Beyondblue National Roadshow in Geraldton today!

As part of beyondblue’s 30,000km National Roadshow, the big blue bus is on the Geraldton Foreshore near Dome today from 10am-2pm! There will be free information about depression, anxiety and ways to stay well will be available. Come and chat to beyondblue staff and Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local Staff, find out about available supports, paint a positive mental health affirmation and check out ‘Roadshow Rhonda’ – the beautiful old bus.

Here's a blog written by GMML's Clinical Psychologist Amanda Burley in conjunction with beyondblue.

At any given time, over two million Australians have anxiety and more than one million live with depression – these are very common conditions. Unfortunately, more than half of those experiencing a mental health condition don’t seek help.  A high proportion of people who take their lives have untreated depression. In Australia in 2012, 2535 people died by suicide. This is far too many.

beyondblue recently set off in a big blue bus on an 18-month journey around Australia to encourage and support people everywhere to ‘Take 1 step’ towards having better mental health.

Working with Medicare Locals and other local organisations on the ground, the bus has been in Western Australia since Anzac Day. This week it visits Geraldton – attending the DeadlyDivaZ health day on 4 June and partnering with Midwest Men’s Health, Women’s Health Resource Centre and Mission Australia for a health expo on the Foreshore on Thursday 5 June (10am to 2pm). Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local have also helped organise events in Mullewa, Kalbarri and Carnarvon.

The big blue bus is all about encouraging people to tune in to their mental health, to open up about common mental health problems and to take action to get support if needed. If we can encourage people to talk openly and take action early, we can reduce the impact of depression and anxiety on individuals, their families and the community.

Don’t forget to visit the bus while it’s in Geraldton. You can also find out more about the journey at www.beyondblue.org.au/take1step

To find out more about beyondblue, including its 24-hour support service, free information resources and online directory of medical and allied health practitioners in mental health, visit www.beyondblue.org.au

The Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local and the Panaceum Group is pleased to support the Beyond Blue Roadshow and its visit to our region. Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local (GMML) will be working alongside Beyond Blue during its visit to provide information to everyone on how to access services for their mental health needs. GMML provides a range of service to support people with mild to moderate mental health issues through the Access to Allied Psychological Supports (ATAPS) program and Mental Health Services Rural and Remote areas program. Both services can be accessed via a referral from a GP.

Goldfields-Midwest Medicare Local is also the lead agency for the Partners In Recovery program which aims to better support people with severe and persistent mental health issues and complex needs. Along with Missions Australia, Hope Community Services, Arafmi WA and Bay of Isles Community Outreach, our Support Facilitators work with clients, their families and carers and support services to ensure the person’s care is coordinated in a way that meets their needs and supports them on their road to recovery. The Partners In Recovery program can be accessed via a self-referral by contacting one of our Support Facilitators or by referral through a support organisation or through a GP.

Members of the Panaceum Group will be at the foreshore on the 5^th June to Support Beyond Blue and the Mental Health provisions in Geraldton, and help break down any barriers to accessing mental health care.