KEY POINTS

• Earlier this year, we donated funds to the Black Dog Institute in support of a fundraiser spearheaded by Laura Manga
• The Black Dog Institute aims to create a mentally healthier world for everyone through research, educational programs, and other services that foster connection and real-world change

Reducing stigma around mental health

According to the Black Dog Institute, one in five Australians will experience mental illness symptoms in a given year. That’s around five million people in Australia, and roughly 60% of them won’t ask for help. The Black Dog Institute seeks to change this by offering valuable clinical services, public resources, educational programs, and digital tools that help people affected by mental illness get the support they need.

Research into mental health and suicide prevention is a core part of what they do, including innovative trials and collaborations that are used to develop solutions for people in Australia. If you’d like to discover more about their research, please head here.

Supporting Laura Manga

In February this year, the brother of one of our industry peers, Laura Manga, passed away by suicide. We were so saddened to hear of John’s passing and were inspired by Laura’s decision to organise a fundraiser in his honour.

All funds raised by Laura went to the Black Dog Institute in support of the incredible mental health and suicide prevention work that they do. Laura and her friends and family raised $14,000 in total for this important cause, and we were proud to donate a portion of these funds.

Need support?

If you or someone you love is in need of mental health support, there are some amazing resources available for people in Australia. Many provide 24/7 phone support, with messaging options available for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable speaking on the phone. Here are some contacts:

Agency	What they do	Phone
Lifeline	24/7 phone counselling and referral service for anyone in a crisis.	13 11 14
Beyond Blue	24/7 support for people experiencing depression or anxiety.	1300 224 636
1800 RESPECT	24/7 phone support for victims of domestic/family violence and sexual assault.	1800 737 732
Headspace	Free online and telephone support and counselling for young people (12 to 25 years) and their family and friends. 9am to 1am AEST.	1800 650 890
Suicide Call Back Service	24/7 support for anyone feeling suicidal or if someone you know is feeling this way.	1300 659 457
Mensline	24/7 phone support and referral service for men dealing with family and relationship issues.	1300 789 978
National Debt Hotline	Free and confidential financial counselling for people dealing with financial difficulty	1800 007 007

Mental health support for small business owners

If you’re a small business owner in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed or experiencing mental ill-health, you may like to check out NewAccess. NewAccess is a government-funded program operated by Beyond Blue, designed for small business owners and sole traders in Australia. The program runs over six sessions, which are guided by a mental health coach with a background in small business. Find out more about this incredible program here.

Want to make a donation?

If you’d like to donate funds to the Black Dog Institute in Australia, please visit their website. Funds are used by the institute to perform ‘translational’ research, which integrates their research studies, educational programs, digital tools, apps, clinical services, and public resources.

Together, all of these tools are used to discover new solutions for people dealing with mental ill health in Australia.