Mr Proctor is right when he calls for the need to "emphasise the importance of meaningful engagement and connectedness between people with mental illness, governments and health professionals".

However it is a hard row to hoe when the notion of connectedness is becoming increasingly foreign to our community - we are in a constant state of "disconnect" as a community and dominated by competetive independance; every year we see some boffin who has calculated the cost of having children - this week an ad will appear in our papers featuring the new "baby" from the Porsche factory - the tag is "one good reason to delay having yours".

Gated villages are on the increase, color bonded roller shutters are fitted to more and more houses every day,sophisticated entertainment and communication devices reduce the need to interact with real people. The sea change/tree change shift is as much about living in the middle of 5 acres away from every one else as it is about getting in touch with real communities.

One of the fastest growing "family" units is the singleton - one out, alone and blissfully solo - or so we're led to believe.

Mental illness remains stigmatised - symptoms are seen as a sign of weakness - people suffering from stress are scorned, told to pull up their socks and get on with it - in defence of Beyond Blue, info site or not, it has put the focus on depression and given it a profile as a genuine illness.

It is timely to call for a new paradigm - but people remain more scared of those who suffer with mental illness than they do of the diseases themselves - turn around the prejudice and the new paradigm might see the light of day. And the more isolated we become the more fearful we get.

It's pathetic isn't it? It takes Alan Jones to shame Abbott into supporting what is a life saving organisation. I never thought I'd agree with Alan on anything but he's found a heart. Thanks for the support Alan.

People should be asking why it is that the Government's site, Beyond Blue, does not achieve what Dnet has. And why is it funded if it is not achieving at the same levels?

The truth is the difference is that people who have experienced the illness are running the Dnet site, people who know what is needed rather than endless noises of support but no acceptance.

These changes may be welcomed by many but why o why can't a person get
to a Psychologist via Medicare. Psychologists provide the single greatest highly trained workforce to deal with Mental Health problems but the Govt provides virtually no funding? Why? It makes no sense.

Many depressed people don't require MEDICAL help they require PSYCHOLOGICAL help, at their own expense of course.

There are those on other threads that have exemplified just how prevalent mental problems are. Shonga has shared his experiences and others followed and like many, many others, depression has had a dramatic impact upon my life. Mental problems alienate, isolate and debilitate to a point where the act of mere functioning takes all the resources left at one's disposal. That many suffer as they do means little for, just as women having children, every time is the first time.

People can sympathise and, to a point, empathise but no one can feel as one feels at any given moment. The turmoil within defies explanation and is driven by experiences only you have had, enveloped in emotion that only you can feel. Unlike the miracle of childbirth, the pain only serves to create darker corners, even further from the light.

As Coraliz points out, it is the elevation of compassionate awareness that will do most to combat the ambivalence and humiliation that only encourages its perpetuation.

The modern age is, arguably, the worst environment for a solution to mental problems for it is one of its primary symptoms. In today's world, time is not dictated by a season or a tide but by the second hand of a clock that is thrust more forcefully in our face as each day passes. Days, or hours, now hold the importance that was attributed to weeks or even months.

Mental health workers are far from a luxury in contemporary society. Sneekeepete alluded to the changing role of family and community in the mollifying of emotional peaks and troughs. Individualism is stripping the capacity of community to have any effective role in combating the effects of modern society on mental welfare. Without someone to step in and assume that position we will find ourselves in a state where happiness is limited to those we can only aspire to be.

Craig

You convey the experience of major depression sufferers (like me) concisely but vividly.

I'd like to add (in my experience) that workplaces and families either can't spot the syptoms of mental illness or won't come to terms with the illness.

Its taken me years to successfully manage the illness through a finely balanced mix of medication, wide research on bipolar illness, and insight that when I'm either "up" or "down" what I'm feeling is really the illness - and this feeling will pass eventually.

I've also adjusted my lifestyle to reduce the kind of stress that might wreck me. So I was lucky enough to be able to retire early from my middle management type job and become a "househusband".

Even though my "job" pays less I look after my loving partner while she goes out to work. I keep me mind active (and cut geographical isolation) through writing, intensive blogging and emailing friends overseas who are in a similar situation.

All the best Craig

Pete

I have had the following illnesses for the previous 8 years Chronic Major Depression, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsesseive Compulsive Disorder, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Insommnia. Note the time of this post, I have been up for hours.

My main problem is that unlike WA Premier Gallop who has the means to seek private medical help, I and many like me do not have the means to seek private help, and must rely on State Health. Which is sadly lacking in Mental Health specialists, because the last Federal/State Health funding Agreement in 2004 cut health funding to the States by nearly $1 billion over 5 years, which is why all State Health departments are in crisis, especially Mental Health.

How are we supposed to go from welfare to work with little or no treatment, I don't know I have seen a Psychiatrist once in the last 4 months. While we have a Federal surplus of $11.5 billion, partially made up of the $1 billion cut from State health depts.

To me this is insanity, however other posters may have a better explanation.