Mental Health

The chairman of BeyondBlue, Jeff Kennett, suggests that Mark Latham‘s public disclosures are a "manifestation" of bipolar disorder. Without any medical training, he publicly diagnoses Mark Latham as having "bipolar ingredients" although he does not specify the nature of these ingredients. Jeff Kennett implies that lock Latham is mixed up.…

People with a mental illness have had a high profile recently. Last week, a man with a mental illness murdered a policeman. More recently, Rene Rivkin, took his own life. Unfortunately, the hysteria associated with these violent incidents perpetuates the view that people with a mental illness are always violent…

Recent discussions about 'the mentally ill' have focused attention on the suffering that many people with a mental illness endure. We are told that 'the mentally ill' experience high rates of homelessness, unemployment, suicide, substance abuse, and criminal behaviour. We hear much less about those who lead happy and fulfilling…

Bipolar disorder is an illness that can affect all of us, regardless of age, race, social class and cricket ability. It is important for Michael Slater to know that many people with bipolar disorder can get well, and stay well. Our research shows that staying well is rarely just about…

So inadequately trained psychiatric nurses are being abused by patients with a mental illness (The Age, 19/01/04). What about the number of patients with a mental illness who are abused by inadequately trained psychiatric nurses? After all, it is not only nurses who suffer from a lack of resources in…

People with a mental illness have had a high profile recently. First, a man with a mental illness destroyed the historic St Kilda pier kiosk. Then another man with a mental illness stopped traffic for hours on the Westgate Bridge. These incidents reinforce the stigma on all people living with…

It was refreshing to read a good new story about mental illness. This story provided hope that young people diagnosed with a mental illness can experience happy and productive lives. When people are first diagnosed with a mental illness, a positive approach from health professionals, families, friends, colleagues and the…

It was reported recently in The Age that one in five sufferers of manic depression (also known as bipolar disorder) commit suicide. Sufferers of manic depression at doctors, politicians, plumbers, sales people, artists, writers, musicians, lawyers etc. Many are wives and mothers. Some are gifted, many of us are not.…