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Annual Report 08/09
beyondblue: the national depression initiative
www.beyondblue.org.au
1300 22 4636
Vision
• A society that understands and responds to the
personal and social impact of depression and
anxiety disorders.
• A society that works actively to prevent depression
and anxiety disorders and improves the quality of life
of everyone involved.
Principles for action
• Respect for human rights and dignity
• Strong community involvement, understanding
and support
• A population health approach
• Recognition of diversity and special needs
• A co-ordinated and collaborative approach
• An evidence-based approach
• Sustainable action
Mission
To provide national focus and leadership that increases the
capacity of the broader community to prevent depression
and anxiety disorders and respond effectively.
Government partners:
ABN 87 093 865 840 ACN 093 865 840
Introduction
Annual Report 08/09
beyondblue is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working
to increase awareness and understanding of depression, anxiety and
related disorders throughout Australia and reduce the associated stigma.
beyondblue works to promote early intervention and prevention of
depression and anxiety disorders through our programs and research
activities. We also provide information about the real-life experiences of
people who live with depression and anxiety disorders, and their carers,
and promote their needs with policy makers and health care providers.
beyondblue is supported by the Australian Government and every
State and Territory Government in Australia. beyondblue also receives
considerable unsolicited donations from businesses and individuals, in
particular The Movember Foundation. beyondblue is not supported by
pharmaceutical company funding.
beyondblue’s five priority areas
1. Community awareness and destigmatisation
2. Consumer and carer participation
3. Prevention and early intervention
4. Primary care
5. Targeted research
DISCLAIMER
Every effort has been made to ensure that this publication is free from error and/or omission at the date of printing. The authors,
publisher, and any person involved in the preparation of the beyondblue Annual Report 2008/09 take no responsibility for loss
occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining from action as a result of information contained in this publication.
©beyondblue: the national depression initiative 2009
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process
without prior permission from beyondblue: the national depression initiative. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and
rights should be addressed by email to [email protected]
ISSN: 1832-2778
1
Contents
Chairman’s Foreword
3
• Youth training
24
Coach the Coach beyondblue Rounds
47
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
4
• Stay on Track
24
yshareit Youth Project
47
Current Strategies and Priority Areas to 2010
5
Raising Awareness of Depression
in Rural Areas
24
Clinical Adviser’s Report
6
Build Your Game (Good Sports,
Good Mental Health)
47
Research Adviser’s Report
7
• Don’t beat about the bush! Campaign – building
awareness across rural Australia
24
Tackling Depression in Older People
48
• beyond maturityblues Program
48
Board of Directors
8
• Over Bl**dy Eighties (OBE) Campaign
48
• beyondblue-Bowls Community Partnership
48
49
Priority Area One:
Community Awareness and Destigmatisation
9
25
• Australian Rural Information Network (ARIN) online
drought and disaster assistance map
25
Working with the Media
10
• Rural information kit
25
Tackling Depression in People with a
Chronic Illness
Media and community interest
10
beyondblue National Advertising Campaign
12
• Depression and anxiety rural roundtable
discussion in Perth
26
• Raising awareness of depression in men with
prostate cancer and their partners
49
• Field days
26
Men’s Sheds
26
beyondblue Information resources for Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex
(GLBTI) People
50
Foundation 49: Men’s Health
26
New beyondblue Information Materials
27
• New material produced between July 2008 and
October 2009
• CALD Carers Participation Program
50
27
• Assertive Communication in Multicultural Australia
50
• Youthbeyondblue fact sheets
28
Tackling Depression in Indigenous Communities 51
• Languages other than English
29
• Rites of Passage
• Information materials for health professionals
29
• Indigenous Men’s Sheds/Spaces Pilot Project
51
• Save A Mate (SAM) Our Way
51
Youthbeyondblue National Multimedia Campaign 13
National Mailout
14
beyondblue Website www.beyondblue.org.au
14
• Revised Directory of Medical Allied Health
Practitioners Map
15
• Ordering beyondblue information materials online
15
New Youthbeyondblue Website
www.youthbeyondblue.com
15
Events
15
• Anxiety and Depression Awareness (ADA)
Month in October, Mental Health Week
and World Mental Health Day 2009
15
• Movember: Changing the Face of Men’s Health
16
Tackling Depression in Culturally and Linguistically
Diverse (CALD) Communities
50
51
Priority Area Two:
Consumer and Carer Participation
30
• Indigenous Hip Hop Projects
51
blueVoices
31
beyondblue Ambassador Program
32
Priority Area Four:
Primary Care
52
53
• Community Forum – beyondblue, The Werribee
Banner and Rotary Club of Werribee
16
• beyondblue’s high profile Ambassadors
32
Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative
• Footy tackles depression – beyondblue AFL
and VFL Cup
16
beyondblue Information and Referral Line
1300 22 4636
33
beyondblue’s National Doctors’ Mental Health
Program
54
The beyondblue Directory of Medical and Allied
Health Practitioners in Mental Health
34
The beyondblue Guide to the Management of
Depression in Primary Care
54
Carers Campaign 2009
34
Young Minds
55
• The beyondblue Guide for Carers
34
Priority Area Three:
Prevention and Early Intervention
Clinical Practice Guidelines: Depression in
Adolescents and Young Adults
55
35
beyondblue National Workplace and
Social Enterprise Portfolio
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Depression and
Related Disorders (anxiety, bipolar disorder and
puerperal psychosis) in the Perinatal Period
56
36
• The beyondblue National Workplace Program
36
beyondblue Disaster Strategy – Addressing
Mental Health Issues in Bushfire and
Flood-affected Communities
40
• New booklet and information card for
disaster-affected communities
40
• Looking Beyond Netball Partnership
17
• SA Grade Cricket clubs go into bat for depression
awareness during FeBLUary
17
• beyondblue takes to the catwalk
18
• Seniors’ Weeks and Festivals
18
• Keeping active for mental health
18
• Working with the Australian music industry
18
• beyondblue Partners Lunch and Rural Mental
Health Roundtable in Western Australia
19
• Men and Depression Public Forum
19
• Generation Next Forums Melbourne and Adelaide
19
• Rokewood, Community Forum – The Big Night Off 19
• Special Efforts
19
RANZCP Indigenous Mental Health Website
56
Depression Yarns DVD
56
Research
56
Priority Area Five:
Research
57
beyondblue Victorian Centre of Excellence
58
• 2009 bbVCoE Research Grant Round
58
• Other events in which beyondblue participated
in 08/09
20
• Community Support Training (Victorian bushfires)
41
Depression Awareness Partnerships
20
Community Programs
41
• National funding resulting from bbVCoE investment 59
• Tackling depression in Wyndham (VIC)
20
Employment and Workforce
42
Medical Journal of Australia Supplement
59
• Driving partnerships through golf
21
• Mental Health and Insurance Discrimination Project 42
• Silvan Australia
21
• Job and financial loss
42
Examples of beyondblue’s Current
Research Projects
60
• Barry Plant Real Estate (VIC)
21
• Employment and Workforce research projects
43
• Cancer Australia Partnership
60
• Trans-Help Foundation
21
KidsMatter Primary
43
• Master Builders Western Australia
21
KidsMatter Early Childhood
44
• Depression and Cardiovascular Disease Strategic
Research Program
60
• Bowls Victoria
21
61
• Magnolia Square
21
beyondblue High Schools Classroom Program
(SenseAbility)
• Beyond Ageing Research Project – Australian
National University
45
• The 45 and Up Study
61
• Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA)
21
Developing Resilience in Tertiary Students
45
• Feeling Queer and Blue
61
Youthbeyondblue
22
Completed bbVCoE Research Projects
62
• National Youth Week 2009
22
beyondblue National Perinatal Depression Initiative
45
• Community festivals
22
• Rock Eisteddfod
23
• Anti-Racism Action Band (ARAB)
• Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP)
• Red Frogs Schoolies and Education/
Tertiary Programs
2
• Mental Health Support for Drought-Affected
Communities Initiative
• Guidelines Expert Advisory Committee for
Perinatal Mental Health
The beyondblue Team
64
46
Partners and Supporters
65
23
• New information materials for new mothers,
their families and carers
46
Journal Articles
66
24
• Information regarding training programs
46
Conference Partnerships
67
Phunktional
46
Annual Financial Report
69
24
Chairman’s Foreword
$18.7 million to look after the mental
health and well-being of Australian
primary and pre-school children by
extending this program. In addition,
beyondblue has committed a total of
$7.8 million to the KidsMatter Primary
Schools and KidsMatter Early Childhood
initiatives. This is a great investment in
our children’s future.
This year also saw the launch of a new
Youthbeyondblue national advertising
campaign focusing on young people,
which included revamping our youth
website www.youthbeyondblue.com
and information materials (see page 13).
When I reflect on the breadth and volume
of beyondblue’s work in the past financial
year, I am pleased that we have achieved
so much, but I know there remains a great
deal of work to do.
Across the country, we have seen people
battling a range of adverse conditions
which have affected their livelihood,
their lifestyle and in many cases, their
mental health.
We have seen bushfires, floods and
drought impact on communities already
affected by the fallout from the global
financial crisis. For many people, it’s
been an extremely tough time – and
beyondblue has worked with a range of
agencies to get information to people
affected by these crises, so they’re able
to access the help they need.
It has been particularly gratifying to
see the results of beyondblue-funded
research translated into practical,
early-intervention programs to which
governments have committed funding.
Two, in particular, stand out.
Firstly, the National Perinatal Mental
Health Initiative (see page 45), which
screens and supports pregnant women
and new mothers with depression, is
well underway – thanks to a financial
commitment of $85 million from the
Federal, State and Territory Governments
and a collaborative commitment from all
governments in delivering the program.
Secondly, well aware of the value of
spending dollars on preventing mental
health problems rather than solving them
and following the successful evaluation of
the pilot stage of the KidsMatter Primary
Schools initiative (see page 43), the Rudd
Government has committed a further
At Admiralty House in August,
beyondblue’s new Patron, Her Excellency
The Governor-General, launched a
beyondblue booklet – Guide for Carers –
which is aimed at helping and supporting
people who care for a person with
depression, anxiety or related disorders
(see page 34).
It’s important that everyone
understands that it’s not just the
person with the illness who needs
help – the people who care for and
support a person with depression
need to know there is support
available for them too.
The Movember Foundation has again
put in a stirling effort, not only in raising
awareness of depression and anxiety in
men, but in raising more than $8 million
for both beyondblue and the Prostate
Cancer Foundation (see page 16). This is
a marvellous contribution to beyondblue
for which we are very grateful. These
funds will enable us to continue our work
to support men’s health programs in
rural, remote, regional and metropolitan
areas across Australia.
My thanks go as well to the Federal,
State and Territory Governments for
their vote of confidence in continuing
to fund and support beyondblue. I
never cease to be amazed by the truly
wonderful bipartisan support that has
been extended to beyondblue by political
parties and politicians of all persuasions.
We value this support and commit to
continue our work in partnership with all
tiers of government, the health sector,
our corporate and community partners,
and the media.
I would also like to acknowledge and
thank all the people with depression and
anxiety – and their carers – who have
shared publicly their personal stories
so that others may benefit from their
experiences.
We greatly appreciate the generosity of
the hundreds of individuals, families and
businesses who support the work of
beyondblue through financial donations,
or from in-kind business support worth
many millions of dollars.
Given the prudent governance policy the
beyondblue Board applies to all funds
received from governments, corporates
and individuals, beyondblue does not
invest in the share market nor in property.
Therefore, the organisation has not lost
a single dollar as a result of the global
financial crisis. We remain today in a very
strong financial position.
And last, but not least, I thank my fellow
Board Members, beyondblue’s CEO
Leonie Young and her dedicated team,
for their hard work and commitment in
helping everyday Australians (no matter
where they live or what they do) to get
the help they need.
It has been nine years since I took on
this role as Chairman of beyondblue,
and in that time, I have seen changes in
social policy, government support, and
public understanding and acceptance
of mental illness that I would never have
thought possible in such a short period
of time. But as I mentioned earlier – there
is still a lot of work to be done – and we
look forward to continuing to serve the
Australian public.
Our Board has decided to extend our
work for a further five-year term to 2015.
We look forward to continuing our work
in changing attitudes, reducing stigma
and improving services for people with
depression, anxiety and related disorders
and their carers.
I commend this report to you.
The Hon. Jeff Kennett AC
Chairman
3
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
I am pleased to report on beyondblue’s
activities and outcomes for the 2008/09
financial year, including achievements and
challenges, as we also complete our 9th
year of operations. The broad extent of
our activities and the diversity of people
collaborating with us as the national focal
point for depression and related disorders
in Australia is illustrated throughout
this report.
The beyondblue Board, clinical and
research advisers, staff, blueVoices
members, ambassadors, partners and
associated researchers have worked
tirelessly throughout the year to improve
access and services, to reduce the
stigma and impact of depression and
anxiety disorders across Australia.
Throughout this year, we have reviewed
and consolidated our administration,
internal operations and systems to
support the growth of the organisation
and the delivery of national programs
across five priority areas – community
awareness and destigmatisation,
consumer and carer participation,
prevention and early intervention, primary
care and targeted research.
When we measure community awareness
and participation in beyondblue programs,
we regularly find levels of interest
and engagement that surpasses our
expectations. This is evident across
Australia, from Maningrida to Maydena,
Albany to Ayr, Port Hedland to Broulee.
It’s best illustrated by the increased
volume of people seeking information and
assistance and people now speaking up,
breaking down the stigma that for so long
silenced people and prevented them from
seeking help.
On average, there are 100,000 visits to our
website and 9,000 calls to the info line per
month. Every day we despatch around
400 orders for depression information and
resources – and 100 new organisations
register online. During October, which is
Anxiety and Depression Awareness (ADA)
month, more than two million items were
requested and despatched.
1.5 million people now accessing primary
care services. It’s important to concede
that while our health systems are
improving, they’re supporting only 50 per
cent of the population with high prevalence
disorders. Many people remain reluctant to
seek help from a GP for their depression
symptoms, stating they ‘don’t want to
bother’ their already busy GP.
Together with people affected by the
illness and their families, we have started
conversations – and debates – on
depression and anxiety with clinicians,
policy makers, politicians and the media,
Australia wide. We’ve encouraged people
to share their personal stories and, by
drawing on their lived experiences,
initiated practice change and service
reforms. We’ve supported quality research
and guidelines development to reduce
depression and its co-occurrence with
other chronic illnesses, including asthma,
diabetes, heart disease and cancers.
Without a radical change to the current
health service models and collaborations
to actively address stigma and
discrimination, the imbalance and burden
of depression, anxiety and related
disorders will continue to increase.
Our researchers have delivered evidencebased results; the critical information
on what depression and anxiety
disorders are – and how they are best
treated. Based on this solid foundation,
beyondblue has produced quality, clinical
information in easy-to-understand fact
sheets, booklets and DVDs, including
in other languages and in Braille. We’ve
also embraced new technology to deliver
our key messages online through social
networking sites and mobile phones.
During this past decade, the success
we have had in implementing a national
action plan for addressing depression
and related disorders using a combined
targeted and multi-sectored, bi-partisan
approach, has provided Australia with a
focal point for destigmatising the illness.
However, many challenges remain.
Improving access to health services
and addressing workforce shortages
are daunting challenges we all share.
As beyondblue continues to raise
awareness and promotes early
intervention, help-seeking behaviour,
the demand for services far exceeds the
supply. The severe shortage of services
and health professionals is not likely to
improve for many years.
We know that our awareness-raising
efforts, and those of others, have
contributed greatly to the success of the
Better Access Initiative with more than
Depression and anxiety are the leading
causes of non-fatal burden of disease
in Australia for men (10.0 per cent) and
women (18.1 per cent).1 Measures of
– and their impact – have been well
recorded in Australia these past ten years.
beyondblue will work collaboratively with
all governments on the Fourth National
Mental Health Plan, the National Health
and Hospital Reforms and Primary
Care Review recommendations. We will
increase our efforts on strengthening
primary care and self-help interventions
with innovative e-health strategies.
The results of our 2009/10 Depression
Monitor survey and an independent
evaluation of beyondblue will assist our
strategic planning and delivery to 2015.
To the Federal Government, state and
territory governments; to our generous
benefactors Mitchell & Partners, APN
Outdoor, Convenience Advertising,
businesses and schools across
Australia; to the mo bros and mo
sistas of Movember and the Movember
Foundation; we sincerely thank you all for
your ongoing support and look forward
to another dynamic year.
As we move towards our tenth year, with
our driving Chairman, Board and our
creative and talented staff, I am confident
that beyondblue will continue to reduce
the burden of depression and anxiety
disorders throughout Australia.
Leonie Young
Chief Executive Officer
1 Begg S, Vos T, Barker B, Stevenson C, Stanley L, Lopez AD. (2007). The burden of disease and injury in Australia 2003. PHE 82. Canberra: AIHW.
4
Current Strategies and Priority Areas to 2010
Overall Strategic
Direction and
five-year focus
(to 2010)
CREATE new and improve current responses to depression and anxiety, building on early achievements and
partnerships to:
• implement project and research outcomes in prevention and treatment
• lead implementation of prevention strategies
• develop and partner new styles of health models and services
• target bipolar, chronic disease comorbidity, anxiety and related drug and alcohol disorders
• target young people, women, men, the workforce, older people, Indigenous, rural; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender and Intersex (GLBTI) community and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.
FOCUS on increased recognition of depression and anxiety and their health impact across the lifespan.
RESPOND to community needs resulting from situational or natural disasters.
DEVELOP and extend corporate and philanthropic partnerships.
Priority One
Community
awareness and
destigmatisation
DEVELOP and implement new advertising and other mass media campaigns with a particular focus on co-existing
illnesses including chronic illness, and at-risk populations.
IMPLEMENT targeted strategies, monitoring against benchmarks with a focus on help-seeking and recovery.
BUILD school, university and youth depression and anxiety initiatives through Youthbeyondblue, education and
health sector partnerships.
IMPLEMENT workplace prevention programs across a broad range of sectors.
SUPPORT strategies targeting older people.
CONDUCT regional community consultations to support nationally-agreed objectives.
INITIATE programs arising from attitudinal monitoring.
Priority Two
Consumer and carer
participation
DEVELOP new forms of consumer and carer self-management including prevention, assessment and treatment
of depression, anxiety and related disorders.
INITIATE programs to strengthen engagement and response to families and community.
CONSULT with people who have experienced or cared for someone with depression, anxiety and related disorders
and support them to speak publicly about their experiences, including diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Priority Three
Prevention and early
intervention
Priority Four
Primary care
PROMOTE, fund and develop early intervention and prevention programs in priority areas of young people, men,
older people, Indigenous Australians, rural communities, GLBTI communities and CALD communities.
ENHANCE collaboration and partnerships with chronic disease agencies e.g. National Heart Foundation,
Diabetes Australia, Cancer Australia and Cancer Councils, National Stroke Foundation, the Asthma Foundation,
Alzheimer’s Australia.
ASSIST implementation of Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the
Medicare Benefits Schedule program.
PROVIDE information, training and support to primary care professionals in the diagnosis, treatment and
management of people with depression and anxiety.
EXPAND partnerships with rural doctors, mental health and primary care providers, regional and Indigenous health
services and Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs).
Priority Five
TARGET research into prevention and treatment outcomes.
Targeted research
COLLABORATE with agencies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research
Council, National Heart Foundation, Cancer Australia and applied research organisations.
EXPAND applied research program in priority areas with rigorous evaluation.
DISSEMINATE research results and assist in implementing recommendations.
We aim to:
EXPAND and provide leading international practice in depression and anxiety awareness, prevention, early
intervention, treatment and pathways to care and recovery, across the lifespan.
IMPLEMENT a national program to address antenatal and postnatal depression, building on research undertaken
in beyondblue’s first term.
ENHANCE delivery of a national cross-portfolio approach across health, education, family and community services.
IMPLEMENT a national depression, anxiety and related disorders prevention and early intervention program for
children and young people through schools, education and integrated health systems.
DELIVER and promote workplace depression awareness, education and training across a range of sectors, including
professional sport, transport, mining, government, corporate, professionals and vocational areas.
5
Clinical Adviser’s Report
Research Council in 2009 outline
recommendations for adults, children
and pregnant women based on evidence
to reduce risk from alcohol consumption.
The report on the latest national
survey examining the mental health of
Australians1 re-confirms that depressive,
anxiety and substance use disorders are
widespread in our community.
Depressive disorders carry with them
the greatest risk of suicide and the
greatest degree of severity. Yet, only a
third of those with any mental disorder
had sought treatment in the last year.
We know that the disability caused by
depression and anxiety disorders can
become entrenched if these illnesses are
not treated.
There are treatments that can be tailored
to help individuals and that will work for
most people. One of the challenges for
those providing treatment is to ensure
that the appropriate treatments are
applied and that they are available for
everyone. Over this last year, we have
worked on ways to address these issues.
‘Depression’ has a number of meanings.
While it denotes a normal human
emotion, it can also be used to describe
a state of unhappiness that lasts beyond
what is expected. It can also describe
the clinical condition that is one of the
‘Depressive Disorders’. We need to be
quite specific in our use of the term. We
do not want to turn a normal human
emotional experience into a medical
problem and we do not want to trivialise
a very disabling condition.
Research makes it very clear that
depressive disorders are more commonly
seen with another condition rather than
on their own. Paired with substance
misuse, they are very dangerous. The
new safe drinking guidelines released
by the National Health and Medical
6
Clinical experience and some research
suggests that people with depressive
disorders and anxiety disorders must
be very cautious about how much
alcohol they consume, however, there
is a lack of published research to be
able to include a guideline for these
groups. Furthermore, there is not enough
research to be able to recommend a
safe level of alcohol consumption for
a person experiencing depressive or
anxiety disorders. It is worrying when an
individual uses alcohol or illicit drugs to
self-medicate, as this behaviour is more
likely to lead to substance dependence
and can hinder recovery.
The term ‘co-morbidity’ is commonly
used to describe the presence of two
disorders simultaneously, for example,
substance misuse and depression.
Other co-morbidities are even more
common, such as depressive and
anxiety disorders. In fact, it is more
common for a person to have anxiety on
top of a depressive disorder than for him/
her to have a depressive disorder alone.
Physical conditions also commonly
co-exist with depressive disorders.
Mental Health Services are not
currently set up to treat people with
multiple conditions, whereas General
Practitioners see this on a daily basis.
Over the last year, beyondblue’s webbased information, research and public
education programs have placed
greater focus on co-existing conditions
and their impact.
Stigma associated with depression
and related disorders appears to be
declining, but it still exists. Despite this,
there are more people willing to talk
about it openly. Well-known individuals
who experience depression or anxiety
and speak publicly about their illness
have made a difference.
Unfortunately, the stigma prevails to the
point where there is still courage required
to do this. Yet, the media now appears
to be more accustomed to reporting on
mental health issues and less likely to see
it as a novelty. As a practising clinician,
I often hear people say they were
helped to feel better about their own
illness when they learnt about a famous
person’s experience through the media.
With more people thinking of
depression and related disorders
as treatable conditions, we hope
this attitude change will result in an
increase in demand for treatment.
New approaches are needed to improve
access to treatment, particularly
psychological therapies. For many people,
these are first-line treatments. For others,
psychological therapies complement
medication. To make quality psychological
treatment accessible, we are exploring
new ways of delivering services. We also
need to learn more about the factors that
lead to a good response to medication,
so that we can better tailor our treatments
and interventions.
The treatment of young and adolescent
Australians who have depression has
been a matter of contention over the
past 12 months. New developments
and research findings have caused
uncertainty among some clinicians.
beyondblue and the NHMRC have
embarked on an important review of
this area and new guidelines will be
completed in 2010 (see page 55).
Although the areas I have covered
have been the focus over the last year,
we need to continue to address the
clinical basics: correct recognition of
the problem when it arises; encouraging
appropriate individual treatment;
preventing the onset in whatever way
we can; and expanding our knowledge
of the causes of depression and related
disorders and the treatments that work.
A/Prof. Michael Baigent
Clinical Adviser
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2008). 2007 National Survey of
Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results. ABS: Canberra.
Research Adviser’s Report
An important part of the research
process is getting results published.
beyondblue continues to support
research supplements in the Medical
Journal of Australia (MJA) which bring
together a body of work in a single area.
In early 2009, beyondblue supported
its sixth MJA supplement (see page 59).
This edition featured 11 articles
examining the links between depression
and physical illness, including a useful
review of the evidence as well as specific
intervention studies.
beyondblue continues to encourage
and support relevant research which
has immediate and long-term benefits
for people with depression, anxiety and
related disorders – and their carers.
Depression is a complicating factor in
heart disease, and is associated with
significantly worse health outcomes. In
2008/09, we continued our collaboration
with the Heart Foundation to encourage
and support more research in this area.
Following a competitive grant application
round, four research projects were
chosen examining a range of interventions
which may be effective in this situation.
Similarly, we have continued our
collaboration with Cancer Australia
to fund projects looking at improving
quality of life for people with depression
associated with cancer and their carers
(see page 60). These competitive grants
are assessed by the National Health
and Medical Research Council. In 2008,
six grants were funded, and 2009
applications are under consideration.
beyondblue is a partner in the 45 and
Up study being run by the Sax Institute
in New South Wales (see page 61).
This is a large cohort study of 250,000
NSW residents which aims to identify,
by regular follow-up, risk factors for a
range of illnesses. Depression and other
psychosocial factors clearly impact
health and this study will provide a great
opportunity for researchers to measure
the extent of the interactions between
depression and other common chronic
illnesses. Studies of this size are rare and
have enormous capacity to inform and
influence health and social policy.
Men’s health has been a continued
focus in 2008/09, with beyondblue
funding two grants in the area of
prostate cancer, plus one in testicular
cancer, and links to mental illness
and well-being.
In 2009, beyondblue and the Victorian
Government allocated $1.39 million to
researchers through the annual beyondblue
Victorian Centre of Excellence in
Depression and Related Disorders grants
round (see page 58). The research priorities
included a focus on depression and
co-existing physical illness, eating
disorders, chronic injury, pain and trauma
and disaster recovery. Ten projects were
chosen from 54 applications.
Research is incredibly important in the
endeavours of beyondblue. The results
inform our messages to the public as well
as advice to governments. But research
also often produces new questions
and so the commitment to research
must continue if we are to improve the
availability of effective care for people
with depression, anxiety and related
disorders and reduce the burden that
these illnesses often bring.
Prof. David Clarke
Research Adviser
7
Board of Directors
The Directors of the Company at any
time during or since the end of the
financial year are:
The Hon. Jeffrey Kennett AC
(Chairman)
23 years experience in Victorian
Parliament, including Premier of Victoria
1992-1999. Chairman of Open Windows
Pty Ltd, Australian Commercial Catering
Pty Ltd and Amtek Corporation Pty Ltd.
Chairman of the Board of Management
of PFD Food Services Pty Ltd. Director
of Equity Trustees Limited and Jumbuck
Limited. President of the Hawthorn
Football Club. Director of beyondblue
since 19 October 2000.
Mr John McGrath AM
(Deputy Chairman)
Inaugural Chairman of the Mental Health
Council of Australia. Former member
of the Victorian Government, carer of
a family member with a mental illness
and Chairman of the Victorian Ministerial
Advisory Committee on Mental Health.
Director since 19 October 2000.
Professor Steven Larkin
A Kungarakany man, has extensive
leadership experience in Indigenous
health including the National Aboriginal
Community Controlled Health
Organisation, NT Health Services and
the Commonwealth Department of
Health and Ageing. Currently Pro ViceChancellor – Indigenous Leadership at
Charles Darwin University in Darwin.
Appointed 17 February 2009.
Associate Professor Brett
McDermott
Clinical and Research Specialist – Child
and Youth Psychiatry. Director of the
Mater Child and Youth Mental Health
Service Queensland and Associate
Professor of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry, University of Queensland.
Mr Garry McDonald AO
Australian actor and media spokesperson.
Past Patron of the Anxiety Disorders
Foundation, New South Wales Branch.
Dr Michael Bonning
Mr Tim Marney
Immediate Past President of the
Australian Medical Students’ Association.
Director since 19 August 2008. Churchill
Fellow 2009.
Western Australia Under Treasurer and
beyondblue Ambassador. Director since
19 August 2008.
Ms Kate Carnell AO
CEO, The Australian Food and Grocery
Council – former CEO of the Australian
General Practice Network and ACT
Chief Minister 1995-2000. Director since
19 August 2008.
The Hon. Caroline Hogg
Former member of Victorian Parliament
holding a number of human services
portfolios including Minister for Health.
Professor Kenneth Kirkby
Professor of Psychiatry, University of
Tasmania. Past President of the Royal
Australian and New Zealand College of
Psychiatrists. Director since 18 March
2003. Resigned 18 August 2009.
Dr Leanne Rowe AM
Deputy Chancellor Monash University,
holds appointments with The University of
Sydney and The University of Melbourne,
past Chair of the Royal Australian College
of General Practitioners and rural medical
practitioner for 26 years. Director since
19 August 2008.
Ms Natasha Stott Despoja
Retired Senator and former leader of
the Australian Democrats in the Federal
Parliament of Australia. Director since
19 August 2008.
Ms Leonie Young
Chief Executive Officer
Former Executive with the Commonwealth
Department of Health and Ageing.
CEO since 15 July 2003 and Director
since 15 September 2003.
Top: beyondblue Board Directors, 2009
Third from top: beyondblue Board Director
The Hon. Caroline Hogg and Deputy Chairman John
McGrath
Bottom: beyondblue Board Director Natasha
Stott Despoja at the beyondblue Board meeting
in Western Australia, June 2009
8
Community
Awareness and
Destigmatisation
priority area
Objective:
To increase community awareness
of depression, anxiety and
related disorders and to address
the stigma linked to these health
problems.
Many new resources have been developed, with
beyondblue’s fact sheets on depression and
anxiety available in 26 languages.
Over the past year, beyondblue has had
considerable success in continuing to raise
community awareness about depression,
anxiety and related disorders. Media coverage
of beyondblue’s work continues to grow and
the beyondblue website remains one of the
most-visited health and medical websites
in Australia (see page 14).
beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness
(ADA) Month in October 2009 generated
widespread interest, with more than 104,000
depression/anxiety information kits distributed to
more than 2,800 organisations, workplaces and
individuals nationally.
The beyondblue distribution team sent out more
than 11 million individual information materials to
meet unprecedented public demand.
Above: A selection of newspaper and magazine articles featuring beyondblue’s
work in 2008/09.
9
Working with the Media
beyondblue has continued to raise
community awareness of depression
and anxiety-related disorders by working
with the media across television, radio,
print and online. On a daily basis, the
communications team responds to
requests from journalists writing or
producing stories, facilitating public
discussion of depression, anxiety and
related disorders specifically and mental
health issues in general.
beyondblue also submits research
articles and reports on a range of
depression and anxiety-related topics for
inclusion in a wide variety of publications
– many on a regular and ongoing basis.
From 1 July 2008 to 30 October
2009, beyondblue was mentioned, or
beyondblue spokespeople participated,
in around 12,000 stories across the
Australian media, which is an increase
of around 2,000 for the same period the
year before.
Issues covered included:
• the economic downturn/financial
crisis and risk of depression for those
affected
• the effects of bushfires/floods
(disasters) on people’s mental health
• drought and depression in rural areas
• depression in men (particularly
following divorce or separation)
• anxiety disorders
• depression and suicide in young people
(and media coverage of the topic)
• the effects of cyberbullying on young
people’s mental health
• depression/anxiety in the gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender and intersex
community
• ante- and postnatal depression
• bipolar disorder
• depression in older people
From top to bottom: Journalists interview students
at Monmia Primary School in Victoria at a press
conference announcing $18.7 million Federal
Government Funding for KidsMatter; beyondbluefunded researchers talk to TV journalists about their
findings; Melbourne ABC Radio Conversation Hour
host Catherine Deveny, beyondblue Deputy CEO
Dr Nicole Highet, beyondblue Ambassador Nathan
Thompson and Melbourne writer Barry Dickens
before a live studio interview in August 2009;
beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett talks to media
at the launch of the Youthbeyondblue national
advertising campaign in May 2009.
10
• treatment for depression and
anxiety disorders – antidepressants,
psychological therapies and
alternative treatments
• depression in the workplace
• depression and exercise
• depression and chronic illness.
beyondblue continues to work closely
with journalists and producers leading to
widespread media coverage of depression,
anxiety and beyondblue’s programs.
Chairman The Hon. Jeff Kennett AC,
CEO Leonie Young, Deputy CEOs
Dr Nicole Highet and Clare Shann,
Deputy Chairman John McGrath
AO, Board Members, A/Prof. Brett
McDermott, Clinical Adviser A/Prof.
Michael Baigent, Research Adviser
Prof. David Clarke, consumers and
carers from blueVoices, beyondblue
Ambassadors and Senior Program
Managers have all contributed to raising
beyondblue’s profile and community
awareness of depression, anxiety and
related disorders, and helped to reduce
the associated stigma.
“I found today’s conversation
interesting and helpful, having
experienced depression myself
and with three friends who
struggle today. As you said
today, public figures and medical
specialists who speak in public
reduce the stigma. It was good to
hear again that there is a range of
options to treat it, and the point
that early intervention is key.”
– Feedback from ABC 774
Conversation Hour listener
after hearing beyondblue
Deputy CEO Dr Nicole Highet
and beyondblue Ambassador
Nathan Thompson on air.
