2012 Writing Competition

Walking the Tightrope - Caring for Someone with Depression or Bipolar Disorder

While one in five Australians will personally experience clinical depression or a bipolar disorder over their lifetime there are the families, partners, friends and work colleagues who are also drawn into the crisis. Often, it is these people on the perimeter that selflessly reach out to assist those who are living with a mood disorder, offering their time, their acceptance, support and hope.

In searching for strategies to deal with mood disorders, the latest Black Dog Institute Writing Competition throws the spotlight on the powerful stories that come from carers, with a particular focus on the questions of what worked best, what didn’t work and what did you learn?

“While depression can be very isolating, individuals fighting this private battle are often surrounded by those who love them, with friends, family and colleagues all looking for practical and sensitive ways to show their support,” said Professor Gordon Parker, Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute. “The theme of the 2011/12 writing competition is Walking the Tightrope - Caring for Someone with Depression or Bipolar Disorder. I feel this will resonate with carers who are often the unsung heroes in helping people with mood disorders while at the same time exposing themselves to an increased risk of them facing a similar fate.”

Over the past eight years the writing competition has focused on a wide range of topics including adolescents, the elderly, postnatal depression and tackling mood disorders in the workplace, as well as mastering depression and bipolar disorder; resulting in the publication of five (soon to be six) books by distinguished publishing companies.

Essays are to be no longer than 1500 words and will need to include: At least two recommendations which will be collated into a list of tips to help all carers. (For example, there was the case of a couple that adopted the following practice when one of them was depressed. They would hold hands and while looking into each others eyes, jump up and down. Not before long, they were laughing at each other; thus providing a fun way of finding a ‘circuit breaker’ to override this black cloud of depression. (There was also a couple living in London. When one of them was feeling depressed, they would go cycling around London – at 2.00am and 3.00am.) At least two useful strategies such as the type of support services or websites that proved the most helpful and practical.

The 2011/12 competition invites entries from the Australasian region.

Prizes will be awarded for the three best essay entries.

First Place: $2000; Second Place $1000 and Third Place $500.

The closing date for receipt of entries has been extended to 6 February 2012.

Participants are required to complete an application form and forward, where possible, an electronic copy of their essay to blackdog@blackdog.org.au plus an original copy of the essay on A4 paper (paper clip/not stapled) by post, addressed to:

Black Dog Institute Writing Competition
Black Dog Institute,
Hospital Road, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick NSW 2031

Media Inquiries: Contact Ian Dose, Media Manager at the Black Dog Institute, mobile: 0419 618 606 or email: i.dose@unsw.edu.au

Download the Application Form.

Read the News Release.