People living with mental illness and their family, friends and carers now have access to two new online forums which provide anonymous access to reliable information, advice and referrals.
Health Minister Peter Dutton said the two forums – one for carers and one for people living with mental illness – were developed by SANE Australia with funding from the Department of Health and will provide nationwide online peer-to-peer support services.
“While almost half of the Australian population will develop a mental illness at some point in their lives, only 46 per cent of this group will seek any form of support or treatment,” Minister Dutton said.
“We know that there are many reasons that people do not seek treatment like a fear of being stigmatised, living too far from a medical practitioner and not knowing how to get information and care. Online mental health services like the new SANE Australia Online Forums can combat this to reach people who might otherwise not receive the support they need.”
“Today, the Internet is a major source of health and medical information” Minister Dutton said. “International and Australian research has demonstrated that online therapy can be just as effective for people with anxiety and depression as face-to-face therapy.”
To access the SANE online forums, please see www.saneforums.org.
Please note: the forums are peer-to-peer support services. They do not provide crisis support or counselling. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs urgent help call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Emergency on 000
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