Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue is an Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation. They provide support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses.

This article is about the Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation. For other uses, see Beyond Blue (disambiguation).

Beyond Blue
Formation2000 (2000)[1]
TypeNon-governmental organisation
Legal statusRegistered with the Australian charity regulator[2]
PurposeTo promote and improve mental health, and support those affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.[3]
HeadquartersMelbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia[4][5]
Region served
Australia
Chair
Julia Gillard[6]
Deputy
Kate Carnell[6]
CEO
Georgie Harman[6]
Websitebeyondblue.org.au

The organisation works in partnership with governments, local health services, educational institutions, workplaces, media and community organisations, as well as the general community to raise community awareness about anxiety and depression and reduce the associated stigma.[3] Beyond Blue was founded in 2000 by former premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett. It is currently chaired by Julia Gillard, former prime minister of Australia. Gillard is supported by CEO Georgie Harman, and Deputy Chair Kate Carnell.[1][6]

History

Beyond Blue began in October 2000 as a five-year initiative of the Australian Government and state and territory governments after a period of public debate on the treatment of depression sufferers assisted by intensive and persistent lobbying by former Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett. The aim was to raise awareness of depression and to reduce the associated stigma.

Politicians who have encouraged people to both donate to and utilise the services of Beyond Blue include Geoff Gallop and John Brogden.

Since 2006, the Australian Football League has supported the organisation with the Beyond Blue Cup awarded annually to the winner of clashes between the Geelong and Hawthorn football clubs.

In March 2017, it was announced that former prime minister Julia Gillard would take over as chair of Beyond Blue from founder and chairman Jeff Kennett.[7] Gillard replaced Kennett on 2 July 2017.[8]

Work

Beyond Blue addresses a range of mental health issues in Australia,[9] including mental health stigma,[10][11] indigenous issues,[12][13] post-natal depression,[14] school based interventions,[15] and youth mental health.

LGBT Australians

In 2011, Jeff Kennett remarked publicly that children of gay and lesbian parents have worse mental health outcomes,[16] and amid a resulting controversy Beyond Blue staff and supporters called on the organisation to create specific programs for gay and lesbian Australians.[17] In 2012, Beyond Blue launched a $1.5 million year-long campaign to reduce discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people in Australia.[18] In 2015, the organisation issued a statement in support of same-sex marriage.[19][20]

In 2018, Beyond Blue rejected a donation of $5,000 from wrestler Dave Marshall. Marshall, who is gay, publicly stated the donation was a portion of the money he earned selling pornographic photos and videos. Beyond Blue subsequently said they would not accept money that comes from "gambling, alcohol or pornography".[21] Marshall instead donated the money to the suicide prevention Black Dog Institute.[22]

Activism

In 2013, Beyond Blue campaigned against the insurance industry's discrimination against people who have experienced anxiety and depression.[23] They also launched a campaign featuring actor Ben Mendelsohn as the character "Anxiety", describing symptoms and how it feels to experience anxiety,[24][25][26] and conducted a survey into the mental health of doctors and medical students finding very high rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.[27]

A 2015 survey of 1,200 Australians by TNS Australia revealed that one in five Australians still believe that people with anxiety are just "putting it on".[28] In 2016, Beyond Blue launched another campaign on radio and TV to raise awareness of anxiety and its symptoms, with actor Guy Pearce providing the voice over.[29]

Men are a key audience for Beyond Blue and the Man Therapy campaign achieved widespread coverage. The campaign was a "first of its kind" program in Australia and featured a humorous character, "Dr Brian Ironwood", urging men to take action when it comes to their wellbeing.[30][31] Launched in 2013, it was an international collaboration with the Colorado Office for Suicide Prevention, whose Man Therapy was adapted for an Australian audience.[32] The campaign was programmed to last one year.[30] Ipsos Social Research Institute evaluated the campaign's effectiveness for Beyond Blue and found that 1/3 of men 18 and over recognised the Man Therapy campaign, 280,000 visited the website and 5-15% of men aware of the campaign changed their attitudes to mental health.[33]

Beyond Blue and AOMB also reached agreement to fundraise an initiative to raise awareness of anxiety and depression in Australia by organising several charity events.[34]

Writing in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Rob Whitley criticised Beyond Blue's advertising as blaming men for their mental health issues. For example, the front page of Beyond Blue's website stating "Men are known for bottling things up".[35]

Helpline

Beyond Blue provides support for individuals struggling with anxiety and depression through their helpline.[36] The helpline is accessible 24 hours a day, providing immediate support to those in need.[37] The helpline number is 1300 224 636.[38] This service allows individuals to speak with a trained mental health professional who can provide advice and guide callers to appropriate resources.[39]

