CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains lived experiences with poor mental health and references to suicide.  

In today's episode and in honour of Mental Health Month in Australia, Anita chats to Associate Professor Simon Rosenbaum who is a Scientia Fellow in the School of Psychiatry at UNSW Sydney and the Black Dog Institute.

Simon is the president of the Australasian society for traumatic stress studies, the co-chair of the Olympic Refuge Foundations Think Tank on sport in Humanitarian Settings and he was previously a mental health officer with the UN in Bangladesh working in the Rohingya Refugee response.

Anita and Simon discuss mental health in Australia, the importance of social connection, the difference between mental health and mental illness, factors that can contribute to poor mental health and ways to look after yourself.

If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs support, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. You can also speak with someone confidentially at Headspace by calling 1800 650 890 or chat online here. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

RESOURCES

Black Dog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ 

Beyond Blue - https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/ 

Mental Health Australia - https://mhaustralia.org/

Head to Health - https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/