Media and community
interest included:
The fallout from the global financial
crisis
In December 2008, in response to
the world economic downturn and
the subsequent effects of the global
financial crisis on ordinary Australians,
beyondblue produced a booklet – Taking
care of yourself after retrenchment or
financial loss – to help people look after
their health and well-being and that
of their families (see page 42). News
Limited partnered with beyondblue to
promote the booklet by donating space
to run big, coloured ads in the following
newspapers: Sunday Times (WA),
Daily Telegraph (NSW) Courier Mail
(QLD), Herald Sun (VIC), The Adelaide
Advertiser (SA) and The Australian
(national). Significant media interest
followed the promotion of the booklet
which led to numerous interviews across
the country and resulted in more than
305,000 booklets distributed to date.
Working with The Werribee and Point
Cook Banner and Fairfax Community
Newspapers
In December 2008, in her electorate of
Lalor (VIC), The Deputy Prime Minister The
Hon. Julia Gillard along with beyondblue
Chairman, The Hon. Jeff Kennett,
launched beyondblue’s partnership with
The Werribee and Point Cook Banner.
The General Manager of the Fairfax
Community Network, and Werribee
resident Colin Moss, committed the
paper to running weekly stories on
people with depression and anxiety,
including information on where to get
help locally. The series of stories won
Suicide Prevention Australia’s (SPA)
Life Award (print media) for Banner
journalist Cameron Tait. In October
2009, 10 Fairfax suburban papers were
printed with blue covers (pictured below)
to promote awareness of beyondblue
and depression during Anxiety and
Depression Awareness (ADA) Month and
to mark Mental Health Week. See page
15 in the events section of this chapter for
more information.
Breast Cancer Network Australia
partners with beyondblue
In December 2008, Jeff Kennett and
Raelene Boyle, Olympian and breast
cancer survivor, launched the BCNA/
beyondblue partnership and joint fact
sheet at the MCG. There was good
media coverage on the day, plus followup interviews about the importance of
women caring for their mental health as
well as their physical health. Research
shows that 50 per cent of breast cancer
survivors report they have been affected
by depression or anxiety after a breast
cancer diagnosis.
Launch of Youthbeyondblue
awareness campaign
In May 2009, beyondblue launched the
national Youthbeyondblue campaign at
Federation Square in Melbourne (see
page 13). The new Youthbeyondblue
TV, radio and print ads were launched
and shown publicly for the first time.
This coincided with the revamping
of the Youthbeyondblue website
and information materials for young
people. Australia’s leading media buyer
Harold Mitchell, Executive Chairman
of the Mitchell Communication
Group and beyondblue supporter,
enlisted the support of major media
outlets and gained a commitment
from them to run the ads at no cost
to beyondblue. There was extensive
media and community interest in the
Youthbeyondblue campaign following
the launch, with 7,000 downloads
from the Youthbeyondblue website
in 21 days. To view the ads go to
SBS TV Insight program –
Coping with baby
Dr. Nicole Highet represented
beyondblue and the National Perinatal
Depression Initiative on the SBS TV
program Insight on 22 September 2009,
which provided a forum for discussion of
issues relevant to perinatal depression.
Participants included consumers, carers
and professional experts, including
Professor Marie-Paule Austin, Chair of
the beyondblue NHMRC Clinical Practice
Guidelines. After the program, over
400 people logged on to the website to
chat, and more than 300 people posted
comments. It was the biggest response
Insight had had following a program.
“Thank you so much for such an
honest show. I was able to relate
to a lot of the stories told. It gave
me the courage to go to my GP
for help.”
– ‘Julie’, Brisbane viewer of the
Insight program on perinatal
depression
From top to bottom: beyondblue Ambassador
Craig Hamilton on location for the filming of a
beyondblue DVD; Werribee Banner journalist
Cameron Tait accepts the Suicide Prevention
Australia Life Print Media Award for his
beyondblue series from Senator Claire Moore;
Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) perform
at the Youthbeyondblue launch in May 2009;
beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett with the
IHHP crew at the launch.
11
KidsMatter – announcement of further
funding
At the start of Mental Health Week in
October 2009, a big media contingent
attended the Monmia Primary School in
the Melbourne suburb of Keilor Downs
to cover Federal Health Minister Nicola
Roxon’s announcement of $18.7 million
in addition to beyondblue’s $7.8 million
to extend the KidsMatter Primary and
Pre-school initiatives (see page 43). The
successful KidsMatter initiative, which
looks after the mental health and wellbeing of children, will be rolled out to a
further 400 primary schools and 100
preschools/long day care centres over
the next three years. National media
interest and coverage was extensive.
Getting ADA on the RADAR in
Anxiety and Depression Awareness
(ADA) Month in October
Media outlets across Australia were very
supportive in promoting ADA Month (see
page 15) by running stories about the
prevalence of anxiety and depression
and where to get help, promoting the
availability of free beyondblue resources
and reporting on events/activities held
to promote anxiety and depression
awareness and the importance of
maintaining good mental health.
Promotion of a beyondblue info kit
across Australia resulted in numerous
interviews and the playing of beyondblue
community service announcements
(CSAs) during October. Throughout the
month, there were around 50 interviews
with beyondblue clinicians, staff and
ambassadors – including personal
stories, information about depression
and anxiety and where to get help.
Stars shine light on depression
Top: Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon talks
to school children from Monmia Primary School in
Victoria at the KidsMatter funding announcement
in October.
Second from top to bottom: beyondblue
advertisements on billboards, trams and buses –
space kindly donated by APN Outdoor.
12
Throughout the year, there has been
continuing media interest in interviewing
high profile beyondblue Ambassadors
about their experiences of depression,
anxiety and recovery. TV news presenter
Jessica Rowe was interviewed about
her experience of postnatal depression
following the birth of her daughter and
growing up caring for her mother who
has bipolar disorder. Other celebrities
who have continued to raise awareness
of depression and anxiety by talking
publicly about their personal experiences
include beyondblue Board Member
and actor Garry McDonald, former AFL
footballer Nathan Thompson, Olympian
John Konrads, ABC Radio sports
commentator Craig Hamilton and The
Choirboys lead singer Mark Gable.
beyondblue National
Advertising Campaign
The beyondblue National Advertising
Campaign enjoys the support of
many media agencies, enabling
wide dissemination of beyondblue’s
community service announcements
(CSAs) across a range of media.
Each of the ads portrays a person’s
experience of a particular depression or
anxiety-related mental health condition,
with the ads encouraging:
• people to learn more about the
condition via beyondblue’s website or
information and referral line
• friends and family members to help
people with depression and/or anxiety
disorders to seek help from a health
professional.
The current campaign covers:
• postnatal depression
• depression and anxiety with drug and
alcohol use
• depression in later life
• depression in the workplace
• depression in men.
Each CSA has been developed by drawing
on research and the personal experiences
of people who have experienced these
conditions. The CSAs have been
disseminated via television, print and
radio, with some translated into languages
other than English and circulated via
ethnic media networks. Captioning and
spoken versions are also available.
The campaign’s extensive coverage
has been generously supported by
Australia’s leading media buyers, Harold
and Stuart Mitchell of Mitchell and
Partners, together with the following
media outlets which have donated space
and time – Networks Seven, Nine, Ten,
SBS, community TV, several Pay TV
channels, Regional Radioworks and
numerous magazines, newspapers, radio
stations and Radar Promotions Australia
in Tasmania.
Convenience Advertising has also
donated space and provided generous
additional support by distributing
the printed poster ads to people via
bathroom advertising at venues such
as shopping centres, cinemas, airports,
universities/TAFEs, hotels and bars.
This campaign has placed more than
4,700 beyondblue ads featuring eight
creative concepts in nearly 1,000 venues
nationwide and continues to reach more
than 11 million people each week.
A three-year partnership with APN
Outdoor has seen beyondblue’s
messages splashed across billboards,
buses, trams and railway stations in
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide
and Perth. beyondblue billboards have
also appeared regularly in rural areas
of SA, NSW, QLD and WA thanks
to Fox Out of Home Advertising,
Sports and Outdoor Media, Paradise
Outdoor Advertising and WA Billboards
respectively.
Youthbeyondblue
National Multimedia
Campaign
“Help someone find a way back from
anxiety and depression.”
Launched on 18 May 2009, the
Youthbeyondblue National Multimedia
Campaign aims to raise awareness of the
signs and symptoms of depression and
anxiety in young people – and where to
get help.
The campaign aims to encourage
family members, friends, school and
workmates of the person who may be
experiencing depression and anxiety to:
• LOOK for the signs of depression
• LISTEN to what the person is saying
• TALK about what’s going on
• SEEK HELP together.
The ads aim to demonstrate open
communication and supportive behaviour
such as encouraging the person to seek
professional help and/or assisting the
person to get help from a GP or other
health professional.
The concept and scripts were developed
and focus-tested in consultation with
young people who have experienced
depression and anxiety (including some
from blueVoices – see page 31) and
experts in youth mental health.
“These ads are realistic and
resonate with people because
the scripts incorporate the words
and actions young people used
to describe how they feel and
behave when they are unwell.”
– beyondblue CEO Leonie Young
Developed by Frontier Advertising in
close consultation with beyondblue,
the ads for TV/cinema/web are ‘shot
in reverse’. Two of the three ads begin
with the main character at his/her most
depressed or anxious and the action
plays in reverse with the last scene the
same as the opening scene, except that
the main character is well.
This fits with the call to action: “You can
help someone find a way back from
anxiety and depression. Find out where
to get help at Youthbeyondblue.com
or call 1300 22 4636.”
The multimedia campaign includes
radio ads, print ads and an updated
Youthbeyondblue website (see page 15),
which contains new information materials
for young people, including 23 fact sheets
on a wide range of topics – from helping
a friend with depression or anxiety, to
eating disorders and cyberbullying.
Thanks to the ongoing support
from Mitchell and Partners, the
Youthbeyondblue ads have been shown
in donated advertising space by national
TV, radio, cinema and newspaper
media outlets. Convenience Advertising
has placed Youthbeyondblue ads in
bathrooms at more than 50 TAFEs and
universities across the country and a
total of 110,000 free Youthbeyondblue
postcards were distributed through
‘Avant Card’ display units in shopping
centres, cinemas, high schools and cafes
in every state and territory.
From top to bottom: Mitchell and Partners
Executive Chairman Harold Mitchell talks about
the company’s support for the Youthbeyondblue
advertising campaign; beyondblue CEO Leonie
Young unveils the Youthbeyondblue campaign in May
2009; beyondblue Deputy CEO Clare Shann with
the production crew at the Youthbeyondblue shoot;
On location at the filming of the Youthbeyondblue
TV ads; A new Youthbeyondblue poster featuring
a school aged boy and his mum.
13
National Mailout
By the end of 2009, most households
in Australia will have received a
beyondblue depression checklist and
fridge magnet with information about
the signs and symptoms of depression
and where to get help. The mailout has
had a significant impact, and a high
proportion of residents recall receiving
the beyondblue information. Many
have sought further information via the
beyondblue website or info line.
“Someone close to me has
suffered with depression for many
years, but refused to discuss the
issue with family members, friends
or healthcare workers. Recently
he received an information
brochure from beyondblue as
part of a letterbox drop. The
brochure helped him to recognise
that he was unwell and gave him
confidence to finally talk to his
doctor about how he was feeling.
He is now being treated for
depression, and he tells us he is
feeling better already, and feels
optimistic that things will continue
to get better for him. It’s made a
big difference in his life and the
lives of all the people who care
about him.”
– ‘Erin,’ NSW
beyondblue Website
“Thanks for your fabulous website.
I did the online depression
checklist and found out that what
I was feeling was depression. I’ve
since gone to my GP, who referred
me to a psychologist, which has
been really helpful.”
– ‘Gerry,’ WA
To its 83,000 monthly visitors1, beyondblue’s
website remains an important source of
information about depression, anxiety and
related disorders and where to get help.
From July 2008 to October 2009 (see
graph below), there were over 1.7 million
visits to the beyondblue website, with
nearly 70 per cent of visitors looking at
the site for the first time.
On average, visitors spend more than six
minutes on the site. The most popular
pages contain the interactive depression
checklists, information on signs and
symptoms of depression, available
treatments and fact sheets.
The site received a Hitwise
Australia Online Performance
Award for the most-visited
health and medical
organisation website in Australia in 2008,
2007 and in 2004.
Monthly visits to the beyondblue website
A guide to the beyondblue website
beyondblue is a national, independent not-for-profit
organisation working to increase awareness and
understanding of depression, anxiety and related disorders
in Australia and reduce associated stigma.
beyondblue works to reduce and prevent depression
through our programs and research activities. We
also provide information about effective treatments for
depression, anxiety and related disorders.
To find out more about beyondblue’s goals and priorities visit
the ‘About us’ section of our website.
The beyondblue website: one stop for depression
and anxiety disorders information
Log onto www.beyondblue.org.au to join the 110,000
people who visit the beyondblue website each month* and
find the answers to your questions about depression, anxiety,
postnatal depression, bipolar disorder and beyondblue
programs and research.
Since launching in April 2001, more than 6.6 million visitors
have used the beyondblue website to find information about
depression and how to help someone. The site received a
Hitwise Australia Online Performance Award for being the
most-visited health and medical organisation
website in Australia in 2004, 2007 and in 2008.
Home Page
Through the home page you can also access
beyondblue’s website for young people,
Youthbeyondblue, the ‘Find a Doctor or
other Mental Health Practitioner List’ and
the beyondblue Australian Rural Information
Network (ARIN) Map.
July 2008
August 2008
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
0
Do you have depression?
Depression is not just a low mood, but a serious health
condition which affects biological functioning and wellbeing for a sustained period of time – more than a few
days or weeks. Depression can seriously affect a person’s
physical and mental health. A series of confidential
interactive checklists allows visitors to rate themselves
to see if they may have depression.
The website also has similar symptom checklists for anxiety
disorders, bipolar disorder and postnatal depression.
* figure based on website statistics for October 2008 – September 2009
14
50,000
100,000
150,000
1 Figure based on Google Analytics statistics for unique visitors (not including repeat visitors) from July 2008 to October 2009
Left top to bottom: A Youthbeyondblue post card; the beyondblue website has 83,000 monthly visitors; A flyer
outlines the rationale behind the Youthbeyondblue national advertising campaign; A guide to the beyondblue
website.
Revised Directory of Medical
Allied Health Practitioners
Map
New versions of the Directory of Medical
Allied Health Practitioners and Australian
Rural Information Network maps (see
pages 33 and 25) were launched on the
beyondblue website in September 2009.
These interactive maps provide a visual
and text-based nationwide directory of
health and rural assistance services. The
new maps feature improved usability,
speed, design and quality of information.
To access these maps visit
www.beyondblue.org.au, then click
Get Help.
Ordering beyondblue
information materials online
Members of the public, organisations and
health professionals can now order more
easily beyondblue’s fact sheets, booklets,
DVDs, posters and information materials
using the organisation’s new web-based
ordering system. Launched in June 2009,
the system enables website visitors to
view the full catalogue of information
materials (over 450 different items) and
place orders using a ‘shopping cart’
system. Over 3,400 organisations and
health professionals have registered
to use the system and over 3.7 million
individual items have been sent out
(figures correct as at 27 October 2009).
To use the new ordering system visit
www.beyondblue.org.au, then click
Get Information and Order beyondblue
information materials.
New Youthbeyondblue
Website
To support the Youthbeyondblue
National Multimedia Campaign (see
page 13), the Youthbeyondblue website
was re-developed to include a fresh,
improved design, easier navigation,
updated content and new fact sheets.
The new site also includes a section for
young people to share their thoughts and
stories. The number of monthly visitors to
the website has tripled compared to the
previous Youthbeyondblue website since
its launch in May 2009 (54,000 visitors1
from May to October 2009).
Events
Anxiety and Depression
Awareness (ADA) Month in
October, Mental Health Week
and World Mental Health Day
2009
beyondblue’s ADA Month provided an
opportunity for workplaces, community
groups and individuals to participate
in raising awareness of anxiety and
depression and reduce the associated
stigma by holding activities throughout
October.
Australians certainly put ADA on their
RADAR! with over 2,800 organisations,
community groups and individuals
across Australia ordering a total of more
than 104,000 ADA kits this year.
Some of the ADA activities included:
• nominating a ‘wear blue’ day at work
to raise awareness of beyondblue
• organising a staff morning tea and
screening the beyondblue DVD
Stories of Hope and Recovery to raise
awareness about depression and
anxiety
• displaying beyondblue information and
posters at work
• wearing a beyondblue wristband
• encouraging work colleagues or
community group members to
participate in regular physical activity
for ADA Month.
In 2008 and 2009, beyondblue also
participated in and promoted Mental
Health Week (second week of October)
and World Mental Health Day (10 October)
during ADA Month by supporting each of
the state and territory mental health week
launches and activities with beyondblue
representatives and/or information stands.
ADA Month 2009 highlights
• beyondblue distributed thousands
of ADA kits at Melbourne Central
throughout Mental Health Week.
• Austereo recorded an ADA Month
community service announcement
and played it across their national
radio network throughout October.
• Barry Plant Real Estate (VIC) provided
free boards promoting ADA Month.
Top to bottom: beyondblue staff at Flinders Street
Station in Melbourne to promote Anxiety and
Depression Awareness Month 2008; Mental Health
Foundation Secretary Russell Jones, beyondblue
Program Director for Public Health, Judy Finn, and
beyondblue blueVoices member Jim Goodin at the
launch of Victorian Mental Health Week in October
2009; The rebranded Youthbeyondblue website
for young people aged 12-25, their parents and
carers; A new user-friendly ordering system on the
beyondblue website was launched in June 2009.
15
• Fairfax Community Network
newspapers in the western suburbs
of Melbourne featured stories and a
blue cover across 10 of their weekly
community papers to raise awareness
of mental health issues and beyondblue.
• beyondblue partner organisations
promoted ADA Month to their staff and
networks.
• The Australia Trucking Association
encouraged truck drivers to participate
in ADA Month with a communications
campaign.
Movember: Changing the
Face of Men’s Health
In 2008, around 125,000
Australian men grew
moustaches in support
of beyondblue and The
Prostate Cancer
Foundation of Australia.
The annual Movember men’s health
awareness campaign has been
phenomenally successful with almost
30,000 more registrations in 2008 than
the previous year.
beyondblue has been a beneficiary of
Movember Foundation funds since 2006.
Movember has grown to become an
international awareness raising event,
with thousands of registrations in New
Zealand, the USA, UK, Canada and
several other countries.
Movember
Changing the face
of men’s health
In June 2009, Movember co-founder
Luke Slattery presented a cheque for
$8.1 million from the 2008 campaign
to beyondblue Chairman The Hon.
Jeff Kennett and the board.
The funds are being used to help improve
men’s mental health in the following ways:
• expansion of the beyondblue info line
service
encourages you to Grow a Mo during Movember!
beyondblue is one of the men’s health partners for the
Movember campaign and funds raised by Movember
participants will be dedicated to improving men’s
health in rural, remote, regional and metro areas across
Australia through beyondblue’s men’s health programs.
For more information and to register for
Movember go to www.movember.com
Top: Movember co-founder Luke Slattery presents
beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett with an $8.2
million cheque from the 2008 Movember campaign
in Perth, June 2009.
Middle: (left to right) Powderfinger bass player
John Collins, Movember co-founders Travis Garone
and Luke Slattery, beyondblue’s Emily Armet and
Carolyn Salmon, with Powderfinger lead guitarist
Ian Haug, at the Brisbane Movember launch in
November 2009.
Bottom: Movember promotional material for the
2009 campaign.
16
• support for the Save a Mate Our Way
Indigenous program
• commissioning of vital research into
the link between depression and men’s
cancers
• printing the Taking Care of Yourself
and Your Family self-help book which
is distributed free of charge
• supporting the Don’t beat about the
bush! campaign (see page 25).
An evaluation of the 2008 campaign
found that as a result of Movember,
82 per cent of participants talked about
men’s health, 55 per cent did their own
research into depression or prostate
cancer, 13 per cent sought medical
advice and 38 per cent encouraged
someone else to seek medical advice.
Community Forum –
beyondblue, The Werribee
Banner and Rotary Club of
Werribee
On 22 April 2009, a successful
community forum was held at the
Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre
in Hoppers Crossing. Jeff Kennett and
Paul Walshe, a beyondblue Ambassador,
spoke to over 450 people. beyondblue
bags and information were available to
everyone who attended.
Footy tackles depression –
beyondblue AFL and VFL Cup
AFL
The fourth annual AFL beyondblue Cup
match between Hawthorn and Geelong
was hailed by footy fans as one of the
best games of the ‘09 season. Each year,
the Cats and Hawks play for the coveted
cup, with Geelong emerging victorious for
the second year running in the Round 17
clash at the MCG on 25 July.
The thrilling match saw the Cats win
by one point in front of almost 65,000
people. The inaugural beyondblue Cup
match was played in 2006, with the
aim of raising awareness of depression,
anxiety and associated drug and alcohol
problems and to reduce stigma within
the AFL community.
beyondblue ads were played during
half-time and beyondblue volunteers
handed out wristbands and depression
information to footy fans before the game.
The Victorian Minister for Mental Health,
The Hon. Lisa Neville presented the Cup
to Cats player Cameron Ling.
In the lead up to the game, on 21 July,
around 150 people attended a public
Youthbeyondblue forum held in Hawthorn
where beyondblue Chairman, The Hon.
Jeff Kennett, and guests including
beyondblue Ambassador Nathan
Thompson, psychiatrist Dr Andrew
Channen and two Youthbeyondblue
Ambassadors, discussed issues about
depression and anxiety in young people
aged 12 to 25.
VFL
beyondblue CEO Leonie Young spoke at
the Werribee Football Club presentation
night on 19 March when the club launched
its partnership with beyondblue. During
the 2009 season, the Werribee Football
Club has worked with beyondblue to raise
awareness of depression and anxiety
among the Werribee Football Club players,
staff, supporters and the local community.
Activities included featuring the beyondblue
logo on the players’ jumpers during the
2009 season, beyondblue training sessions
for players and support staff, links on the
website and the distribution of materials.
In May, the Werribee Tigers football team
beat the Box Hill Hawks by 21 points to
take out the inaugural Victorian Football
League beyondblue Cup. Both teams
have signed up to play for the annual VFL
beyondblue Cup until 2012. Deputy Prime
Minister Julia Gillard attended the inaugural
game – held on her home turf – to show
support for beyondblue and the Tigers.
Looking Beyond Netball
Partnership
June 2009 was designated Blue Month
and netballers across the country ‘turned
blue’ to raise awareness of depression
and anxiety. The awareness-raising event
is one component of the Looking Beyond
partnership established in 2008 between
beyondblue and Netball Australia.
Netball teams took part by handing out
beyondblue materials at matches, wearing
blue clothes and wristbands on the court
and holding barbeques to raise awareness.
On 21 June, Netball’s Festival of Stars
celebrity charity match was televised on
Channel 10. Sports commentator Luke
Darcy led the beyondblue team to victory
over Captain Liz Ellis and her Breast Cancer
Network team. Celebrity players included
media personalities Wil Anderson and
Adam Spencer, pro-surfer Layne Beachley,
Olympic diving silver medallist Melissa Wu,
Kirk Pengilly of INXS, and former Wallabies
rugby union captain John Eales.
Other components of the Looking
Beyond partnership included beyondblue
involvement in the International Test Series,
depression information on the Netball
Australia website and a beyondblue
National Professional Sports program for
elite players and support staff.
SA Grade Cricket clubs
go into bat for depression
awareness during FeBLUary
In February 2009, cricketers across
South Australia took part in FeBLUary
to raise awareness of beyondblue.
FeBLUary was launched by the Southern
District Cricket Club in 2008. This year,
the campaign was extended to the South
Australian Cricket Association’s 13 Grade
Cricket Clubs involving an estimated
1,400 players, umpires and staff.
On the first weekend of February,
matches across all men’s and women’s
grades featured blue balls and players
wore blue caps and wristbands. Planning
is underway for 2010, with the goal of
delivering the FeBLUary message to
cricket clubs throughout South Australia.
beyondblue Ambassador Craig Hamilton
and CEO Leonie Young launched
FeBLUary with the South Australian
Cricket Association at the Adelaide Oval
on 1 February 2009.
Right from top to bottom: Geelong Cats stars Shane Mumford and Paul Chapman and the St Mary’s Geelong
Under-14 Aussie Rules team with the beyondblue Cup; Geelong player Cameron Ling accepts the beyondblue
Cup from Victorian Health Minister Lisa Neville (photo: The Slattery Media Group); Werribee Tigers captain Dom
Gleeson is awarded the inaugural VFL beyondblue Cup from beyondblue CEO Leonie Young in May 2009; (left)
Hawthorn players Tim Boyle and Tom Murphy with the AFL Cup at the Youthbeyondblue Forum in Hawthorn on
July 21; (right) Olympic diver Melissa Wu and former Bulldogs AFL player Chris Grant played for beyondblue in the
Netball Australia Festival of Stars charity match in June 2009; SA Grade Cricketers take part in FeBLUary in 2009.
17
beyondblue takes to the
catwalk
Blue was the new black
at the 2009 L’Oréal
Melbourne Fashion
Festival from 15–22
March with beyondblue the official
community partner.
Patrons at the week-long festival were
treated to cutting edge design from
Australia’s most innovative designers while
the festival promoted important mental
health messages. The event, now in its
13th year, attracted 360,000 people.
The theme for Seniors’ events was:
‘Depression is not a normal part of
ageing. There are things people can do
to help themselves – keeping active and
healthy helps.’
A new booklet – Older people and
depression – was developed for these
events. The booklet contains information
on signs and symptoms of depression in
older people and features insights from
older people on how they keep mentally
and physically healthy.
Keeping active for mental
health
beyondblue and the LMFF team created
a depression information card which
was distributed at festival events with
wristbands and supporter pins. A
LMFF/beyondblue community service
announcement was produced by
Channel 10 and aired nationally.
The official charity event – Runway
Deluxe on 21 March – raised awareness
of beyondblue and funds from the sale
of surprise envelopes. beyondblue has
been selected as the official community
partner of the 2010 L’Oréal Melbourne
Fashion Festival.
Seniors’ Weeks and Festivals
Keeping active for a healthy mind and body
Over a million people in Australia live with depression.
beyondblue continues its partnership
with the Pedestrian Council of Australia
to promote messages about how
physical activity can help people maintain
good mental health.
Over 10,000 people participated in the
7 Bridges Walk in Sydney on 26 October
2008 and again on 25 October 2009.
beyondblue volunteers were located
at Pyrmont Bridge and handed out
beyondblue information to walkers.
beyondblue supported Walk Safely
to School Day on 15 May 2009 and
encouraged Australians to become
‘walking class heroes’ on Friday 2 October
2009 by walking all, or part of the way, to
work on National Walk to Work Day.
beyondblue took an active role in
Seniors’ events in 2009. beyondblue
staff and volunteers attended festivals
around the country to raise awareness of
depression and anxiety in older people.
Free beyondblue materials were made
widely available to organisers of events.
From top to bottom: Models at the L’Oreal
Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) Runway Deluxe
show; beyondblue staff volunteered as hosts
and hostesses for the LMFF Fashion Festival;
beyondblue staff with former Miss Universe and
Myer model, Jennifer Hawkins; A promotional
poster for the LMFF.
18
beyondblue’s Over Bl**dy Eighty (OBE)
campaign (page 48) was promoted
during Seniors’ festivals in March (ACT,
NSW), August (NT, QLD) and October
(TAS, VIC, WA and SA).
Working with the Australian
music industry
Australian musicians gathered in
Melbourne in September 2009 to
mentor up-and-coming young artists at
the Dream Inc. music workshops, held
over three days. Ella and Jesse Hooper
(formerly of Killing Heidi, now known as
The Verses), vocalist Katie Noonan, band
members from Eskimo Joe and Natalie
Bassingthwaighte from Rogue Traders
participated in the workshops.
Dream Inc. and IMG partnered with
beyondblue to raise awareness of the
anxiety among workshop participants
aged 10 to 30. Everyone who attended the
workshops took home Youthbeyondblue
information materials. Mark Gable, a
beyondblue Ambassador and lead singer
with Australian rock band The Choirboys,
spoke at the event about his experience
as a musician with depression. Part of the
proceeds was donated to beyondblue.
beyondblue Partners Lunch
and Rural Mental Health
Roundtable in Western
Australia
beyondblue Chairman The Hon. Jeff
Kennett hosted a lunch for more than
100 people at the Hilton Hotel, Perth
in June 2009, with beyondblue Board
Members, Western Australia partners and
media. The event was an opportunity for
beyondblue to promote its depression
awareness, early intervention and
research partnerships in WA. The lunch
was followed by a roundtable discussion
with rural representatives and members
of the beyondblue Board on combating
drought and mental health issues in WA
(see page 25 Don’t beat about the bush!).
Men and Depression Public
Forum
beyondblue and Prostate Cancer
Foundation of Australia WA held a free
public forum in Perth in July 2009 where
beyondblue Deputy Chairman John
McGrath and CEO Leonie Young launched
the new booklet – Maintaining your WellBeing: Information on depression and
anxiety for men with prostate cancer and
their partners. Other speakers included Dr
Tom Shannon, Perth urologist and Prostate
Cancer Foundation Ambassador.
Generation Next Forums
Melbourne and Adelaide
beyondblue Youth Ambassador Jeremy
Mann (who has experienced depression),
psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Greg and
other youth mental health practitioners
gave presentations to 1,000 parents,
teachers and young people at forums in
Melbourne and Adelaide in June 2009.
The Generation Next Forums are a series
of seminars aimed at protecting and
enhancing the well-being of children and
teenagers.
Rokewood, Community
Forum – The Big Night Off
beyondblue Chairman The Hon. Jeff
Kennett and Men’s Health Ambassador,
Tim Mathieson attended the forum and
community barbeque, which was open
to residents from the Golden Plains Shire
in Victoria. This community event gave
locals an opportunity to take a break
from the farm and spend time socialising
and learning about beyondblue and local
support services.
Special Efforts
The Giving Beads 2009
To coincide with the L’Oreal Melbourne
Fashion Festival, e.g.etal, jewellery
designers challenged 50 designers to
produce one bead each to make several
necklaces. The jewellery was auctioned
on March 10 with the proceeds donated
to beyondblue.
Woolworths Regional Office
In September 2009, beyondblue Chairman
The Hon. Jeff Kennett attended the
Woolworths Regional Office in Mulgrave
North, Melbourne, to receive a cheque for
$15,100. Staff raised the money by holding
an Easter buns sales challenge.
Australia Post
In December 2008, Australia Post chose
beyondblue as the official charity for
its annual Be Seen in Red and Green
fundraiser. Hundreds of staff across
Australia raised $140,000 and a further
$60,000 was donated by Australia
Post’s Managing Director, Graeme John.
A $200,000 cheque was presented
to beyondblue Chairman, The Hon.
Jeff Kennett and CEO Leonie Young
in June 2009.
Men in Black Gala Ball
Momentum Women’s Forum WA, led by
Barbara McNaught, held the second Men
in Black Gala Ball at the Hyatt Hotel in
Perth on 13 June 2009. More than 300
guests attended. Deputy Chairman John
McGrath and CEO Leonie Young were
guest speakers and beyondblue was
the beneficiary of the funds raised at the
event. Victorian Country Fire Authority
volunteer David Tree, well-known for
giving Sam the koala a drink of water
during the Victorian bushfires February
2009, received the Men in Black Man of
the Year award.
From top to bottom: A poster for the Generation
Next forums in June 2009; (left to right)
Youthbeyondblue Ambassadors Hayley Bester
and Jeremy Mann with beyondblue Senior
Program Manager for Consumers and Carers,
Bonnie Vincent, and Ella and Jesse Hooper of the
band The Verses; The audience at the Rokewood
Community Forum; (left to right) Australia Post
General Manager Commercial Division, Bill
Mitchell, beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett and
Australia Post Managing Director Graeme John
at a cheque presentation from Australia Post’s
annual Be Seen in Red and Green fundraiser.
19
Ninth Australian Fleece Competition
The Australian Fleece Competition is the
largest fleece competition in the world,
this year attracting almost 500 entries.
The Australian Wool Traders’ Association,
Landmark Ltd. and the Australian Sheep
Breeders Association gave the proceeds
from the annual Australian Fleece
Competition auction to beyondblue.
Over 60 per cent of the fleeces were
sold at auction, with proceeds of $8,200
donated to beyondblue. Dr Nicole Highet,
Deputy CEO beyondblue, attended
the competition, held in Bendigo in
March 2009.
Triple M Footy Jumper Friday
The Austereo Radio Network held Footy
Jumper Friday on 24 April 2009 to help
raise awareness of beyondblue. Triple M,
Fox FM and other Austereo Network
radio stations heavily promoted the event,
which encouraged all Australians to wear
a footy jumper to work or school in return
for a small donation to beyondblue. Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd endorsed Footy
Jumper Friday. The event was a huge
success, raising over $75,000.
