On Monday, Headspace Australia launched their Big Stigma campaign, in response to evidence that stigma is stopping young Australians getting the help they need.
New research, carried out by the Centre for Youth Mental Health at The University of Melbourne and Orygen: The National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health in partnership with Headspace, has revealed that 3 in 4 young people suffering mental health issues do not seek help.
When exploring the reasons why, the research showed that 52% of those people were embarrassed to open up about their issues and 49% were afraid of what others would think.
In response to these alarming figures, Headspace has launched a National Awareness Campaign, which is aimed at opening up the conversation around mental health. As part of the campaign, on Monday Headspace unveiled their ‘Big Stigma’. A dome like structure, which is near unmissable and can be found out the front of Melbourne’s Southern Cross station all of this week.
The dome is covered in panels, each containing info on mental health issues and exactly where and how to get help.
The aim is to tear down the panels which represent stigma surrounding mental illness while at the same time opening up the conversation. The more people that visit, the smaller the Big Stigma will get.
The group have also live-streamed sessions to Facebook – watch their latest here:
The dome will be joined by a digital site, launching on the June 14 and will contain a whole bunch of A+ info on mental health and useful links and resources. The online site will also reveal a virtual Big Stigma, for those that can’t make it out to see it in person this week.
Chief Medical Officer at Headspace, Natalie Gray said that listening to people’s experiences and providing education around mental illness and the treatments available are vital to combat stigma and increase the number of young Australians who seek help.
The campaign starts this week and the online site can be found at www.thebigstigma.com.au. So spread the word and get talking! Because together we can beat the Big Stigma and hopefully one day live in a world where no one suffers alone.
Mental illness is often an invisible plight, but @headspace_aus hopes "The Big Stigma" will change that. #9News https://t.co/Mcxr22jwte
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) June 6, 2016
