The PDF documents on this page can be downloaded and printed using Adobe Reader.
The Flash documents can be downloaded and printed using Adobe Flash Player. 
The Black Dog Institute and the University of NSW is trialling an alternative treatment for depression – known as Mild Brain Stimulation (MBS) (also known as Direct Current Stimulation). The trial is particularly suitable to patients seeking an alternative to medication or who were unable to tolerate anti-depressant drugs or ECT. Participants will receive MBS for 20 minutes three times per week over about a month. Depressed patients aged 18 and over who want to take part in the trial should phone 02 9382 3720 or email tms@unsw.edu.au
Read the flyer [PDF, 53KB]
The efficacy of laser acupuncture as a credible treatment for depression will be investigated in a major new study launched by the Black Dog Institute and the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Not all patients do well on current treatments for depression and in some cases people turn to acupuncture and herbal medicine as alternative treatments. Despite numerous studies suggesting acupuncture has a role in the alleviation of depression there has been little scientific evidence to determine its efficacy, compared with medications currently prescribed. The new study is designed to rigorously pursue the scientific question: Is acupuncture an effective treatment for depression, and if so, why? The study will be led by Dr Im Quah-Smith. To participate, call 02 9686 4680 or email laserindepression@gmail.com
Read the News Release [PDF, 39KB]
Mobile phones and the internet will soon be used to help up to two million Australians manage their mental health problems. The innovative approach is designed to help people track their wellbeing on a day-to-day basis in areas including mood, sleep, activities, medication, physical activity as well as drug and alcohol abuse. The target groups are adolescents and adults at risk of developing depression, anxiety or stress, as well as those with existing conditions.A $1.88 million Federal Government grant has been awarded to the Black Dog Institute and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to undertake the program between 2008-2011.
Read the News Release [PDF, 40KB]
Meditation and cognitive behaviour therapy may help those with Bipolar Disorder, according to researchers from the Black Dog Institute and the University of New South Wales (UNSW). They are trialling the techniques to see if they reduce relapse rates triggered by stress and anxiety for those with the condition. Over the past couple of years, the treatment has been known to be of benefit for people with depression. The trial is being supported by a $60,000 grant from Rotary. To join the program, call 02 9382 9266 or email mindfulbipolar@unsw.edu.au
Read more aboout the research trial
Read the News Release [PDF, 38KB]
No one ever sends 'get well' cards for depression, so we have created a selection of free eCards for people to send to their loved ones and friends who are battling with a mood disorder. The cards are a means for people to reach out show their support . It is summed up in one card: "I can't know your pain. All I can know is it will pass. Until then I am with you". The cards were created by John Bevins Pty Ltd while an additional two designs were provided by Matthew Johnstone, author of "I Had a Black Dog"
Are you living in rural New South Wales with personal experience of a mood disorder? Would you like to share your experience as a carer or consumer to raise awareness and destigmatise depression and Bipolar Disorder? We are looking for people living in one of the following areas: Ballina, Broken Hill, Condoblin, Glenn Innes, Lismore, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Bourke, Cobar, Deniliquin, Goulburn, Moree, Orange and Wagga Wagga to represent the Black Dog Institute in their local area. Contact Deana Bayoud, Community Education Officer on (02) 9382 8368 or d.bayoud@unsw.edu.au
The Black Dog Institute has been acknowledged in State Parliament for creating a growing awareness of mental health issues. Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health), Paul Lynch, was speaking during question time when he said there had been a sea change in the community's views about mental illness and those who suffer from it. Earlier in the day, Mr Lynch had presented awards to the winners of the Institute's Writing and Poetry Competition.
Pictured right: (from left) Paul Lynch MP and two of the Institute's Writing and Poetry Competition winners.
Read the News Release [PDF, 30KB]
Young people tell their intimate stories in a rare insight into the ‘Black Dog’ world in a writing and poetry competition that identified grassroots solutions to discover fresh ways of addressing the issue of depression in adolescence. Their stories and accounts from the older generation looking back on their lives were entries in the prestigious Black Dog Institute 2008 Writing and Poetry Competition. The writing competition is the fourth conducted by the Institute in as many years, while this is the first year the Institute has offered a prize for the best poem. Both writers and poets looked at Mood Disorders in Adolescence – Grassroots Solutions. The Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch, today presented prizes to the winners of the competition, declaring he had been deeply moved by the stories, in particular, the strength and enterprise of young people in seeking help and support.
