Depression Facebook Group

I can not tell you how excited I am about BE OPEN TO DEPRESSION & SHOW YOUR SUPPORT the support has been absolutely great. It has left me so humble, moved and so touched. If you haven't joined then please check it out it will blow your mind!

Here's some photo's of my Family getting in on the action.

FAIRE FROU FROU'S Valentine's Sale Up to 75% OFF

One of my Favourite Lingerie peeps are having well, a RIDICULOUS SALE! Up to 75% off...



For my readers I say "THAT IS AWESOME"

As a Business Coach I say "ARE YOU MAD"

If you would like a Va Va Voom Valentine's then check out Faire Frou Frou and you'll be all sorted they have a diverse range so you'll find something to suit I'm sure :)

BE OPEN TO DEPRESSION & SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Just like we ALL know someone who has had Cancer & Heart Problems WE ALL know someone who suffers from Depression but chances are YOU DON'T KNOW!

Help RAISE AWARENESS TO DEPRESSION & SHOW YOUR SUPPORT (Hence the Bra)

We NEED to be open about this and we can SAVE LIVES!

Here's what we are going to do-

* Take a photo of yourself in a BRA or use mine :)
* Write BE OPEN TO DEPRESSION & SHOW YOUR SUPPORT on your Facebook, Twitter & Myspace status or Blog along with mine/your photo
* Send a message to EVERYONE and get them to do the same.
* Join our Facebook Group and tell your friends, you can even upload your photo there!

Lastly Amanda Cox and I say A BIG THANK YOU to Brava Lingerie & MJPhotography for your support :) Lingerie was donated by the LOVELY girls at Brava Lingerie & Photography was done by MJPhotography

Understanding Depression Moving Forward

When I woke up on Australia Day to see Professor Patrick McGorry was made Australian of the Year for his dedication on the work he has done on Mental Illness, it was divine timing with our BE OPEN TO DEPRESSION AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT Campaign that Amanda Cox and I are putting together. On the same day ironically my sister’s friend (who suffered from Depression) sadly Commit Suicide on that very day.

If we are going to combat Depression we ALL need to come together with a realistic and clear approach. Here are a few facts for you to think about-

Deaths due to Mental Illness is in the TOP 4 of Medical related deaths

Each one of these Epidemic Illnesses has Specialists in their field.

1. Heart Disease- General Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons
2. Arthritis & Musculoskeletal conditions- Rheumatologists
3. Cancer- Oncologists
4. Mental Illness- NOTHING. OK they have General Practitioners
5. Diabetes- Endocrinologist

Now I do not want to get into a GP debate however there is such a shortage of any GP’s let alone a good one. GP’s just don’t have the time or the knowledge to configure the right course of action for someone with Depression, so instead they put them on Antidepressants and organise no testing to see if it is Biological or Physiological (this determines that the right medication is prescribed) or no referrals to a Psychologist or any follow up.

According to new studies men and people who live in the Country are most at risk for being undiagnosed, so where do we go from here?

The Government needs to-

• Educate ALL GP’s through out the Country have a CLEAR protocol in which GP’s have to follow. With testing, referrals and follow ups.
• They already have the Rebates BUT

I don’t know about you but I have a hard time trying to get my head around what is available and what they have or should do, LET ALONE IF I ACTUALLY HAD DEPRESSION. It’s too confusing, especially if your mind is UNABLE to process information. They will put it in the too hard basket and too be honest I wouldn’t blame them.

If you have cancer-
• You have tests
• You see a Specialist
• You receive treatment
• You are closely monitored

It’s kept really simply because when you ARE SICK you do not need any other stress. You mind should be focusing on getting better, yes?

What I find the most frustrating is Mental Illness is totally treatable and those 48 million people who will commit suicide due to Mental Illness DO NOT HAVE TO DIE! It gives me shivers, it brings tears to my eyes and it makes me sick to my stomach. That it just DOESN’T have to be this way.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE EDUCATE EDUCATE EDUCATE


Disclaimer: This article was written from a personal opinion and I am NOT a qualified in psychology or counselling. If you do need assistance with emotions or mental health, to seek assistance from your GP immediately.

Textbook Answers to Understanding Depression

On my Road to Understanding Depression I have also been Inside the Mind of Depression. Today I am going to use the same questions from Inside the Mind of Depression BUT I am going to give you "The textbook answers" from the Experts over at SANE.

What causes Depression?
There are a number of possible causes of depression.
• Depression can be a reaction to a distressing situation like loss or stress (reactive depression). Some women experience depression following the birth of a child (post-natal depression).
• Depression can be part of an illness like bipolar disorder in which the person experiences extreme moods without any reason –very high and very-excited or very low and depressed.
• Depression can be unrelated to any outside cause, but associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain (endogenous depression). Sometimes the person may be affected so much that he or she experiences the symptoms of psychosis and is unable to distinguish what is real.
• Children and teenagers can also become depressed. This can show itself in different ways to depression in adults, and they are best helped by a doctor who is a specialist in this area.

Click here for the full report.

Why can’t you snap out of it?

Illness? Depression is an illness? Some may ask. Yes, depression is an illness. People do not choose depression. Depression causes a chemical imbalance in the brain, and thus people can't "snap out of it."
People with depression need treatment, just like people with other illnesses need treatment. But many people who have depression do not receive treatment because of the societal stigma that is associated with depression.
Many people think individuals with depression are weak. And that they are choosing to be depressed, or they are just acting. And thus should be able to "snap out of it."
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Not only is depression an illness that people cannot "snap out of," but untreated depression is also the number one cause for suicide.
Depression is a very serious mental illness that always needs to be treated
And it is highly treatable.

Click here for the full report.


How can stigma be reduced?

Respondents were optimistic that stigma could be reduced, with suggestions spread across a whole range of initiatives in the community. Tackling stigma in the media was seen as the most urgent priority (17%), reflecting the enormous influence of the media on community attitudes as a whole. The SANE StigmaWatch initiative was recognised by almost half of respondents as active in this area. Education about mental illness in schools and in the workplace, as well as in the general community, was also highlighted as an important ongoing measure to reduce stigma. An important barrier to stigma reduction is the fact that vilification of people with a disability including those who have a psychiatric disability because of mental illness – is not unlawful in Australia (except under Tasmanian legislation). While people cannot be publicly ridiculed because of their religion or sexual preference, journalists, advertising agencies and anyone else is free to mock and invite contempt for people
with a mental illness or any form of disability.

To move forward we must educate.


Click here for the full report.


Intimacy and mental illness how does it affect relationships?

* 51% of people with a mental Illness are in a relationship
* 49% are single
* 65% had some sexual contact in the last 12 months
* 35% Had no sexual contact.

Many people with a mental illness lead isolated, lonely lives, often having no partner or even friends to share their lives.
For many people with a mental illness, loneliness is compounded by a lack of physical intimacy – signs of affection such as hugs and kisses. This is a particularly harsh aspect of social exclusion.
People with a mental illness are far less likely to have sexual relationships than the general population, reflecting a more general difficulty in social relations.
People with a mental illness report poor support regarding sexual health, with a high number not receiving regular health checks such as pap smears, breast screening or prostate checks.

Click here for the full report.