Can we reduce the burden of depression? The Australian experience with beyondblue: the national depression initiative.
OBJECTIVE
Throughout the Asia Pacific region, there is an urgent need to reduce the burden of depression by increasing depression awareness, reducing stigma and dismantling those social barriers that prevent full participation by people with depression. This paper describes the development and early achievements of the Australian depression initiative, beyondblue.


METHODS
A review of the key priorities of beyondblue and their impacts during the first three years of operation (2001-03).


RESULTS
Key achievements include: the degree of national recognition of beyondblue; size and scope of media impact; growth in website utilisation; increased reporting of the community's recognition of people with depression; genuine reforms in life insurance and income protection; development of a new national consumer and carer organisation; establishment of major population-based preventative and early intervention programs; system-wide reform of primary care-based mental health services; national educational program uptake by general practitioners; and, development of key awareness and intervention programs for use in schools and the workplace.


CONCLUSIONS
In its first three years of operation, beyondblue has had a major impact on depression awareness in Australia and demonstrable gains have been made in reducing stigma and major social barriers. A pre-existing national mental health policy and implementation plan, a substantial funding base and participation by key political, media and community leaders have been essential elements of its short-term success. Its longer-term impact will now depend on more sustainable community and business partnerships as well as the growth of a more influential consumer and carer voice.
Hickie
Ian
I
Brain & Mind Research Institute, PO Box M160, Camperdown, NSW 1450, Australia. ianh@med.usyd.edu.au
D001315:Australia; D001364:Awareness; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005544:Forecasting; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D011287:Prejudice; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000639:trends; D011639:Public Opinion