Read the News Release [PDF, 36KB] See a photo album from the ceremony.
Read the winning and highly commended writing and poetry entries
The second annual 'Happiness & Its Causes' conference took place at Darling Harbour during May. The conference was designed to provide information for people to assess the different approaches to happiness, apply the learning and make positive changes. Personal stories is a unique feature of Happiness and Its Causes and this year the Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, Professor Gordon Parker, interviewed John Brogden, former NSW Opposition Leader and Olympian, John Konrads.
Read a summary of the interviews [PDF, 163KB]
As summer grinds to a halt and the days become shorter and cooler , we may begin to notice our own dispositions changing with the seasons. As we get closer to winter, we become more susceptible to what is know as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or winter depression. While it is not yet "time to lay down your acorns for the winter", Professor Parker, Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, said symptoms of SAD will arrive soon and the best way to combat these natural urges to sleep, eat and sulk is to soak up as much sun as possible.
Taken from the Southern Courier article 15th April 2008.
See the full article [Flashpaper]
The Black Dog Institute continues to set new benchmarks as demonstrated in its latest Yearly Report now available online. Each year, the Institute is challenged to provide better understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mental health. In 2007, the Institute answered the challenge with strong growth across all its streams of activity - Clinical Services, Professional Education and Training, Research, and Consumer and Community Support. Our website hit rate now averages over 100,000 a month. There is also a high demand for our clinical services that assist in providing answers to those individuals (and their families) seeking sophisticated diagnosis and management of their condition. Highlighted on the front cover is the Mood Assessment Program (the MAP) which is set to revolutionise the way people suffering depression are diagnosed.
Associate Professor Michael Breakspear from the Black Dog Institute (pictured right) is part of the ''Thinking Systems Group' that is looking at creating an autonomous robotic hand that uses sensory feedback to mimic the connection between the hands and the brain. According to Associate Professor Breakspear, the project was not just about building the hand but also about discovering how the hierarchical control systems of the brain worked. Building the hand will have important ramifications for neuroscience, including understanding many brain disorders. The 'Thinking Systems Group' was founded in 2005 and comprises a multidisciplinary group of investigators.
'Living with a Black Dog' is the title of a new book by Matthew and Ainsley Johnstone - a must-have guide for the partners, family and friends and colleagues of people suffering depression. Former NSW Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, launched the book at the Black Dog Institute and emphasised how important it was that there was a team effort in the fight against depression that involved professionals as well as the carers, such as brothers and sisters, parents and husbands and wives. Speaking at the launch, Ainsley Johnstone, said listening without judgment was one of the best things you can give a black dog sufferer. This book is released by Pan Macmillan Australia and is available in bookstores. It is full of wonderful illustations and has been described as a companion book to Matthew Johnstone's 'I Had A Black Dog'.
Visit Matthew Johnstone's website
Eve and Guy Sheppard are two of the Institute's most valued supporters. Every second year, the couple hold a fundraising dinner in memory of their son, Mark. This year, the Sheppard's fund raising dinner was held on 15th March at the Kirribilli Yacht Squadron. Guest speaker was retired General Peter Cosgrove AC, MC who has been described as Australia's best known modern general while in 2001 he was Australian of the Year. Eve and Guy visited the Institute today to present a $29,500 cheque to Executive Director, Professor Gordon Parker. Our sincere thanks to all the warm and generous people who supported this worthwhile event.
Winners of the Black Dog Institute 2008 Writing and Poetry Competition will be announced on Monday 12th May. The NSW Minister assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) will present the prizes at an award ceremony. The judges Lydia Turner (INSIGHT volunteer), Tanya Hanstock (senior clinical psychologist) and Leon de Bord (writer and manager) have had the difficult task of selecting the winners from so many outstanding entries. Details of the winners and their essays and poems will appear on the Institute's website immediately following the presentation on 12th May.
