Finding the way out of a mental health crisis

Wednesday 7 April 2004

A University of Melbourne international mental health teaching and learning package was launched recently at the University by Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer.

The package has been developed by the University's Centre for International Mental Health (CIMH) as part of a campaign to help stem the growing incidence of mental health problems in developing countries.

Presented as a CD-DVD collection, the International Mental Health Leadership Program package is designed to be used as a teaching resource and to stimulate debate and action on mental health in the Asia-Pacific region.

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[Photo by: Michael Silver]

Finding the Way out of a Global Health Crisis

Thursday 25 March 2004

As part of a campaign to help stem the growing incidence of mental health problems in developing countries, Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer will launch an "International Mental Health" teaching and learning package at the University of Melbourne tomorrow (Friday, March 26).

According to the Director of the University of Melbourne's Centre for International Mental Health, Professor Harry Minas, neglect of mental health in developing and post-conflict countries, particularly in the Asian region, is at crisis point.

Speaking to visiting Fellows of the International Mental Health Leadership Program in Melbourne this week he said, "Of the ten leading causes of disability in the world today, five causes are forms of mental illness. Highest ranked is depression - the fourth most common cause of disability."

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New CALD Sub-committee for Australian Mental Health Consumer Network

Synergy Newsletter, 2004 No 1, page 5, Multicultural Mental Health Australia

The newly formed CALD Sub-committee of the Australian Mental Health Consumer Network (AMHCN) aims to increase CALD mental health consumer participation in assisting to improve options, facilities and systems for CALD mental health consumers across Australia.

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The antidote to prejudice

Whittlesea Leader, 27 March 2002, page 14

If Evan Bichara doesn't take his medication he gets paranoid, hallucinates, hears voices and thinks undesirable thoughts.

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Altering Attitudes to mental health

Northcote Leader, 25 October 2000, page 7

When Evan Bichara first suffered the symptoms of schizophrenia, his parents took him to see the family priest.

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