having a mental illness or addiction is a stigma. “To compare ‘having a bad day’ to major depression,” he says, “is a bit like comparing a paper cut to an amputation.” Second, that the body and mind are two different...
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...
Story Submission by Kimmie, Age 18 I used to wake up every morning and wonder if there was any point in getting out of bed and starting the day I had ahead of me. I avoided social situations and had self-image issues. I was scared of everything and didn’t want to live my life anymore....
Story Submission by Tracey, Age 25 I’ve suffered depression since I was 15. From my diagnosis until I was 18 years old, I did everything I possibly could to ease my emotional pain. I found that causing physical pain to myself gave me a release, albeit only very little. I fell in love when I...
Story Submission by Mark, Age 23 I never thought it would happen to me; the world we live in makes us think that depression and anxiety are terrible things, but you never really stop to think about how often it happens or how serious it really is. On the surface I was friendly and outgoing,...
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...
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 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...
