Much of the Farr article is valid. There is a great deal of difference between depression and sadness or having a bad day. Depression often has nothing to do with outside influences; people with apparently everything to live for suffer from depression. Only depressives can ever know what depression is like.

A person genuinely suffering from depression does not use the illness as an excuse for crimes or any other behaviour; he/she is too depressed to be into anything criminal, usually lacking the energy to do very much at all. People using ‘depression’ as an excuse are very unlikely to be depressed.

Anti-depressant medication DOES WORK.

Some people are depressed all of their lives – born that way, die that way. They can manage to live reasonably normal lives with properly prescribed medication. It is probable that studies claiming anti-depressants have no more use than placebos were studies that used people who were not clinically depressed in the first place.

I’m not sure where this author gets the idea that the media is any sort of villain on this issue. Who says Britney Spears and other public figures continually making fools of themselves suffer from depression?

Depression is a real and awful condition. People suffering from it don’t need to listen to the media, “a Melbourne based writer and editor” (though she is to be commended for raising this issue), or any other amateurs. The first stop is your GP who will, hopefully, be one good enough to keep you out of the clutches of the head shrinking industry with the judicious prescribing of a modern anti-depressant which can make life worth living.

only someone who is rigid in their thinking, that is, black and white, would call themselves Mr Right, and then get it so, so wrong. this article is about the Mr Rights of the world.

From your post it is evident you know nothing about depression, nor social stigmatisation arising from what are often 'invisible' illnesses or 'disorders', otherwise you would not make such a comment. your comment serves no purpose other than to demonstrate your own ignorance. jenny raises a number of very valid points.

not everyone who has a depression diagnosis is lethargic and unable to get out of bed. lethargy does not define depression alone.

the world is full of voyeurs living precariously through the lives of others - exposing nothing but the fears and prejudices of a society gone mad (and by this i am not referring to the insane, but those who are regarded as sane in this world).

nice article jenny - glad someone is thinking and writing about an issue that has been with us in various forms throughout the ages...

nearly "all" people experiencing mental illness discover an unnerving "shame" in the face of the persecution that media "stigma" stirs.

I do not subscribe to "nearly all," and I do not subscribe to "shames," or "stigmas."

Both are false allegations.

I also do not subscribe to the "media stirs." The "stirring" takes place far earlier. It is based primarily in our universities, which either actively or passively teach prejudices, presently the one the author names, and pass them on to other aspects of society, government agencies, advocacies, education, writers, even well-intentioned writers, and through the media to the public.

And when education reverses itself, other aspects of society follow.

I am 70, in my youth we would have been trained (yes, by someone very similar to your author) to the "stigma" of rape, and from every aspect of society as well. Jenny Lloyd dare not attempt that in an article today, we reversed ourselves. Instead she directs that precise, identical prejudice as she has been trained, and feels fully comfortable in so doing, at me.

And you feel comfortable in passing her training on to present day readers. I am not comfortable in your lesson, but then, her claim is about me.

How false a claim it so it? Well, the majority of people dealing with a mental illness are rarely so identified, we are are too busy accomplishing to be defined by a health condition. We experience no prejudices as a result, we are measured by accomplishment, not private health record. Her words are directed at another, smaller, but far more publicized group, people whom society has stereotyped by illness, as earlier by gender, or by skin tone.

The words she directs were once directed at her. There is great comfort, if not fully appreciated, in directing a prejudice, rather than being targeted by it. I am certain she is comfortable in her task. The hairs on my neck bristle at her comfort.

Harold A. Maio
Advisory Board
American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Shelley,

And you have the gall to criticise me!

It’s quite clear that it would be a waste of time to attempt any discussion with you; certainly not worth revealing any of my personal details just to prove something to someone who would not listen.

