Counselling Connection

Were you aware that: 45% of adult Australians will experience a mental illness. 1 in 5 will experience a mental disorder in any 12-month period. Mental illness is the leading cause of ‘healthy life’ lost. 3 million Australians will experience a major depressive illness. And our young are most at risk: An astounding 26% of 16-24 year olds have experienced a mental disorder in the last 12-months. Mental disorders are the leading contributor to the total burden of disease among young Australians – accounting for 49% of that total. And 12% of 13-17 year olds have reported having thought about suicide. The statistics really are frightening. And our mental ... Read More

Mental Health Social Support (MHSS) is the empathy and care provided by an individual or network to a person with developing mental health concerns. MHSS involves crucial skills that everyone needs. The more people with MHSS skills, the more eyes and ears we have out in our communities able to identify the early stages of mental illness and appropriately intervene. Often the resulting consequences of mental illness – suicide, depression, substance abuse, etc – may have been better mitigated had they been identified earlier and appropriate measures taken. Our population is at more risk of mental illness than physical injury. Your chances ... Read More

Successful treatment of schizophrenia depends on a regimen of both drug and psychosocial support therapies. While antipsychotic medication can help control the symptoms of psychosis associated with schizophrenia, it cannot help the person find and maintain a job, establish effective social relationships, increase their coping skills, or teach them to communicate well with others. Poverty, homelessness and unemployment are often associated with this illness, but effective treatment can prevent this. If the person finds appropriate treatment and complies with it, they can make a full recovery. However people coping with the onset of first episode schizophrenia require all the support their ... Read More

Figure: Map of Suicide Rates (source: World Health Organization - http://www.who.int/) The following Global and Australian statistics on Mental Health outline the importance of counselling and appropriate mental health care/support in our communities: (Yes, these statistics are frightening - but together we can change them!) Every year, almost one million people die from suicide; a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds. WHO has estimated that by year 2020, depression will be the second leading disability causing disease in the world. In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Mental disorders (particularly depression and ... Read More

The South Australia (Adelaide) AIPC Graduation night was recently held, and it was a great event. Congratulations to the following graduates: Amanda PORTER; Mingyon BIRD; Minnetta HILLAM-LAUBSCH; Angela FITZPATRICK; Marie COLEMAN; Melanie KEELAN; Yasmin POTTS; Julianne LOCKER; Anne SMITH; Sarah HORGAN; Megan MAITLAND; Vicki HILLAM; Tracy PFITZNER; Jacquie CLIFF; Natasha EGYUD; Daryl OWEN; Gary MULLER; Coralie GERHARDY; Johnny COLES; Gayle QUINN; Janet HODSON; Deolinda CAVUOTO; Martha ADAMS; Sarika LATH. If you reside in South Australia and would like more information about becoming a qualified Counsellor (one of the most personally rewarding and enriching professions), get in touch with the Adelaide Student Support Centre today ... Read More