BeyondBlue finally pays attention to long-neglected group
Whether it's neo-natal, indigenous, or rural mental health , BeyondBlue has been almost relentless in its efforts to reach groups who are at risk. Except one.
When you look at the latest annual report from BeyondBlue, it soon becomes obvious the organisation has engaged in some heavy lifting with its partner networks to get the mental health message out there. Whether it's neo-natal, indigenous, or rural mental health, BeyondBlue has been almost relentless in its efforts to reach groups who are at risk. Except one.
Just under 12 months ago, BeyondBlue commissioned Latrobe University to do a summary of the current research on Same Sex Attracted ( SSA ) people, and how they were travelling with their mental health. SSA is an umbrella term, and basically covers people who identify as not straight. The results are very, very confronting.
The "Feeling Queer And Blue" research summary is a litany of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. The full report is available from the BeyondBlue website, but suffice to say that when you have 17% of women who are not straight wanting to suicide sometime in the last six months versus 2% of straight women over the same period, something is busted.
Chaired by former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, BeyondBlue is funded from three main sources: the Commonwealth provides some $9.2 million dollars a year, the States and Territories another $6.1 million and donations total another $7.8 million dollars per year.
The bulk of the corporate funding — just on $5.2 million — comes from the Movember Foundation with its Grow-a-mo competition. An astonishing amount, when you consider it has only been in full swing for a handful of years. BeyondBlue makes a point of not only refusing donations from pharmaceutical companies, but also only directing funding where the research says it should be spent.
To their credit, BeyondBlue have been quoted recently as saying that SSA is "going to be a priority area" for the rest of their current funding round which runs until the end of 2010.
The problem is that the research summary was only instigated after some agitation by the SSA communities, and even though the research was delivered in late 2008, it was only after enquiries by The Sunday Age and significant 'arm twisting' by health activists, that the summary was made public last week.
Not surprisingly, the broader community has high expectations of BeyondBlue. The organisation has committed board members and ambassadors with significant intellectual horsepower, a high public profile and funding to match.
Victorian Health Ministers Lisa Neville and Daniel Andrews will also be keen to see BeyondBlue rectify this glaring anomaly, after all it is they who are responsible to the community, and have to explain why Victoria is providing more funding than all the other states and territories combined.
Whatever has been the relationship, or lack thereof, between the SSA communities and BeyondBlue in the past it's time for a rethink. When you are in a hole, and SSA mental health is, everybody needs to stop digging and put down their shovels.
Whether it's partnering with JOY 94.9 FM, the not-for-profit radio station during mental health week in October, or joining with the Midsumma or Chillout festivals, the opportunities are there in spades.
Similarly, the award winning 'Wayout' diversity project run out of Kyneton in rural Victoria, twice refused funding by BeyondBlue for no reason, should be given priority consideration if BeyondBlue is serious about SSA youth and depression.
Funding for the transgender community is non-existent, an outcome that is simply unconscionable given this cohort's mental health statistics.
If the BeyondBlue board can channel Hillary Clinton, and successfully hit the reset button on the organisation's relationship with the SSA communities, we will get a dramatic reduction in our youth suicide rate and only then will the organisation will be able to truly say it is THE national depression initiative.
Rob Mitchell is on the Victorian Government Governance & Inclusion committee.
Razer's Class Warfare: reducing depression's 'stigma' is cheap, stupid policy
Helen Razer,
Pampered ideologues mislead us on 'stigma' and mental health
No, Beyondblue, we do not need more awareness about mental health
Paul Bendat
While Beyond Blue takes no donations from pharmaceutical companies, it has no problems with receiving donations from Australia's largest pokie operator, Woolworths. Its disclosed right here on Consumer Affairs Victoria's web site:
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/cbav/fundrais.nsf/0/E2C8CFFD48E745C6CA2574E800008E28
Could this donation have a connection with Jeff Kennett's Hawthorn FC outrageously profitable pokie palace Vegas At Waverley Gardens? The Victorian Gambling Commission's web site discloses Woolworths association with the Hawthorn FC at this venue.
Depression caused by addictive pokie gambling is another group of people Beyond Blue seems to ignore.
[edited]
Pat Miller
I've been involved in gay sexual health and community development for a number of years. We have had the anecdotal evidence that gay and lesbian people are much more likely to suicide for years. The problem is a Catch 22 – assistance implementing suicide prevention strategies is contingent on a person identifying as not straight. It's this very 'coming out' process that is the cause of suicidal ideation.
Good on Beyond Blue for finally recognising this – I look forward to how they will sensitively support young people in a (still) homophobic world. The white paper is a little limp. It seems the research isn't done yet.
Heathdon McGregor
Mr Kennet has a history of ignoring research he calls for when embarrassed. Just ask Dr Pennington.
Andrew McGill
Pity Mr Kennet didn't read this research before he made his homophobic remarks last year. The man is a disgrace and i cannot support Beyond Blue as long as he remains with the organisation.
Julie McNeill
Yes, some problem gamblers like my sister have consistent cycles of depression,and are attracted to the pokies, so good on you for bringing it up, but I was captured by this article on area of mental health in high risk SSA.
Addolescents have to know, it is okay to be whatever their sexuality is. If organisations like BB and Govt.depts can include them as being normal, mainstream, a valued human being like everybody else, this could help them ride those hormonal upset through as they mature and get a sense of confidence in who they are.
Fortunatley my other sister was saved with charcoal, after she overdosed on piles of pills age 16….being stirred for lesbian desire of another girl, drugs, bad peer environment – she survived and thrived.
She told me that when she was 14 or 15 she had nowhere to go – other girls like her – all she had around her were young women going off drunk with blokes. That was depressing in herself.
Is there an online community for young people like her, I wonder. Beyond Blue could help in this way, defeat those hateful remarks of the religious and bigoted so they come through shining and achieving their potential.