BackTuesday, 10 October 2017
World Mental Health Day
Celebrate World Mental Health Day with the Mental Health Mind Game
This World Mental Health Day the Mental Health Coalition of SA is asking us to play the Mental Health Mind Game.
‘Developed by people living with a mental illness diagnosis, this board game helps players understand what it is like to navigate the mental health system in South Australia,’ says Geoff Harris, Executive Director of the Mental Health Coalition of SA.
Each player begins as someone living with a mental illness with their own backstory. During the game, players will pick up a diagnosis or two and be challenged by confronting important issues around employment, housing and stigma.
‘The game will be challenging to the players but it is meant to be. The examples in the game are modelled on real life experiences and are presented to assist players to increase their understanding and reduce stigma,’ continues Mr Harris.
Joining us to play the Mental Health Mind Game will be our Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Peter Malinauskas, Shadow Spokesperson for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Steven Wade MLC, Tammy Franks MLC, Kelly Vincent MLC and our Mental Health Commissioner Chris Burns.
Members of Parliament will also be joined by the 2017 Mental Health Week Ambassadors Matt and Tom Lobbe.
Brother of Port Adelaide Football Club ruckman Tom Lobbe was diagnosed with a mental illness seven years ago as Matt was debuting his AFL career. Today Tom lives well in his community running his own business and his experience has made Matt passionate about raising awareness around mental health.
Tom will join Matt here in Adelaide during Mental Health Week where they will appear at events, give talks and continue to share their reflections on mental health.
Facts About Mental Illness
Why we need to promote better attitudes to mental health in our communities:
Up to 49% of Australians would avoid someone with a mental illness.
37% of Australians wouldn’t employ someone with chronic schizophrenia and 23% wouldn’t employ someone with depression.
About 60% of family members report experiencing negative, hurtful and offensive attitudes from the public.
Why we need to encourage people to seek help for their mental health problem:
65% of people who have experienced a mental health problem in the last 12 months have not sought help for that problem.
A quarter of 16–24 year olds have experienced symptoms of a mental health problem in the past 12 months.
Why we need to have a broader approach to mental health and well-being:
People with severe mental illness die around 25 years younger than the rest of the population and the major causes of death are highly preventable such as cardio-vascular disease and diabetes.
66% of people with psychotic illness smoke compared with 25% in the general population.
Public health campaigns and mental health services have failed regarding physical health of this segment of the population.
Sources: 2013 National Mental Health Commissions Contributing Life & SANE: Mental illness and physical health: the facts. 2014.
When reporting on mental illness please refer to mindframe’s guidelines for the media.
http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-mental-illness#ReportStoryMI
