Depression is a health problem that touches most families in Australia. Thankfully, we now have a growing number of political leaders, health and medical experts as well as individuals who know from their own personal experience and those close to them just how serious a problem we are dealing with in our community.
" To the Black Dog Institute Management and Staff Members - A VERY BIG THANK YOU for the High Achievement Certificate you have issued to me, regarding my entry into the recent writing competition. Receiving this certificate as a budding writer is the THRILL OF MY LIFE, even better than winning a prize. Thank you again for the writing competition and the work that the Institute is working on in the area of Depression in all its forms. I have suffered most of my life and it is through the work of your dedicated team that the public at large will eventually be able to understand the nature of mental illness."
Robin Barnes
22/04/2005."I thoroughly enjoyed the exercise. I've learnt a lot about bipolar disorder and, reading my essay will help my son to understand, that I understand his problem."
Glad McGough
27/01/2005.
The following quotes help shed some light on mental health issues:
"To see the light return to someone's eyes, to hear that they can see colour in the world again and to hear expressions of hope, is the best return on any clinical investment."
Professor Gordon Parker
Executive Director, Black Dog Institute.
2004 Annual Report."(We need to) unlock this greatest mystery of the human mind; unlock the door to that great dark house and at last let light in."
Former Premier, Bob Carr.
Launch of Black Dog Institute 12/02/2002."Of all Australia's health concerns, depression is one of the most disabling and highly stigmatised - as well as being one of the most deadly. It affects quality of life and life itself."
Former Premier, Bob Carr.
Launch of Black Dog Institute 12/02/2002."For most people, depression is totally treatable. The endpoint is recovery, not merely improvement."
Professor Gordon Parker
Executive Director, Black Dog Institute."Many people have received limited treatment - because of the prevailing Zeitgeist held by many professionals - that depression is an 'it', that 'it' is a disease varying only in severity, is due to a chemical imbalance and that it therefore requires physical treatment - a one size fits all model. Our Research has established that depression is like 'pain' - a symptom that can reflect a number of differing disorders, with quite varying causes, each benefiting from different approaches and treatments.
As a consequence, many of the people that have come to our clinic do so because they have not previously received the right diagnosis nor the appropriate treatment."
Professor Gordon Parker
Executive Director, Black Dog Institute.
Launch of Black Dog Institute 12/02/2002."In recent years, the media has become aware of the statistics - that depression is the most disabling public health disorder in the community. The mood effects seem self evident - but severe depression reaches a stage of mental torture, or a state beyond repair. World War 11 exhausted Churchill, but it was depression that made him feel that he was finished - that victory had 'turned to sackcloth and ashes.' It's disabling effects are both direct - stopping people from getting to work and -even more importantly-stopping people from being able to work when they get there."
Professor Gordon Parker
Executive Director Black Dog Institute.
Launch of the Black Dog Institute 12/02/2002."It is but one more piece in the complex puzzle that is mental health. There remains big challenges in the years ahead as mental health seems destined to become an even greater issue for the community."
Peter Joseph OAM
Chairman Black Dog Institute.
Launch of the Black Dog Institute 12/02/2002."It is a statistical shadow that's dark and stark; in the next 10 years or so, the two biggest health issues we will be facing as a nation will be infectious diseases and mental illness."
Peter Joseph OAM
Chairman Black Dog Institute.
Launch of the Black Dog Institute 12/02/2002."Its many victims have included Michelangelo, Monet, Van Gogh, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, Graham Greene, Vivien Leigh, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, and, of course, closer to home, any number of our friends and family. I dare say there would be few families that haven't been touched in some way (by depression)."
Peter Joseph OAM
Chairman Black Dog Institute.
Launch of the Black Dog Institute 12/02/2002."Our society can no longer afford to avert its gaze from the Black Dog's threat; the shadow has been lurking for too long. But history, humanity and hope all tell us that victory is assured for those who unite and battle for a noble cause. That 'V' for victory rallied a nation and - indeed the free world - in their darkest hour. It's the symbol of a helping hand, and we invite you to extend your helping hand to the Institute."
Peter Joseph OAM
Chairman Black Dog Institute.
Launch of the Black Dog Institute 12/02/2002."It is our hope that the Black Dog Institute is highly successful in increasing the levels of knowledge and awareness of depression in both the medical and general communities. Only extended research can assist in clarifying the mysteries of depression. Through these achievements we are hopeful that in the future, those experiencing depression, and their families, will gain the highest level of care and support, thus preventing lives spent in pain or families suffering the agony of lives lost."
Eve and Guy Sheppard
Supporters of the Black Dog Institute.
February 2002"Depression affects the onset and course of many medical disorders. For example, it increases the chance of heart attack by three times, and additionally, for those who have had a heart attack, depression at that time increases the chances of death some 3-6 times."
Professor Gordon Parker
Executive Director Black Dog Institute.
Sydney Rotary Club lunchtime speech. 12/08/03"Evidence is strongly suggesting Bipolar Disorder - previously known as Manic Depression - may be dramatically increasing in modern society."
Professor Gordon Parker
Executive Director Black Dog Institute.
Sydney Rotary Club lunchtime speech. 12/08/03"Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder are individuals displaying exaggerated
mood swings. Both males and females are equally affected but it now appears more common in people in their 20s."
Professor Gordon Parker
Executive Director Black Dog Institute.
Sydney Rotary Club lunchtime speech. 12/08/03"Women who suffer from depression during and after pregnancy are being targeted for a study to determine if Omega 3 - the product derived from fish oil- is an effective natural therapy. During pregnancy and lactation, women are often depleted of Omega 3 due to diversion to the fetus/newborn. The dietary intake of omega 3 is also particularly low in western countries and is one factor associated with higher rates of depression."
Dr Anne-Marie Rees
Senior Perinatal Psychiatry Registrar
based at theRoyal Hospital for Women and the Black Dog Institute.
News Release 24/08/03"I wholeheartedly support the Black Dog Institute. It was there for me when I fell into what I call my black hole of depression. Life was hopeless; I wanted to die; and I couldn't paint. Recovery hasn't been easy - it's been a gradual process. I'm now back enjoying life, painting and planning exhibitions. It's a great comfort to know the Black Dog Institute is there whenever I need help.
Margaret Olley
Supporter of the Black Dog Institute
March 2004"Depression is (...) a noun with bland tonality and lacking any magisterial presence, used indifferently to describe an economic decline or a rut in the ground, a true wimp of a word for such a major illness."
William Styron
"Darkness Visible" (1992)
Page last updated: 08-Nov-2008
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Information Australia - Black Dog Institute.
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