Other events in which
beyondblue participated
in 08/09
• The Medical Insurance Group of Australia
110th Anniversary Gala Ball (SA)
• Prostate Cancer Foundation of
Australia Conference (QLD)
• 2009 Angus Youth Roundup (ACT)
• Young Rural Health Professionals
Black and White Gala Ball (QLD)
• Bond University Medicine Ball (QLD)
• 12th Australian Masters Games (VIC)
• Carers Forum (VIC)
• Australian Business Economist
Seminar (NSW)
• Surviving the Financial Crisis – Rotary
Club of Frankston Dinner (VIC)
• The Loddon Shire Community Forum
(VIC)
• COTA Seniors Voice – beyond
maturityblues multicultural launch
(SA, VIC, WA)
• COTA QLD Annual Peer Educators’
Forum (QLD)
• Ulverstone Rotary Club Out of the Blue
Dinner (TAS)
• AGFEST (TAS)
• The Macedon Ranges Business
Excellence Awards (VIC)
• Emergency Services Foundation
Alumni Dinner (VIC)
• Master Builders Australia WA
Leadership Lunch (WA)
• Mental Health Week launch Darwin (NT),
Hobart (TAS), Sydney (NSW), Canberra
(ACT)
• City of Casey Motorcycle Riders
Association GP Run (VIC)
Depression Awareness
Partnerships
Tackling depression in
Wyndham (VIC)
Deputy Prime Minister The Hon. Julia
Gillard and beyondblue Chairman The
Hon. Jeff Kennett launched an important
community partnership between
beyondblue and The Werribee and
Point Cook Banner in December 2008.
The partnership is focused on raising
awareness of depression and anxiety in
the Wyndham community.
The Werribee and Point Cook Banner
newspaper runs weekly articles about
mental health issues and beyondblue
filler ads (see earlier page 11). Real
estate and community billboards have
promoted beyondblue across Wyndham.
The Banner, The Rotary Club of Werribee
and beyondblue worked in partnership
to present a mental health awareness
forum in Hoppers Crossing in April which
attracted more than 400 people.
Left from top to bottom: Landmark Wool Area Manager Athol Frederick, beyondblue CEO Leonie Young
and Tim Steere, Sampling Operations Manager at the Australian Wool Traders’ Association, inspect the fleece
before the Australian Fleece Competition in Bendigo; Austereo staff in Sydney take part in Footy Jumper Friday;
Brisbane Broncos captain Darren Lockyer presents Prime Minister Kevin Rudd with a Kevin 07 footy jersey; Fairfax
Community Network General Manager Colin Moss at the Werribee Banner business breakfast; City of Casey
mayor Geoff Ablett and beyondblue Research Adviser Professor David Clarke get set to burn some rubber at the
City of Casey MRA GP Run motorbike ride in October.
20
The Banner, Wyndham City Council and
beyondblue held the Wyndham Business
Breakfast on 16 September which was
well-attended by local business leaders,
and beyondblue Ambassador, Olympian
John Conrads.
Driving partnerships through
golf
beyondblue’s partnership with the
Professional Golfers Association (PGA)
continued in 2008/09 with beyondblue
information sessions for PGA staff,
newsletter and web articles about
depression and anxiety. In 2010,
beyondblue golf tees (pictured below) will
be given away to members. See page 39
for more on this partnership.
With long, solitary hours on the road,
working in the transport industry can
lead to poor physical and mental health.
The Trans-Help van is equipped with a
computer, enabling visitors to take online
health checks, as well as a TV playing
beyondblue’s Don’t beat about the bush!
DVD. beyondblue pamphlets and fact
sheets covering depression and anxiety
are also available.
Master Builders Western
Australia
beyondblue and Master Builders WA
have partnered to distribute depression
and anxiety information to more than
1,500 member organisations. The
partnership also includes beyondblue
workplace training and a link to the
beyondblue website.
Bowls Victoria
Silvan Australia
beyondblue has formed an awarenessraising partnership with a leading
agribusiness company, Silvan Australia.
Silvan staff members have received
beyondblue workplace training and
the company promotes beyondblue in
product guides and materials targeted
at rural and regional customers.
Barry Plant Real Estate (VIC)
Barry Plant Real Estate continued to
support beyondblue in several ways:
by including ads and articles in its
weekly magazine, posting website links,
promoting the annual beyondblue Cup
and beyondblue’s website and info line
number on real estate advertising boards
and advertising ADA Month with a
letterbox drop to Victorian households.
Trans-Help Foundation
In August 2008, beyondblue supported
truck drivers’ support group The TransHelp Foundation by providing free
depression tests and resources during its
national roadshow.
The Trans-Help Mobile Health and
Support van travelled to major truck
events around the country, providing
transport drivers with basic physical and
mental health check-ups.
beyondblue has developed a depression
awareness partnership program with
Victorian Bowls, with the support of
Bowls Australia. beyondblue is working
with Victorian Bowls as the first of the
states to pilot the Depression awareness
in bowls program. The program
incorporates awareness-raising activities,
information distribution, training, events
and promotional activity with over 500
Victorian bowls clubs. See page 48 for
more information.
Magnolia Square
beyondblue is working with online
shopping store Magnolia Square to raise
awareness of depression in Australian
mums, their partners, friends and families.
beyondblue materials have been
distributed at Magnolia Square events
throughout the year. Resources include
fact sheets, booklets and checklists
for women who may be experiencing
depression during pregnancy or after
their babies have been born.
Australian Medical Students’
Association (AMSA)
beyondblue reached AMSA members
across the country in 2009 by supporting
the annual AMSA conference, providing
depression awareness articles and
advertisements in publications, fact sheets
and web links on the AMSA website.
From top to bottom: beyondblue CEO Leonie
Young, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and
beyondblue Ambassador ex-police officer Paul
Walshe at the launch of the Werribee Banner
partnership in December 2008; beyondblue
Chairman Jeff Kennett, A/Prof. Tony Jorm,
Paul Walshe and John Nicol, President of the
Werribee Football Club; A Barry Plant Real Estate
billboard supporting beyondblue; The TransHelp Foundation’s Mobile Health and Support
Unit has beyondblue checklists onboard for
transport drivers.
21
Youthbeyondblue
Youthbeyondblue aims to:
• promote awareness and reassure
young people that it’s OK to talk about
depression and anxiety
and the Minister for Youth and Sport, The
Hon. Kate Ellis MP attended. National
Youth Week Ambassador Sermsah bin
Saad represented beyondblue.
• encourage young people, their families
and friends to get help when it’s needed.
Each year, almost 160,000 young people
in Australia experience depression.
In early 2009, a three-year project
culminated in a total redesign and
relaunch of the Youthbeyondblue brand,
with a national marketing campaign and
the development of a new website and
resources for people aged 12 to 25. See
pages 13 and 15 for details.
National Youth Week 2009
Community festivals
In 2009, beyondblue again partnered
with the Federal and each State and
Territory Government to support
300 events during Australia’s largest
celebration of young people – National
Youth Week – from 28 March to 5 April.
In 2008/09 beyondblue partnered with
three regional youth festivals – Vibe Alive,
the Wakakirri Story Telling Competitions
and Deadly Days. The Indigenous
Hip Hop Projects team ran two-day
workshops at each festival. Community
festivals are a great opportunity to
reach young people across the country,
particularly in rural and remote areas.
More than 150,000 Youthbeyondblue
fact sheets and wristbands were
distributed around the country.
An estimated three-quarters of a million
young people aged between 12 and 25
are actively involved in National Youth
Week (NYW) each year.
Top: A poster from the Youthbeyondblue national
advertising campaign
Middle: Young people share their opinions at
the launch of National Youth Week in Canberra in
March 2009.
Third from top: (left to right) beyondblue Deputy
CEO Clare Shann, youth ambassador Sermsah Bin
Saad and beyondblue Youth Project Officer Melissa
Reid act out the Youthbeyondblue ‘Look, Listen,
Talk’ message at the Brisbane National Youth Week
launch March 2009.
22
During NYW, beyondblue also supported
sports and arts events, community
festivals, community projects, conferences,
debates, forums, workshops, online polls,
competitions and exhibitions, with a focus
on promoting good mental health and
well-being.
The official National Youth Week Launch
was held in Brisbane on 28 March 2009.
Video Hits – Network Ten’s youth music
program – held a live outdoor broadcast
event and concert at Reddacliff Place in the
city. beyondblue Deputy CEO Clare Shann
Vibe Alive
The Vibe Alive festivals
are a celebration of
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander
cultures with music,
sport, dance and art
in a youth-friendly
setting. Participants
have the opportunity
to connect with role
models, learn about
healthy living and
career options, and are able to sharpen
their literacy and numeracy skills.
beyondblue partnered with Vibe Alive
in 2009 for the second year, supporting
the co-ordination of the five Vibe Alive
community festivals in Coonamble
(NSW), Mildura (VIC), Port Augusta (SA),
Kalgoorlie (WA) and Weipa (QLD).
These workshops aim to break down
barriers through dance, increase selfesteem and confidence and talk to young
people about positive mental health.
Wakakirri
In 2009, beyondblue supported Wakakirri,
a performing and visual arts festival
created specifically for primary school
children. Wakakirri aims to teach students
about themselves and others through
a National Story Telling competition in
three categories – city, country and
outback. Wakakirri performances include
live shows, exhibitions, online and
performances aired on national television.
beyondblue funded Indigenous Hip
Hop Projects to go to Katherine (NT)
and Ceduna (SA) to work closely
with rural and remote primary school
children and teachers to help develop
their stories. More than 500 primary
schools participated in Wakakirri festivals
involving around 30,000 primary
schools students.
beyondblue also sponsored the Wakakirri
National Story Telling Competition. At
the grand final events, a beyondblue
award was presented to the school that
created the best story incorporating
positive mental health messages.
Youthbeyondblue community service
announcements featured on the DVD of
Wakakirri performances.
Deadly Days
Deadly Days Festivals were held in
Kingscliff, Grafton and Port Macquarie in
NSW in September 2009. Co-ordinated
by the North Coast Institute of TAFE,
the two-day festivals attracted around
1,500 young Indigenous leaders, 400
elders, as well as other community
members. Deadly Days Festivals promote
education, health and well-being within
Indigenous communities.
beyondblue supported Indigenous Hip
Hop Projects to run workshops for young
people attending the festival, promoting the
Youthbeyondblue key messages of ‘Look,
Listen, Talk and Seek Help together’.
Rock Eisteddfod
The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a
long-running national dance, drama and
design competition involving 25,000
secondary school students aged 12 to 18
from nearly 300 schools. Performances
were held in 17 regions across Australia.
The event aims to cultivate selfconfidence and resilience, encourage
team work and educate students about
the risks of drugs and alcohol.
This is the seventh year beyondblue and the
Rock Eisteddfod Challenge have worked
together to raise awareness of depression
and anxiety among participants.
In 2009, beyondblue hosted a ‘chill
out lounge’ for teachers and parents
supporting young performers. This
provided a quiet space for people to
relax, enjoy a cuppa and read the 23 new
Youthbeyondblue fact sheets.
beyondblue volunteers handed out
wristbands to a total of over 25,000
people across all of the grand finals in
Tasmania, Victoria, SA and NSW, from
August to the end of September 2009.
beyondblue staff also presented a
schools community award in each state.
Anti-Racism Action Band
(ARAB)
ARAB is a Melbourne-based youth
performing arts group involving 200
young people aged from 12 to 25 from
culturally-diverse backgrounds.
beyondblue supported ARAB to perform
at a range of youth events during 08/09
to assist young people to develop crosscultural relationships, promote good
mental health and build self-esteem and
confidence. Each performance allows
young participants to explore and celebrate
their cultural differences, while embracing
the things they have in common.
The group showcases a wide array
of dance styles from contemporary
and modern dance to rap and Arabic
drumming. With over 50 cultures
represented in the group, ARAB helps
beyondblue to deliver its important
messages to a wide cross-section of
young people.
From top to bottom: Indigenous Hip Hop
Projects perform at the NSW National Youth
Week celebrations; A poster for the Darwin
National Youth Week; 2009 Rock Eisteddfod
Challenge poster.
23
Indigenous Hip Hop Projects
(IHHP)
beyondblue continues its partnership
with Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP)
to raise awareness of depression, anxiety
and related disorders in regional, rural
and remote communities with Indigenous
and multicultural populations. IHHP
travels across the country to work with
schools and local services, running
workshops in hip-hop and beat boxing.
The multicultural group of award-winning
artists promote Youthbeyondblue’s
messages of ‘Look, Listen, Talk and Seek
Help together’.
In addition to their work at community
festivals across the country, IHHP have
promoted these key messages at a range
of conferences, launches and forums.
Red Frogs Schoolies and
Education/Tertiary Programs
To support young people during the
transition period after high school,
beyondblue and the Red Frogs Australia
Chaplaincy Network are working
together on the Red Frogs Schoolies and
Education program.
Red Frogs volunteers visit schools in the
lead up to Schoolies Week each November
to provide information about how to stay
safe during this week of celebration. During
Schoolies Week, Red Frogs volunteers
help school-leavers by walking young
people home, cooking pancakes, cleaning
rooms, handing out Allen’s Red Frogs
lollies (8.1 tonnes this year!) and offering
emotional support through what can often
be a challenging week.
The partnership enables beyondblue to
reach a large number of young people,
increases community awareness of
depression and anxiety and related drug
and alcohol problems, and where to
get help.
From top to bottom: The Indigenous Hip Hop
Projects (IHHP) team hold a dance workshop
in the Grampians (VIC) at an Indigenous men’s
health camp in November 2009; IHHP crew at the
Deadly Days festival (NSW); IHHP strike a pose
in Darwin with players from the Hawthorn AFL
team; The crew performs at a primary school;
A group of Schoolies involved with Red Frogs
celebrate the end of exams.
24
Youthbeyondblue is also partnering with
the Red Frogs for their Tertiary Program
which involves the distribution of over
47,000 university wall planners. These
planners contain key dates (such as ADA
Month) and information about beyondblue.
Red Frogs volunteers also distribute
beyondblue information at university
Orientation Weeks. beyondblue trains
Red Frogs volunteers to identify signs
and symptoms of depression and anxiety
and how to assist a young person to get
help, if needed.
Youth training
In 2009, beyondblue developed and piloted
Youthbeyondblue training in rural Victoria.
The training sessions were designed
for Office for Youth staff, youth workers,
mental health workers, social workers
and professionals working in the youth
sector. The training increases awareness of
depression and anxiety and promotes early
intervention and prevention.
The training also provides information
on how to identify depression and
anxiety and how to assist young people
to get professional help if needed.
beyondblue now works with government
and community partners to deliver
these training sessions in all states
and territories.
Stay on Track
beyondblue supported the evaluation of
the Stay on Track program, managed by
Mission Australia in Tasmania. Stay on
Track is an innovative, peer education
program that raises awareness of
depression in young people. The program
was delivered to 290 students from 10
high schools in southern Tasmania. An
evaluation showed that peer education
can be an effective method of increasing
awareness of the signs and symptoms of
depression among young people.
Raising Awareness of
Depression in Rural Areas
Don’t beat about the
bush! Campaign – building
awareness across rural
Australia
beyondblue’s national rural campaign,
Don’t beat about the bush! aims to
increase awareness and understanding
of depression, let people know where
they can get help and provide community
support. Launched in March 2007, it
involves all tiers of government and
community and corporate partners.
Agencies involved in the campaign include:
• Australian Drug Foundation
• Australian General Practice Network
• Divisions of General Practice in each
state and territory
• NSW Farmers Mental Health Network
• Queensland Mental Health Advisory
Group
• Centre of Rural and Remote Mental
Health NSW and Queensland
• Centrelink
• Royal Flying Doctor Service
• Remote National Health Priorities
Network
• National Rural Health Alliance.
Mental Health Support
for Drought-Affected
Communities Initiative
Since 2007, beyondblue has worked with
the Australian General Practice Network
and 43 Divisions of General Practice
to raise awareness of depression and
related disorders in drought-affected
areas in New South Wales, Victoria,
South Australia and Queensland.
The Mental Health Support for Droughtaffected Communities Initiative (MHDI)
was originally funded by the Federal
Government until 2009, however, due to
the widespread impact of the ongoing
drought, the initiative has been extended
until 2010.
This initiative works in conjunction with
beyondblue’s Don’t beat about the bush!
Campaign. As part of the arrangement,
beyondblue provides:
• activities to raise community awareness
of depression and related disorders
• education and training for business
and community leaders
• improved access to mental health
services in rural and remote areas of
Australia.
As part of this initiative, beyondblue
has delivered 86 workshops (Frontline
Training) to local business and
community leaders (e.g. hairdressers,
newsagents, publicans or bank
managers) who often come into contact
with community members who may be
experiencing tough times and are at risk
of developing mental health problems.
Australian Rural Information
Network (ARIN) online
drought and disaster
assistance map
As a result of the Don’t beat about
the bush! Campaign, beyondblue has
developed an online service for people
living in drought-declared and flood
and fire-affected areas in rural, regional
and remote Australia. The Australian
Rural Information Network map is a
continuously-updated interactive webbased map designed to give people
living in affected communities better
access to mental health information and
local support services.
beyondblue is working with the Divisions
of General Practice to establish
information kiosks at community centres
and businesses in affected areas. The
information kiosks ensure that people
have access to information on depression
and anxiety in their communities.
The ARIN map shows where beyondblue
information kiosks are located and lists the
details of rural and health agencies (e.g.
nearest Centrelink and rural counselling
services). As of October 2009, there
was a total of more than 100 information
kiosks across QLD, NSW, VIC and SA.
Rural information kit
As part of the Don’t beat about the bush!
Campaign, beyondblue provides free
rural information kits for people living in
the country or outback. The kits include:
• fact sheets
• envelope-size information cards
on the signs and symptoms of
depression and anxiety disorders and
where to get help
From top to bottom: beyondblue’s poster for
men in rural, remote and regional Australia; the
Australian Rural Information Network map on the
beyondblue website, Taking Care of Yourself and
Your Family book is now in its 10th edition; the
Don’t beat about the bush! campaign DVD.
25
• a book, Taking Care of Yourself and
Your Family
• a DVD – Don’t beat about the bush!
DVD featuring a 20-minute segment
on rural depression produced by the
ABC Landline team and beyondblue
ads focusing on rural men/alcohol and
depression.
• a manual on how to organise a public
forum about depression
• beyondblue’s mini-magazine the Rural
Womens Bulletin.
Since 2007, 385,000 Taking Care of
Yourself and Your Family books have
been distributed. More than half a million
pieces of beyondblue’s information for
rural communities have been sent out
through the Mental Health Support for
Drought-affected Communities Initiative.
Rural information kits were provided on
Centrelink Drought Buses as they travelled
through rural and remote Australia.
Depression and anxiety rural
roundtable discussion in Perth
beyondblue hosted a roundtable discussion
in Perth on 9 June 2009 to address
depression, anxiety and related substanceuse disorders in rural Western Australia.
The event was attended by experts from
Curtin University, Natural Resources
Management, the Divisions of General
Practice, Women in Agriculture and
Mentally Healthy WA’s Act, Belong,
Commit Campaign. Guest speakers
included Leonie Young, Act, Belong,
Commit Campaign Manager, Amberlee
Laws and several beyondblue Board
Members.
Field days
The Don’t beat about the bush! Campaign
also saw beyondblue participate in several
field days in 2008/09. With beyondblue
information stalls and – in many cases –
a beyondblue speaker, messages about
depression and anxiety and where to get
help reached thousands of rural families.
From top to bottom: An image from
beyondblue’s rural ad campaign; The Centrelink
Drought Assistance Bus in Seymour (VIC);
Council on the Ageing (COTA) peer educator
Kathy Behrendt at the Yorke Peninsula Field Day
2009 (SA); beyondblue Occupational Therapist
David Juriansz conducts a depression awareness
workshop at the Brimbank Men’s Shed (VIC).
26
• September 2008: Yorke Peninsula
Field days (SA), South Gippsland Field
Days (VIC), Riverland Field Days (SA)
• October 2008: Elmore Field Days
(VIC), Wandin Field Days (VIC)
• March 2009: Agfest Field Days (TAS)
• August 2009: Gunnerdah Field Days
(NSW), Dowerin Field Days (WA),
Speed Field Days (VIC)
• September 2009: Newdegate Field
Days (WA), Yorke Peninsula Field
days (SA)
Men’s Sheds
beyondblue is promoting awareness
of depression and anxiety through
community-based Men’s Sheds.
beyondblue has developed a Men’s Shed
Kit, which includes information about
depression, how men can get support
for themselves or their mates, DVDs and
self-help resources. Over 360 Men’s
Shed Kits have been distributed since
September 2008.
A beyondblue depression awareness
training program for Shed leaders and
facilitators has also been developed.
This program provides leaders of Men’s
Sheds with the skills to recognise the
to be confident to approach someone
about whom they’re concerned, and
support the person to seek help. The
training program has been delivered to
seven groups of sheds in Victoria, South
Australia and New South Wales.
Foundation 49: Men’s
Health
beyondblue has
partnered with
Foundation 49
to provide men
with information
on how to look
after their health.
The magazine
A whole new ball
game raises men’s
awareness of
health issues, including depression and
anxiety, and encourages men to have
regular health checks.
beyondblue and Foundation 49 have
also translated each of Foundation 49’s
Decades of Life men’s health fact
sheets into:
• Chinese
• Vietnamese
• Arabic
• Dari
• Somali
• Italian
• Greek
• Polish.
New beyondblue
Information Materials
More people than ever before are
ordering beyondblue’s free depression
and anxiety-related information materials
as a result of the new online ordering
system on the beyondblue website
(see page 15).
Between 1 July 2008 and 30 October
2009, beyondblue distributed more
than 11 million resources to people
throughout Australia. This is in addition
to the beyondblue depression checklist
and fridge magnet, which were sent to
8.2 million households across Australia
as part of the national mail campaign
(see page 14).
“Thanks so much for the books
and flyers we received in the
mail today. beyondblue is a
great service and we appreciate
very much the work that you do
in distributing information and
support materials.”
– ‘James’, General Practitioner
In the past year, beyondblue has expanded
and updated its range of materials, which
is provided free to anyone who requests
it – individuals, academics, clinicians,
schools, researchers, conference
organisers and journalists. The list of
beyondblue and Youthbeyondblue
resources now includes more than 350
fact sheets and information resources
on topics including:
• caring for someone with depression
and anxiety
New material produced
between July 2008 and
October 2009 included:
• A Guide to What Works for Depression
booklet – a comprehensive review of
all known treatments for depression,
including medical, psychological,
complementary and lifestyle
interventions
• Self-help book – Taking care of
yourself and your family by John
Ashfield – 10th edition
• beyondblue Guide for Carers –
Supporting and caring for a person
with depression, anxiety and/or a
related disorder: Caring for others,
caring for yourself booklet (see
page 34)
• DVD – Carers’ Stories of Hope and
Recovery – personal accounts of caring
for a family member or friend with
depression, anxiety or a related disorder
(see page 34)
• Taking care of yourself – and your
family – after retrenchment or financial
loss booklet (see page 42)
• Taking care of your staff and yourself
during job losses: Information for
managers and supervisors – booklet
• Booklet – Older people and
depression: Depression is not a normal
part of ageing including information on
the Over Bl**dy Eighty! Campaign
• Anxiety – wallet card
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
– fact sheet
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
– fact sheet
• bipolar disorder
• Panic Disorder – fact sheet
• types of help available
• effective treatments for depression
• depression checklist
• help for depression under Medicare
• depression linked with a range of
chronic illnesses
• antidepressant medication
• postnatal depression
• cyberbullying.
All beyondblue’s information materials are
updated regularly to ensure they include
the latest information, research and
statistics.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
– fact sheet
• Specific Phobias – fact sheet
• Social Phobia – fact sheet
• Depression and breast cancer –
fact sheet
• Emotional Health during Pregnancy
and Early Parenthood – booklet for
parents of multiple birth children
Right: Examples of the vast range of beyondblue’s
printed materials – from booklets to factsheets,
posters, translated materials and much more.
27
• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
– Checklist for pregnant women and
new mothers
• Taking care of yourself after a disaster
– booklet (in association with The
Australian Centre for Posttraumatic
Mental Health, The Australian Centre
for Grief and Bereavement and
Australian Red Cross)
• Maintaining your well-being:
Information on depression and anxiety
for men with prostate cancer and their
partners – booklet (in association with
the Prostate Cancer Foundation of
Australia)
• Treatments for depression and anxiety
• Dealing with anxiety disorders
• Getting help for depression or anxiety
• Depression and anxiety disorders
in women – fact sheet
• Antidepressants for the treatment
of depression in children and
adolescents
• Prostate cancer and the risk
of depression/anxiety – fact sheet
• Helping a friend with depression or
anxiety
• Depression and incontinence –
fact sheet
• Dealing with stress
• Healthy eating for people with
depression, anxiety and related
disorders – fact sheet
• Keeping active for a healthy mind
and body – information cards
• Support beyondblue Anxiety and
Depression Awareness Month – flyer
28
Youthbeyondblue fact sheets:
• Emotional responses after a disaster –
information card
• Depression in people who are deaf
or hard of hearing – fact sheet
Bottom: beyondblue information on its involvement
in the Movember campaign
• Talk to your doctor – poster for GP
waiting rooms.
• Depression in young people
• Anxiety disorders and depression
in men with testicular cancer
Middle: In 2009, beyondblue partnered with
Relationships Australia (VIC) and MensLine Australia
to produce a booklet to assist separated men.
• Youthbeyondblue posters
• Men and separation: navigating the
future – booklet (in association with
Relationships Australia and MensLine
Australia)
• Depression and anxiety in people who
are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender
or intersex (GLBTI) – fact sheet
Top: beyondblue’s depression checklist is
requested more often than any other item.
• Research reports: Eating disorders
with co-morbid depression and
anxiety – literature review, A
mapping project of eating disorder
organisations in Australia and Feeling
queer and blue: A review of the
literature on depression and related
issues among gay, lesbian, bisexual
and other homosexually active people
(see page 61)
• Drinking, depression and anxiety
• Drug use and your mental health
• Cannabis and your mental health
• Recovering from depression or anxiety
• Staying healthy
• Getting the sleep you need
• Suicide: knowing when to get help
• Managing self-harm
• Dealing with loss and grief
• Coping with family break-up
• Understanding eating disorders
• Making the most of studying
• beyondblue Rural Womens Bulletin
• Bullying
• Co-badged depression and anxiety
information materials with partner
organisations including Netball
Australia, PGA Australia, Bowls
Victoria, FeBLUary, TNT Pty Ltd and
the Movember Foundation
• Cyberbullying
• Depression and anxiety in young
people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender or intersex (GLBTI)
• Information for parents.
Six of these new Youthbeyondblue fact
sheets are also available in Braille format,
produced in association with Vision
Australia.
Languages other than English
Many of beyondblue’s depression
and anxiety-related information and
promotional materials have been
translated into the following languages:
• Arabic
•
Korean
• Assyrian
•
Lao
• Bosnian
•
Macedonian
• Cambodian/Khmer •
Polish
• Chinese simplified •
Punjabi
• Chinese traditional •
Russian
• Croatian
•
Serbian
• Dari Somalian
•
Spanish
• Farsi/Persian
•
Tamil
• Greek
•
Thai
• Indonesian
•
Turkish
• Italian
•
Vietnamese
• Japanese
For more information see
(Click Other languages)
Information materials for
health professionals:
• beyondblue Guide to the Management
of Depression in Primary Care –
a guide for health professionals
(includes diagnosis and treatments)
– A guide for health professionals
– A checklist for pregnant women and
new mothers
• Antenatal and Postnatal Depression
– A guide to management for health
professionals (information sheet for
each state/territory)
• Eating Disorders with Comorbid
Depression and Anxiety Research:
A Literature Review
• Young Minds: Treating Depression
& Anxiety in Young People –
online training program for health
professionals – see page 55 and
www.ebmcbt.com
Between July 2008 and October 2009,
visitors to 1,850 GP practices across VIC,
NSW, QLD, ACT, WA, SA and TAS picked
up more than 110,000 beyondblue
depression and anxiety information
leaflets.
During that time, more than 110,000
copies of beyondblue’s Emotional Health
During Pregnancy and Early Parenthood
booklet were also distributed nationally
to new mothers. This initiative was in
partnership with state and territory
governments, child and maternal health
centres, Hello Babe ‘bounty’ bags and
EGG maternity stores.
beyondblue also distributes information
through schools, universities,
pharmacies, health centres, public
libraries and local councils. Every public
library in Australia now has copies of
the book Taking Care of Yourself and
Your Family, audio CD-versions of
beyondblue’s fact sheets and several
beyondblue DVDs.
All beyondblue resources can be
downloaded or ordered online at
(click Get information), or by
calling the beyondblue info line on
1300 22 4636. Several of these
materials are also available in Braille
and audio-CD formats.
• Postnatal depression: Evidence
relating to infant cognitive and
emotional development (guide for
health professionals)
• Medical Journal of Australia
Supplement: Depression and Anxiety
with Physical Illness (see page 59)
• Indigenous Mental Health First Aid
Guidelines Pack for Health Professionals
• Eating Disorders with Comorbid
Depression and Anxiety Research:
A Mapping Project of Eating Disorder
Organisations in Australia
Right from top to bottom: beyondblue’s leaflets are
included in brochure stands in General Practitioners’
waiting rooms (photo: InfoMed Australia); A poster
aimed at raising awareness of depression in the
Chinese community; A beyondblue-funded literature
review for health professionals.
29
Consumer and
Carer Participation
priority area
Objective:
To provide people living with
depression, anxiety and
related disorders – and their
carers – with information
about the illness and
effective treatment options,
and to promote their needs
and experiences with
policy makers and health
care service providers
Participation by people with
personal experiences of depression,
anxiety and related disorders
and their carers underpins all
beyondblue activities. In 2008/09,
the organisation’s blueVoices
consumer and carer reference
group provided feedback on the
development of beyondblue’s
Ambassador Program, assisted
with the development of the
beyondblue Guide for Carers
and the DVD Carers’ Stories
of Hope and Recovery, and
beyondblue’s online mental
health practitioner directory.
Importantly, blueVoices provides
input to a range of national
projects, committees, research
and community events.
Above: The new Youthbeyondblue advertisements use the actual words young people
have used to describe their experiences of depression and anxiety disorders.
30
blueVoices
blueVoices is beyondblue’s national
consumer and carer reference group.
Anyone in Australia who has experienced
depression, anxiety, perinatal depression
or bipolar disorder can join blueVoices.
The reference group also includes family
members and friends who care for people
with one or more of these illnesses.
blueVoices members may also have
experienced depression or anxiety in
association with a chronic physical
illness such as diabetes, cancer or heart
disease or have a co-existing drug or
alcohol problem. There are also groups
for young people and older people.
Established in 2002, blueVoices
underwent significant changes in
2008/09, restructuring into email-based
groups (e-groups). The e-group structure
allows for a large, representative and
diverse membership and increased
accessibility for members across
Australia. Email communication allows
for individual comment, faster feedback
and co-ordination of face-to-face
consultations and activities.
blueVoices currently has over 400
members who have the opportunity to:
• speak publicly at forums or to
the media about their personal
experiences
• represent blueVoices and talk about
their experiences on committees and
advisory groups
• provide input and feedback around
the development of beyondblue
information resources and community
awareness campaigns
• advise on national mental health
policies and programs
• participate in research studies
• assist with the distribution of
beyondblue resources at events and
forums.
During 2008/09, blueVoices members
sat on the following committees and
advisory groups:
• Mental Health Council of Australia
• General Practice Mental Health
Standards Collaboration
• beyondblue Victorian Centre of
Excellence Expert Committee
• National Mental Health Consumer and
Carer Forum
• Guidelines Expert Advisory
Committee for the development of
beyondblue/National Health and
Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Clinical Practice Guidelines for
Perinatal Depression
• beyondblue working committee:
Update of the NHMRC Clinical
Practice Guidelines: Depression in
Young People (1997)
• The Australian College of Rural and
Remote Medicine – assisting with
the design and evaluation of an
online distance education program
on mental health disorders for rural
doctors
• Mental Health Professionals Network
• beyondblue Consumer Reference
Group
• National Private Mental Health
Consumer and Carer Network
• Discrimination in Insurance Project
• Royal Australia College of General
Practitioners GP Psych Support
service.
blueVoices members played a vital role
in the development of the concepts,
messages and scripts for the
Youthbeyondblue National Multimedia
campaign in 2009 (see page 13), taking
part in several focus groups to make sure
the ads were both realistic and effective.
To become a blueVoices member:
1. Visit www.beyondblue.org.au
and click Getting involved,
then National Reference Group
blueVoices
2. Download the Expression
of Interest form
3. Complete the form and return to
beyondblue, either by post or email.
From top to bottom: beyondblue Deputy
Chairman John McGrath talks about his
experience as a carer; the blueVoices Postnatal
Depression Reference Group; Youthbeyondblue
Ambassador Hayley Bester shares her story
about living with bipolar disorder at the
Youthbeyondblue National Advertising campaign
launch in May 2009; (left to right) blueVoices
Chair Lyn Chaplin and beyondblue Senior
Program Manager for Consumers and Carers,
Bonnie Vincent, with Youthbeyondblue members
Hayley Bester, Danielle Stapleton, Bronwyn
Collins and Jeremy Mann.
31
beyondblue Ambassador
Program
The Ambassador Program is a key
component of beyondblue’s consumer
and carer focus. People who have
personal experience, or who have cared
for someone, with depression, anxiety
and/or a related disorder speak publicly
about their personal experiences of
diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
The program will be recruiting more
people shortly to speak publicly to raise
community awareness and reduce
stigma through the powerful tool of
sharing personal stories.
The program includes three groups:
consumers and carers who are blueVoices
members, high-profile beyondblue
Ambassadors and health professionals.
