Media Release - Mental Health Week 

Published in North Central Review 30^th September 2008

ALMOST 20 per cent of Australians will experience a mental illness at one point in their lives. Mental Health Week (October 5 to 11) aims to “activate, education and engage” Victorians around mental health and related issues.

This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health: What do you know?’ The theme is asking people to reflect on current ideas of mental illness and expand their awareness and knowledge of mental health.  

One in four women and one in eight men will experience some form of depression during their lifetime. Women are more likely than men are to report anxiety and mood disorders.

Suicide is an important public health concern in Australian, with about 2000 people per year taking their life over the last decade. What is more concerning is that many more people attempt than die by suicide. Hospital admissions for intentional self-injury are about ten times more common that deaths due to suicide.  

Sharon De Battista, from Broadford, has experienced mental illness and suicide first hand throughout her life. Her mother and sister were affected by schizophrenia for most of their lives. A little over a month ago Sharon’s mother committed suicide and shortly afterwards Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer.  

Sharon’s aim is to promote hope and inspiration through her own personal experiences and helping others through. She uses her artwork and poetry to promote awareness.  She has also engaged with counselling at Mitchell Community Health Services to help her through this difficult time. 

Sharon has a website where she displays her therapeutic art and shares inspiration. She spent 12 months volunteering at Broadford Secondary College where she helped the students learn to express themselves through art.

“I am a huge supporter of Mental Health Awareness. Growing up with a schizophrenic mum and sister I understand the complexities of depression and the many forms of mental illness and abuse. So much of my poetry and art speak of my childhood and growing up in darkness, they also speak of hope and determination to get through it all,” Sharon writes on her website.  

“There is not enough awareness out there,” said Sharon.

There are a number of support networks and organisations that are run on a national level as well as local support programs. These programs help people living with a mental illness, family members, carers and friends, professionals from many fields, mental health service providers and interested members of the general public. 

“Should anyone who suffers any form of darkness deep down, you know its only you that can switch the light on, even if its just a little one but you do not have to do it alone and you don’t have to do it in giant steps. I took the long way home but l never gave up on myself and nor should you,” Sharon said on her website.

People who feel they are living with a mental illness, whether it’s themselves or someone they know, and need help have a number of national help lines that they can call for help and advice. Lifeline can be contacted on 131 114, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, Just Ask (rural mental health information) on 1300 13 11 14, Mensline Australia on 1300 78 99 78, Carer’s Information Line on 1800 242 636 and the Suicide Helpline on  1300 651 251.

Mitchell Community Health Services provides a number of counselling and support services. MCHS staff provide counselling on a number of issues including depression, anxiety, relationship and family issues, and self-esteem with a holistic approach to overall client health and wellbeing.  

The counselling and support service is available to individuals of any age and families in the Mitchell Shire. Services are provided at facilities in Broadford, Wallan and Seymour. Contact MCHS on 5734 5555 for more information.

Sharon will be showing her work in a solo exhibition to raise mental health awareness next month at MCHS in Broadford on October 17 and at the Broadford Secondary College Big Bash on October 25.

Charlotte Cullum Jenkins – North Central Review

END CCJ 25/9/08 4:00