I just hope that anyone who has a problem with depression, and is prepared to get help, will consider what I have said and benefit from it without feeling the need to make assumptions about me just because of my pseudonym or, indeed, without bothering themselves with unnecessary and wild comments about someone they don’t know

i perhaps should have stated that my response was not entirely directed to you personally. and i could probably write in a less hurried and therefore more fluent style so as not to come across as so blunt.

i found it quite interesting that you labelled yourself mr right when commenting on an article on black and white thinking.

i guess i don't like to hear people labelling others with depression as 'not depressed enough' or 'not clinically' depressed. or that depressed people wouldn't engage in certain behaviour because they are too depressed. sorry mr right, i just don't agree.

i personally think that most medicos are not really that well equipped to deal with depression anyway (other than with their script pads)...

re voyeurism: i work in drugs and am very aware that people like to hear sensational stories about drug users and their perceived associated 'problems' and behaviour ('exciting' and 'fascinating' are 2 words people often use when making small talk about my job with me)... what some people choose to view as 'interesting', other people actually live as a life...

i wouldn't have called my comments 'wild' - however, and i apologise for causing offence...

Working in the mental health sector I have had the honour of getting to know many inspirational people who happen to also have a mental illness. All of whom feel very strongly about the need to reduce stigma in the media and community in general. Research has shown that many people with personal experience of mental illness believe the stigma they are subjected to is worse than the symptoms themselves. Everyone is different so of course there will be people who would rather stigma wasn't addressed in this way, but nobody can speak for all. So I congratulate Jenny on making an important point - there are far more who continue to rant on the other side.

Thought the author made some good points. I've got no idea what Harold's on about. Harold, what are you on about?

Anyway, the mentally ill have been stigmatised for 100s of years - or seen as divine. The media squashes everything flat. There's no time or space for nuace. The mentally ill are portrayed often as figures of pity. Of course this is the last thing they want.

I think TV news and current affairs is psychotic but they can be helped - by not watching.

I do not read magazines.

Celebrities like Britney Spears are treated like objects rather than human beings. Like something disposable: Used to sell magazines at any cost. A joke really. Not to take seriously. In fact, if such descriptions as that put forward in this article were more "appropriately described" they would get sued because there is no evidence that e.g., Britney Spears actually has a mental illness. Yet magazines still have to be sold so they opt for suggestive language.

By the way. Anybody who feels depressed (not necessarily chronic depression)and is having difficulty overcoming it. If possible starving yourself of sleep for one night can interrupt your biology. If you sleep for 7-8 hours night, try only 3-4 one night, waking and undertaking activity from say 3:30am. Your energy processes will go into hyper drive. Be careful not to overuse the technique though (e.g., no more than once every two weeks). And of course depression is not only biologically based. Your environment can be an issue to. If you are having trouble with "feeling down" more often than not you should see your doctor.

Being diagnosed as an acute depressive by my GP ten years ago, gave me relief from the anxiety by putting an identity to my then being.

With the support and counselling of my GP and by various drug trials, as to how I could get balance back in my life, I am now living a calm and postive life.

Prior to this, my life was lived on a knife edge, dealing with pressure and stress both work and personal.

I came out of the darkness, because someone listened.

In most part the media does perpetuate the issue in a negative light, not intentionally but rather through naivety. One in five adults suffering mental illness is truly a spectacular figure, but how easily can the average person spot someone with mental illness in the street? Theres no obvious physical representation and its difficult for those having not suffered the illness to be able place-a-face to the problem, let alone conceive what its like to endure a failure of the imagination. The media does its job in stating the facts but unfortunately does it in a duhumanising sort of way as Jenny highlighted.

Nicola Roxon and ALP Ministers, I need to see some action on Mental Health. As we know ‘co-ordination is vital and is a current missing ingredient’.

While I thank you Nicola as a Minister for the reports last week concerning a clean-up regarding Medicare, and the efforts between all the open debates about Indigenous health issues... I am deeply concerned that the real issues that connect cause to these topics is getting whorped in the wash.

My own opinion is not as mainstream as those of urban Career groups and Consumer networks. While I am unable to agree with the ‘known’ way institutions use treatments in general in Mental Health I sense that the treating regional Mental Health Doctors have no back-up other than (an auto-use of ) dependence medication, outside their door. Community support structures are seriously lacking. As we know from a FOCUS ON 23 BIG THINGS IN MENTAL HEALTH, the system has the knowledge yet it has made no answer to it, especially in places like Cooktown.