Ambassadors work with beyondblue in a
number of ways including:
• speaking about their experiences to
the media
• speaking at community forums, events,
conferences and at workplaces
• De Backman Hoyle, a carer from
Melbourne, VIC
• Paul Walshe, an ex-police officer from
Melbourne, VIC
• Hollie Cavanagh, of Perth, WA.
beyondblue’s high profile
Ambassadors
People with a high profile who have
experienced depression, anxiety and
related disorders – or have cared for
someone with these illnesses – play
a crucial role in assisting beyondblue
to raise awareness. Over the years,
beyondblue has been very fortunate
to have many high profile personalities
and sports people donate their time to
talk publicly about their experiences of
depression, anxiety and related disorders.
High profile Ambassadors in
2008/09 include:
• Jessica Rowe, TV presenter
• Craig Hamilton, ABC broadcaster
• Garry McDonald, legendary Australian
comedian, actor, and beyondblue
Board Director
• providing input and advice to shape
beyondblue awareness campaigns
(TV, print and radio ads, printed
resources and DVDs) which tackle
stigma and discrimination
• Nathan Thompson, AFL/VFL player,
media spokesperson
• sharing their stories on the
beyondblue website.
• Mark Gable, lead singer/guitarist of
The Choirboys
Ambassador Program training for
blueVoices members was piloted in June
2009 and there are plans to extend the
Program in 2009/10.
Nine new Ambassadors from a range of
backgrounds joined beyondblue in 2009.
They are:
• Tony Wynd, from Canberra, ACT
• Heather Nowak, from Mount Gambier,
SA
• Jeremy Mann, a young person from
Canberra, ACT
• Julina King, from Townsville, QLD
• Vicki Katsifis, from Sydney, NSW
• David Corduff, of Melbourne, VIC
• John Konrads, Olympic gold medallist
swimmer and businessman
• Nova Peris, Olympic gold medallist
and Indigenous advocate
• John Sudholz, ex-VFL South
Melbourne player and retired farmer.
Men’s Health Ambassadors in 2009
include:
• Dr Mick Adams, Chairperson of
The National Aboriginal Community
Controlled Health Organisation
• Prof. David de Kretser, Governor of
Victoria and Founder of Andrology
Australia
• Prof. John Macdonald, Co-Director of
Men’s Health and Resource Centre,
University of Western Sydney
• Tim Mathieson, retired hairdresser,
beyondblue advocate
Left top to bottom: New beyondblue Ambassadors (back row L-R) David Corduff, Vicki Katsifis, Julina King,
Hollie Cavanagh, Tony Wynd, Paul Walshe, (front row L-R) beyondblue’s Bonnie Vincent, Heather Nowak, De
Backman-Hoyle and Jeremy Mann; Jeremy Mann tells his story about depression at a press conference; Retired
police officer Paul Walshe; Julina King and her family; high profile Ambassador Olympic swimmer John Konrads
often speaks publicly about his bipolar disorder.
32
• Bill Noonan, Secretary Transport
Workers’ Union, Victoria/Tasmania
Branch
• Dr Rob Walters, practising GP in
Hobart and past chair of the Australian
Divisions of General Practice (ADGP)
• Barry Williams, President of the Lone
Fathers Association.
beyondblue Information
and Referral Line
1300 22 4636
The beyondblue information and referral
line, 1300 22 4636 (1300 bb info), was
established in July 2006 to target men,
particularly rural men, and in response to
the increasing number of people seeking
information about depression and related
disorders.
“I just wanted to let you know that
whoever I spoke to saved my life.
I’m very grateful for the service.”
– Male caller with bipolar disorder
The info line operates 24 hours a day,
seven days a week and is staffed by
trained mental health professionals. For
the cost of a local call from a landline,
people can access information about
and referrals to health practitioners and
organisations with appropriate expertise.
“I called to say thank you for
the information you sent for my
friend. It was very useful and he
now seems to be heading in a
positive direction.”
– Female caller concerned about
a friend with depression
The broad reach of beyondblue’s
awareness campaigns and activities
continues to generate strong demand for
the info line service, with record numbers
of incoming calls in the past year.
Between July 2008 and June 2009, the
service provided information and referrals
to more than 40,000 callers. The demand
for the service grew by an average of 901
calls per month when compared to the
previous year.
“Last week I called you in a very
desperate state. I wanted to let
you know that because of your
encouragement I’ve since spoken
to my GP about how I’ve been
feeling and I’m starting treatment.”
– Female caller with anxiety
People across Australia call the
beyondblue info line for a range of
reasons. Almost half of the calls (49 per
cent) were made by people seeking
information about their own mental health,
with about a third (34 per cent) seeking
information for a family member or friend.
A further 14 per cent of callers were health
professionals seeking information.
While the info line is accessible to anyone
within Australia, from its inception in 2006,
beyondblue has aimed to reach and
support men across Australia. Men are
less likely to access information and seek
help for mental health issues, particularly
men who live in rural areas.1 Given that
over 45 per cent of all calls to the info line
are from men, we know that increasingly
men are now making use of this service,
with around 30 per cent of these calls
coming from men in regional and rural
areas of Australia.
Given that half of the calls are from people
seeking information about their own mental
health, the info line continues to be an
important resource and complements
beyondblue’s early intervention and
prevention messages and resources.
Around 40 per cent of people who call
seek help for themselves; this contact with
beyondblue is often their first step and onethird of these callers have not been formally
diagnosed with a mental illness.
The continually-increasing level of use,
together with the delivery of a quality
information and referral service, have
ensured the continuation and expansion
of the beyondblue information line for
2009/10.
“I called to say how excellent
and appropriate the resources
you sent me have been for my
patients.”
– General Practitioner from a
bushfire-affected area
1 beyondblue focus groups 2003
From top to bottom: beyondblue Ambassadors
– The Choirboys lead singer Mark Gable, famous
actor Garry McDonald; ex-AFL player Nathan
Thompson; A beyondblue information line
operator (1300 22 4636).
33
The beyondblue Directory
of Medical and Allied
Health Practitioners in
Mental Health
Early research undertaken by beyondblue
and blueVoices showed many people
encountered difficulties with access to care
for depression, anxiety and related mental
health problems when they needed it.
Bottom: The free beyondblue Guide for Carers and
DVD – Carers’ Stories of Hope and Recovery.
34
At Admiralty House in Sydney on 24
August 2009, beyondblue Patron, The
Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms
Quentin Bryce AC, launched the booklet –
beyondblue Guide for Carers – Supporting
and caring for a person with depression,
anxiety and/or a related disorder.
Since 2001, beyondblue has conducted
extensive consultations with carers and
family members about their experiences
while supporting a person with depression
and anxiety and/or a related disorder.
beyondblue produced the carers booklet
to help people with the many challenges
they may face in the caring role. Written
by carers for carers, the booklet contains
people’s knowledge and wisdom about
their caring experiences.
This directory enables people to find
health practitioners in their local area
and provides specific details such
as languages spoken, wheelchair
accessibility, bulk billing and areas of
special interest or expertise.
This resource provides carers with
practical strategies, advice and guidance.
The guide also focuses on how carers
can look after their own health and looks
at the impact the caring experience may
have on them.
As of August 2009, the directory listed
2,329 practitioners – 656 GPs, 762
clinical psychologists, 721 psychologists,
167 social workers in mental health and
23 occupational therapists in mental
health. After meeting the eligibility criteria,
practitioners can nominate themselves
for inclusion in the directory.
The DVD – Carers’ Stories of Hope
and Recovery – includes interviews
with television presenter Jessica Rowe,
about caring for her mother with bipolar
disorder and beyondblue Deputy
Chairman, John McGrath, on caring for
his sons who battled mental illness.
In September 2009, the directory was
updated to make it more user-friendly
including online mapping which is faster
to load and navigate, and an improved
design which is easier to read.
Middle: beyondblue carer representatives with
beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett at the launch of
the Guide for Carers in Sydney, August 2009.
The beyondblue Guide for
Carers
To meet this need, beyondblue
developed an online directory of mental
health practitioners. The directory
includes General Practitioners with
postgraduate mental health training
and clinical psychologists. beyondblue
expanded the directory to include
other health professionals following
the introduction of Medicare rebates
under the Better Access initiative for
mental health services provided by
psychologists, social workers and
occupational therapists in mental health.
A highly utilised resource on the beyondblue
website, the directory of Medical and Allied
Health Practitioners (MAHP) received more
than 84,000 website visits between July
2008 and June 2009.
Top: beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett,
beyondblue Patron Governor-General Quentin
Bryce and beyondblue Ambassador Jessica Rowe
at the launch of the Carers booklet.
Carers Campaign 2009
To access the directory, go to
www.beyondblue.org.au and
click on Find a Doctor or other
Mental Health Practitioner.
Eligible health practitioners can
also register their details by
clicking on the same links. New
registrations are welcome.
There are also interviews with people
(who aren’t well-known) who have cared
for partners and children with depression
– in the hope that others may benefit
from the sharing of their stories. The DVD
includes an interview with beyondblue’s
Clinical Adviser A/Prof. Michael Baigent
who provides information and advice
for carers.
The booklet – beyondblue
Guide for Carers – and the DVD
– Carers’ Stories of Hope and
Recovery – are freely available.
Both can be ordered from the
beyondblue website
www.beyondblue.org.au (click
on Get Information) or by calling
the beyondblue information line
1300 22 4636.
Prevention and
Early Intervention
priority area
Objective:
To develop prevention and early
intervention programs around
depression, anxiety and related
disorders
In the Australian mental health sector, the word
prevention refers to “interventions that occur
before the initial onset of a disorder.”1
With the right treatment, most people recover
from depression and anxiety disorders, making
prevention and early intervention essential.
beyondblue encourages people to educate
themselves about the signs and symptoms and
to understand that:
• depression and anxiety disorders are common
• effective treatments are available
• seeking help and getting the right treatment
early is vital for recovery.
In addition, beyondblue runs programs in
workplaces, schools, local communities, hospitals
and health centres and continues to test new
ways of tackling these health conditions and their
risk factors.
1
Mrazek & Haggerty, Review of the evidence for prevention in mental health,
United States Institute of Medicine, 1994
Above: The KidsMatter initiatives aim to support children at a young age to prevent
mental health problems developing later in life.
35
beyondblue National
Workplace and Social
Enterprise Portfolio
The National Workplace and Social
Enterprise portfolio’s main focus is on
promoting mental health and education
in Australian workplaces. It has also
developed non-workplace education
programs including those for young people,
men, people with chronic illness, older
people and community leaders.
beyondblue also works with the
Australian Government Department of
Health and Ageing (DoHA) to deliver
training through the Mental Health
Drought-Affected Communities Initiative
(see page 25) and DoHA’s Mental Health
Response to the Victorian Bushfires. The
portfolio operates on a social enterprise
model, meaning it seeks to benefit the
community.
‘I think he may be
depressed.
Should I say
something?’
Since 2008, the number of training
sessions delivered through the portfolio
has grown by 41 per cent. More than 730
workplace sessions were held across
Australia from July 2008 to October 2009
and there were an additional 200 nonworkplace education sessions.
If you see someone struggling at work, it can be hard to know what to
National Workplace Program
do or say. You don’t want to offend the person. beyondblue can give
you information and strategies to guide and support you as you assist
someone you’re concerned about at work.
To find out more visit our website or call the info line:
1300 22 4636
The beyondblue National
Workplace Program
The beyondblue National Workplace Program
EVALUATION RESULTS
BAckgROUNd
beyondblue: the national depression initiative has
developed, delivered and evaluated a national program
designed to address the issue of depression and other
related disorders such as anxiety and substance use
in the workplace. The beyondblue National Workplace
Program has been developed in response to the need
for organisations to be better informed and equipped
to appropriately and effectively respond to and manage
these common conditions in the workplace. It is vital to
ensure that people are supported to get the help they
need to promote recovery and return to work.
The program has been evaluated and proven to be
effective in increasing awareness and knowledge,
reducing stigma, and importantly, increasing employees’
willingness and confidence to take a proactive approach
to respond to depression and related disorders in an
appropriate manner. Ultimately, this will reduce the
personal, social and economic cost of these conditions in
the workplace throughout Australia.
This document provides an outline of the key elements of
the beyondblue National Workplace Program, together
with demonstrated outcomes.
don’t underestimate
the cost of
depression to your
organisation’s
bottom line.
dEpRESSION ANd RELATEd dISORdERS IN
ThE wORkpLAcE: ThE fAcTS
More than one million people in Australia experience
depression, anxiety or related substance use disorders
each year1.
Depression affects one in five people at some point in their
adult lifetime. Depression is second only to heart-related
illness in terms of disability in Australia2 – resulting in a
profound impact on all aspects of life, including work.
The impact of these disorders on organisations is
considerable. For example, depression accounts for three to
four days off work per month for each person experiencing
depression – that’s over six million working days lost each year
in Australia. Untreated depression can result in a significant
reduction in work performance. Depression accounts for more
than 12 million days of reduced productivity each year, with
serious implications for work safety1.
It is estimated that each employee with untreated depression
will cost their organisation $9,660 per year3.
Depression and related disorders, including anxiety and
drug and alcohol problems, are not managed well across
organisations. In fact, many current management practices,
such as recommending taking time off work or a holiday may
compound the problem and make the situation worse.
Promoting mental health to employers,
managers and staff is the main aim
of beyondblue’s National Workplace
Program (NWP). It is an evidencebased awareness, early intervention and
prevention program that gives managers
and supervisors the skills and confidence
to manage staff with depression or a
related disorder effectively. It also gives
staff the confidence to advise a colleague
about seeking help and encourages
employers to consider employee mental
health in the same way as they consider
employee physical health.
Demonstrated outcomes from the
program include increased:
of 4
beyondblue: the national depression initiative • www.beyondblue.org.au or info line 1300 22 4636
Above: Promotional material used for beyondblue’s
National Workplace Program training.
36
• awareness and understanding of the
signs and symptoms of common mental
health problems in the workplace
• understanding of what it’s like to live
with depression
• positive attitudes towards someone
with depression and reduction in the
associated stigma
• confidence to approach and assist a
colleague or employee experiencing
difficulty
• confidence to address and
appropriately manage employees
experiencing depression, anxiety
or a related disorder.
The beyondblue National Workplace
Program has grown significantly
in 2008/09, which has led to new
partnerships and more sessions.
In 2008/09, beyondblue has trained more
accredited facilitators and hired extra
staff to meet unprecedented demand.
Most of the team’s work focuses on
the design, delivery and evaluation of
large-scale, planned roll-outs within large
organisations. This includes promoting
mental health through consultancy,
advice on policies and procedures and
education sessions.
“An employee with depression
should be treated no differently
to someone who’s had a
shoulder injury.”
– Employee from a major bank
Examples of program growth in
2008/9
• The number of new enquiries
about the program has increased
significantly since last year.
• The NWP’s five workshop and
presentation modules have been
adapted in line with new research,
adult learning principles and feedback.
• New program materials have
been developed including training
DVDs featuring personal stories of
depression and recovery developed
for the accounting profession and
communities affected by the Victorian
bushfires, a wallet card with practical
tips for managers and a fact sheet
about managing the return to work
of employees with depression (codeveloped with WorkSafe Victoria).
• beyondblue’s network of accredited
beyondblue facilitators has expanded
to 47 (see diagram below for numbers).
All facilitators have qualifications in
mental health and clinical and training
experience. Many also have experience
in human resource management,
trauma, professional sports or rural
mental health.
Locations of beyondblue facilitators
(excluding workplace-based
facilitators)
• Victorian Department of Human
Services (DHS) – a statewide roll-out
across DHS offices including five senior
management briefings, 19 management
workshops and 28 staff workshops
• Australian Government Solicitor
(AGS) – a nationwide roll-out across
AGS offices including 10 management
workshops and 27 staff workshops
• Victoria Police – training of 12
workplace-based facilitators for a
continuation of a statewide roll-out of
management workshops
• Defence Support Group – the
delivery of 16 management workshops
including the senior leadership group
Advice For employers
2
6
2
4
10
5
17
1
beyondblue’s facilitators can deliver
training in several capacities:
• National Workplace – 36
For more information
www.beyondblue.org.au or
• Rural – 14
• WorkSafe SA –16 sponsored
workshops focusing on return to work
sessions for small to medium-sized
enterprises.
Feedback from beyondblue
National Workplace Program
participants:
• Community Support Training
(Victorian bushfires) – 9 (new in 2009).
“beyondblue provided worthwhile
and effective information sessions
that generated awareness and
discussion among employees on
a very difficult topic.”
– Doug Cross, Director of HR and
People Development Services,
Australian Government Solicitor
beyondblue has delivered the National
Workplace Program to more than 40,000
employees in over 400 organisations
since 2004, including:
• TNT Australia – 45 sessions across
TNT including senior management
briefings, management workshops,
staff workshops and an advanced
management workshop
Advice For employers
More than one million people in Australia experience
depression, anxiety or related substance-use
disorders each year1. With depression affecting
one in five people at some point in their lifetime,
these figures have a significant impact on Australian
workplaces. Depression is the leading cause of
non-fatal disability in Australia and the World Health
Organization has predicted that by 00, depression
will be the second leading cause of disability and
mortality in the world.
Depression affects different people in different
ways. Most people experiencing depression are
able to effectively manage the condition while
remaining at work. Others however, will need time
off. In these cases, employers can play a key role
in ensuring that the return to the workplace is a
smooth process for the individual, the team and
the organisation.
If an employee experiencing depression returns to
work in an appropriate and meaningful role, this
may decrease the likelihood of relapse and increase
the likelihood of the organisation retaining the skills
and experience of that individual. Not proactively
addressing these issues in the workplace can be
costly and affect productivity.
WhAt is depression?
Ingeneral,apersonmaybedepressedifhe/shehashada
persistentlylowmoodoveraperiodoftwoormoreweeksand
alossofinterestintheirusualactivities.Depressioncanalso
haveanegativeeffectonaperson’sconcentration,memory,
sleeproutine,motivationandactivitylevels,appetite,social
behaviour,thinkingpatternsandfeelings.
Changes in behaviour
Intheworkplace,thefollowingchangesinbehaviourmay
beasignofdepression:
• findingitdifficulttoconcentrateontasks
• turninguptoworklate
• feelingtiredandfatigued
• unusuallytearfuloremotional
• gettingangryeasilyorfrustratedwithtasksorpeople
• avoidingbeingaroundworkcolleagues,forexample,sitting
bythemselvesatlunchtime
• findingitdifficulttomeetreasonabledeadlines
• findingithardtoacceptconstructiveandwell-delivered
feedback
• difficultymanagingmultipletasksordemands
• beingvulnerabletostressandanxiety
• drinkingalcoholtocopewithothersymptomsofdepression
and/oranxiety
• lossofconfidenceandnegativethoughtpatterns
• highamountsofsickleave/absenteeism.
Pleasenote,theseareonlysignsthatanemployeemayhave
depression,itdoesnotmeanthatanemployeeisdepressed.
Foradiagnosisofdepression,thepersonmustbeassessedby
amedicalpractitionerorotherhealthprofessional.
• 99.4% would recommend training
to someone else
This information sheet was produced
in association with WorkSafe Victoria
AndrewsG,HallW,TeesonMandHendersonS.(999).The Mental health of Australians.MentalHealth
Branch,CommonwealthDepartmentofHealthandAgedCare.
• 97.6% rated the workplace
beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636 facilitator’s www.beyondblue.org.au
info line 1300 22 4636
presentation beyondblue
“good”
or “excellent”
• Professional Sports – 7 (new in 2008)
Supporting the return
to work of employees
with depression
or
• 96.1% said the information was
relevant for themselves, a family
member or friend.
MathersC,VosT&StevensonC(999).The burden of disease in injury in Australia.AIHWCatNoPHE7,AustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfare,Canberra.
MurrayCJL&LopezAD.(996).The Global Burden of Disease: A comprehensive assessment of mortality
and disability, injuries and risk factors in 1990 and projected to 2020.WorldBank,HarvardSchoolof
PublicHealthandWorldHealthOrganisation,Geneva.
www.beyondblue.org.au or beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636
1 of 6
In association with
Depression
‘Victoria Police said that since the
department turned to beyondblue:
the national depression initiative,
and introduced the psychological
health education program to help
officers deal with stress on the job,
the number of stressed officers has
fallen [measured through stress
leave and compensation].
To find out more visit
or call
1300 22 4636
(local call)
1 in 5 people will experience
depression in their lifetime.
If it’s not you,
maybe it’s someone you know.
Effective treatments are available
and recovery is common.
Talk to your doctor or
another health professional.
Helping someone with depression isn’t beyond you
The psychological health program
was developed by senior police in
collaboration with beyondblue to
raise awareness of the effects of
stress related illness on the state’s
11,000 officers.’
– Excerpt from ‘New back-up
for life on the thin blue line’,
The Age, 1 February 2009
Top: New workplace program facilitators in
2009 (from left to right) beyondblue Training
Manager Marie-Anne Schull, Ray Dowd, Therese
Fitzpatrick, Simone Caynes, Narelle Henderson,
Patricia Durning, Tanja Limnios and Justin Rowe.
Middle and bottom: Workplace-specific
information from beyondblue is handed out to all
workplace training session participants.
37
Conference Presentations and
Industry Briefings
Working with the Accounting
Profession
The Workplace Program team has
presented at 34 conferences and industry
briefings to more than 7,400 participants.
Where possible, presentations include
a consumer presentation on personal
experience of depression. See page 67
for a full list of conferences.
Building on its work with the legal
profession, beyondblue has customised
its National Workplace Program for the
accounting profession. The initiative was
inspired by results from the 2007 Beaton
Consulting Annual Professions Survey
which revealed a high prevalence of
depression in the accounting profession.
Working with the Legal Profession
Since 2007, beyondblue has worked
with law firm leadership groups and legal
professionals to address the high rate of
depression and related substance use in
the profession. Groups who have worked
with beyondblue include:
• Australian Government Solicitor –
11 management workshops and
28 staff workshops
• NSW Crown Solicitors Office
– 10 workplace workshops for
management and staff
• Freehills law firm – nine management
and staff workshops.
beyondblue exports the National
Workplace Program to the United
Kingdom
The London-based Sainsbury Centre
for Mental Health selected beyondblue’s
National Workplace Program after
an international search and review of
education programs in the UK and
abroad. beyondblue’s Board endorsed a
UK trial of the NWP.
Seven companies trialled the program,
including the submarine business of
Rolls-Royce, Kent County Council
and the UK Department of Health. An
evaluation of the pilot, held late 2008,
found training significantly influenced
managers’ confidence to approach
colleagues and staff about whom they’re
concerned, to assist them to get help
and to provide ongoing support.
beyondblue and the Sainsbury Centre have
subsequently extended the licence and a
broader licensing agreement is planned.
From top to bottom: Director of the Sainsbury
Centre for Mental Health (SCMH) Employment
Program in London, Bob Grove; Baroness Julia
Neuberger and beyondblue’s Workplace Program
Manager Therese Fitzpatrick; Therese Fitzpatrick
with SCMH trainers.
38
Case Study:
Institute of Chartered
Accountants in Australia
(ICAA)
This partnership enables beyondblue
to share its messages with 50,000
ICAA members and their clients and
allows ICAA the opportunity to give
back to their members by investing in
their health and well-being.
The relationship also allows the
beyondblue National Workplace
Program to work within small to
medium accounting practices –
traditionally, a difficult group to reach.
“This is an important partnership,
particularly in these tough
economic times.”
– Elaine McFadzean, Deputy Chief
Executive of the ICAA
“What I would like to see is a
workforce that is much more able
to deal with depression, to know
where to go for help. Ultimately
that will end up with better
business performance, not only for
the accounting profession, but for
the Australian economy at large.”
– Richard Deutsch,
President, ICAA
Professional Sports Program
Workplace Program
has been adapted to
suit the professional
sporting environment.
The impact of
depression in professional
sport remains largely unexplored and
despite anecdotal evidence and media
reports, there is little information available
on the prevalence of depression and
For this reason, beyondblue has
developed targeted training and
information resources for the professional
sporting environment. The program aims
to equip people with the knowledge
to recognise the common signs of
in order to reduce stigma and promote
help-seeking as early as possible.
In 2008/9 this program has continued to
expand its reach, delivering workshops in
the following sports:
• Australian Football League –
Through the AFL Players’ Association,
workshops were delivered to all
Victorian club players.
• Rugby Union – Following an agreement
with the Rugby Union Players’
Association (RUPA), workshops were
delivered to players and staff of the
Waratahs (NSW), Reds (Queensland)
and the Western Force (WA).
• Australian Cricketers’ Association –
A tailored version of the program was
developed and delivered to the statebased men’s and women’s teams,
their coaches and support staff. This
included the production of a training
DVD featuring interviews with players,
Ryan Campbell and Michelle Goszko.
• Netball Australia – Workshops were
delivered to the national Under 17 and
Under 19 squads and coaches, and
the Netball Australia staff.
• Wheelchair Sports Victoria –
beyondblue has developed and
delivered workshops for Wheelchair
Victoria Sports staff and stakeholders,
including production of a training
DVD featuring an interview with
Paralympian Brian McNicholl.
“…I know one player who has
already sought help as a result of
[this session].”
– AFL player
Case Study: Professional
Golf Association (PGA)
In 2007, beyondblue formed a
partnership with the Professional Golf
Association (PGA) Australia to tackle
depression in the Australian golfing
community. This partnership was
generously supported by $105,000
donated from pro-golfer Stuart Appleby.
The partnership has involved the
following joint activities:
• articles in the PGA members
magazine
• co-branded information for PGA
members, attendees at the PGA
Golf Show and golf clubs around
Australia
• beyondblue’s training and
presentations delivered to PGA staff,
PGA members, professional tour
players, coaches and golf club staff.
beyondblue Rural Frontline Program
Managing common mental health
problems can be difficult in rural
communities because of high levels of
stigma and limited access to mental
health services. The beyondblue
NWP has been adapted to the rural
environment as part of beyondblue’s
overall drought response strategy.
The tailored program was developed
to meet increasing demand from
rural organisations, local councils and
community groups to assist people who
are distressed because of pressures
associated with drought.
In late 2007, beyondblue received funding
from the Commonwealth Department of
Health and Ageing to raise awareness
of depression and related disorders
in rural communities in collaboration
with the Australian General Practice
Network (AGPN) and 43 Divisions of
General Practice. As part of the Mental
Health Support for Drought-Affected
Communities Initiative, beyondblue has
delivered 86 depression awareness
workshops (Rural Frontline Training)
to business and community leaders.
beyondblue also works with communities
to set up Information Kiosks in businesses
in rural areas. This program has now been
extended with a further 30 workshops to
be delivered in 2009/10.
“Don’t let depression and
anxiety put you off your game.
Find out more at
www.beyondblue.org.au”
Stuart Appleby PGA Member
Photo: Anthony Powter
anxiety in sportspeople. Risk factors for
depression in elite sportspeople are often
different from those experienced by the
general population and can include
constant media scrutiny of performance,
the impact of injuries and being dropped
from a team.
Don’t let depression put you off your game
Over a million people in Australia live with depression. If it’s not you, maybe it’s someone
you know – a friend, partner, workmate or family member.
To find out more visit www.beyondblue.org.au
or call the info line 1300 22 4636.
beyondblue and the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of Australia are working together
to raise awareness of depression and anxiety in the golf community.
From top to bottom: Institute of Chartered
Accountants president Richard Deutsch with
beyondblue CEO Leonie Young; (left to right)
Chief Financial Officer at the Macquarie Group
Greg Ward, with Leonie Young and Richard
Deutsch at the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding in March 2009; a co-branded
beyondblue/Professional Golfers Association
of Australia poster aimed at the golfing
community.
39
beyondblue Disaster
Strategy – Addressing
Mental Health Issues
in Bushfire and Floodaffected Communities
“As a community, I think it’s
important that we think about
other people who are vulnerable
and we draw close together and
support those who have been
affected.”
– beyondblue Clinical Adviser,
A/Prof. Michael Baigent
LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF
AFTER A DISASTER
Since February 2009, beyondblue has
worked closely with the Australian and
Victorian Governments to implement a
long-term strategy in response to the
devastating Victorian bushfires and
to the widespread floods in NSW and
Queensland.
The aim of the stategy is to develop
and provide information and support to
bushfire and flood-affected communities.
beyondblue worked with a range of
leading national agencies and experts
to develop a comprehensive booklet
designed to provide information and
advice on emotional responses to trauma
and loss following a natural disaster.
These resources were developed in
association with beyondblue’s mental
health experts, the Australian Centre for
Posttraumatic Mental Health, Australian
Red Cross, the Australian Centre for Grief
and Bereavement and, importantly, in
consultation with survivors of the 2003
Canberra bushfires.
The booklet – Taking Care of Yourself
after a Disaster – contains tear-out
practical work sheets and information
cards, and lists help and information
phone numbers and web addresses.
Emotional responses
after a natural
disaster
People may be at risk of developing depression
and anxiety after experiencing a traumatic event like
a bushfire, flood or earthquake.
Normal reactions
• Feelingoverwhelmed
• Feelingnumbanddetached
• Inabilitytofocus
beyondblue has established nearly 90
information stations in local communities
in NSW, Queensland and Victoria with the
support of Bushfire Recovery Community
Service Hubs, libraries, neighbourhood
centres, local councils and state
government agencies. Community
members can access information on
depression and anxiety at any time from
these stations.
• Inabilitytoplanahead
• Constanttearfulness
• Intrusivememoriesorbaddreamsrelatedtotheevent
• Sleepdisturbances
• Constantquestioning–“WhatifIhaddonex,yorz,instead?”
• ‘Replaying’theeventandinventingdifferentoutcomesinorder
tobepreparedshouldithappenagain
Thesereactionscanbesevereandareattheirworstinthefirstweek,however,
inmostcases,theyfadeoveramonth.Ifaperson’sday-to-dayfunctioningis
seriouslyaffectedformorethantwo months after the event,it’simportant
todiscussitwithaGeneralPractitionerormentalhealthprofessional.
Beyond a normal reaction
If you experience any of these symptoms at any time,
seek professional help:
• Asensethattheemotionalandphysicalreactionsarenotnormal
• Thoughtsofendingone’slifeorself-harm
• Lossofhopeorinterestinthefuture
• Avoidingthingsthatbringbackmemoriesofwhathappenedtothepoint
whereday-to-daytaskscannotbecarriedout
• Beingstartledeasilye.g.jumpingwhenadoorslams
• Feelingoverwhelmingfearfornoobviousreason
• Panicattacksymptoms:increasedheartrate,breathlessness,shakiness,
dizzinessandasuddenurgetogotothetoilet
• Excessiveguiltaboutthingsthatwereorweren’tsaidordone.
For immediate assistance
New booklet and information
card for disaster-affected
communities
Top: Community Service Hub employees from
fire-ravaged Kinglake (VIC) with a beyondblue
information station; Looking after Yourself after
a Disaster booklet was produced in consultation
with Australia’s leading disaster and mental health
agencies and produced in August 2009.
40
In the weeks following the Victorian
bushfires and north Queensland
floods, an information card Emotional
responses following a natural disaster
was developed in close consultation
with beyondblue’s Clinical Adviser
A/Prof. Michael Baigent. The card lists
the normal reactions people may have
to a traumatic situation and the warning
signs that a person may be at risk of
developing an anxiety disorder and/or
depression. The card also lists disasterspecific help and information lines and
web addresses. By October 2009,
60,000 had been distributed to flood and
fire-affected communities.
• Lifeline131114
• MenslineAustralia1300789978
• SuicideCallBackService1300659467
For more information on depression, anxiety, available treatments and
where to get help visit www.beyondblue.org.au or call 1300 22 4636.
www.beyondblue.org.au ✆ 1300 22 4636
An information card was released two months after
the February 2009 bushfires in Victoria
“We received a delivery of
‘Looking after yourself after a
disaster’ booklets. It’s a great little
booklet which we have put on
our coffee table in the Community
Services Hub and the clients are
all taking a copy home which is
fantastic!”
– Andrea, Department of Human
Services Hub Administrator,
Kinglake & Kinglake West
Community Hubs (VIC)
Community Support Training
(Victorian bushfires)
In June 2009, the Australian Government
Department of Health and Ageing, in close
consultation with the Victorian Government
Department of Human Services, employed
beyondblue to develop, deliver and
evaluate a Community Support Training
Project for communities affected by the
Victorian bushfires of February 2009.
The training aims to build the community’s
capacity to respond to a range of
common psychological reactions people
may experience after a traumatic event
and includes a focus on children, young
people and those impacted, either
directly or indirectly, by the bushfires.
Fifty workshops delivered to community
leaders aim to improve knowledge, skills
and confidence to assist others to seek
help and support if needed.
The workshops and supporting
information materials have been
developed by a team of experts,
including the Australian Centre for
Posttraumatic Mental Health and
the Mater Child and Youth Mental
Health Service, and reflect Australia’s
international expertise in developing best
practice disaster recovery initiatives.
The workshops are tailored to the
needs of each community. Following
the workshops, participants receive
newsletters containing information
learned in the workshops and helpful info
lines and web addresses.
This program was piloted in the Victorian
country town of Whittlesea and is
being implemented in 2009/10 across
bushfire-affected areas. See page 40
for new resources developed for these
communities.
Community Programs
beyondblue’s NWSE portfolio has
worked with other beyondblue program
areas to develop and deliver awareness
and early intervention training programs
outside of the workplace including:
• Chronic Illness – development of
training materials for workshops and
conference presentations including
information on the links between
kidney disease, prostate cancer,
breast cancer and depression/anxiety.
• Men’s Sheds – beyondblue’s
depression awareness training has
been delivered to Men’s Shed leaders
around Australia and Men’s Shed
conferences. Feedback has been
positive: 96 per cent of participants
increased their awareness of
depression and anxiety, 93 per cent
felt more confident to approach
someone about whom they were
concerned and 99 per cent indicated
that they would recommend the
session to others.
