The Nationals Senator for Victoria and Patron Senator for Bendigo Bridget McKenzie is encouraging central Victorians to acknowledge World Mental Health Day this Wednesday, October 10.
“World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health issues in our community,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Mental illness is Australia’s most prevalent health problem after heart disease and cancer.
“Depression is the most common affective disorder concerning 4% of the general population, while approximately 160,000 young people aged 16 to 24 live with depression each year.”
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is Depression: A Global Crisis.
Senator McKenzie said there’s more to depression than feeling sad.
“Someone suffering from depression can find it hard to cope and they feel down or upset most of the time.
“Anyone who knows of a friend or colleague who may be suffering from depression or other mental illness should encourage them to seek help through their local GP.”