Beyond Blue

This National Pain Week, we're highlighting the complex link between chronic pain and mental health. While chronic pain can amplify feelings of stress, anxiety and depression, so too can mental health conditions worsen the experience of pain management. Simply feeling heard and understood can make a significant difference to someone living with chronic pain. Let someone’s true colours shine through; hold space for the conversation and be a #painchanger. To learn more, visit @ChronicPainAustralia.

The Beyond Blue Support Service has not been affected by the Microsoft outage.   The service remains available with mental health information, advice and support 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 and at beyondblue.org.au   Beyond Blue is monitoring its systems for any further impacts and will keep the community informed of any developments.

The debate about young people and social media seems to have become a black-and-white discussion about bans. If only it were that simple.   The sheer might and power of social media companies, combined with human nature, means that in reality, the fix must go further.   There are no simple answers, but we need urgent solutions. We know this is a really concerning issue for parents, but also for young people and policy makers.   A joint submission from ReachOut, Black Dog Institute and Beyond Blue is calling for a more nuanced discussion and presents some practical ways forward.   Starting with understanding the link between social media and mental health.   There's no doubt that social media can feel corrosive for our mental health. And we know that some features of these platforms are harmful to mental health. Yet social media can also foster connection and belonging, which can be protective for our mental health.   Robust research from Black Dog Institute and others around the world suggests the relationship between mood and social media use depends on how young people use social media, what they do on it, who they do it with and who they are. Black Dog’s research is suggesting that young people who use social media to communicate with people they know in person seem to have lower levels of depression and anxiety whereas those who scroll passively seem to have higher levels of depression and anxiety. The thinking being that online interactions with friends can enhance wellbeing through connection. Of course, there's more to know and the research will continue to evolve.    ReachOut’s Director of Service Jackie Hallan notes that bans could be easily circumvented and drive social media use underground, leaving young people exposed to unintended harms. Open conversations between young people and their parents/carers must be promoted and protected throughout this process. As well, bans alone leave the fundamental harms inherent in these platforms intact. And young people from marginalised groups tend to find belonging and mental health information through social media.   The eSafety Commissioner, too, suggests bans alone aren’t necessarily a sole solution - social media can provide critical support for young people.   About 93 percent of young people use social media in Australia. They know more about it than most, yet their voices scarcely achieve prominence. They know that algorithms and endless scroll features can be annoying and that social media is awash with unverified claims about mental health. They suffer the consequences of harmful content and misinformation, especially around social comparison and body image. They know they can control their settings but need support.   Which means education needs is key. It means young people, alongside parents and policy-makers, should have a prominent seat at the table. And it means social media companies need to step up, listen to their customers and design their platforms to be safer.

Australians in rural and regional areas have faced unprecedented challenges that have taken a toll on mental health and wellbeing. Nearly a third of Australian farmers have reported a decline in their mental health, with almost half having experienced thoughts of self harm or suicide, alongside feelings of loneliness and limited access to mental health services that has compounded these challenges. To address this critical need for support, Zoetis has been collaborating with Beyond Blue since 2016, raising $800,000 to support mental health initiatives in rural Australia. This year, Zoetis aims to raise an additional $100,000 by the end of the year, by donating $5 from each sale of the company’s livestock, pig, and poultry vaccines and drenches. Through this partnership, we are harnessing the power of hope to navigate through challenging times and to create a brighter, healthier future for all Australians. Thank you, Zoetis 💙 To read more about our partnership, visit https://lnkd.in/gcTVdzPJ.

50% of adults with sleep difficulties experience a mental health condition, while 90% of adults with depression experience sleep difficulties. Join ‘How to sleep well and improve mental health’, a Beyond Blue Webinar with Dr Norman Swan and the Sleep Health Foundation on August 6 to learn more about: 😴 The science of sleep and how it impacts us. 😴 The links between sleep and mental health. 😴 How to act early to stop sleeping difficulties impacting your mental health. 😴 Evidence-based strategies for getting better sleep. 😴 Available resources and supports. You can register for the webinar at https://lnkd.in/gUJ3SmbN

Congratulations to the winners of The Hope Prize! Research has found that reading can help mental health in a number of ways:    - Reducing stress - Helps people feel less alone by identifying with stories of others  - Provides a healthy escape - Increases empathy and understanding  - Acts as a tool for connection and community. The incredible stories winning stories will be featured in Simon & Schuster's Hope Prize anthology, to be published in December 2024, with all royalties donated to Beyond Blue.  

Last day in the office before the end of this financial year – and our heart is full! 30 June is such an important deadline for charities like Beyond Blue and our fundraising and philanthropy team has been amazed by the wonderful support from the community this year – especially in such a challenging economic environment. Our beloved community has shown incredible support these past two months. So many of you gave generously, showing people they matter. Thanks to the community and our major partner Downer who matched all donations up to $250k, our tax appeal has almost raised $900,000 for mental health, which is incredible! We’re dreaming big and aiming to raise more than $1,000,000 for mental health before 30 June. You can help make it happen! It’s not too late to make a tax-deductible donation this financial year and make an impact for people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. Visit https://lnkd.in/gSfs8Uru to give today. Thank you! 💙

These words were shared with us by someone who called the Beyond Blue Support Service. It’s why your support matters so much. Feelings don’t follow a schedule. They can overwhelm us at any time. And when they do, we’re here – via phone or webchat – to provide free and immediate mental health support for anyone who needs it. We’re here to answer the phone at 3am to someone feeling alone and distressed. We‘re here to respond to a webchat at 9am when someone’s worrying about the day ahead. And we’re here thanks to the support of our wonderful community (that’s you!) Please, if you can, show someone else they matter with a kind donation by 30 June by visiting https://lnkd.in/gbEqdxwf. Thank you! 💙

Our very own Dr Luke Martin joins Prevention United’s Youth Advisory Group and Scarlett Smout (Matilda Centre) in a webinar on 19 June to explore the benefits and risks to young people’s mental health associated with smartphone and social media use. Topics covered include how we can harness the positive aspects of the digital environment while averting or minimising the potential harms associated with the online world. Register now at https://lnkd.in/gG6qwAVG.

According to Beyond Blue Forums Community Champion, Tim Coates, it's often the case that men reach out for help when they're at the end of their tether. What truly matters is that acknowledgement of needing support. Whether it's seeking guidance for mental health struggles, navigating life's challenges, or facing personal hurdles, the pivotal moment is realizing that you're not alone and that support is available. This Men’s Health Week, we’re encouraging men to check-in with their peers online for early mental health support, to start the conversation around mental health. You can visit the Beyond Blue forums at https://lnkd.in/gChH_ECm