As I have advocated on this forum, Cooktown is not part of the Cairns loop, except through a narrow service delivery structure based on "crisis-care". GP Doctors are Ad Hoc and ill informed about the underlying issues in mental health, and the MH staff-turn over is frequent having no concern for further investment, or awareness of HOW to deal with the issue.... of say... "communty engagement".

Nor does the Local Council or Local Resource Centre, bodies that that are closest as civic organisations have a "clue" on serving to advocate for these need inside the community.

Social Drift, bullying and neglect of all descriptions are random forms of community and transcend into a structural violence. The practice(s) are culturally reproductive, locally entrenched and critical.

As a willing advocate, I find it impossible to engage productively with the District or Local staff. The "business as usual" approach underwrites many of the related issues that cut through others (related) and become instead a wider issue for Crime Prevention. People are hurting and everyone is too dammed busy to care.

see below;

Andrew Dentons helps but doesn't go deep enough. The Mental Health Services forum is dubious, and Andrew needs to "go behind the scenes”. Listen to last years callers on talkback, on Tony Delroy. Particularly the comments involving “Advanced Directives”.

Try to meet the those being "stone walled" by this ‘feel good’ system. Those too scared to engage with Mental Health, either the system generally, or and the ‘clicky’ Consumer /Career groups, where many are as neglectfully ignorant, as the system itself.

I am shocked at what I have learned, tested and see. The way issues become riddled or flawed by self-serving personalities with agenda’s that has nothing to do with the "hope and pro-action" and belittle the true meaning behind ‘making a difference’ in real peoples lives.

I feel Mental Health as opposed to Illness is the most important issue for citizens in Australia. This is because Mental Health asks for a cutural “whole of environmental’ shift.

If we are planning a “education revolution” then I say start with Mental Health. It is the nations mentality from the bottom-up.

Social Inclusiveness as a bed-friend will do more for the revolution than all the doctors, nurses, administrations and politicians wrapped in one. This is because Mental Health is a community issue and until we accept this, it will continue to be banner plagued with the half-beat ‘do gooders’ that have no idea of what ‘gratification or support’ is, because they are so busy stealing it all for themselves.

Sharing Service Provisions is a meaningful way to engage community.

Alma Ata as it is truly meant is defined as Health for ALL.

http://www.newstatesman.com/200804070005

On this note I leave you with a historical topic (link above) that is indirectly related, as one that can reflect whether we are a society making headway or an exact mirror at a level shared with the ancients.

In reference to media, I believe ABC has done more than any other institution in Australia when it comes to taking some responsibility to diversify the issue of Mental Health.

The problem is are we still learning?

http://www.miacat.com/
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1. I've got no idea what Harold's on about. Harold, what are you on about?
2. Anyway, "the" mentally ill "have been stigmatised" for 100s of years

What Harold's "on about:"
1. I do not reduce any group to a "the." That is pure prejudice. I recognize the vast differences within every group.
2. I address individuals who do stigmatize to educate them, I do not accept their prejudice as a universal.

The techniques addressed above interest me:

1."the" mentally ill- Who reduces whom to a "the" varies over time and place. The effect seldom does. It is always negative.
2. "have been stigmatized"- The Passive Voice does not say by whom. It is who applies a prejudice that interests me, that they can be educated.

Harold

Thanks Harold. The use of the definite article 'the' when talking about 'the' mentally ill worries you. I withdraw it. It's hard to lead in to a collective adjectival clause without some form of definite or indefinite article, but you are clearly an individualist so I won't beat about 'the'.

At first blush, the gist of Jenny's article is both disturbing and timely. Evoking within, mixed feeling of anguish, empathy, smoldering resentment. The Mental Health governance have lost the plot completely, promoting a culture of indolence, sanguine indefference. The plight of possibly one third of Australians battling the Government bureaucracy, to provide resources to live normal lives.

It's a National disgrace. The Honourable Nicola Roxon and Member for Warringah Tony Abbot, should shoulder some of the blame and infamy. For too long, Govts of all persuasions have ignored this National calamity. Their social obligation - the trauma of Mental illness, and associated psychotic disorders.

Ostensibly prefering, ostrich-like, to take the high ground, cut funding and pretend the problem will take care of it self by simply ignoring it holus-bolus ! One wonders how long this narrow approach will last before we see a pandemic. People murdered on our roads, families terrorised, and the Court's jam-packed with criminal cases simply because of ineptitude, sloth and stupidity.