• Young people – A training program
was developed specifically for young
people and those that work with them.
It has been delivered to the Australian
Office for Youth and Red Frogs staff
and volunteers who work with young
people.
• Bowls Victoria – As part of
beyondblue’s partnership with Bowls
Victoria (see page 48), training has
been developed for coaches and
delivered to coaches and players,
as well as staff, Board and Council
Members.
From top to bottom: The call centre team from Telstra 000 Emergency present a cheque to beyondblue following
the February 2009 Victorian bushfires; A briefing session for beyondblue’s Community Support Training (bushfires)
facilitators; beyondblue Director of National Workplace and Social Enterprise, James Beckford Saunders (far left)
with the new facilitators; Staff at the Alexandra Community Service Hub (VIC) with a beyondblue information station;
Whittlesea bushfire training participants.
41
Employment and
Workforce
Mental Health and Insurance
Discrimination Project
• Provide information to financial
planners on the MOU and the
potential interactions between mental
health and insurance.
• Develop a uniform approach to
complaints processing and monitoring
across all industries.
• Continue data collection to measure
effectiveness of initiatives and identify
areas for further work.
Job and financial loss
Dealing with
tough times
1
The project builds on the Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) established
between the Investment and Financial
Services Association (IFSA) and the mental
health sector stakeholders (MHSS),
including The Mental Health Council of
Australia (MHCA) and beyondblue.
When Work dries up
There are Things you can Do,
To look afTer yourself anD
your family.
In 2007, beyondblue and the MHCA
conducted an online survey to identify the
extent, nature and type of discrimination
that people were experiencing. Copies
of this report and recommendations are
available on the beyondblue website
Hit by retrenchment
or the current
financial situation?
• Lostyourjoborsavings?
• Feeloverwhelmedwiththe
pressureandstress?
• Don’tknowwhattodo?
Financial loss affects different people
in different ways.
Some people may need to cut back
on spending or put retirement on hold,
while others will need to apply for
financial assistance.
TIPSTOGETTHROUGH
THETOUGHTIMES
Adjusting to a loss or financial hardship is
difficult emotionally and on a practical level.
Remember, help is available.
You can’t change the economy, but you can
take steps to respond to the situation and look
after your financial and emotional well-being.
The Mental Health and Insurance
Discrimination project arose following
reports that people with a history of
mental health problems often experience
difficulty when attempting to buy various
types of insurance, particularly life and
income protection insurance. People said
they were either charged significantly
higher premiums for their insurance cover
or were denied insurance policies.
Taking care of yoursel
f after
retrenchment or
financial loss
The recommendations of this report and
other data collected by IFSA have guided
the direction of a revised MOU and action
plan between the mental health and
insurance industries, signed in Canberra
on 13 October 2008.
Looking after your
health and well-being
– and that of your
family – in the current
financial situation
Recommendations from the MHCA/
beyondblue survey:
www.beyondblue.o
rg.au or beyondblue
info line 1300 22
4636
For information on where to get assistance and tips to help you through these
tough times orderafreecopy of beyondblue’s booklet Taking care of yourself after
1300 22 4636 • www.beyondblue.org.au
retrenchment or financial loss –
• Review, revise and simplify insurance
forms and processes.
• Provide training to underwriting and
claims staff on mental health issues.
• Disseminate Mental Illness and
Insurance fact sheets to raise
community awareness of the application
process and activities under the MOU.
At the end of 2008, beyondblue
responded to an increasing number
of anecdotal reports of people deeply
affected by the global economic
downturn. In particular, people were
seeking practical advice about what
services were available to them and how
to look after their health and well-being,
and that of their families, during this period
of unexpected hardship. To address this
issue, beyondblue developed a booklet –
Looking after yourself after retrenchment
or financial loss.
The booklet was designed to provide
practical information to people who
have been affected by the global
financial crisis. It provides strategies
and advice for people on how to take
care of themselves and their families,
and information about regaining control
over their financial and emotional
situation. Financial advice in the booklet
was sourced from and included with
permission from the Australian Securities
and Investment Commission and the
Department of Education, Employment
and Workplace Relations.
The resource has been widely distributed
(more than 305,000 copies ordered) to
employees, employers, outplacement and
employment services, human resource
managers, financial counsellors and
advisors, community-based organisations,
and also disseminated through
Government service agencies, including
every Centrelink office in Australia.
In response to high demand for the
financial booklet, beyondblue developed
a version of the booklet for managers
who may be required to retrench staff.
This booklet contains practical advice
Top: Members of the Investment and Financial Services Association with beyondblue CEO Leonie Young at the
2008 signing of an MOU to prevent discrimination in insurance.
Middle to bottom: Since December 2008, beyondblue has produced and contributed to a range of information
materials designed to ease the emotional burden of retrenchment and financial loss, given the widespread impact of
the Global Financial Crisis.
42
about how change can affect individuals
and teams, common reactions to job loss
and how to encourage people to access
further assistance if necessary.
The superannuation company for the
building and construction industry, Cbus,
is working with beyondblue, Master
Builders Association SA and SuperFriend
to adapt the beyondblue booklets for
use in the building and construction
industry. These resources will be piloted
in South Australia. beyondblue and Cbus
will co-fund an evaluation with a view to
national roll-out.
Employment and Workforce
research projects
Job Stress and Workplace Mental
Health Study
ACT Health has provided funding to
beyondblue to design, develop and
evaluate a workplace mental health
promotion program. This program will
combine workplace prevention and
early intervention initiatives and will
draw on beyondblue’s partnership with
The University of Melbourne-based
McCaughey Centre at the VicHealth
Centre for the Promotion of Mental
Health and Community Wellbeing.
Ten Canberra-based organisations
across the public, private and small
business sectors have volunteered to
participate in the three-year study. This
study is due for completion in 2010.
Help-seeking among apprentices in
the building and construction industry
beyondblue has funded Incolink to
conduct a two-year research project
to examine and increase help-seeking
behaviour for common mental health
problems by apprentices in the building
and construction industry. This study is
due for completion in 2010.
An evaluation of mental health
education in the nursing profession
beyondblue has funded The University
of Newcastle to conduct a two-year
research project that examines the
effectiveness of adapting the beyondblue
National Workplace Program to the
nursing profession. Once completed,
beyondblue will work with the profession
to explore opportunities for rolling out the
nurses training package nationally. This
study was completed late 2009.
Promoting employee mental health
in small businesses
beyondblue has funded The University
of Tasmania to conduct a three-year
research project, Promoting employee
mental health through the development
of managers’ psychological capital: A
controlled field experiment. This research
will examine strategies to improve the
mental health of managers in small
to medium businesses. The study is
co-funded by the Australian Research
Council Linkage Grant, WorkCover and
has in-kind support from the Tasmania
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The project is due for completion in 2012.
An investigation of the impact of
beyondblue’s Rural Workforce
Training
beyondblue has funded the School
of Rural Health at The University of
Melbourne to conduct an investigation
into the effectiveness of the beyondblue
National Rural Workforce Training
Program delivered through a Primary
Care Partnership in rural Victoria. This
study is due for completion in
December 2009.
KidsMatter Primary
KidsMatter is the first national mental
health initiative developed specifically for
primary schools. It was developed by
beyondblue, the Australian Government
Department of Health and Ageing,
Principals Australia, the Australian
Psychological Society and Australian
Rotary Health. KidsMatter provides a
comprehensive whole-school framework
that builds a school’s capacity to support
student mental health and well-being and
assist those experiencing mental health
difficulties such as depression and anxiety.
Top three images: Photos used to promote
beyondblue’s workplace initiatives
Bottom: A flyer for KidsMatter Primary, which
will be rolled out to 400 primary schools across
Australia until 2012
43
The Australian National Survey of Mental
Health and Wellbeing (published in 2000)
found that one in seven primary school
children has a mental health problem –
with anxiety, depression and hyperactivity
being the most common. Children with
these problems have difficulty making
friends and achieving at school.
KidsMatter focuses on four areas where
schools can really make a difference to
student mental health, including:
• a positive school community by
enhancing student, staff and parent
sense of belonging and connection to
the school
• social and emotional learning for
students by delivering evidencebased programs that teach students
important life skills such as how to
manage feelings, develop positive
relationships and deal with problems
• parenting support and education
by providing parents with important
information about child development
and effective parenting strategies as
well as how to access programs and
support services
• early intervention for students
experiencing mental health
difficulties by recognising and
helping students who are experiencing
difficulties as well as knowing how to
access professional help if needed.
full report
Evaluation Final Report
Phillip T. Slee, Michael J. Lawson, Alan Russell, Helen Askell-Williams,
Katherine L. Dix, Laurence Owens, Grace Skrzypiec, Barbara Spears
Centre For Analysis of Educational Futures
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY 2009
Second from top: Teachers and students at Bexley
Public School (NSW) take part in KidsMatter.
Third from top: Students from Settlers Primary
School (WA) make a poster as part of the KidsMatter
course work.
Bottom: The Flinders University independent
evaluation of KidsMatter found very encouraging
results – the final report can be downloaded from
www.kidsmatter.edu.au
44
KidsMatter Primary was piloted nationally
in 101 schools from 2006 to 2008. There
were participating schools in all states
and territories, all three education systems
(Government, Catholic and Independent)
and metropolitan, rural and remote
communities. Flinders University of South
Australia conducted the evaluation of
KidsMatter Primary, which produced
overwhelmingly positive results.
For students, optimism and coping skills
improved and there was a reduction
in mental health difficulties such as
emotional symptoms, hyperactivity,
conduct and peer problems. The most
pleasing result of all was that the children
experiencing the most problems at the
start of the pilot benefitted the most.
“Look, it really works. You can
really make a profound difference
in your school and in those
children’s lives …One of the
best parts of KidsMatter is it has
changed the culture and focus
within the school community.”
– Primary School Principal who
participated in the KidsMatter
pilot in 2008.
KidsMatter Early
Childhood
beyondblue has joined forces with the
Australian Government Department
of Health and Ageing, the Australian
Psychological Society and Early
Childhood Australia to improve the
mental health and well-being of children
from birth to five years old.
Although no national data exists about
the prevalence of mental health problems
in very young children, a Victorian study
found up to one in seven children aged
one-and-a-half to three years old have
behavioural problems such as aggression
and hyperactivity or internalising problems
resulting in their being withdrawn, anxious
or even depressed.
KidsMatter Early Childhood began in
November 2009 following the successful
evaluation of KidsMatter Primary. The
national three-year pilot will involve 110
long-day and pre-schools, with the view
to making it more broadly available to
early childhood services from 2012.
beyondblue has committed $3 million to
the pilot and the Federal Government has
contributed a further $6.5 million.
To learn more about KidsMatter
Primary or KidsMatter Early
Childhood, including access to
resources, visit
www.kidsmatter.edu.au
As a result of the positive evaluation,
the Federal Government announced
$12.2 million on 6 October 2009 for a
national roll-out of KidsMatter Primary to an
additional 400 primary schools until 2012.
beyondblue High Schools
Classroom Program
(SenseAbility)
From early developments in 2003 and
adaptations in 2009, the beyondblue
High Schools Classroom Program is a
30-session program developed to prevent
depression and anxiety in secondary
school students. This program aims to
teach students core skills for resilience
such as relationship skills, problem
solving, managing stress and optimistic
thinking, with the view to developing six
protective factors. These are:
• self-worth (knowledge of and belief in
one’s strengths, skills, and abilities –
an acceptance of one’s inherent value)
• belonging (feeling valued, needed
and accepted – being connected
meaningfully to a social network)
• control (belief that one has the skills
and ability to cope with life challenges
and to manage one’s own emotions)
• purpose (capacity to make sense
of the world and to perceive some
meaning in one’s life)
• future (hopefulness about the future
enabling us to act positively and with
purpose)
• humour (being able to see the lighter
and ‘funnier’ side of life – including
one’s own foibles).
Originally, the classroom program was
trialled in 25 schools between 2003
and 2005. Since mid 2006, more than
900 schools have ordered hard copies
of the classroom program including
student workbooks, teacher manuals
and accompanying DVDs from the
beyondblue website.
beyondblue has now contracted the
original program developers from The
University of Queensland to create the
SenseAbility program. SenseAbility will
provide schools with greater flexibility
and a wide range of materials and
activities to meet the needs of more
students. SenseAbility will be widely
promoted and freely available to all
schools early in 2010.
Developing Resilience in
Tertiary Students
In April 2009, beyondblue contracted a
team from The Queensland University
of Technology to develop a 10-module
online program to build resilience in
tertiary students. The program, which
includes Cognitive Behaviour Therapy,
Interpersonal Therapy and positive
psychology principles, will target issues
unique to students from university, TAFE,
and VET sectors. The modules will cover
recognising existing strengths, stress
and anxiety management, overcoming
depression, effective time management
and tips on establishing and maintaining
social supports. The multimedia program
will incorporate videos, graphics and
interactive learning. It will be completed in
the first half of 2011 and widely promoted
to all tertiary institutions across Australia.
beyondblue National
Perinatal Depression
Initiative
The beyondblue National Postnatal
Depression Research Program 2001-20051
focused on improving healthcare for new
and expectant mothers with depression.
The program aimed to improve screening
and treatment of depression during the
perinatal period (during pregnancy and
after birth) for women.
This initial research led to the development
of beyondblue’s National Action Plan
for Perinatal Mental Health (2007).2 The
National Action Plan aimed to improve the
mental health and well-being of mothers
and their families with routine screening
and assessment of all Australian women
during pregnancy and the first postnatal
year. Depression and anxiety can be found
in around 9 per cent of women antenatally
and about 16 per cent postnatally.2
In November 2008, the Commonwealth,
State and Territory Governments agreed
to support the development of the
National Perinatal Depression Initiative
(NPDI) based on the beyondblue
National Action Plan. The Federal
Government committed $55 million with
an additional $30 million contributed
1 The beyondblue National Postnatal Depression Program. Prevention
and Early Intervention 2001-2005. Final Report. Volume 1: National
Screening Program. 2006
2 beyondblue Perinatal Mental Health National Action Plan 2008-2010
Full Report September 2008
From top to bottom: The KidsMatter National
Team; Teachers at a KidsMatter implementation
briefing in Adelaide; A poster for KidsMatter;
A beyondblue poster to raise awareness of
postnatal depression.
45
by State and Territory Governments for
the development of a national approach
and the implementation of the NPDI,
with beyondblue receiving $5 million to
support the Initiative.
The aim of the NPDI (2008-2013) is
to improve the prevention and early
detection of perinatal depression and
anxiety with routine and universal
screening of all expectant and new
mothers. It also aims to provide better
care and support for those who do
experience depression and anxiety.
beyondblue’s role includes:
• providing a centre of excellence and
evidence about perinatal depression
and funding research to improve
knowledge of perinatal depression
• providing advice and informing
governments about best practice
activities in perinatal depression,
including advice in relation to
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
communities and Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities
• developing perinatal depression
screening guidelines and training
materials
• community awareness activities
(including advertising campaigns) that
encourage women to seek help early
for perinatal depression
• conducting research with focus
groups involving people who have
experienced perinatal depression and
anxiety, carers, partners and health
professionals to inform education and
awareness-raising activities.
‘Postnatal depression is like
living in a fog.
You wonder how you’re
going to keep going.’
Guidelines Expert Advisory
Committee for Perinatal
Mental Health
beyondblue formed a Guidelines Expert
Advisory Committee (GEAC) in 2008 to
develop the National Health and Medical
Research Council and beyondblue
Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Being pregnant or having a baby can increase your risk of experiencing
depression and anxiety. Postnatal depression affects one in six women giving
birth in Australia, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and check it out.
The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can recover.
To find out more visit our website or call the infoline.
1300 22 4636
BEY0044 Metro press_HR.indd 3
6/9/06 12:09:14 PM
Top: The beyondblue Perinatal Mental Health
Program Implementation Working Group
Second from top: The Perinatal Mental health
Program IWG in session
Bottom images: A multicultural image and poster
for the beyondblue perinatal mental health program
46
GEAC members include consumer,
carers, allied health professionals,
GPs, maternal and child health nurses,
midwives, rural/remote and Indigenous
representatives and leading experts in
women and children’s health (see page 56
for information on the guidelines).
New information materials
for new mothers, their
families and carers
A large range of perinatal information
resources is available on the beyondblue
website to download or order free.
Perinatal mental health information packs
for women and their families and for
health professionals are available.
Information produced in 2008/09
includes:
• envelope-sized card for health
professionals with photos of all
beyondblue’s perinatal resources
• summary document of beyondblue’s
progress on implementation of the
NPDI
• updated state and territory-specific
fact sheets – Antenatal and postnatal
depression – a guide for management
for health professionals
• revised Edinburgh Postnatal Depression
Scale for health professionals and
envelope-sized card for pregnant
women and new mothers
• Emotional health during pregnancy
and early parenthood – an information
booklet for parents of multiple births
• Emotional health during pregnancy
and early parenthood booklets in
Chinese, Mandarin, Indonesian and
Italian have been revised and updated.
Information regarding
training programs
beyondblue has compiled a list of training
programs available in each state and
territory which will be placed on the
beyondblue website. A reference group
of leading experts in perinatal mental
health will review training requirements
and assist in developing additional training
materials, including online packages.
Phunktional
In 2009, beyondblue supported a peereducation initiative with Victoria-based
youth group Phunktional – Calling the
Shots. It began in 2008 in schools in
suburban Epping and Mildura, Victoria.
These areas were chosen because of
cultural diversity and breadth of issues
experienced by young people e.g.
depression, truancy, crime rates, alcohol
and drug use. The project involved
school-based workshops in dance,
drama and music in partnership with
local police, health, council, legal and
community services.
The workshops culminated in live
community performances at the end of
2009, showcasing the stories developed
by the young participants.
Coach the Coach
beyondblue Rounds
In August 2008 and again in August
2009, beyondblue and Familycare
Victoria hosted beyondblue sports
rounds in the Goulburn Valley Football
League and the Picola Football League.
During the beyondblue Rounds, all
umpires wore beyondblue t-shirts and
beyondblue caps to raise awareness.
beyondblue information on depression
and anxiety was distributed at all
matches.
yshareit Youth Project
• education about reputable e-mental
health sites
• activities to improve their
communications skills
• teaching strategies to share
information they have learned with
other young people in the community.
Build Your Game (Good
Sports, Good Mental
Health)
In 2007, the Australian Drug Foundation
(ADF), funded by beyondblue, piloted
a Good Sports Good Mental Health
(GSGMH) project. The evaluation of the
pilot showed sports clubs can actively
increase the awareness of depression
and anxiety in the local community. This
led to beyondblue funding the Build Your
Game Initiative in 2009.
From 2009 to 2011, Build Your Game will
be implemented in 400 rural sports clubs
throughout rural and regional Victoria and
NSW. The program aims to:
Emotional health
during pregnancy and
early parenthood
• support sports clubs to be inclusive
environments for engaging in mental
health awareness-raising interventions
• increase club members’ awareness
of depression and anxiety and mental
health in general and to improve
help-seeking behaviour
A mental health web portal and peersupport training program has been
developed specifically for young people
in Tasmania.
Created by The University of Tasmania’s
Discipline of Psychiatry,
www.yshareit.com draws on resources
of five leading Australian e-mental health
sites: ReachOut.com MoodGYM,
Youthbeyondblue, BluePages and Kids
Help Line.
beyondblue supported the evaluation
of the Tasmanian-based yshareit Virtual
Youth Ambassador Training Program in
2008/09. The training aims to develop
supportive e-mental health peer
networks for young Tasmanians.
The Virtual Youth Ambassador Training
program is designed to increase young
people’s knowledge and ability to share
information through:
• provide information support and
appropriate referrals to services, and
support to communities through
sports clubs
Emotional health
during pregnancy and
early parenthood
An information booklet
for parents of
multiple birth children
• improve and promote ongoing
community access to and participation
in, safe and healthy sport clubs.
In 2009, Build Your Game was
introduced to community partners in
Wangaratta and Shepparton, Victoria.
These community partners are working
with 150 rural and regional sports clubs
located in Northern Victoria and in the
Riverina, NSW to increase mental health
awareness in the community sports
environment.
Top and middle: beyondblue’s materials for
new mothers, pregnant women and their families
continue to diversify
Bottom: Goulburn Valley Football League (VIC)
umpires wear beyondblue t-shirts at a Coach the
Coach beyondblue Round
47
Tackling Depression in
Older People
beyond maturityblues Program
OLDER PEOPLE AND DEPRESSION
beyondblue continues to work with
Councils on the Ageing (COTA) around
Australia on the beyond maturityblues
program. This educational program,
which has run since 2007, aims to raise
awareness of depression in older people.
The sessions are delivered by COTA
volunteers who talk about depression to
people around their own age.
Depression is not a normal part of ageing
The primary message of the program is that
‘depression is not a normal part of ageing’.
their insights on what they do to stay
physically and/or mentally healthy over
the age of 80. beyondblue posts selected
stories on the website.
The stories will also help inform
beyondblue’s community education,
research agenda and to recruit new
blueVoices members for the older person’s
group (see page 31 on blueVoices).
By August 2009, around 140 inspirational
stories had been received from OBEs
and several of these have been published
on the beyondblue website and in the
new beyondblue booklet Depression and
Older People. See page 18.
Close to 35,000 people from around
Australia have attended a beyond
maturityblues session.
In 2008/09, more than 700 sessions were
held reaching close to 16,000 attendees.
Due to the success of the program and
the desire to reach older people of nonEnglish speaking backgrounds, beyond
maturityblues is being developed in four
languages.
An Italian program was successfully
piloted in early 2009 in Adelaide and
the national roll-out commenced soon
after. Programs in Greek, Chinese and
Vietnamese will be made available
nationally from the end of 2009.
Additionally, from mid-2009, the program
was expanded to target men, veterans,
people with chronic conditions and
people living in rural and remote areas.
Over Bl**dy Eighties (OBE)
Campaign
beyondblue launched a campaign in early
2009 targeting the over 80s, utilising the
affectionate and humorous term ‘OBE’.
Translations include ‘Over Bloomin’
Eighty’, ‘Over Bloody Eighty’ and ‘Old
But Everlasting’. The title OBE has been
borrowed from the now defunct British
Awards (Order of the British Empire)
which used to be bestowed on selected
Commonwealth citizens by the Queen.
The aim of the Over Bl**dy Eighties
campaign is to promote positive ageing
and encourage community awareness
of factors that help protect against
depression in older people. People
over the age of 80 were invited to write,
telephone or email beyondblue with
48
beyondblue-Bowls
Community Partnership
beyondblue and the Victorian peak bowls
organisations began working together in
2009 with the aim of raising awareness
of depression and anxiety within the
bowls community. The idea for such a
partnership arose out of a successful
depression awareness-raising initiative
with the Wangaratta Bowls Club in late
2008. It was recognised that bowls
clubs offer excellent potential to promote
awareness of depression due to their
strong community networks, appeal
across all age groups, and accessibility in
both metropolitan and rural/regional areas.
The partnership commenced with the
Royal Victorian Bowls Association and
the Victorian Ladies’ Bowling Association
in the first year. It is intended that other
states/territories will follow suit under
the leadership of Bowls Australia in
subsequent years. All Victorian bowls
clubs will be provided with information kits
for dissemination to their members and
a beyondblue-themed round of Pennant
took place in November. See page 21 for
more information on these partnerships.
People with a Chronic
Illness
beyondblue has partnered with chronic
illness organisations to:
• research the links between different
chronic illnesses and depression and
anxiety disorders, including effective
treatment models (see page 60)
• develop information and resources
for people living with a chronic
illness, identifying the links between
depression and chronic illness
• provide people with a chronic illness
and their carers with education and
training on depression and anxiety
• enhance health professionals’
understanding of the links between
chronic illnesses and depression/anxiety.
beyondblue’s key chronic illness projects
and partners include:
• researching the links between heart
disease and depression, through a
collaborative research program with
the Heart Foundation (see page 60)
• investigating the relationship between
cancer and depression/anxiety, in
partnership with Cancer Australia
(see page 60)
• developing a fact sheet on the
links between breast cancer and
depression with the Breast Cancer
Network of Australia (see page 11)
• increasing awareness of the risk of
depression and anxiety in men with
prostate cancer and their partners, in
partnership with the Prostate Cancer
Foundation of Australia (see right)
• piloting a training program to educate
counsellors on the relationship between
stroke and depression, in partnership
with the National Stroke Foundation
• developing a DVD with Diabetes
Australia Victoria, to help people with
co-existing diabetes and depression
• providing information and training on
depression and its impact on kidney
disease at Kidney Health Australia
consumer and carer workshops
• exploring opportunities to develop
tailored resources on the impact of
arthritis and other musculoskeletal
conditions, in partnership with Arthritis
Australia Victoria
• developing an education and training
program with Alzheimer’s Australia
Victoria, on the co-existing conditions
of depression and dementia. Two
training programs are being developed
that target professional care workers,
family members and carers of people
with dementia.
1300 22 4636
• increasing awareness of the links
between Parkinson’s disease and
depression, by developing a DVD and
a fact sheet with Parkinson’s Australia
(Victoria).
Raising awareness of
depression in men with
prostate cancer and their
partners
beyondblue is raising awareness of
depression and anxiety in men with prostate
cancer and their partners. beyondblue
has partnered with the Prostate Cancer
Foundation of Australia (PCFA) to:
• promote awareness of depression and
anxiety through community forums
and the PCFA national conference
• develop information and resources
for men with prostate cancer and
their partners. This includes a fact
sheet on prostate cancer and the risk
of depression/anxiety, a booklet on
Maintaining your well-being: Information
on depression and anxiety for men with
prostate cancer and their partners and
a co-badged wallet card on the signs
and symptoms of depression.
Opposite page from top to bottom: beyondblue’s Older people and depression booklet has been well received at
seniors’ weeks and festivals around the country; COTA Seniors Voice General Manager of National Programs Debra
Petrys with beyondblue representative Adrian Booth at the launch of the Italian-language peer education workshops
in South Australia in April 2009; beyondblue Program Manager of Population Health Sue Gherdovich (second from
left) with Victorian Italian peer educators Maria Manobianco, Maria Garzo, Vic Guarino, (left to right) COTA peer
educator Maria Chiera with Chairman of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission Hieu Van
Le and Chris Overland, President of COTA Seniors Voice
Depression and anxiety can affect
anyone at any time.
If it’s not you, maybe it’s someone you know – a team-mate, workmate, partner,
friend or family member.
To find out more visit www.beyondblue.org.au or call the info line 1300 22 4636.
beyondblue and Victorian Bowls: working
together to raise awareness about depression
and anxiety in the bowls community.
Pennant
is turning
BLUE
during
November
help your
Club take
aim against
depression
beyondblue and Victorian Bowls: working together to raise awareness about depression and anxiety in the bowls community.
☎ beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636
Right from top to bottom: A poster about depression aimed at older Vietnamese people; A poster promoting the
Bowls Victoria and beyondblue partnership; Champion bowler Lee Schraner features on a poster advertising the
beyondblue Pennant bowls rounds in November 2009.
49
• train prostate cancer support group
convenors and ambassadors on the
signs and symptoms of depression
and assist others to seek help
• support the development and piloting
of a telephone support group for men
with prostate cancer and their partners.
This innovative program is being
implemented by the Cancer Council
Victoria and MensLine Australia.
beyondblue has also supported the
development of the Advanced Prostate
Cancer Consumer Guidelines. These
Guidelines provide information for men
with advanced prostate cancer on their
cancer, treatment options, and strategies
to maintain well-being. The guidelines are
available on the following websites:
www.andrologyaustralia.org
www.cancer.org.au/
Healthprofessionals/
www.prostatehealth.org.au
New resources include:
• beyondblue fact sheet: Depression
and anxiety in gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender or intersex (GLBTI)
people – information for adults.
• Youthbeyondblue fact sheet:
Depression and anxiety in young
people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender or intersex (GLBTI).
• Feeling Queer and Blue: A review
of the literature on depression and
related issues among gay, lesbian,
bisexual and other homosexually
active people (see page 61 for
information on this report).
Tackling Depression
in Culturally and
Linguistically Diverse
(CALD) Communities
CALD Carers Participation
Program
In 2009, beyondblue and Nova
Community Care in Queensland worked
together to produce a CALD Carers
Participation Program Kit.
MAINTAINING YOUR WELL-BEING:
Information on depression and anxiety
for men with prostate cancer
and their partners
This educational kit was designed
specifically for carers from a Culturally and
Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background
who care for a person with a mental
illness. The program aims to assist carers
to understand the mental health system
and to provide quality care for someone
experiencing depression, anxiety or an
associated mental health disorder.
In association with
beyondblue Information
resources for Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender and Intersex
(GLBTI) People
Following the 2008 review of the literature
on depression and related disorders
in same sex-attracted people and in
recognition of the need to raise awareness
of depression and anxiety within the
GLBTI communities and to promote
available support services, beyondblue
developed targeted information for the
GLBTI community in 2009.
50
The CALD Carers Participation Program
provides the tools to deliver training and
to ensure quality and consistency of
these programs across Australia.
Program sessions include:
• introduction to mental illness
• dealing with the complexities of the
mental health system – legal issues
and treatment
• responding to difficult behaviour
• principles and reduction of carer stress.
The free program can be downloaded
from the Carers page of the beyondblue
website. The kit is also available on
request from beyondblue.
Assertive Communication in
Multicultural Australia
Research evidence supports a strong
link between social isolation and clinical
depression. In 2009, beyondblue
partnered with The Chinese Australian
Services Society Cooperative and the
Centre for Primary Health Care and
Equity (University of NSW) to conduct a
highly successful, seven-week program
aimed at managing anxiety and stress
in situations where cross-cultural
communication is required.
The training was presented to ChineseAustralians to equip men and women
with culturally appropriate assertive
communication skills. The course has the
potential to be extended to other CALD
communities with appropriate cultural
adaptations. The final project report is
due in Febuary 2010.
Indigenous Communities
Rites of Passage
Rites of Passage is an innovative, early
intervention program for Aboriginal
young people designed and led by the
Social and Emotional Wellbeing team at
the Aboriginal Medical Service Western
Sydney (AMSWS). The AMSWS, together
with the Sax Institute, received funding
from beyondblue to evaluate the pilot
phase of this project.
Rites of Passage involves small groups
of Aboriginal young people aged eight
to 16-years experiencing depression or
anxiety. The young people work closely
with an Aboriginal youth worker over three
months. The project culminates in a weeklong, resilience-building camp where
groups of young people, along with local
elders, participate in a range of activities
designed to create positive relationships,
increase pride in and knowledge of
Aboriginal culture, build skills and learn
about health and social issues.
As a result, a network of Indigenous
men has been trained by Mibbinbah
to become leaders within their
communities. These men are supporting
Indigenous men’s groups, promoting
awareness of depression and anxiety
and encouraging Indigenous men to
seek help.
Save A Mate (SAM) Our Way
beyondblue has partnered with the
Australian Red Cross over three years
(2008-2011) for the SAM Our Way
program. This program supports 40
remote Indigenous communities to
address social and emotional well-being
issues for young people within their own
communities. Communities and local
partners in 13 communities the NT, SA,
Queensland and WA are involved in the
first phase of the project.
SAM aims to assist community members
to help young people – and adults – who
may be experiencing depression, anxiety,
violence, alcohol and/or drug problems
through peer leadership and support.
Through the program, beyondblue will
develop culturally-appropriate information
for Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Hip Hop Projects
beyondblue has partnered with the
Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) to
raise awareness of depression, anxiety
and related disorders among remote
communities with young Indigenous
populations. As part of its Communities’
Initiatives Tour, IHHP have held weeklong workshops and performances
in over 60 communities, working with
young people, schools and local health
services. To complement this, IHHP also
run leadership camps and employ young
people from disadvantaged communities.
Above, from top to bottom: David Pross (left) and
Jamie Munnings at the Mibbinbah Men’s Camp at
Halls Gap (VIC) in November 2009; Indigenous Hip
Hop Projects (IHHP) perform; Men at the Mibbinbah
Men’s Camp chat to IHHP Co-Director Michael
Farah at the five-day leadership camp in November
2009; Northern Territory-based social worker
Jo Battaglini features on beyondblue’s Depression
Yarns DVD.
Indigenous Men’s Sheds/
Spaces Pilot Project
Indigenous Men’s Spaces are safe and
healthy places for men to come together.
beyondblue has supported the project,
implemented by Mibbinbah, since 2007.
beyondblue’s comic for Indigenous young
people, produced in association with
Streetwize Communications.
Opposite page, from top to bottom: A new
beyondblue fact sheet for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender or Intersex community; Participants
at the Assertive Communication Skills seven week
workshop in September/November 2009; A role
playing exercise at the Assertive Communication
Skills Workshop; A group of children aged 8 to
16 enjoy a team building exercise at the Rites
of Passage camp.
51
Primary Care
priority area
Objective:
To improve training and support
for GPs and other health care
professionals around depression
Four out of five people with depression
who seek help for the illness visit a General
Practitioner (GP).1
beyondblue is dedicated to supporting and
developing initiatives that assist GPs and other
primary care practitioners to provide improved
health care for people with depression, anxiety
and related disorders.
1
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2008). 2007 National Survey of Mental
Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results. ABS: Canberra.
Above: beyondblue is working to promote better understanding of depression and
related disorders among health professionals.