References
  1. "Jeff Kennett hands the reins of beyondblue to Julia Gillard" (PDF). Beyond Blue. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  2. "Anxiety, depression and suicide prevention support". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  3. "Who we are and what we do". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  4. "Contact us". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  5. "Beyond Blue leaves leafy Hawthorn for new city digs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  6. "Our governance structure". Beyond Blue. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  7. "Julia Gillard to replace Jeff Kennett as Beyond Blue chair". ABC News. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  8. "Former PM Julia Gillard takes over as new Chair of beyondblue" (Press release). Beyond Blue. 2 July 2017. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  9. "Treating depression: the beyondblue guidelines for treating depression in primary care". mja.com.au.
  10. Griffiths, Kathleen M; Christensen, Helen; Jorm, Anthony F (2008). "Predictors of depression stigma". BMC Psychiatry. 8 (1): 25. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-8-25. ISSN 1471-244X. PMC 2386456. PMID 18423003.
  11. Henderson, Claire; Evans-Lacko, Sara; Thornicroft, Graham (2013). "Mental Illness Stigma, Help Seeking, and Public Health Programs". American Journal of Public Health. 103 (5): 777–780. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.301056. ISSN 0090-0036. PMC 3698814. PMID 23488489.
  12. "Beyond Blue to launch a new campaign highlighting the link between racism and depression". news.com.au.
  13. Hart, Laura M; Jorm, Anthony F; Kanowski, Leonard G; Kelly, Claire M; Langlands, Robyn L (2009). "Mental health first aid for Indigenous Australians: using Delphi consensus studies to develop guidelines for culturally appropriate responses to mental health problems". BMC Psychiatry. 9 (1): 47. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-9-47. ISSN 1471-244X. PMC 2729076. PMID 19646284.
  14. Leigh, Bronwyn; Milgrom, Jeannette (2008). "Risk factors for antenatal depression, postnatal depression and parenting stress". BMC Psychiatry. 8 (1): 24. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-8-24. ISSN 1471-244X. PMC 2375874. PMID 18412979.
  15. Spence, Susan; Sawyer, Michael; Sheffield, Jeanie; Patton, George; Bond, Lyndal; Graetz, Brian; Kay, Debra (2014). "Does the Absence of a Supportive Family Environment Influence the Outcome of a Universal Intervention for the Prevention of Depression?". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 11 (5): 5113–5132. doi:10.3390/ijerph110505113. ISSN 1660-4601. PMC 4053893. PMID 24828082.
  16. Stark, Jill (2 October 2011). "Gay radio in push to oust Kennett from charity chair". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  17. Stark, Jill (9 October 2011). "What lies beyond?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  18. Hagan, Kate (5 September 2012). "Beyondblue in anti-discrimination push". The Age. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  19. "Beyondblue backs marriage equality as a weapon against discrimination". The Guardian. September 2015.
  20. "Statement from beyondblue Board in support of marriage equality". Beyond Blue.
  21. "'Thanks, but no thanks': Charity rejects $5k donation raised through gay porn". au.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  22. Gilet, Anthony (14 December 2018). "Even Charities Reject Our Sexualities". Cocktailsandcocktalk. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  23. Lion, Patrick (23 January 2013). "Fight looms on insurance for mentally ill". news.com.au. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  24. Berry, Sarah (17 May 2013). "I am anxiety". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  25. Coote, Gavin (6 May 2013). "Beyond Blue launches campaign to tackle anxiety". abc.net.au. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  26. Sundstrom, Kathy (17 May 2013). "National campaign targets anxiety". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  27. Harrison, Dan (7 October 2013). "Doctors more likely to get depressed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  28. "One in five Australians believes people with anxiety 'put it on'". The Age. 18 April 2016.
  29. "beyondblue ad campaign raising anxiety awareness". SBS News. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  30. O'Leary, Cathy (5 June 2013). "Funny ads are serious about male depression". The West Australian. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  31. "Beyondblue renews Man Therapy TV push during summer of sport". Mumbrella. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  32. "Man Therapy". Beyond Blue. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  33. "Man Therapy Interim Evaluation Results to 31 December 2013" (PDF). Ipsos Social Research Institute / Beyond Blue. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  34. "Australia Oriental Media Buddhist Charity Association". Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  35. Whitley, Rob (September 2018). "Men's Mental Health: Beyond Victim-Blaming". The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 63 (9): 577–580. doi:10.1177/0706743718758041. ISSN 0706-7437. PMC 6109881. PMID 30141987.
  36. "The Facts". Beyond Blue.
  37. "Get Immediate Support". Beyond Blue.
  38. "National help lines and websites". Beyond Blue.
  39. "Get Immediate Support". Beyond Blue.
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