beyondblue has launched a new media campaign to provide an insight into the experiences of young people suffering with anxiety and depression.

With the help of the Mitchell Communication Group who have generously donated media space will run a series of adverts on TV, cinema, radio and print.

The new campaign hopes to persuade family, friends, and workmates of people who may be experiencing depression/anxiety to: LOOK for the signs of depression; LISTEN to friends’ experiences; TALK about what’s going on; and SEEK HELP together.

If you would like more information on youth depression and anxiety go to www.youthbeyondblue.com.

To celebrate Terry White Chemists association with beyondblue, Good Healthy Advice would like to showcase a beyondblues TV commercial from their national advertsing campaign to help build awareness of depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia.

Source: beyondblue

NSW Minister for Ageing The Hon. Kristina Keneally will launch a new initiative to combat depression among older people in NSW.

The beyond maturity blues peer education program which is being funded by beyondblue: the national depression initiative has been developed by beyondblue in partnership with Council on the Ageing. The New South Wales program will be conducted by COTA NSW and the NSW Senior Peer Education Centre and will provide information sessions for older people to increase their awareness of depression and where to go for help.

COTA Chief Executive Ian Yates said: "Depression is not a normal part of ageing. It is a health problem, not a weakness. We will address the issue by providing seniors with information that will reduce stigmatising attitudes and increase seniors’ knowledge of where to receive appropriate help. Depression is a treatable illness – information and support is now available."

Beyondblue Acting CEO Dr Nicole Highet said: "Depression is not to be expected in old age, but it is a widespread health problem that’s very often not recognised, misdiagnosed and poorly treated.  Many older people and their carers either aren’t aware of the common signs and symptoms of depression, or don’t want to talk about how they’re feeling, for fear of burdening their families."

In 2006, beyondblue and Council on the Ageing South Australia conducted a successful pilot program aimed at older people to increase their awareness of depression.

This twelve-month pilot project examined the effectiveness of using existing peer support networks to deliver specific depression-awareness education to older people.

"We know that older people are receptive to health information from their peers.  We’re very excited to be working with COTA across Australia on this project.  We hope to make a difference in helping people to recognise depression in themselves or others and most importantly to know how to access help," Dr Highet said.

beyondblue’s evaluation showed the effectiveness of the pilot program. The percentage of people who could correctly identify the incidence of depression rose dramatically after the training.

As a result, the program is now being rolled out nationally through Councils on the Ageing in every state and territory. Trained peer educators will present talks to groups of seniors over the next 18 months.

"It isn’t good enough to tell a person who is depressed that they should just get over it or it’s all their own fault," said Mr Yates.

"Seniors talking to seniors through our peer education program is a very effective way of getting the message across. People who are depressed need help. This project will provide support to enable seniors to access that help."