52
beyondblue: the national
beyondblue:
depressionthe
initiative
national depression initiative
Better Access to Mental
Health Care Initiative
The Australian Government’s Better
Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists
and General Practitioners through the
Medicare Benefits Schedule program
allocated $753.8 million over five years
from November 2006 to provide better
access to these services through
Medicare.
The beyondblue website includes a list
of more than 2,300 GPs and allied
mental health practitioners in all states
and territories who are accredited under
Better Access.
To access the list, visit
www.beyondblue.org.au and click
Find a Doctor or Other Mental Health
Practitioner or phone the beyondblue
information line.
Announced in November 2006, the
initiative aims to improve community
access to quality primary mental
health services. General Practitioners
are encouraged to work closely with
psychiatrists, clinical psychologists,
psychologists, social workers and
occupational therapists in mental health.
More than $34 million of the Better Access
funding has been invested in education
and training for health professionals.
Twenty-eight Medicare Benefits Schedule
(MBS) items are grouped under the
Better Access initiative, however just
five items account for 90 per cent of all
services claimed. These are:
• GP Mental Health Treatment Plans
• GP Mental Health Care Consultation
• Psychological Therapy Long
Consultation
• Focused Psychological Strategies
Long Consultation
• Consultant Psychiatrist, Initial
Consultation or a New Patient.
During the 2007/08 financial year, nearly
3.8 million Better Access Medicare
subsidised mental health services were
accessed by Australians living with
mental illness (see table below). The
number of Australians who have received
the primary mental health services
clearly demonstrates the need for such
subsidies.
Under the Better Access program,
healthcare is more affordable with
Medicare rebates available for up to
12 individual consultations (or 18 in
exceptional circumstances) and 12
group-based appointments a year
with a psychologist, social worker or
occupational therapist if referred by a GP,
psychiatrist or paediatrician.
Better Access MBS Services for July 2008 to June 2009
MBS Item
Total Services
GP Mental Health Care Plan (now Mental Health Treatment Plans)
605,225
GP Mental Health Care Consultation
728,018
Consultant Psychiatrist, Initial Consultation on a New Patient
Psychological Therapy Long Consultation – provided by Clinical Psychologists
81,479
872,794
Focused Psychological Strategies Long Consultation – provided by Registered Psychologists
1,482,745
Total Services
3,770,261
beyondblue works in partnership with primary
care workers to ensure best practice when
treating depression, anxiety and related
disorders (photos: AGPN).
53
beyondblue’s National
Doctors’ Mental Health
Program
The mental and physical health of
medical practitioners in Australia
continues to be of concern within the
profession and the community. This has
been the focus of several research and
media reports. These reports2 indicate
high rates of suicide, depression,
anxiety disorders, substance use and
self-medication in medical practitioners.
beyondblue is developing a national
doctor’s mental health program in
consultation with key stakeholders to
address these issues.
The program follows on from the joint
Royal Australian College of General
Practitioners (RACGP) – beyondblue
project Keeping the Doctor Alive and
the trial of a professional peer support
program to increase awareness of
depression and anxiety among the
medical workforce.3
Former President of the Australian Medical
Association, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal,
will Chair the Advisory Committee for
the program. The work of the Advisory
Committee will be complemented by a
larger Expert Reference Group with broad
representation across the medical and
mental health sectors.
The first activity of the Committee is to
oversee a literature review on doctors’
mental health. This review will build on and
extend the RACGP 2004 literature review
– The Conspiracy of Silence: Emotional
Health among Medical Practitioners.
The beyondblue Guide
to the Management of
Depression in Primary
Care
The beyondblue Guide to the
Management of Depression in Primary
Care was developed by beyondblue
Research Adviser and Clinical Director at
the Monash Medical Centre, Prof. David
Clarke. The guide aims to help GPs assess
and diagnose depression and implement
management plans that include evidencebased treatments. It is divided into three
parts: assessing the problem, making the
diagnosis and matching evidenced-based
treatments to the diagnosis. It includes a
lift-out flowchart which helps GPs move
through these steps. The information in
the guide is concise and suitable for GPs
working in busy practices.
beyondblue guide to the management
of depression in primary care
A guide for health professionals
For more information www.beyondblue.org.au or beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636
The aims of the program are to:
• develop self-help tools specific to the
medical profession
“This booklet was developed to
give GPs guidance. There are
existing clinical practice guidelines
available, but generally people
don’t read them because they are
long and complicated, and GPs
often don’t have the time. This is a
way of making it simple.”
• develop a structured education
program for doctors.
– Prof. David Clarke, Research
Adviser to beyondblue
• address high rates of depression and
anxiety in doctors
• raise awareness of depression and
anxiety and encourage help-seeking
behaviour
2 The Conspiracy of Silence: Emotional Health among Medical Practitioners, published by RACGP, 2004
3 Keeping the Doctor Alive: A Self Care Guidebook for Medical Practitioners, published by RACGP, 2006
Left top and middle: beyondblue information for doctors and medical students on taking care of their own mental
health while caring for others.
Left second from bottom: A rural health student on placement (photo: National Rural Health Network).
Left bottom: beyondblue CEO Leonie Young and beyondblue Program Manager for Primary Care Anne Edmonds
with the 2009 Annual Conference Research Award from the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc. for a
beyondblue presentation on the Young Minds program.
54
Young Minds
beyondblue: the national depression initiative has partnered with the Australian
General Practice Network to develop a training program for General Practitioners,
Practice
Nurses, allied
health professionals
and other primary
care workers
The
Young
Minds:
Treating
Depression
focusing on skills development in the diagnosis, management and treatment of
high prevalence
mentalin
health
disorders commonly
occurring
in young people.
and
Anxiety
Young
People
training
package for General Practitioners,
practice staff, mental health professionals
and allied health professionals was
developed by beyondblue and the
Australian General Practice Network
(AGPN). The training includes up-to-date
clinical information, guidelines for the
diagnosis, treatment and management of
depression and anxiety in young people,
fact sheets, and advice on how to create
a more ‘youth-friendly’ practice.
Further information on accreditation is available on the training website.
If you would like to access this training opportunity go to www.ebmcbt.com
The Young Minds training package
was launched on 12 May 2009 at the
Australian General Practice Network
Joining the Dots mental health conference
in Sydney. beyondblue Deputy CEO
Dr Nicole Highet and GP Dr Grant Blashki
spoke at the conference. Since then, over
100 health professionals in every state
and territory in Australia have completed
the online training.
The Young Minds training package
is approved as Mental Health Skills
Training by the General Practice Mental
Health Standards Collaboration and
endorsed by the Royal College of
General Practitioners, Australian College
of Rural and Remote Medicine, Australian
Association of Social Workers and Royal
College of Nursing, Australia.
beyondblue has also agreed to fund a
face-to-face version of Young Minds
through Divisions of General Practice
around Australia.
For more information on Young Minds
visit www.ebmcbt.com
“The training package is
comprehensive and specifically
designed to address the
challenges many GPs have when
consulting with young people. I
found it informative, educational,
innovative and even exciting.”
– Dr Rajen Pillay, Victorianbased General Practitioner
Clinical Practice
Guidelines: Depression in
Adolescents and Young
Adults
In 2008, beyondblue began the
development of clinical practice
guidelines which make recommendations
for the prevention, identification,
treatment and management of the
symptoms of depression in adolescents
and young adults.
Initially, beyondblue intended to update
the revoked National Health and Medical
Research Council (NHMRC) Clinical
Practice Guidelines: Depression in
Young People (1997). However, an early
decision of the Working Committee was
that entirely new guidelines were needed
to cover adolescents aged 13 to 18 years
and young adults aged 19 to 24 years.
The aim of the new guidelines is to:
• improve health outcomes and prevent
the incidence of further depressive
episodes and ongoing depression
for adolescents and young adults
who have experienced depressive
symptoms, or been diagnosed with
depression
• promote effective treatment, limit
illness duration, advise on strategies
if treatment-resistant and help prevent
relapse for those with a diagnosis of
depression.
It is anticipated that the draft guidelines
will be released for a 60-day public
consultation in early 2010. The final
guidelines, which will take into account
the feedback received, will be completed
by mid-late 2010.
Top: A poster in a GP surgery promoting
beyondblue’s Guide to the Management of
Depression in Primary Care (photo: Medical
Media Group).
(Other photos: AGPN)
55
The Edinburgh Postnatal
Depression Scale1
A GUIDE for HEALTH ProfESSIoNALS
WHY SCrEEN for DEPrESSIoN DUrING
PrEGNANCY AND EArLY PArENTHooD?
Emotional disturbances during pregnancy and early parenthood
are common, complex, and may take many forms. Postnatal
depression is the most prevalent mood disorder associated with
childbirth and affects around 16 per cent of women giving birth in
Australia. This may have long-term consequences for women, their
partners, the infant and other children. As GPs and Maternal and
Child Health workers are often the first point of contact for women
with postnatal depression, it is important that they are familiar
with a reliable screening instrument to supplement their clinical
assessment/judgement and assist with decision-making.
SCrEENING for PrEGNANCY-rELATED
DEPrESSIoN: THE EPDS
Internationally, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
is the most widely accepted screening instrument used in the
perinatal period. The EPDS was developed by Cox, Holden
& Sagovsky (1987), and was designed to allow screening of
postnatal depression in the primary care setting.1 It excludes some
symptoms that are common in the perinatal period (tiredness, sleep
disturbance, irritability) that other depression instruments include, as
such symptoms do not differentiate between depressed and nondepressed postnatal women.
As a screening instrument, the EPDS should only be used to
assess a woman’s mood over the past seven days. High scores
do not themselves confirm a depressive illness and, similarly, some
women who score below a set threshold might have depression.
Thus, the EPDS does not provide a clinical diagnosis of
depression and it should not be used as a substitute for full
psychiatric assessment or clinical judgement. Importantly the
EPDS cannot be used to predict whether or not a respondent
will experience depression in the future – it can only be used to
determine current mood.
select one of 4 responses that most closely represents how they
have felt over the past seven days. Each response has a value of
between 0 and 3 and scores for the 10 items are added together
(see sample). NOTE – Several items are reverse scored.
The value of the EPDS lies in the fact that it is easy to complete,
has been validated in relation to other standardized psychiatric
measures,1,2 and has been found to be acceptable to women
who are asked to complete it.2-4 Its use provides women with
the opportunity to discuss their feelings and enables health
professionals to discreetly raise the issue of postnatal depression.3-5
The EPDS may be administered at any stage after birth.6 Very high
scores within the first week may indicate severe ‘baby blues’ and this,
in turn, may signal that postnatal depression is likely to eventuate.
Routine administration at 6-8 weeks2,6-8 with repetition between
3-6 months is recommended,1,8,10 however, screening through to
12 months is beneficial. The minimum time period which the EPDS
should be readministered is two weeks.1
rESEArCH rESULTS
Numerous studies have recommended different cut-off scores;
however, there is consensus in the literature that women with scores
consistently of 13 or more have a 60-100 per cent probability of
meeting diagnostic criteria for depression.1,2,6-8,10 Very high EPDS
scores may suggest a woman in crisis or a personality disorder that
warrants further evaluation.
Although originally used postnatally, the EPDS has been validated
for use antenatally11 (with a higher cut-off score of 15 or more
possibly being optimal) and has been translated into more than
a dozen languages including Arabic and Vietnamese.12 NOTE –
Where language versions other than English are used, scores
should be interpreted cautiously as different cut-off points may be
required, since each version is validated within a specific cultural or
language group.12
The EPDS is a 10-item self-report questionnaire. It is usually
administered as a pencil-and-paper test. Women are asked to
Studies using the EPDS have included those in routine primary care
administered by midwives,6 maternal and child health nurses,1,5,10
psychologists8 and researchers.8 It has also been found to be
highly correlated with other measures of depression including
the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)13-14 and General Health
Questionnaire (GHQ).15
REFERENCES
8. Boyce P, Stubbs J, Todd A. Aust NZ J Psychiatry 1993; 27: 472-6
1. Cox J, Holden J, Sagovsky R. Br J Psychiatry 1987; 150: 782-6
9. Boyce P, Hickie I, Parker G. J Affect Disord 1991; 21: 245-55
GUIDELINES for ADMINISTErING
THE EPDS
2. Murray L, Carothers A. Br J Psychiatry 1990; 157: 288-90
10.Leverton T, Elliot S. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2000; 18: 279-95
3. Holden J, in Cox J & Holden J (eds) Perinatal Psychiatry 1994; London: Gaskell: 125-144
11.Murray D, Cox J.J Reprod Infant Psychol 1990; 8: 99-107
4. Gerrard J, Holden J, Elliot S. J Adv Nursing 1993; 18: 1825-32
12.Matthey S, Barnett B, Eliott A. Aust NZ J Psychiatry 1997; 31: 360-9
5. Holden J, Sagovsky R, Cox J. BMJ 1989; 298: 223-31
13.Milgrom J, McCloud P. Stress Med 1996; 12: 177-86
6. Harris B, Huckle P, Thomas R et al. Br J Psychiatry 1989; 154: 813-7
14.Harris B, Huckle P,Thomas R. Br J Psychiatry 1989; 154: 813-17
7. Zelkowitz P, Milet T. Can J Psychiatry 1995; 40: 80-6
15.Lussier V, Parid H, Saucier J et al. Pre & Perinatal Psych 1996; 11: 81-91
For information on the beyondblue National Perinatal Action Plan or to receive a free copy of beyondblue’s Emotional Health
During Pregnancy and Early Parenthood booklet visit www.beyondblue.org.au or call the beyondblue info line on 1300 22 4636
Clinical Practice
Guidelines for Depression
and Related Disorders
(anxiety, bipolar disorder
and puerperal psychosis)
in the Perinatal Period
beyondblue is developing clinical practice
guidelines under the National Perinatal
Depression Initiative (NPDI). beyondblue
acknowledges the support of the National
Health and Medical Research Council
(NHMRC) which is providing a Guideline
Assessment Register (GAR) consultant to
support and guide the development of the
guidelines.
and training course aim to support health
practitioners and increase awareness of
Indigenous mental health problems.
The website (pictured below) and training
course was launched in September
2008 at the RANZCP Creating Futures
conference in Cairns and is available at
http://indigenous.ranzcp.org/
beyondblue formed a Guidelines
Expert Advisory Committee (GEAC) of
professionals and consumers in 2008 to
develop the guidelines (see page 46).
The aim of the guidelines is to:
• improve prevention and early detection
of perinatal depression, anxiety, bipolar
disorder and puerperal psychosis.
• improve support and treatment
for expectant and new mothers
experiencing depression, anxiety,
bipolar disorder or puerperal
psychosis in the perinatal period.
For the purpose of the guidelines, the
perinatal period is defined as pregnancy
and the first year after childbirth.
The guidelines are also addressing
perinatal depression and related mental
health issues for Indigenous Australians,
as well as rural and remote issues.
Following NHMRC requirements, it is
anticipated that the draft guidelines will be
released for a 60-day public consultation
in early 2010, with the final guidelines,
which take account of feedback received,
completed by mid-late 2010.
Depression Yarns DVD
beyondblue has produced a DVD to assist
allied health professionals who provide
mental health care services to Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Depression Yarns DVD has been
developed in consultation with Aboriginal
mental health workers and gives mental
health care practitioners insight into
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social
and emotional well-being and culturally
appropriate responses to people with signs
and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The DVD includes mini-dramas depicting
men and women living with depression
with commentary from Aboriginal mental
health service providers.
RANZCP Indigenous
Mental Health Website
Top: An information leaflet for primary health care
workers to help detect perinatal depression
Bottom: Former rugby league star Nathan Blacklock
features on the Depression Yarns DVD (photo: Colin
Whelan/Action Photographics)
56
The Royal Australian and New Zealand
College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP),
in partnership with beyondblue, has
developed an online training course for
psychiatrists, GPs, Indigenous and allied
health workers focused on improving
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
mental health. Through a range of
issues-related stories, scenarios and
comprehensive literature, the website
Research
See page 62 for a list of beyondbluefunded research in the area of Primary Care.
Research
priority area
Objective:
To initiate and support
depression-related research
It is critical that initiatives for improving community
education, prevention, treatment and health care policy
and practice around depression, anxiety and related
disorders are underpinned by quality research.
In the past nine years, beyondblue has invested more than
$50 million in practical, applied and partnership research,
with plans to spend another $10 million over the next year.
• promote help-seeking behaviour
• inform better service delivery
• improve tools for measuring the effectiveness of
programs or interventions
• promote evidence-based research and outcomes to
the Australian public.
Key beyondblue strategic research projects include the
Depression and Cancer partnership with Cancer Australia
(see page 60) and the beyondblue Victorian Centre of
Excellence (see page 58).
By working with individuals and agencies such as the
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC),
Australian Research Council (ARC) and Cancer Australia,
beyondblue aims to:
All beyondblue’s research programs are rigorously evaluated
and the final reports are available on the beyondblue
website www.beyondblue.org.au (click Research).
• improve early intervention
Above: Prof. Jeannette Milgrom, Director, Clinical and Health Psychology at
Austin Health addresses the 2009 beyondblue Victorian Centre of Excellence
Research Forum.
57
beyondblue Victorian
Centre of Excellence
2009 bbVCoE Research
Grant Round
The beyondblue Victorian Centre of
Excellence (bbVCoE) in Depression and
Related Disorders funds depression and
anxiety research in Victoria through a
competitive grants process. Established
in 2002 as a joint initiative of beyondblue
and the Victorian Government, the
bbVCoE aims to build a body of research
evidence to support improving policy and
practice in Victoria and across Australia.
The 2009 bbVCoE Research Forum was
held on 22 October in Melbourne. The
Hon. Lisa Neville, Minister for Mental
Health, Community Services and Senior
Victorians presented 10 successful
research applicants with their awards.
The strategic research program is focused
on agreed priorities within the field of
depression and anxiety-related health, as
well as at-risk populations. The bbVCoE
has funded over 110 research projects
totalling $11.7 million.
The focus of the 2009 grants was on
co-existing depression and/or anxiety
with physical illness, including chronic
illness, eating disorders and obesity,
trauma and disaster recovery and the
relationship between mental illness and
long-term injury.
The successful 2009 grants
(total funding $1.35 million) were:
• Building resilience in fire-affected
communities, Prof. Graham Burrows,
Mental Health Foundation of Australia
• The efficacy of the Nothing Ventured
Nothing Gained online adolescent
and parent mental health program
for the prevention of depression,
anxiety and other adverse mental
health problems in rural adolescents
with Type 1 diabetes, Dr Naomi
Hackworth, Parenting Research Centre
• Traumatic brain injury and
subsequent depression, A/Prof.
Graeme Hawthorne, The University
of Melbourne
• The impact of adult attachment on
depression and anxiety for people
dealing with arthritis over the lifespan,
Dr Gery Karantzas, Deakin University
• Treating trauma in refugee youth:
An Australian experience, Dr Glenn
Melvin, Monash University
• Telephone-administered early
psychological intervention for
depression and anxiety following
serious injury, Dr Meaghan O’Donnell,
Australian Centre for Posttraumatic
Mental Health
• An innovative e-self-management
support system for people with
depression and anxiety and
co-morbidities, Prof. Richard
Osborne, Deakin University
• Body image, eating disorder and
depressive symptom outcomes
following a school-based body
image prevention intervention: a
one year follow up study, Dr Susan
Paxton, LaTrobe University
• Uptake and outcomes of a referral
pathway for people with vision
impairment and depressive
symptoms, Dr Gwyn Rees, Centre for
Eye Research Australia
• Farming Fit?: Depression and obesity
in farm men and women, A/Prof.
Susan Brumby, Western District Health
Service, Deakin University
Above: Successful research grant recipients at the 2009 beyondblue Victorian Centre of Excellence (bbVCoE) grant round awards in Melbourne in October.
Top left: Prof. Bruce Singh, Chair of the bbVCoE Expert Committee and Cato Professor of Psychiatry at The University of Melbourne
58
National funding resulting
from bbVCoE investment
As a result of a bbVCoE-funded project
from 2004-2008, Chief Investigator
Dr Jane Gunn was successful in securing
NHMRC funding for The DIAMOND
cohort study – long term outcomes of
depressive symptoms in primary care
from 2009 to 2011.
The NHMRC study will follow what
happens to 800 people with depressive
symptoms who attend general practice
for care for five years.
This study will map the severity of
depressive symptoms, life circumstances,
use of health care services and
treatments to get a better understanding
of the factors associated with relapse and
recovery from depression. This will assist
the researchers to develop models of
care that better suit the needs of people
experiencing depressive symptoms.
Medical Journal of
Australia Supplement
In April 2008, beyondblue continued
its Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
Supplement series with Depression and
anxiety with physical illness. This was
the sixth MJA supplement sponsored
by beyondblue, showcasing quality
Australian research in depression and
anxiety, and highlighting the complex
impact depression has on health
outcomes for people with physical illness.
Articles included:
• Depression and physical illness:
more complex than simple
comorbidity, David M Clarke
• Depression, anxiety and their
relationship with chronic diseases: a
review of the epidemiology, risk and
treatment evidence, David M Clarke
and Kay C Currie
• Is caring a health hazard? The mental
health and vitality of carers of a
person with a disability in Australia,
Benjamin Edwards and Daryl J Higgins
• Depressive symptoms in patients
with chronic pain, Michael K Nicholas,
Carissa M Coulston, Ali Asghari and
Gin Singh Malhi
• The role of post-traumatic stress
disorder and depression in predicting
disability after injury, Meaghan L
O’Donnell, Alexander C Holmes, Mark
C Creamer, Steven Ellen, Rodney
Judson, Alexander C McFarlane,
Derrick M Silove and Richard A Bryant
• Medical morbidity and severity
of depression in a large primary
care sample of older Australians:
the DEPS-GP project, Jon J Pfaff,
Brian M Draper, Jane E Pirkis, Nigel
P Stocks, John A Snowdon, Moira
G Sim, Gerard J Byrne, Nicola T
Lautenschlager, Leon A Flicker, Ngaire
M Kerse, Robert D Goldney and
Osvaldo P Almeida
• The influence of depression and
anxiety on outcomes after an
intervention for pre-diabetes,
Michael Kyrios, Susan M Moore,
Naomi Hackworth, Simone A Buzwell,
Naomi Crafti, Christine Critchley and
Elizabeth Hardie
• The psychological aftermath of
prostate cancer treatment choices:
a comparison of depression, anxiety
and quality of life outcomes over
the 12 months following diagnosis,
Jeremy W Couper, Anthony W Love,
Judith V Dunai, Gillian M Duchesne,
Sidney Bloch, Anthony J Costello and
David W Kissane
• Depression in advanced physical
illness: diagnostic and treatment
issues, Brian J Kelly and Jane Turner
• Anxiety and depression among longterm survivors of cancer in Australia:
results of a population-based survey,
Allison W Boyes, Afaf Girgis, Alison C
Zucca and Christophe Lecathelinais
• Is symptom burden a predictor of
anxiety and depression in patients
with cancer about to commence
chemotherapy?, Sibilah J Breen, Carl
M Baravelli, Penelope E Schofield,
Michael Jefford, Patsy M Yates and
Sanchia K Aranda
From top to bottom: beyondblue Research
Adviser Prof. David Clarke; (left to right) Researcher
Dr. Susan Paxton accepts a grant from Victorian
Mental Health Minister The Hon. Lisa Neville and
beyondblue CEO Leonie Young; Monash University
academics Prof. Louise Newman and Prof. Bruce
Tonge; The Medical Journal of Australia Depression
and Anxiety with Physical Illness beyondblue
supplement published in April 2009.
59
Examples of beyondblue’s
Current Research
Projects
Cancer Australia Partnership
beyondblue has partnered with Cancer
Australia to fund research into the links
between cancer and depression through
the Priority driven Collaborative Cancer
Research Scheme (PdCCRS). The
PdCCRS brings together partners to
provide a coordinated approach to fund
cancer research.
Cancer Australia partners for 2008/09 also
included The Cancer Council Australia,
Cure Cancer Australia Foundation and the
National Breast Cancer Foundation.
With more than $1.25 million invested,
beyondblue is keen to continue with
collaborative research which leads
to better understanding of the links
between cancer and depression and to
improved care for those affected.
The successful 2008 grants were:
• Improving the psychosocial health of
people with cancer and their carers:
a community-based approach,
Professor Suzanne Chambers, Cancer
Council Queensland
• Understanding the psychosocial
sequalae of surviving testicular cancer,
Professor Ian Olver, University of Sydney
• Psychological morbidity, unmet
needs, quality of life and patterns of
care in migrant cancer patients: The
first year, Professor Phyllis Butow,
University of Sydney
• A web-based intervention to reduce
distress and improve quality of life
among younger women with breast
cancer: ARCT, Dr Victoria White,
Cancer Council Victoria
• Blood cancer survivors and support
persons: A national survey of rural/
urban unmet needs and psychological
disturbance, Professor Robert SansonFisher, University of Newcastle
From top to bottom: beyondblue/Heart
Foundation Forum – ABC’s Dr Norman
Swan gives a presentation; audience at
the beyondblue/Heart Foundation Forum;
beyondblue’s Research Book 2001-2007 is
available to order from the beyondblue info line
or online www.beyondblue.org.au
60
• A nurse-led psychosocial intervention
with peer support to reduce
psychosocial needs in women with
gynaecological cancer, Dr Penelope
Schofield, University of Newcastle.
Depression and
Cardiovascular Disease
Strategic Research Program
The Heart Foundation and beyondblue
partnered again in 2008 to invest
$1.9 million jointly in strategic research in
the area of depression and cardiovascular
disease. This follows on from the joint 2007
program, which funded three projects.
Research evidence has found that
depression, social isolation and lack of
social support contributes to coronary
heart disease in a similar way to the more
widely-known conventional risk factors
of smoking, high cholesterol and high
blood pressure. Cardiovascular disease
and depression are common illnesses
and when combined, have considerable
implications for a person’s health.
By developing and testing effective
treatments and health practices, this
Strategic Research Program aims to
improve health outcomes for people
with, or at risk of, depression and
cardiovascular disease. The program
supports quality research that is practical
and aims to improve the mental health
and quality of life of participants.
Project funding is shared equally between
the Heart Foundation and beyondblue.
The high-quality projects funded through
this partnership will make a significant
contribution to the evidence-base in this
under-researched area.
The successful research projects for
the 2008 funding round were:
• A randomised controlled trial of a
web-based intervention to improve
depression, cognitive function and
adherence in people with CVD,
Prof. Ian Hickie, University of Sydney
• Does regular Tai Chi practice
improve depression and metabolic
syndrome for depressed adults at
risk of developing CVD?, Dr Xin Liu,
University of Queensland
• A longitudinal study of dietary risk
factors for CVD (metabolic syndrome)
and depression in adolescence,
Dr Wendy Oddy, University of Western
Australia
• The acceptability and effectiveness of
a system based approach to reducing
CV risk, including depression and
lifestyle risk factors in rural and remote
general practices, Dr Sanson-Fisher,
University of Newcastle.
Beyond Ageing Research
Project – Australian National
University
beyondblue is funding the Beyond Ageing
Research Project, an intervention study
that focuses on preventing depression
in older Australians. The study examines
the effectiveness of folate, vitamin B12,
physical activity and the provision of
information about depression. The project
will be completed in late 2011, and the
findings will add to the bank of knowledge
about what works for depression in
older people.
The 45 and Up Study
The 45 and Up Study is the biggest
collaborative research effort ever
undertaken in the Australian health field.
The study examines what contributes to
good health and well-being in later life. It
is being coordinated by the Sax Institute
and supported by the Cancer Council
NSW, the National Heart Foundation
(NSW), NSW Health and beyondblue.
The target to recruit 250,000 participants
has been exceeded and has now risen to
10 per cent of the NSW population aged
between 45 and 105 who provide a range
of health information on a confidential
basis. The study aims to produce detailed
profiles of people’s health and lifestyles
as they move through the second half of
life. This tracking of health and behaviour
will assist with planning of better health
services and health promotion campaigns.
Visit www.45andup.org.au for details.
Feeling Queer and Blue
A research initiative between beyondblue
and the Australian Research Centre in
Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe
University, has produced a detailed
international literature review of the
evidence on depression and related
issues among non-heterosexual people.
The resulting publication, Feeling Queer
and Blue: A review of the research
literature on depression and related
issues among gay, lesbian, bisexual and
other homosexually active people, is an
important contribution to addressing the
risk factors for depression, anxiety and
related disorders in the gay, lesbian and
bisexual communities.
The results of the review suggest that:
• Same-sex attracted young people,
particularly women, are the group
most susceptible to depression and
suicide. Furthermore, those who
identify as bisexual are at higher risk
of developing mental health problems
than gay or lesbian people.
• Further research is needed to improve
prevention, detection, diagnosis and
treatment of mental health problems
and reduce the associated stigma in
this population group.
• Mental health problems in same-sex
attracted people can be prevented.
• In addressing depression in nonheterosexual people, increased efforts
are needed to combat discrimination
in the general community and to
reduce the stigma that often prevents
people from seeking and receiving the
help they need.
As a result of the review, beyondblue has
produced a number of resources for the
gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and
intersex people. See page 50 for details.
Feeling queer and blue
A review of the literature on depression and
related issues among gay, lesbian, bisexual
and other homosexually active people
Executive Summary
Julienne Corboz, Gary Dowsett,
Anne Mitchell, Murray Couch,
Paul Agius and Marian Pitts
Project conducted by
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society
Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Health Research
La Trobe University
215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
December 2008
A Report from the Australian Research Centre in Sex,
Health and Society, La Trobe University, prepared for
Right from top to bottom: Heart Foundation CEO Dr Lyn Roberts; 45 and Up Study (left to right) A/Prof. Emily
Banks, beyondblue Research Adviser Prof. David Clarke, Heart Foundation NSW Julie Anne Mitchell, Cancer
Council NSW A/Prof. Freddy Sitas; Image of a woman used in beyondblue’s National Advertising Campaign; The
beyondblue/La Trobe University gay, lesbian and bisexual mental health research literature review.
61
Completed bbVCoE Research Projects
The following bbVCoE research
projects are complete (year of
funding in brackets), with all final
reports available in the Research
section at www.beyondblue.org.au
Perinatal Mental Health
• A brief psycho educational intervention to
prevent the development of depression
in anxious first-time mothers of newborns
(2003)
• Models of Care: Evaluating a best practice
model for treating postnatal depression
Year 1 (2003) and Year 2 (2004)
• Optimising emotional health during
pregnancy and early parenthood: Improving
access to help for women with perinatal
depression (2005)
• Toward Parenthood: An antenatal selfhelp intervention for depression, anxiety &
parenting difficulties (2005)
Depression and Chronic
Physical Illness
• An investigation into the effectiveness of
CBT Group on anxiety and depression in a
disease-specific versus a general chronic
disease management model (2008)
• A nurse-assisted screening and referral
program for depression among survivors of
cancer: a pilot study (2008)
• A pragmatic trial of a “stepped care”
intervention for people with depression and
cardiac failure (2005)
• A preliminary investigation into the validity
of techniques aimed at the therapeutic
amelioration of post stroke depression (2005)
• Comprehensive GP shared care following
stroke; selective secondary intervention for
depression and other morbidities in a highrisk group (2003)
• Depression and musculoskeletal pain in
primary care: An examination of practitioner,
patient and socio-economic influences on
detection and management (2004)
• Depression as a predictor of long-term
mortality and morbidity after heart attack
(2004)
• Depression in people living with HIV/AIDS:
Outcomes, risks, and opportunities for
intervention (2004)
• Development and pilot of e-PACT: a
psychological treatment of depression in
people with spinal cord injury (2008)
• Improving depression and anxiety screening
of patients with heart disease: implementing
a multidisciplinary clinical pathway (2008)
• Multicultural information on depression online
(MIDonline): development of an IT resource
to improve depression literacy and assist in
pathways to mental health care for people of
CALD backgrounds (2005)
• Regenerate: A strength-training program to
enhance the physical and mental health of
chronic post-stroke patients with depression
(2005)
• Screening and management of depression
in cardiac settings: An examination of clinical
practice and a national study of prevalence
of screening for depression by cardiologists
and their beliefs regarding screening and
management (2008)
• The emotional and lifestyle impact of type 2
diabetes: exploring the association between
diabetes and depression (2004)
• Type 1 diabetes as a risk factor for
depression and other adverse outcomes for
young people in rural Australia (2008)
Depression and Primary
Care
• A randomised controlled trial of mindfulnessbased cognitive therapy and adherence
therapy for the prevention of relapse and
recurrence of depression in primary care
(2003)
• Consumer Evaluation of Intervention
Guidelines for Intimate Partner Abuse and
Depression in General Practice (2005)
• Diagnosis, Management and Outcomes of
Depression in Primary Care (DIAMOND) –
a longitudinal study (2003)
• DIAMOND consortium: building capacity
in primary mental health care research and
evaluation (2004)
• Establishing management systems in primary
care for depression co-occurring with heart
disease and diabetes: Phase I identification
of best practice model clinical pathways and
pilot (2004)
• Evaluation of the efficacy of an Internetbased treatment for panic disorder in general
medical practice (2003)
• Finding out what experienced general
practitioners mean by ‘depression’ – a step
towards developing a meaningful taxonomy
of depression in primary care (2003)
• PEP Collaboration: Effects of training in
SPHERE Cognitive Behavioural Therapy,
Performance, Clinical Outcome and
Consumer/Carer Experience of Care –
a randomised controlled trial (2004)
• Problem gambling and depression:
a prevalence study (2006)
• Reducing suicide risk in men through general
practice (the SIM Study) (2006)
• Improving interpersonal communication as a
means of reducing post-stroke depression in
patients living in the community (2008)
• Screening for co-morbid affective disorder
and substance abuse disorder by General
Practitioners (2004)
• Is acculturation the nexus between chronic
physical disease and depression and
anxiety in culturally and linguistically diverse
populations? (2008)
• Shared care pathways for depression and
related disorders (2003)
62
• Shared care pathways in primary and mental
health services (2004)
• The impact of antidepressants on men
and their partners’ sexual desire, sexual
functioning and intimate relationship (2006)
• The integration of CBT for Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder into the primary care
context: An evaluation of three models (2004)
• Therapeutic family involvement (TFI) in
the management of persistent clinical
depression: psycho-education, family
support and multi-family group intervention
(2003)
Depression in Older People
• A randomised, controlled, final stage
evaluation of the beyondblue depression
training program for aged care staff: Impact
on the delivery of health care services for
older people with depression (2008)
• A training program for professional carers in
recognising late-life depression: Impact on the
delivery of health care services for depression
among older people – Stage 1 (2004)
• A training program for professional carers
in recognising late-life depression: Impact
on the delivery of health care services for
depression among older people – Stage 2
(2005)
• Caring for the depressed elderly in the
emergency department: Establishing linkages
between sub-acute, primary and community
care (2004)
• Linking the health and leisure sectors: using
physical activity in the management of
depressed older people (2003)
• Recognising and screening for depression
among older people living in residential
care. (An innovative treatment program for
depressed elderly people in residential care:
a longitudinal analysis) – Stage 1 (2003)
• Recognising and screening for depression
among older people living in residential care.