Our prisons are over represented with more inmates who should be in Institutions, mental hospices and receiving treatment, instead of being ignominously incarcerated.

For a Country with a GDP among the highest in the Western World, and a Defence budget bordering on 4 % of the National figure, it's positively obscene we can't provide bettter for a stigmatised minority. Anonymous, neglected, socially shunned, and largely forgotten, they are the living pariah crying out in anguish to an indifferent, hedonistic society. I have often wondered where our priorities lay ?

The Bureaucrats, bean-counters and razor gangs that wheel-and-deal in Health - both Statewide and Federal have much to answer for. The problem is exacerbating tenfold. People are suffering and dying but the band plays on in animated sonorous revelry ! Perhaps, a rebellion, quake or martial sit-in on the lawns of Parliament House might shake our pollies out of their somnambulant inertia !

Should the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission be monitoring the situation ? It's a recognised fact abuses and discrimination occur regularly in the workplace, aged care facilities, retirement homes, and mental disability

services.

From what I can glean 62 % of mental health patients don't use the services. The remainder, who can afford to pay up front, visit those GP's who bulk bill. More clinicians are working in suburban Medico establishments which provide multi services, hitherto only available in Hospitals. The efficacy often depending on management that are profit oriented. Public Hospitals emergency wards, as a consequence take the full brunt of this anomaly. No wonder there is a Health crisis, when beds reserved for the criticall ill,surgery and trauma are occupied elsewhere. Remarkably, only 7 % of the National Health budget is spent on mental health ! NSW, and Vic receive the worst funding - increases of only 1.8 % and 4.4 % per capita. Outrageous.

The lack of appropriate pharmacological supervision often doesn't meet International standards for optimal care. Less than 16 % with depression, anxiety, ADHD etc receive evidence based treatments. Paradoxically, Community consultation, understanding about available treatment ( poorly resourced ) means people with MO's receive no help at all and go without treatment.

For kickers, there should be more strategically based Community Health centres throughout Oz, to cater for the burgeoning epidemic. A substantial increase of MH centres appropriately staffed with dedicate professionals,consultant's on call, responding to 000 hot line calls 24/7.

But for the charities - St Vinnies, Salvo's, Rosie's etc that dont discriminate the walking psychiatrics, substance abuse, addictive and paranoid flotsam and jetsam of humanity, these social outcast would suffer third world apathy, distress and abandonment. Their families, loveone's and carer's inevitably shoulder most of the burden.An abrogation of basic Human rights.

If we can spend $ 80 billion on the sport of Kings, pokies, bingo and other gaming venues, surely a fraction of the Govt's excise could be funnelled into Mental Health. It's not only the wretched psychiatric cases that warrant help, the whole gamut of addiction, geriatric, psychosomatic and phobic disorders are beckoning.

Come on Mr Rudd. Show us the money.

Good article but not the answer. Lampooning is one of the roles of media, informing is another. The media uses old sellable stereotypes over and over. It started Frankenstein, the media could frighten the populace and the people would buy.

This is an argument about power. If mentally ill people could make programs about their lives the general populace would be better informed. But they don't have access to making media. Programs and articles are made by healthy folk about mad people.

Mental illness is an experience far removed from the experience of the average person. Access to this closed world is accessible only through the media and therefore the call for responsibility and information is an ethical call. However, drama involves the manipulation of emotion. Mental illness is illness of the emotions as in depressive illness (affective disorders) and is therefore fertile material for drama.

Fact - the incidence of violence in the mentally ill is the same for the general population. Mentally ill people are no more violent than anyone else. Knowing this doesn't sell newspapers or TV.
I believe that rather than condemn media for their use of stereotypes and drama involving emotionally laden scenes it would be better to understand how media works. Demystification allows a reader to see through the programming but still enjoy the moment without believing it. No media is real it is all based on someones perception and that is always flawed. All events reported are a biased account, a fantasy of the writers and producers that make it. An understanding of media is better than censorship and litigation.

Suspension of disbelief is necessary for drama to work. Suspension of belief is necessary to understand news and the propaganda programming fed to us on a daily basis.