ABC is focussing on mental health for the entire week to coincide with the 2015 World Mental Health Day on October 10.
Following last year’s successful initiative, ABC Mental As provides various programs on TV, radio and online dealing into mental illness and wellbeing.
Programming will range from comedy to documentary and entertainment to debate exploring mental illness in a variety of ways.
In 2014, ABC Mental As reached a TV audience of 5.9 million Australians over the week of programming with the other platforms also seeing high amounts of interaction.
Funds raised during the week will be used for mental health research via the Society for Mental Health Research.
50% of people will suffer a mental health issue in their lifetime meaning most Australians will be touched in some way by either their own or a loved one’s experience. Mental health issues are linked to suicide, disability and suffering, making the current dialogue around successful prevention and treatment so important.
Removing the stigma that remains around mental health issues, and working towards everyone considering mental health issues to be no different to any other physical health issue, is something we must all work towards. ABC’s Mental As program goes a long way towards helping change people’s perceptions of mental health and also encourages those suffering to seek help without fear of judgement.
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