(An interdisciplinary approach to recognising
and treating depression among older
Australians living in residential care.)
– Stage 2 (2003)
• Specialist mental health consultation in the
treatment of depression in nursing home
residents with dementia (2006)
Depression in Young People
• A 3-8 year follow-up of adolescents treated
for depression and their families: Predictors
of treatment outcomes (2005)
• An integrated approach to young people
presenting with depression and substance
use – a longitudinal study (2003)
• Attitudes towards and pathways to and from
Young People’s Health Service and mental
health service (2003)
• Does Interpersonal Psychotherapy improve
clinical care for adolescents with depression
attending a rural child and adolescent mental
health service? (2006)
• Effective management of school refusal and
childhood anxiety as a community-based
early intervention to prevent subsequent
depression: A randomised comparative
treatment study (2005)
• Evaluating evidence-based treatment of
depression in adolescents using Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy (ACT) delivered in
rural/regional services (2006)
Indigenous Support
• Improving the engagement, detection and
management of adolescent depression:
Applying the mobile-type program to general
practice settings (2008)
• Development of depression first aid
standards for Indigenous Australians (2006)
• Mental health care for young people:
toward a consumer produced quality of
care instrument and universal intervention
to improve help seeking behaviour (2003)
This Project title changed to: Young people’s
responses to emotional distress.
• Development of alcohol misuse first aid
guidelines for Indigenous Australians (2008)
• Development of drug misuse guidelines for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
(2008)
Depression in Rural Areas
• Depression in farmers and farming
families (2003)
• Novel ways of capturing adolescent
depression: Development of an innovative
youth friendly monitoring tool (2005)
• Experiences and needs of cardiac patients
with depression in regional and rural Victoria
a qualitative study (2008)
• Re-orientating general practice towards
preventative mental health care for
adolescents: A pilot study (2005)
• Rural carers online: A feasibility study (2005)
• The Prevention of Depressive Relapse in
Young People using Mindfulness Based
Cognitive Therapy (2004)
• Time for a future: Effective treatment of
depressed youth in urban and rural primary
care settings (2003)
Depression and Substance
Use
• An inter-professional intervention to detect
and manage postnatal depression among
drug-dependant, pregnant women: A pilot
study (2005)
• Evaluation of a best practice integrated
intervention for regular methamphetamine
users with co-morbid depression (2006)
• Exploring Melbourne’s hidden epidemic:
Medication overdose, depression and their
management by first responders (2003)
• Health problems of patients with dual
diagnosis: To what extent do these patients
slip through the net? (2004)
• Helping smokers with a history of depression
to quit smoking safely: Depression and
smoking cessation outcomes among clients
of a tailored Quitline callback service offering
doctor-Quitline co-management of smoking
cessation and depression (2006)
• Treatment for depression: a qualitative
exploration of the experience of alcohol and
drug users (2005)
Bipolar Disorder
• A collaborative therapy treatment package for
people with bipolar-affective disorder (2004)
• A self-management treatment package for
people with Bipolar Affective Disorder (2003)
• Automated longitudinal monitoring to predict
and counter relapse in bipolar disorder:
A pilot investigation of effectiveness (2005)
• MoodSwings: An online intervention program
for bipolar affective disorder (2006)
• Staying Well with Bipolar Disorder with
a ‘Stay Well Plan’ (2003)
Depression and Intellectual
Disability/Disability
• Depression in people with intellectual
disability (2005)
• Depression in people with intellectual
disability: An evaluation of a staff
administered treatment program (2005)
• Diagnosis and treatment of depression in
adults with intellectual disability through
general practitioner and psychiatric
collaboration (2003)
• Early detection and treatment of depression
in mildly intellectually disabled adults (2003)
• Ensuring best practice in terms of maintaining
and seeking employment for people with
depression and related disorders: An
evaluation of the Disability Open Employment
Services program (2006)
• Identifying depression in people with vision
impairment and developing pathways to care
(2008)
Depression in Culturally
and Linguistically Diverse
Communities
• Extending the Emotional and Lifestyle Impact
of Type 2 Diabetes Pilot Project: Exploring
the association between diabetes and
depression in rural Italians, Asians and
Anglo-Australians (2003)
• Multicultural Information on Depression online
(MIDonline): Development of an IT resource
to improve depression literacy and assist in
pathways to mental health care for people of
CALD backgrounds (2005)
• Pathways of care for socially marginalised
people with depression and related
disorders (2004)
• Supporting mental health care in general
practice in relation to Australian ethnic
minority communities (2003)
• The development and evaluation of an
intervention aimed at improving the mental
health of a group of refugee women
presenting to the Royal Women’s Hospital for
obstetric care (2004)
63
The beyondblue Team
In response to increased activities and programs nationally, beyondblue continues to expand. We now have a dedicated staff of 49 (including part-time staff)
working on programs across the lifespan and among communities across the country to raise awareness of depression, anxiety and related disorders and to
help reduce stigma.
In addition to formal work commitments, our staff regularly give willingly of their free time to participate in beyondblue activities and other community events.
Front Row (left to right)
Judy Finn
Therese Fitzpatrick
Maria Tsang
Leonie Young
Melissa Reid
Jane Gardner
Cheryl Geels
Program Director, Public Health P/T
Program Manager, Workplace
Assistant Accountant
CEO
Project Officer Youth
Communications Officer
PA to the CEO
Second Row
Ann Nicholls
Arania Giannopoulos
Bonnie Vincent
Brooke Ward
Ruth Kerr
Michelle Noon
Keith Mortimer
Julie Foster
Clint Butler
Project Manager Community Training, Workplace
Client & Operations Officer
Senior Program Manager, Consumers & Carers / Ambassador Program
Events Assistant
Administration Officer, Corporate Support
Program Manager, Youth
Business & Finance Manager
Senior Manager, Communications and Media
Systems Administrator
Third Row
Marie-Anne Schull
Bella Saunders
Odette Commins
Heidi Taylor
Sandra Hooper
Sarah Oakley
Charlie DeBrincat
Nicole Highet
Bella Brushin
Carol Purtell
Training Manager, Workplace
Program Manager, KidsMatter Early Childhood
Executive Administration Officer
Administration Officer (contract)
Human Resources & Administration Manager P/T
HR Adviser
Information Technology Manager
Deputy CEO
Research Coordinator
National Program Manager, Perinatal Depression Initiative
64
Fourth Row
Yvette Pollard
Sue Gherdovich
Kimberley Nichols
Carolyn Salmon
Anne Edmonds
Nikki Brown
Emily Armet
Elizabeth Galinec
Stephen Harris
Manager, Policy and Research
Program Manager, Population Health
Communications Officer
Program Manager, Co-morbidity & Chronic Illness
Program Manager, Primary Care P/T
Operations Manager, Workplace
Corporate and Community Partnerships Manager
Receptionist
Distribution Controller
Back Row
James Beckford Saunders
Brian Graetz
Tracie Manning
Karline Ziegler
Amie Reed
Matthew Haworth
Michael O’Hanlon
Sridhar Ramaiah
John Fulcher
Program Director, National Workplace & Social Enterprise
Program Director, Education & Early Childhood
Events Manager
Corporate & Legal Counsel
HR Administration Officer
Web Manager
Business Manager, Workplace
Accountant
Social Marketing & Media Manager
Below (left to right)
Christine Benger
Clare Shann
Lyn Chaplin
Nadine Bartholomeusz-Raymond
Rachel Komen
Michael Baigent
David Clarke
Senior Program Manager, National Guidelines Development
Deputy CEO
Project Officer, Consumer & Carers P/T
Program Manager, Rural & National Drought Agenda
Project Officer, Perinatal Depression Initiative
Clinical Adviser P/T
Research Adviser P/T
(P/T = part time)
Partners and Supporters
beyondblue has strong and productive partnerships with a wide range of organisations. Partner relationships are invaluable for the delivery of beyondblue’s
information and program objectives and for addressing shared goals.
We sincerely thank the many individuals and organisations who have worked with and supported beyondblue across the five priority areas of community
awareness and destigmatisation; consumer and carer participation; prevention and early intervention; primary care; and targeted research.
GOVERNMENT The Australian Government and all State and Territory Governments are stakeholder funding partners with beyondblue and we work closely with many
different Departments within all levels of Government, including local governments.
MENTAL HEALTH, HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SECTOR beyondblue works closely with peak bodies, professional groups, consumer groups, health promotion
agencies and other organisations in the health and mental health sector including: ACT Division of General Practice, Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation
Limited (AERF), Alzheimer’s Australia, Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria, Andrology Australia, arbias – Alcohol Related Brain Injury Australian Services, Arthritis Australia,
Arthritis Australia Victoria, Asthma Foundation, Austin Health, Australasian College of Sports Physicians, Australian Association of Social Workers, Australian Cancer
Network, Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Australian General Practice Network, Australian Drug
Foundation (ADF), Australian Health Insurance Association, Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, Australian Medical Association, Australian Medical Students’
Association, Australian Men’s Shed Association, Australian Principals’ Association Professional Development Council (APAPDC), Australian Private Hospitals
Association, Australian Private Mental Health Alliance, Australian Prostate Cancer Collaboration, Australian Psychological Society, Australian Red Cross, Australian
Rural Health Education Network, Black Dog Institute, Brain Tumour Alliance Australia, Breast Cancer Network Australia, Cancer Australia, Cancer Councils (National
and states and territories), Cancer Voices Australia, Carers Australia and State/Territory Carers Networks, Chronic Illness Alliance, Clinical Oncological Society of
Australia, Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Continence Foundation of Australia, Council on the Ageing – COTA (all states and territories), Christian Outreach Centre,
Country Health SA, Country Women’s Association, Crisis Support Services, Deaf Children Australia, Diabetes Australia, Diabetes Australia Victoria, Drought Network
Tasmania, Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria, Epworth Hospital (Melbourne Health), Foundation 49, Freemasons Australia, General Practice Victoria, General
Practice Network NT, General Practice NSW, General Practice QLD, General Practice South Australia, GROW, headspace, Inspire Foundation, International Diabetes
Institute, Kidney Health Australia, Kids Helpline, Lifeline, Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Limited, MensLine Australia, Mental Health Association of New South Wales,
Mental Health Council of Australia, Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Mercy Hospice, Mibbinbah, Migrant Resource Centre Melbourne, Mindmatters, Mission
Australia, Monash Medical Centre, Multicultural Mental Health Australia, National Breast Cancer Foundation, National Heart Foundation of Australia, National Men’s
Health Alliance, National Rural Health Alliance, National Rural Health Network, National Rural Women’s Coalition, National Stroke Foundation, Nova Community Care,
NSW Divisions of General Practice, NSW Farmers Mental Health Advisory Group, Orygen Youth Health, Palliative Care Australia, Parkinson’s Australia, Parkinson’s
Victoria, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian Branch), Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Post and Antenatal Depression
Association (PANDA), Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Public Health Association Australia, QLD Mental Health Advisory Group, Reconnexion, Relationships
Australia VIC, Royal College of Nursing Australia, Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Rural Doctors Association of Australia, Rural Health Education Foundation,
Rural Health Workforce Australia, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (UK), SA Divisions of General Practice, South Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre, Southern
Health, St John of God Health Care, St Vincent de Paul Society, St Vincent’s Health, Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA), Tasmanian Divisions of General Practice, The
Alfred Hospital, The Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, The Butterfly
Foundation, Wellbeing, The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, The Royal
College of Pathologists of Australia, The Salvation Army, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Tinnitus Association of Victoria, Top End Mental Health Services (Northern
Territory Government), Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services, Townsville Intercultural Centre, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, Urological Society of
Australia & New Zealand, Victorian Arabic Social Services Incorporated, VicHealth, Victorian Deaf Society (Vicdeaf), Vision Australia, Wesley LifeForce, WA Divisions of
General Practice, Women’s and Children’s Hospital (SA), Youth Substance Abuse Service.
RESEARCH beyondblue works in partnership with universities and the medical workforce and provides funding or expertise for research projects and collaborations
including: Australian National University, Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, Brain and Mind Research Institute (The University of Sydney), Australian
Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society (La Trobe University), Canteen, Centre for Adolescent Health (Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne), Centre for Eye Research
Australia, Centre for International Mental Health (The University of Melbourne), Centre for Mental Health Research (The Australian National University), Centre for Rural
and Remote Mental Health New South Wales (CRRMH Orange), Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health Queensland (CRRMH Cairns), Centre for Rural Mental
Health – Victoria (CRMH Bendigo), Charles Darwin University, Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (The University of New South Wales), Cooperative
Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, Curtin University, Deakin University, Edith Cowan University, The Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health,
Heart Research Centre, Hunter Institute of Mental Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, James Cook University – School of Indigenous Australian Studies, La Trobe
University, Mental Health First Aid, Monash University, Menzies School of Health Research, Monash University School of Psychology, Murdoch Childrens Research
Institute, National Ageing Research Institute (The University of Melbourne), National Institute of Clinical Studies (NICS), NSW Association of Adolescent Health, Office
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH), Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner, ORYGEN Youth Health Research Centre, Parent-Infant Research
Institute (PIRI), Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group, Research Australia, Swinburne University of Technology, The National Health and Medical Research
Council (NHMRC), The Sax Institute, The University of Adelaide, The University of Melbourne, The University of New South Wales, The University of Newcastle, The
University of Queensland (School of Psychology), The University of Queensland Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Tasmania, Triple P International,
Research Australia, Research Matters, University of Ballarat, University of Technology Sydney, Victorian Public Health Research and Education Council.
AWARENESS-RAISING, EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND EVENT PARTNERS Organisations working with beyondblue to raise awareness through media and
community campaigns, events, partnerships or information-sharing include: Australian Council of Trade Unions, Australian Football League (AFL), Australian Football
League Players’ Association (AFLPA), Better Health Channel, Cbus – Construction and Building Industry Super, Centrelink, Commonwealth Government Child Support
Agency, Community Service and Health Industry Training Council, Dream Inc, EGG Maternity Stores, Family Care Shepparton, Farmers Federations (States and
Territories), Hawthorn Football Club, Geelong Football Club, Google, HealthInsite, Hello Babe, Hotel Chaplaincy – The Australian Schoolies Support Network (Red
Frogs), Indigenous Festivals of Australia, Investment & Financial Services Association Limited, Indigenous Health Infonet (Edith Cowan University), Incolink, Indigenous
Hip Hop Projects, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, JobCo Employment Services, Master Builders SA, Master Builders WA, Municipal Association of
Victoria, National Missing Persons Week (Australian Federal Police), National Parks Association, National Youth Week, Netball Australia, Ninemsn health, NSW Farmers
Association, Parks and Leisure Australia, Parks Victoria, Pedestrian Council of Australia, Phunktional, Professional Golfers Association (PGA), Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
Foundation, Royal Victorian Bowls Association, SBS Television, South Australia Cricket Association (FeBLUary), Southern District Cricket Club (FeBLUary), Stick and Ball
(Australian Open Polo Championships), SuperFriend, The Movember Foundation, The People and Parks Foundation, The Upstream Foundation, Trans-Help Foundation,
Transport Workers Union (VIC/TAS), Vibe, Victoria Police, Victorian Ladies’ Bowling Association, Victorian Farmers Federation, Victorian TAFE Association Inc, Victorian
Taxi Association, Wangaratta Bowls Club, Wakariri, Werribee Football Club.
CORPORATE SECTOR The following organisations generously support beyondblue through workplace giving programs, in-kind support or awareness-raising activities:
APN Outdoor, AusAID, ANZ, Austereo, Australian Central Credit Union, Australian Institute of Company Directors, ASX, Barry Plant, BHP Billiton, Blake Dawson, CSC,
Clayton Utz, Convenience Advertising, Employers Mutual, Ernst & Young, Fairfax, Fairfax Community Network, Fox Out of Home Advertising Pty Ltd, Frontier Advertising,
Geoff Slattery Publishing, Goldman Sachs JBWere, ING, Leader Community Newspapers, L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Macquarie Group and staff, Magnolia
Square, Master Builders’ Association SA and WA, Medical Media Pty, Mitchell & Partners, MX Newspaper (NSW/VIC/QLD), Network Seven & Seven Affiliates, Network
Ten, News Limited, Nine Network, Optus, Paradise Outdoor Advertising, PricewaterhouseCoopers Foundation, Radar Promotions Australia, Regional Radioworks,
Sparke Helmore Lawyers, Silvan Australia, Sports and Outdoor Media, Suzanne Grae, Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Opera House, The Age, The Hobart Mercury,
The Northern Territory News, The Werribee & Point Cook Banner, Thunderbox Media, Travelex, WA Billboards.
For more information about corporate partnerships and opportunities visit the corporate and community partnerships section of the beyondblue website.
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
65
Journal Articles
Journal articles written or research
supported by beyondblue in 2008/09
include:
Askell-Williams H., Russell. A., Dix, K. L., Slee, P.
T., Spears, B. A., Lawson. M. J., Owens, L. D., &
Gregory, K. (2008). Early challenges in evaluating
the KidsMatter national mental health promotion
initiative in Australian primary schools. The
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion,
10, 2, 35-44.
Blashki, G. A., Piterman, L., Meadows, G. N.,
Clarke, D. M., Prabaharan, V., Gunn, J. M., et al.
(2008). Impact of an educational intervention of
general practitioners, skills in cognitive behavioural
strategies: a randomised controlled trial. MJA
Supplement, 188(12), S129-S132.
Boyes, A.W., Girgis, A., Zucca, A.C., & Lecathelinais,
C. (2009). Anxiety and depression among longterm survivors of cancer in Australia: results of a
population-based survey. MJA Supplement, 190,
S94-S98.
Breen, S.J., Baravelli, C.M., Scholfield, P.E., Jefford,
M., Yates, P.M., & Aranda, S.K. (2009). Is symptom
burden a predictor of anxiety and depression
in patients with cancer about to commence
chemotherapy? MJA Supplement, 190, S99-S104.
Burns J., Boucher, S., Glover, S., Graetz, B., Kay,
B., Patton, G., Sawyer M., & Spence, S. H. (2008).
Preventing Depression in Young People. What Does
the Evidence Tell us and how can we use it to Inform
School-Based Mental Health Initiatives? Advances
in School Mental Health Promotion, 1, 2, 5-16.
Chambers, S. K., Girgis, A., Occhipinti, S.,
Hutchison, S., Turner, J., Carter, R., & Dunn,
J. (2009). Beating the Blues After Cancer:
Randomised controlled trial of a tele-based
psychological intervention for high distress patients
and carers. BMC Cancer, 9, 189.
Clarke, D.M. (2009). Depression and physical
illness: more complex than simple comorbidity. MJA
Supplement, 190, S52-S53.
Clarke, D.M., & Currie, K.C. (2009). Depression,
anxiety and their relationship with chronic diseases:
a review of the epidemiology, risk and treatment
evidence. MJA Supplement, 190, S54-S60.
Couper, J.W., Love, A.W., Dunai, J.V., Duchesne,
G.M., Bloch, S., Costello, A.J., & Kissane, D.W.
(2009). The psychological aftermath of prostate
cancer treatment choices: a comparison of
depression, anxiety and quality of life outcomes
over the 12 months following diagnosis. MJA
Gunn JM, Gilchrist GP, Chondros P, et al. (2008).
Who is identified when screening for depression is
undertaken in general practice? Baseline findings
from the Diagnosis, Management and Outcomes of
Depression in Primary Care (diamond) longitudinal
study. MJA Supplement, 188(12 Suppl):S119-125.
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, 9:47.
Kelly, B.J., & Turner, J. (2009). Depression in
advanced physical illness: diagnostic and treatment
issues. MJA Supplement, 190, S90-S93.
Kyrios, M., Moore, S.M., Hackworth, N., Buzwell,
S.A., Crafti, N., Critchley, C., & Hardie, E. (2009).
The influence of depression and anxiety on
outcomes after an intervention for prediabetes. MJA
Manderson L, & Kokanovic R (2009) “Worried all the
Time”. Distress and Circumstances of Everyday Life
among Immigrant Australians with Type 2 diabetes.
Chronic Illness. 5(210):21-32.
McCabe, M., Davison, T., Mellor, D., & George,
K. (2009). Barriers to care for depressed older
people: Perceptions of aged care among medical
professionals. International Journal of Aging and
Human Development, 68(1), 53-64.
McGillivray, J.A., McCabe, M.P. & Kershaw, M.
(2008). Depression in people with intellectual
disability: An evaluation of a staff administered
treatment program. Research in Developmental
Disabilities, 29; 524-536.
Mellor, D., Davison, T., McCabe, M., & George,
K. (2008). Professional carers’ knowledge and
response to depression among their aged-care
clients: The care recipients’ perspective. Ageing and
Mental Health, 12, 389-399.
Mellor, D., Russo, S., McCabe, M., Davison, T., &
George, K. (2008). Depression training program for
caregivers of elderly care recipients: Implementation
and evaluation. Journal of Gerontological Nursing,
34(9), 8-15.
Dowrick C, Kokanovic R, Hegarty K, et al. (2008).
Resilience and depression: perspectives from
primary care. Health (London); 12(4):439-452.
Morgan M, Dunbar J, & Reddy P (2009).
Collaborative Care for diabetes, heart disease and
depression: the role of practice nurses. Australian
Family Practice, accepted.
Fenwick, E , Lamoureux, E L, Keeffe, J E, Mellor, D,
& Rees, G. (2009). Identification and management
of depression in patients with vision impairment. A
qualitative study of hospital staff views. Optometry
and Vision Science, 86(8); 948-954.
Graetz B, Littlefield L. Trinder M, Dobia B, Souter
M, Champion C, Boucher S, Killick-Moran C, &
Cummins R. (2008). KidsMatter: A population
health model to support student mental health and
wellbeing in primary schools. The International
Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 10, 4, 13-20.
Rees G., Fenwick E. K., Keeffe J. E., Mellor D., &
Lamoureux E. L. Detection and management of
depression in people with vision impairment. A
survey of current practice. Optom Vis Sci. (Accepted
Aug 2009).
Rees G., Fenwick E. K., Keeffe J. E.,Mellor D., &
Lamoureux E. L. Managing depression in patients
with vision impairment: Practitioners’ beliefs and
confidence. Optom Vis Sci. (Accepted Aug 2009).
Rowe, L., Bennett, D., & Tonge, B. (2009). I just want
you to be happy: Preventing and tackling teenage
depression. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
Russell, Sarah J. (2008) Role of a ‘stay well’
approach in the management of bipolar disorder,
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry,
42:7, 551-554.
Sawyer MG, Pfeiffer S, & Spence SH (2009). Life
events, coping and depressive symptoms among
young adolescents: A one-year prospective study.
Journal of Affective Disorders, 117(1):48-54.
Sawyer MG, Pfeiffer S, Spence SH, Bond L, Graetz
B, Kay D, Patton G, & Sheffield J (in press). Schoolbased Prevention of Depression: A Randomised
Controlled Study of the the beyondblue Schools
Research Initiative. Journal of Child Psychology and
Psychiatry.
Sims J., Galea M., Taylor N., Dodd K., Jespersen
S., Joubert L. & Joubert J. (2008). Regenerate:
assessing the feasibility of a strength-training
program to enhance the physical and mental health
of chronic post stroke patients with depression.
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry.
Mitchell, P. (2008). Mental health care roles of nonmedical primary health and social care services.
Health and Social Care in the Community, 17(1):
71-82.
Mitchell, P. F. (2009). A discourse analysis on how
practitioners in non-medical primary health and
social care services understand their roles in mental
health care. Social Science and Medicine, 68: 12131220.
Edwards, B., & Higgins, D.J. (2009). Is caring a
health hazard? The mental health and vitality of
carers of a person with a disability in Australia.
MJA Supplement, 190, S61-S65.
Potiriadis M, Chondros P, Gilchrist G, et al. (2008).
How do Australian patients rate their general
practitioner? A descriptive study using the General
Practice Assessment Questionnaire. The Medical
journal of Australia, 189(4):215-219.
Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J., Leigh, B., Romeo, Y.,
Loughlin, E., McCarthy, R., & Saunders, B. (2009).
Towards Parenthood: Preparing for the changes
and challenges of a new baby. Australia: Australian
Council for Educational Research.
Davison, T., McCabe, M., & Mellor, D. (2009).
An examination of the ‘gold standard’ diagnosis
of major depression in research with aged care
residents. American Journal of Geriatrics Psychiatry,
17, 359-367.
Dunbar J, & Reddy P (2009). Integration and
coordination of care. Australian Journal of Rural
Health, 17, 27-33.
Pfaff, J.L., Draper, B.M., Pirkis, J.E., Stocks,
N.P., Snowdon, J.A., Sim, M.G., Byrne, G.J.,
Lautenschlager, N.T., Flicker, L.A., Kerse, N.M.,
Goldney, R.D., & Almeida, O.P. (2009). Medical
morbidity and severity of depression in a large
primary care sample of older Australians: the DEPSGP project. MJA Supplement, 190, S75-S80.
Morgan M, Dunbar J, Reddy P, Coates M, & Leahy
R (2009). Is practice nurse-led collaborative care
effective in the management of depression for
patients with heart disease or diabetes? BMC Family
Practice, 10, 46.
Nicholas, M.K., Coulston, C.M., Asghari, A., & Malhi,
G.S. (2009). Depressive symptoms in patients with
chronic pain. MJA Supplement, 190, S66-S70.
O’Donnell, M.L., Holmes, A.C., Creamer, M.C.,
Ellen, S., Judson, R., McFarlane, A.C., Silove, D.M.,
& Bryant, R.A. (2009). The role of post-traumatic
stress disorder and depression in predicting
disability after injury. MJA Supplement, 190,
S71-S74.
The beyondblue/Medical Journal of Australia research
supplement on depression and primary care,
published June 2008.
66
Conference Partnerships
beyondblue was an information
partner at many conferences
in 2008/09, delivering keynote
addresses, distributing depression
information to delegates and/or
providing experts and representatives
to speak about beyondblue’s
research, programs and activities.
Conference highlights
• Australian General Practice
Network Joining the Dots
– the national primary
mental health care forum –
Sydney, May 2009
beyondblue Deputy CEO, Dr Nicole
Highet, beyondblue Research Adviser,
Prof. David Clarke and beyondblue
Program Manager Workplace,
Therese Fitzpatrick presented at
the conference on beyondblue’s
perinatal, primary care and rural
activities. beyondblue supported
the promotion, prevention and early
intervention stream at the conference.
beyondblue materials were distributed
and Dr Nicole Highet launched the
beyondblue/AGPN Young Minds
training package at the forum.
• Reach to Recovery
International Breast
Cancer Support
Conference – Brisbane,
May 2009
beyondblue keynote presentation
by Prof. Suzanne Chambers. Isla
Gillespie, a beyondblue National
Workplace Program facilitator, led
a workshop about depression and
breast cancer at the 15th Reach to
Recovery International Breast Cancer
Support Conference. It was the first
worldwide forum for people with
breast cancer, support organisations
and health professionals to meet and
discuss common goals. beyondblue
supported the conference with an
exhibition booth, advertisement in the
program and satchel insert.
• Hearts in Focus –
Celebration, Collaboration
and Challenges Heart
Foundation Conference –
Brisbane, May 2009
beyondblue participated in
the conference with a keynote
presentation by beyondblue Research
Adviser, Prof. David Clarke, exhibition
booth, advertisement in the program
and satchel insert.
• Pharmacy Expo – Sydney,
June 2009
beyondblue Clinical Adviser, A/Prof.
Michael Baigent and beyondblue
Ambassador Craig Hamilton copresented at the independent
education session. beyondblue had
a strong presence at the Pharmacy
Expo with an exhibition booth and
education session for pharmacists
and assistants.
• Australian Medical
Students Association
National Convention –
Brisbane, July 2009
beyondblue National Workplace
Program facilitator, Edith Hurt
delivered a presentation focusing
on student well-being. beyondblue
also supported the conference
with information for satchels, an
advertisement in the program and
an exhibition booth.
2008/09 conference
partnerships included:
• Australian Research Alliance for
Children and Youth Conference
– Transforming Australia for our
Children’s Future: Making prevention
work (Melbourne, VIC)
• Australian Cardiovascular Health &
Rehabilitation Association Meeting
(Sydney, NSW)
• Australian Federation of Disability
Organisations Conference 2009
(Melbourne, VIC)
• Australian Guidance and Counselling
Association National Conference
(Hobart, TAS)
• Australian Medical Students
Association (AMSA) National
Leadership Development Seminar
(Canberra, ACT)
• Carers Australia Bring it! Young Carers
Forum (Canberra, ACT)
• Country Women’s Association of
Australia Triennial National Conference
(Shepparton, VIC)
• Foundation Daw Park South Australia
Defence and Veterans Health
Research Day (Adelaide, SA)
• Happiness and Its Causes Conference
2009 (Sydney, NSW)
• Healthy Doctors, Better Medicine
Conference (Adelaide, SA)
• International Unity in Diversity
Conference (Townsville, QLD)
• Lifeline National Conference
(Canberra, ACT)
• Making Reform Real - 2009 Australian
Medical Association National
Conference (Melbourne, VIC)
• Mental Health Council of Tasmania,
Suicide Prevention Conference
(Hobart, TAS)
• National Legal Aid Best Practice
conference (Cairns, QLD)
• Palliative Care Australia and Asia
Pacific Hospice Palliative Care
Network Conference (Perth, WA)
• Parks and Leisure National
Conference (Darwin, NT)
• Parks and Leisure Australia National
Conference (Melbourne, VIC)
• Prostate Cancer Foundation of
Australia Conference
(Gold Coast, QLD)
• Psycho-Oncology and Nursing
Meeting (held in conjunction with the
10th annual National Prostate Cancer
Symposium) (Melbourne, VIC)
• Queen Elizabeth Centre 5th Biennial
International Conference
(Melbourne, VIC)
• Queensland Rural Women’s Network
State Conference (QLD)
• Reconnexion’s 4th Annual National
Conference on Anxiety and
Depression (Melbourne, VIC)
67
• The 10th International Mental Health
Conference – Advancing with
Knowledge (Surfers Paradise, QLD)
• The 10th National Prostate Cancer
Symposium (NPCS) – (Melbourne, VIC)
• The 10th National Rural Health
Conference (Cairns, QLD)
• The 13th NSW Rural Mental Health
Conference 2008 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
• The Australian Men’s Shed
Association National Conference
(Hobart, TAS)
• The Healthy Male: Andrology Australia
Forum 2009 (Gold Coast, QLD)
• The Mental Health Services (MHS)
Conference (Perth, WA)
• Third Biennial Conference of the
Australian Association of Maternal,
Child and Family Health Nurses
(Adelaide, SA)
• World Indigenous People’s
Conference: EDUCATION 2008
(Melbourne, VIC)
Conferences and industry briefings
July 2008 to September 2009 –
beyondblue National Workplace and
Social Enterprise Portfolio
• 13th NSW Rural Mental Health
Conference (Pokolbin, November)
• 9th International Mental Health
Conference (Gold Coast, August)
• Australian Glass & Glazing Association
Conference (Melbourne, August)
• Australian Golf Course Superintendent
Association Conference (Launceston,
July)
From top to bottom: beyondblue volunteers
look after a stall with free information at a
Youthbeyondblue public forum in Hawthorn (VIC)
in July 2009; A display at a conference; Indigenous
Hip Hop Projects perform at a conference;
A beyondblue stall at the AGPN conference in
Darwin, September 2008 (photo: AGPN/Kirkland
Photography); Delegates cut loose at an IHHP
dance workshop at the Townsville Cultural Fest
in August 2008.
