Talk about more than depression in Mental Health Week

Residents should start talking about mental health issues beyond depression this Mental Health Week.

That is the message from Brisbane Waters Private Hospital CEO Ms Kathy Beverley.

She said that one in five Australians will experience mental illness each year and the community cannot afford to keep quiet about this "elephant in the room".

"Recent surveys show that over time Australians have become more accepting and understanding of people with mental illness," Ms Beverley said.

"In fact nine out of 10 Australians say the country is performing better on this score in the past decade," she said.

"However, while this is encouraging, stigma remains around other conditions like bipolar, addictions, post-traumatic stress disorders and others.

"When we talk about mental health, we want people to also discuss the more challenging conditions and disorders that Australians face," she said.

Ms Beverley said Brisbane Waters Private Hospital provided a broad range of mental health services, often dealing with complex cases.

"Community members seeking help for addictions, complex mental health conditions, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder also need our understanding and support," she said.

"Mental illness isn't just limited to depression; it affects all Australians who are experiencing anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders and even issues related to suicide.

"The facts are men are more than twice as likely as women to have substance abuse disorders; up to 90 per cent of eating disorders occur in women, and affect nine per cent of the population; and one in six young Australians are currently experiencing an anxiety condition."

Having a week that is dedicated to raising awareness around mental health is important for all Australians, Ms Beverley said.

"Brisbane Waters Private Hospital held a community expo at Deepwater Plaza, Woy Woy on Thursday, October 13, to start conversations about mental health with the local community.

Staff from the hospital accompanied by an eight foot high inflatable elephant encouraged community members to talk to staff about mental health."

Brisbane Waters Private Hospital will also be hosting a free Community Forum on Monday, October 24, at the hospital on Drug and Alcohol Addictive Disorders, which is open to the community from 6pm to 8pm.

The hospital's Central Coast Clinic is a private mental health care facility and it will be hosting the free community event to provide informative and interactive information on the latest treatments and therapies used.

Panel speakers will include Healthe Care Australia's Central Coast director of psychiatry Dr Greg Pearson and the Central Coast Clinic's clinical director of psychiatry services Professor Carlos Zubaran; along with drug and alcohol counsellors, a psychologist and nursing team members.

Brisbane Waters Private Hospital is part of Healthe Care Australia.

Media release, 10 Oct 2016

Petrina Waddell, Brisbane Waters Private Hospital