Read more about the Writing Competition
The Iemma Government has extended its partnership with the Black Dog Institute, committing a further $1.5 million for further research into depression and mood disorders. Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch said the Iemma Government’s partnership with Black Dog was delivering results in the early intervention of mood disorders. Mr Lynch said the Black Dog’s Mood Assessment Program (MAP) – a world first – was a proven success with more than 750 patients already assessed.
Read the Government News Release [PDF,84 KB]
A Black Dog Institute psychiatrist, Professor Philip Mitchell, who is also head of the University of New South Wales School of Psychiatry, has been awarded a major award from Rotary. Professor Mitchell was one of four people who received Rotary International’s Vocational Excellence Award at an event in Bathurst at the weekend. The award recognizes outstanding contributions made by individuals or teams for significant advancement in their field in Australia.
Read the news release [PDF, 28KB]
The Black Dog Institute and the University of NSW is trialling an alternative treatment for depression – known as Mild Brain Stimulation (MBS) (also known as Direct Current Stimulation). The trial is particularly suitable to patients seeking an alternative to medication or who were unable to tolerate anti-depressant drugs or ECT. Participants will receive MBS for 20 minutes three times per week over about a month. Depressed patients aged 18 and over who want to take part in the trial should phone 02 9382 3720 or email tms@unsw.edu.au
Read the news release [PDF, 32KB]
Read the flyer [PDF, 53KB]
The Black Dog Institute today launched DepEd, an online education program to help people better understand and manage depression. The Black Dog Institute believes there is a distinct need at the present time to make the assessment and management of mood disorders more sophisticated to ensure people are not over-treated or under-treated for their condition.
Go to DepEd
See the full page ad for DepEd [PDF, 1.1MB]
Read the News Release [PDF, 39KB]
The Black Dog Institute Executive Director, Professor Gordon Parker, believes a study that questions the benefits of antidepressants to treat depression poses a real risk of erroneously undermining confidence of people who find them beneficial in the treatment of mood disorders. He said that in contrast to the findings of this study, most people suffering clinical depression and, in particular, melancholic depression (the ‘Black Dog’) who take antidepressants, find them strikingly effective.
See News Release [PDF, 45KB]
Judges for the fourth Black Dog Institute Writing and Poetry Competition have started the tough job of selecting our winners for 2008. Pictured (left to right) are Lydia Turner (INSIGHT volunteer), Tanya Hanstock (Senior Clinical Psychologist) and Leon de Bord, (Writer and Manager). The theme of this year's competition was 'Mood Disorders in Adolesence - Grassroots Solutions'. Following the completion of judging, all entrants will be advised of the results while a ceremony is held at the Institute to announce the winners and present their prizes.
Read more about the Writing Competition
Port Macquarie is the first rural centre in New South Wales to have available a world first assessment and diagnostic program that assists in the assessment and diagnosis of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
The Mood Assessment Program (or MAP) is the brainchild of the Black Dog Institute and provides health professionals with the know-how of highly skilled mood disorder specialists.
Read the news release [PDF, 42KB]
Lawyers are a group particularly at risk of suffering mood disorders, disabling conditions which are more common and less well diagnosed or treated than might be expected.
Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, Professor Gordon Parker, looks at the problem in article he has written for the February edition of the Law Society Journal.
Read the article [PDF, 284KB] Reproduced with permission
Both essays and poems on the subject of Mood Disorders in Adolescence – Grassroots Solutions - were being sought in a competition being conducted by the Black Dog Institute. Entries in the competition closed on 31 January 2008.
Highlighting the fact that 14 percent of children and adolescents in Australia have mental health problems, Professor Gordon Parker, Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, said today it was vitally important to look more closely at the consumer viewpoint to discover fresh ways of addressing the issue.
details
details
Page last updated: 2-Jul-2008
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Information Australia - Black Dog Institute.
Copyright © 2008 Black Dog Institute
Our site has been approved by the HealthInsite Editorial Board to be a HealthInsite information partner site