68
• Diversity Council of Australia
(Sydney, May)
• Happiness and Wellbeing at Work
(Sydney, September)
• Health and Productivity Management
Conference (Melbourne, August)
• ‘In for the Long Haul’ – Sustaining
HSE&C in Resources and Construction
Conference (Adelaide, July)
• Joining the Dots, AGPN Conference
(Sydney, May)
• Kidney Health Forum (Cairns, June)
• Local Govt OH&S Conference
(Sydney, November)
• Mental Health and Injury in the
Workplace (Sydney, April)
• National Men’s Health Gathering
(Newcastle, October)
• National Rural Health Conference
(Cairns, July)
• NSW Mental Health Conference
(Sydney, November)
• NT Build National Conference of
Construction Industry Long Service
Leave Schemes (Darwin, September)
• NT Mental Health Forum (Darwin,
October)
• Occupational Health & Wellbeing
Conference (Sydney, September)
• Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia
Conference (Gold Coast, November)
• Prostate Cancer Foundation
Conference (Perth, February)
• Reach to Recovery (Breast Cancer
Conference) (Brisbane, May)
• Australian Institute Foundry
Conference (Melbourne, September)
• Social Firms Australia (SoFA)
(Melbourne, November)
• Australian Legal Practice Management
Association Conference (QLD, August)
• Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (Launceston, October)
• Australian Medical Students Association
Conference (Brisbane, July)
• Transfield Worley Services Group Staff
Conference (Sydney, September)
• Australian National University Law
Students Society Forum (Canberra,
October)
• Transport Workers Union Leadership
Conference (Melbourne, May)
• Continuing Legal Education
Association of Australasia Conference
(Sydney, October)
• Defence Support Group Conference
(Canberra, June)
• Women in Insurance Victoria
(Melbourne, November)
• WorkCover SA Conference (Adelaide,
September)
• Workplace & Risk Summit (Melbourne,
August)
Annual Financial Report
for the year ended 30 June 2009
Contents:
ABN 87 093 865 840
ACN 093 865 840
Directors’ report
70
Income statement
72
Balance sheet
72
Statement of changes in equity
73
Statement of cash flows
73
Notes to the financial statement
74
Directors’ declaration
83
Independent audit report
83
Lead auditor’s independence declaration
84
69
Financial Statements
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
The Directors present their report
together with the financial report
of Beyond Blue Limited (“the
Company”) for the financial year
ended 30 June 2009 and the
auditor’s report thereon.
Directors
The Directors of the Company at any time
during or since the end of the financial year are:
(Chairman)
23 years experience in Victorian Parliament,
including Premier of Victoria 1992-1999.
Chairman of Open Windows Pty Ltd.,
Australian Commercial Catering Pty Ltd
and Amtek Corporation Pty Ltd. Chairman
of the Board of Management of PFD Food
Services Pty Ltd. Director of Equity Trustees
Limited and Jumbuck Limited. President
of the Hawthorn Football Club. Director of
beyondblue since 19 October 2000.
Mr John McGrath AM
(Deputy Chairman)
Inaugural Chairman of the Mental Health
Council of Australia. Former member of
the Victorian Government, carer of a family
member with a mental illness and Chairman of
the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee
on Mental Health. Director since
19 October 2000.
Dr Michael Bonning
Immediate Past President of the Australian
Medical Students’ Association. Director since
19 August 2008. Churchill Fellow 2009.
Ms Kate Carnell AO
CEO, The Australian Food and Grocery
Council – former CEO of the Australian General
Practice Network and ACT Chief Minister 19952000. Director since 19 August 2008.
The Hon. Caroline Hogg
Former member of Victorian Parliament
holding a number of human services
portfolios including Minister for Health.
70
Company Secretary
Professor of Psychiatry, University of
Tasmania. Past President of the Royal
Australian and New Zealand College of
Psychiatrists. Director since 18 March 2003.
Resigned 18 August 2009.
Mr Ian L Jenkins FCA, Dip. Bus (Acctg) was
appointed Company Secretary in October
2005. Registered company auditor, tax agent
and Partner in an accounting practice.
Directors’ meetings
A Kungarakany man, has extensive leadership
experience in Indigenous health including the
National Aboriginal Community Controlled
Health Organisation, NT Health Services and
the Commonwealth Department of Health
and Ageing. Currently Pro Vice-Chancellor
– Indigenous Leadership at Charles
Darwin University in Darwin. Director since
17 February 2009.
The number of Directors’ meetings and
number of meetings attended by each of the
Directors of the Company during the financial
year are:
Director
Board meetings
A
B
The Honourable Jeffrey Kennett AC
6
6
Associate Professor Brett McDermott
Mr John McGrath AM
5
6
Clinical and Research Specialist – Child
and Youth Psychiatry. Director of the Mater
Child and Youth Mental Health Service
Queensland and Associate Professor of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of
Queensland. Director since 26 October 2006.
Dr Michael Bonning
5
6
Ms Kate Carnell AO
5
6
The Honourable Caroline Hogg
6
6
6
6
Australian actor and media spokesperson.
Past Patron of the Anxiety Disorders
Foundation, New South Wales Branch.
Mr Tim Marney
Western Australia Under Treasurer and
beyondblue Ambassador. Director since
19 August 2008.
Dr Leanne Rowe AM
Deputy Chancellor Monash University, holds
appointments with The University of Sydney
and The University of Melbourne, past Chair
of the Royal Australian College of General
Practitioners and rural medical practitioner for
26 years. Director since 19 August 2008.
2
3
Associate Professor Brett McDermott
6
6
5
6
Mr Tim Marney
5
6
Dr Leanne Rowe AM
5
6
6
6
Ms Leonie Young
6
6
A – Number of meetings attended.
B – Number of meetings held during the time the
Director held office during the year.
Members’ guarantee
The Company is limited by guarantee.
The liability of the members is limited to a
maximum of $50 each.
Retired Senator and former leader of
the Australian Democrats in the Federal
Parliament of Australia. Director since
19 August 2008.
Ms Leonie Young
Chief Executive Officer
Former Executive with the Commonwealth
Department of Health and Ageing. CEO since
15 July 2003 and Director since
15 September 2003.
Principal activities
Dividends
Non-audit services
The principal activities of the Company during
the course of the financial year were the
organisation, planning and implementation
of projects designed to raise awareness
of depression, anxiety, and reduce the
prevalence, risks and the impact of depressive
disorders, and increase the capacity of the
Australian community to respond effectively
to depression.
The Company is limited by guarantee and is
prohibited by its Memorandum of Association
from paying a dividend to its members.
Non-audit services of $4,530 were provided in
the year ended 30 June 2009 (2008: $4,320).
During the financial year ended 30 June
2009, the Board has continued to implement
programs which are aimed at achieving the
following objectives:
•
Increasing community awareness of
and addressing associated stigma;
•
Initiating and supporting depressionrelated research;
•
Providing people living with depression and
their carers with information on the illness
and effective treatment options, promoting
their needs and experiences with policy
makers and healthcare service providers;
•
•
Developing depression prevention and
early intervention programs including
workplace training; and
Improving training and support for GPs
and other healthcare professionals on
depression and anxiety.
The Company is funding its programs
out of its retained surplus and financial
commitments from Commonwealth, State
and Territory Governments, corporations and
public donations.
Review and result of operations
The surplus from ordinary activities for
financial year 2009 amounted to $ 7,278,315
(2008: $10,758,964). The Company has been
granted exemption from income tax under
Section 50-5 of the Income Tax Assessment
Act (1997). Beyond Blue Limited was initially
funded for a five-year term from 20002005. Commonwealth, State and Territory
Government funding has since been extended
to 2010. The Board has resolved to continue
for a further term to 2015.
Events subsequent to reporting date
There has not arisen in the interval between
the end of the financial year and the date of
this report any item, transaction or event of
a material and unusual nature likely, in the
opinion of the Directors of the Company,
to affect significantly the operations of the
Company, the results of those operations, or
the state of affairs of the Company, in future
financial years.
Lead auditor’s independence
declaration
The Lead auditor’s independence declaration
is set out on page 84 and forms part of the
Directors’ report for the financial year ended
30 June 2009.
This report is made with a resolution of the
Directors:
Likely developments
It is not foreseen that the Company will
undertake any change in its general
direction during the coming financial year.
The Company will continue to pursue its
objective of raising awareness and reducing
the prevalence, risks for and the impact of
depressive disorders, and increasing the
capacity of the Australian community to
respond effectively to depression.
Director
Indemnification and insurance
of officers and auditors
Indemnification
The Company has not indemnified or made
a relevant agreement for indemnifying against
a liability any person who is or has been an
officer or auditor of the Company.
Ms Leonie Young
Insurance premiums
Dated at Melbourne this 20th day
of October 2009.
During the financial year the Company has
paid premiums in respect of Directors’ and
officers’ liability and legal expenses insurance
contracts for the year ended 30 June 2009.
Such insurance contracts insure against
certain liability (subject to specific exclusions)
persons who are or have been Directors or
executive officers of the Company.
Director
The Directors have not included details of the
nature of the liabilities covered or the amount
of the premium paid in respect of the Directors’
and officers’ liability and legal expenses’
insurance contracts, as such disclosure is
prohibited under the terms of the contract.
State of affairs
There were no significant changes in the state
of affairs of the Company that occurred during
the financial year under review, except that the
Company relocated its office premises.
71
Income Statement
Note
2009
$
$
5
27,260,149
23,216,797
(15,672,880)
(9,620,582)
(360,842)
(263,074)
(4,319,876)
(3,141,112)
(300,975)
(243,586)
For the year ended 30 June 2009
Revenue
Project expenses
Travel and accommodation expenses
Personnel expenses
6
Occupancy expenses
2008
Depreciation and amortisation expenses
(90,832)
(77,054)
Website expenses
(55,418)
(91,750)
(1,474,169)
(1,067,781)
4,985,157
8,711,858
2,293,158
2,047,106
2,293,158
2,047,106
Other expenses
Results from operating activities
Financial income
Net financing income
8
7,278,315
10,758,964
Income tax expense
Surplus before tax
-
-
Surplus for the year
7,278,315
10,758,964
2009
2008
$
$
9
26,364,456
12,639,196
Investments
11
20,049,284
28,382,658
Trade and other receivables
10
651,267
700,855
47,065,007
41,722,709
328,495
188,098
328,495
188,098
47,393,502
41,910,807
The income statement is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 74 to 83.
Balance Sheet
Note
As at 30 June 2009
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets
Non-current assets
Plant and equipment
12
Total non-current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
13
1,359,393
3,297,384
Employee benefits
15
224,918
137,385
1,584,311
3,434,769
61,391
6,553
61,391
6,553
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Employee benefits
15
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
1,645,702
3,441,322
45,747,800
38,469,485
45,747,800
38,469,485
45,747,800
38,469,485
Equity
Retained surplus
Total equity
The balance sheet is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 74 to 83.
72
Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 June 2009
Retained earnings
Total equity
$
$
2008
Opening balance at 1 July 2007
27,710,521
27,710,521
10,758,964
10,758,964
Total recognised income and expense for the year
10,758,964
10,758,964
38,469,485
38,469,485
38,469,485
38,469,485
7,278,315
7,278,315
Total recognised income and expense for the year
7,278,315
7,278,315
45,747,800
45,747,800
Closing balance at 30 June 2008
2009
Opening balance at 1 July 2008
Closing balance at 30 June 2009
The statement of changes in equity is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 74 to 83.
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2009
Note
2009
2008
$
$
30,355,261
25,681,533
(26,705,786)
(14,076,269)
1,973,631
2,047,106
5,623,106
13,652,370
Net receipts from/(payments for) investments
8,333,374
(28,382,658)
Acquisition of plant and equipment
(231,220)
(149,683)
8,102,154
(28,532,341)
13,725,260
(14,879,971)
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash receipts from operations
Cash paid to program suppliers, other suppliers and employees
Interest received
Net cash from operating activities
18
Cash flows from investing activities
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 July
Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June
9
12,639,196
27,519,167
26,364,456
12,639,196
The statement of cash flows is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 74 to 83.
73
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 30 JUNE 2009
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash
balances and term deposits with maturities
less than 90 days. Accounting for finance
income is discussed in Note 3(g).
1. Reporting entity
Non-derivative financial instruments are
measured at amortised cost using the
effective interest method, less any impairment
losses.
Beyond Blue Limited (the “Company”) is a
company domiciled in Australia. The address
of the Company’s registered office is 40
Burwood Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3122. The
Company is primarily involved in the business
of raising awareness of depression and its
related illnesses to the Australian community.
2. Basis of preparation
(a) Statement of compliance
The financial report is a general purpose
financial report which has been prepared
in accordance with Australian Accounting
Standards (AASBs) (including Australian
Accounting Interpretations) adopted by the
Australian Accounting Standards Board
(AASB) and the Corporations Act 2001. The
financial statements were approved by the
Board of Directors on 20 October 2009.
(b) Basis of measurement
The financial statements have been prepared
on the historical cost basis.
(c) Functional and presentation currency
These financial statements are presented in
Australian dollars, which is the Company’s
functional currency.
(d) Use of estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements
requires management to make judgements,
estimates and assumptions that affect the
application of accounting policies and the
reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income
and expenses. Actual results may differ from
these estimates.
Estimates and underlying assumptions are
reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to
accounting estimates are recognised in the
period in which the estimate is revised and in
any future periods affected.
(b) Plant and equipment
(i) Recognition and measurement
Items of plant and equipment are measured
at cost less accumulated depreciation
and accumulated impairment losses.
Cost includes expenditure that is directly
attributable to the acquisition of the asset.
When parts of an item of plant and equipment
have different useful lives, they are accounted
for as separate items of plant and equipment.
Gains and losses on disposal of an item
of plant and equipment are determined by
comparing the proceeds from disposal with
the carrying amount of plant and equipment
and are recognised net within “other income”
in surplus and deficit.
(ii) Subsequent costs
The cost of replacing part of an item of plant
and equipment is recognised in the carrying
amount of the item if it is probable that the
future economic benefits embodied within the
part will flow to the Company and its cost can
be measured reliably. The carrying amount
of the replaced part is derecognised. The
costs of the day-to-day servicing of plant and
equipment are recognised in surplus or deficit
as incurred.
(iii) Depreciation
Depreciation is recognised in surplus or deficit
on a straight-line basis over the estimated
useful lives of each part of an item of plant
and equipment.
The estimated useful lives in the current and
comparative periods are as follows:
Depreciation
Years
3. Significant accounting policies
The accounting policies set out below have
been applied consistently to all periods
presented in these financial statements.
- Furniture and fittings
2-5
- Computer equipment
2-5
- Software
2-10
(a) Financial Instruments
- Office equipment
2-5
(i) Non-derivative financial instruments
- Leasehold improvements
3-9
Non-derivative financial instruments comprise
trade and other receivables, cash and cash
equivalents, investments and trade and
other payables.
74
Depreciation methods, useful lives and
residual values are re-assessed at each
reporting date.
(c) Impairment
(i) Financial assets
A financial asset is assessed at each
reporting date to determine whether there is
any objective evidence that it is impaired. A
financial asset is considered to be impaired
if objective evidence indicates that one or
more events have had a negative effect on the
estimated future cash flows of that asset.
An impairment loss in respect of a financial
asset measured at amortised cost is
calculated as the difference between its
carrying amount, and the present value of the
estimated future cash flows discounted at the
original effective interest rate.
Individually significant financial assets are
tested for impairment on an individual basis.
The remaining financial assets are assessed
collectively in groups that share similar credit
risk characteristics.
All impairment losses are recognised in
surplus or deficit. An impairment loss is
reversed if the reversal can be related
objectively to an event occurring after the
impairment loss was recognised. For financial
assets measured at amortised cost, the
reversal is recognised in surplus or deficit.
(ii) Non-financial assets
The carrying amounts of the Company’s nonfinancial assets are reviewed at each reporting
date to determine whether there is any
indication of impairment. If any such indication
exists then the asset’s recoverable amount is
estimated.
An impairment loss is recognised if the
carrying amount of an asset exceeds its
recoverable amount. Impairment losses are
recognised in surplus or deficit.
The recoverable amount of an asset is the
greater of its value in use and its fair value less
costs to sell. In assessing value in use, the
estimated future cash flows are discounted to
their present value using a pre-tax discount
rate that reflects current market assessments
of the time value of money and the risks
specific to the asset.
Impairment losses recognised in prior periods
are assessed at each reporting date for any
indications that the loss has decreased or no
longer exists. An impairment loss is reversed
if there has been a change in the estimates
used to determine the recoverable amount.
An impairment loss is reversed only to the
extent that the asset’s carrying amount does
not exceed the carrying amount that would
have been determined, net of depreciation or
amortisation, if no impairment loss had been
recognised.
(d) Employee benefits
(h) Income tax
(i) Defined contribution superannuation funds
The Company has an exemption from income
tax under Section 50-5 of the Income Tax
Assessment Act (1997).
Obligations for contributions to defined
contribution superannuation funds are
recognised as an expense in surplus or deficit
when they are due.
(ii) Other long-term employee benefits
The Company’s net obligation in respect of
long-term employee benefits is the amount
of future benefit that employees have earned
in return for their service in the current and
prior periods plus related on costs; that
benefit is discounted to determine its present
value, and the fair value of any related assets
is deducted. The discount rate is the yield
at the reporting date on AA credit-rated
(Commonwealth Government) bonds that
have maturity dates approximating the terms
of the Company’s obligations.
(iii) Short-term benefits
Liabilities for employee benefits for wages,
salaries and annual leave represent present
obligations resulting from employees’
services provided to reporting date and are
calculated at undiscounted amounts based
on remuneration wage and salary rates that
the Company expects to pay as at reporting
date including related on-costs, such as
workers compensation insurance and
payroll tax.
(e) Revenue
(i) Government funding
Funding comprises the amounts received
from the Commonwealth, State and Territory
Governments. Revenue from Government
funding is recognised in surplus or deficit
upon the achievement and progress of
specific objectives detailed in the funding
agreements.
(i) Goods and services tax
Revenue, expenses and assets are recognised
net of the amount of goods and services
tax (GST), except where the amount of GST
incurred is not recoverable from the taxation
authority. In these circumstances, the GST is
recognised as part of the cost of acquisition
of the asset or as part of the expense.
Receivables and payables are stated with
the amount of GST included. The net amount
of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the
Australian Tax Office (ATO) is included as a
current asset or liability in the balance sheet.
Cash flows are included in the statement
of cash flows on a gross basis. The GST
components of cash flows arising from
investing and financing activities which are
recoverable from, or payable to, the ATO are
classified as operating cash flows.
(j) New standards and interpretations not yet
adopted
The following standards, amendments to
standards and interpretations have been
identified as those which may impact the
Company in the period of initial application.
They are available for early adoption at 30
June 2009, but have not been applied in
preparing this financial report:
•
AASB 8 Operating Segments
•
Revised AASB 101 Presentation of
The above new standards and interpretations
not yet adopted are not expected to have
a significant impact on the Company’s
financial report.
Any funding received for services which have
not been performed is recorded as deferred
income in the balance sheet.
4. Financial risk management
(ii) Donations
(a) Overview
Donations are recognised as revenue
upon receipt.
The Company has exposure to the following
risks from its use of financial instruments:
(f) Lease payments
•
credit risk
•
liquidity risk
•
market risk.
Payments made under operating leases are
recognised in surplus or deficit on a straightline basis over the term of the lease. Lease
incentives received are recognised as an
integral part of the total lease expense, over
the term of the lease.
(g) Finance income
Finance income comprises interest income
on funds invested. Interest income is
recognised as it accrues, using the effective
interest method.
This note presents information about
the Company’s exposure to each of the
above risks, its objectives and policies and
processes for measuring and managing risk.
Further quantitative disclosures are included
throughout this financial report.
The Board of Directors has overall
responsibility for the establishment and
oversight of the risk management framework.
Risk management policies are established
to identify and analyse the risks faced by the
Company, to set appropriate risk limits and
controls, and to monitor risks and adherence
to limits. Risk management policies and
systems are reviewed regularly to reflect
changes in market conditions and the
Company’s activities.
(b) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the
Company if a counterparty to a financial
instrument fails to meet its contractual
obligations, and arises principally from the
Company’s receivables from operating
activities and investments.
The Company’s exposure to credit risk
is influenced mainly by the individual
characteristics of each debtor.
Geographically there is no concentration
of credit risk.
Investments
The Company limits its exposure to credit
risk by only investing in liquid securities
and only with counterparties that have a
credit rating equal to or better than the
Company. All investments are in the form
of bank term deposits and are secured by
the Australian Government’s 2008 Deposit
and Wholesale Funding Guarantee.
(c) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will
not be able to meet its financial obligations
as they fall due. The Company’s approach
to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as
possible, that it will always have sufficient
liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under
both normal and stressed conditions, without
incurring unacceptable losses or risking
damage to the Company’s reputation.
(d) Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market
prices, such as interest rates and equity
prices, will affect the Company’s income
or the value of its holdings of financial
instruments. The objective of market risk
management is to manage and control
market risk exposures within acceptable
parameters, while optimising the return.
All investment transactions are carried out
within the guidelines of the Company’s
Investment Policy.
75
5. Revenue
2009
2008
$
$
8,600,000
8,500,000
70,000
70,000
New South Wales Government
1,183,777
1,183,777
Northern Territory Government
38,340
36,919
Queensland Government
645,086
645,086
South Australian Government
278,000
278,000
Government funding
Commonwealth Government
Australian Capital Territory Government
Tasmanian Government
Victorian Government
Western Australian Government
Commonwealth Early Years National Forum
Commonwealth National Perinatal Depression Initiative
Commonwealth Drought Mental Health Initiative
88,102
88,102
3,500,000
3,500,000
341,768
341,768
47,500
-
1,700,000
-
750,000
750,000
17,242,573
15,393,652
9,034,093
7,047,617
983,483
775,528
Other revenue
Donations
Other
Total revenue
10,017,576
7,823,145
27,260,149
23,216,797
2009
2008
6. Personnel expenses
Wages and salaries
$
$
4,185,606
3,134,919
Increase in liability for long service leave
53,264
18,124
Increase/(decrease) in liability for annual leave
81,006
(11,931)
4,319,876
3,141,112
2009
2008
$
$
12,470
11,880
4,530
4,320
17,000
16,200
7. Auditors’ remuneration
Audit services
Auditors of the Company
KPMG Australia
Audit and review of financial reports
Other services
Auditors of the Company
KPMG Australia
Accounting services
76
8. Net financing income
2009
Interest income from bank, term deposits and cheque accounts
2008
$
$
2,293,158
2,047,106
Finance income
2,293,158
2,047,106
Net financing income
2,293,158
2,047,106
2009
2008
9. Cash and cash equivalents
Bank balances
Short term deposit maturing within 3 months
Funds held in trust
Cash on hand
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows
$
$
4,328,466
1,480,511
17,666,473
10,482,120
4,369,017
676,379
500
186
26,364,456
12,639,196
Funds held in trust represent donations received by the Company for the Beyond Blue Depression Research Ancillary Fund Trust. Included in
short-term deposits is $2,112,276 (2008:$ 2,218,636) representing donations in respect of the Research Ancillary Fund Trust.
10. Trade and other receivables
2009
2008
$
$
Trade receivables
241,377
266,336
Other receivables and prepayments
409,890
434,519
651,267
700,855
2009
2008
11. Investments
Term Deposits
$
$
20,049,284
28,382,658
20,049,284
28,382,658
All investments are in the form of bank term deposits and are secured by the Australian Government’s 2008 Deposit and Wholesale Funding Guarantee.
77
12. Plant and equipment
2009
2008
$
$
Furniture and Fittings
At cost
Accumulated depreciation
56,880
28,355
(22,100)
(17,080)
34,780
11,275
Computer equipment
At cost
314,395
273,396
(228,281)
(180,796)
86,114
92,600
Software
At cost
88,957
101,562
(76,886)
(79,573)
12,071
21,989
Office equipment
At cost
52,013
33,475
(24,859)
(24,733)
27,154
8,742
Leasehold improvements
At cost
210,540
79,404
Accumulated amortisation
(42,164)
(25,912)
168,376
53,492
328,495
188,098
Total plant and equipment net book value
78
12. Plant and equipment (continued)
Reconciliations
Reconciliations of the carrying amounts for each class of plant and equipment are set out below:
2009
2008
$
$
Furniture and Fittings
Balance at 1 July
11,275
7,482
Acquisitions
28,527
6,971
Disposals
Depreciation
Balance at 30 June
-
-
(5,022)
(3,178)
34,780
11,275
Computer equipment
Balance at 1 July
92,600
44,317
Acquisitions
48,949
86,571
Disposals
Depreciation
Balance at 30 June
(1,417)
(71)
(54,018)
(38,217)
86,114
92,600
21,989
13,486
-
21,448
Software
Balance at 1 July
Acquisitions
Disposals
Depreciation
Balance at 30 June
-
-
(9,918)
(12,945)
12,071
21,989
Office equipment
Balance at 1 July
Acquisitions
Disposals
Depreciation
Balance at 30 June
8,742
7,067
24,227
6,248
(184)
(1,223)
(5,631)
(3,350)
27,154
8,742
Leasehold Improvements
Balance at 1 July
53,492
66,979
Acquisitions
131,137
28,445
Disposals
Amortisation
Balance at 30 June
-
(22,568)
(16,253)
(19,364)
168,376
53,492
79
13. Trade and other payables
2009
Trade payables
Non-trade payables and accrued expenses
Unearned income
2008
$
$
-
86,491
127,986
191,374
1,232,873
2,423,919
GST payable
(1,466)
595,600
1,359,393
3,297,384
Unearned income in 2009 includes income received in advance from the NSW Government of $1,183,777 (2008:$ 2,367,554).
14. Financial Instruments
(a) Credit risk
Exposure to credit risk
The carrying amount of the Company’s financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk
at the reporting date was:
Note
2009
2008
Cash and cash equivalents
9
26,364,456
12,639,196
10
651,267
700,855
Investments
11
20,049,284
28,382,658
47,065,007
41,722,709
The Company’s geographical exposure to credit risk for cash, trade receivables and other receivables and investments at the reporting date resides
within Australia.
(b) Impairment Losses
The ageing of the Company’s trade and other receivables at the reporting date was:
Not past due
2009
2009
2008
2008
Gross
Impairment
Gross
Impairment
$
$
$
$
571,242
-
480,619
-
Past due 0-30 days
11,125
-
98,110
-
Past due 31-60 days
11,635
-
6,472
-
More than 61 days
57,265
-
115,654
-
651,267
-
700,855
-
Based on historic default rates, the Company believes that no impairment allowance is necessary, in the current or prior year, in respect of trade and
other receivables; because these customers have a good credit history with the Company.
(c) Liquidity risk
The contractual maturities of trade and other payables are all within 6 months and equal the carrying amount. Refer note 13.
80
(d) Interest rate risk
At the reporting date the interest rate profile of the Company’s interest bearing financial instruments was:
Note
2009
2008
$
$
Fixed rate instruments
Cash – term deposits
Investments – term deposits
9
17,666,473
10,482,120
11
20,049,284
28,382,658
9
8,697,483
2,156,890
Variable rate instruments
Cash – bank balances and funds held in trust
Fair value sensitivity analysis for fixed rate instruments
The Company does not account for any fixed rate financial assets and liabilities at fair value through surplus or deficit. Therefore a change in
interest rates at the reporting date would not affect surplus or deficit.
Cash flow sensitivity analysis for variable rate instruments
A change of 100 basis points in interest rates at the reporting date would have increased (decreased) surplus or deficit by the amounts shown
below. This analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2008.
Surplus or Deficit
100bp Increase
100bp Decrease
$
$
86,975
(86,975)
21,569
(21,569)
2009
2008
$
$
194,634
105,527
30 June 2009
Cash
30 June 2008
Cash
(e) Fair values
All carrying amounts approximate fair value.
15. Employee benefits
Current
Liability for annual leave
Liability for long service leave
30,284
31,858
224,918
137,385
61,391
6,553
61,391
6,553
286,309
143,938
Non-current
Liability for long service leave
81
16. Operating leases
Leases as lessee
Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows:
2009
2008
$
$
Less than one year
332,340
305,460
Between one and five years
167,030
610,920
499,370
916,380
The Company leases property under non-cancellable operating leases expiring within five years. Leases generally provide the Company with a right
of renewal at which time all terms are renegotiated.
17. Segment reporting
The Company operates in Australia and is involved in the reduction of the prevalence, risks for and the impact of depressive disorders and increasing
the capacity of the Australian community to deal effectively with depression.
18. Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities
2009
2008
$
$
7,278,315
10,758,964
-
23,862
Cash flows from operating activities
Adjustments for:
(Gain)/loss on disposal of non-current assets
Depreciation
74,589
57,690
Amortisation
16,243
19,364
7,369,147
10,859,880
49,579
143,056
(1,937,991)
2,643,241
142,371
6,193
5,623,106
13,652,370
Operating surplus before changes in working capital
Decrease in trade and other receivables
(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables
Increase in employee benefits
Net cash from operating activities
19. Related parties
Transactions with key management personnel
Apart from the details disclosed in this note, no key management personnel has entered into a material contract with the Company and there were
no material contracts involving key management personnel’s interests existing at year end. Key management personnel include the Directors of the
Company. There were no key management personnel other than the Directors.
Key management personnel compensation
The key management personnel compensation, comprising of Directors’ remuneration, included in ‘personnel expenses’ (see note 6) are as follows:
2009
Short term employee benefits
82
2008
$
$
379,881
340,599
19. Related parties (continued)
The number of key management personnel
of the Company whose income from the
Company falls within the bands at right.
20. Economic dependency
The Company is largely dependent upon
the Commonwealth, State and Territory
Governments for ongoing funding.
21. Members’ guarantees
The Company is limited by guarantee and
the liability of members is limited to a
maximum of $50.
22. Subsequent events
There have been no events subsequent to
balance date which would have a material
effect on the Company’s financial statements
at 30 June 2009.
$0 - $9,999
2009
2008
$
$
3
2
$10,000 - $19,999
7
6
$20,000 - $29,999
1
1
$30,000 - $39,999
1
1
$200,000 - $209,999
-
1
$220,000 - $229,999
1
-
DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION
In the opinion of the Directors of Beyond Blue
Limited (“the Company”):
(a) the financial statements and notes, set out
on pages 74 to 83, are in accordance with
the Corporations Act 2001, including;
(i) giving a true and fair view of the
Company’s financial position as at
30 June 2009 and of its performance,
for the financial year ended on that
date; and
(ii) complying with Australian Accounting
Standards (including the Australian
Accounting Interpretations) and the
Corporations Regulations 2001;
(b) there are reasonable grounds to believe
that the Company will be able to pay its
debts as and when they become due
and payable.
Signed in accordance with a resolution
of the Directors:
Dated at Melbourne this 20th day of
October 2009.
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S
REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
BEYOND BLUE LIMITED
Report on the financial report
We have audited the accompanying financial
report of Beyond Blue Limited (the Company),
which comprises the balance sheet as at
30 June 2009, and the income statement,
statement of changes in equity and cash
flow statement for the year ended on that
date, a description of significant accounting
policies and other explanatory notes 1 to
22 and the Directors’ declaration set out on
pages 72 to 83.
Directors’ responsibility for the financial report
The Directors of the Company are responsible
for the preparation and fair presentation
of the financial report in accordance with
Australian Accounting Standards (including
the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and
the Corporations Act 2001. This responsibility
includes establishing and maintaining internal
control relevant to the preparation and fair
presentation of the financial report that is
free from material misstatement, whether
due to fraud or error; selecting and applying
appropriate accounting policies; and making
accounting estimates that are reasonable in
the circumstances.
Auditor’s responsibility
Director
Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the financial report based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance
with Australian Auditing Standards. These
Auditing Standards require that we comply
with relevant ethical requirements relating to
audit engagements and plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether
the financial report is free from material
misstatement.
Ms Leonie Young
Director
83
An audit involves performing procedures to
obtain audit evidence about the amounts
and disclosures in the financial report. The
procedures selected depend on the auditor’s
judgement, including the assessment of
the risks of material misstatement of the
financial report, whether due to fraud or
error. In making those risk assessments, the
auditor considers internal control relevant to
the entity’s preparation and fair presentation
of the financial report in order to design
audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of
the entity’s internal control.
An audit also includes evaluating the
appropriateness of accounting policies
used and the reasonableness of accounting
estimates made by the Directors, as well
as evaluating the overall presentation of the
financial report.
We performed the procedures to assess
whether in all material respects the financial
report presents fairly, in accordance with
the Corporations Act 2001 and Australian
Accounting Standards (including the
Australian Accounting Interpretations), a view
which is consistent with our understanding
of the Company’s financial position and of its
performance.
We believe that the audit evidence we have
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to
provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Independence
In conducting our audit, we have complied
with the independence requirements of the
Corporations Act 2001.
Auditor’s opinion
In our opinion:
(a) the financial report of Beyond Blue
Limited is in accordance with the
Corporations Act 2001, including:
(i) giving a true and fair view of the
Company’s financial position as at 30
June 2009 and of its performance for
the year ended on that date; and
(ii) complying with Australian Accounting
Standards (including the Australian
Accounting Interpretations) and the
Corporations Regulations 2001.
LEAD AUDITOR’S
INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
UNDER SECTION 307C OF THE
CORPORATIONS ACT 2001
To: the Directors of Beyond Blue
Limited
I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, in relation to the audit for the financial
year ended 30 June 2009 there have been:
•
no contraventions of the auditor
independence requirements as set out in
the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to
the audit; and
•
no contraventions of any applicable
code of professional conduct in relation
to the audit.
KPMG
KPMG
Ralph Ferguson
Partner
October 2009.
Ralph Ferguson
Partner
October 2009.
84
PO Box 6100, Hawthorn West, Victoria 3122
Phone 03 9810 6100 Fax: 03 9810 6111
Info line: 1300 22 4636
Email: [email protected]
BeyondBlue Limited ABN 87 093 865 840
1300 22 4636

Annual Report 08/09 - Home

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