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Expert Comment
The following organisations provide access to spokespeople on issues relating to mental illness and suicide.
Media units of State/Territory Health Departments
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ACT Health and Community Care
(02) 6205 0837
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SA Department of Health
(08) 8226 6488
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NSW Health
(02) 9391 9121
(02) 9962 9890 (24hr media pager)
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Tas Health and Human Services
(03) 6233 4890
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NT Health Services
(08) 8999 2886
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Vic Human Services
(03) 9096 8803
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Qld Health
(07) 3234 1439
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WA Health Department
(08) 9222 4333
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Mindframe Project Manager
Available for discussion about reporting suicide and mental illness
Project Manager - Jaelea Skehan
Contact numbers
Office - 02 4924 6925
Mobile - 0402 292 005
Other:
(Click on the organisation name or scroll down for further information)
Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention
beyondblue
Black Dog Institute
headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation
Inspire Foundation
Lifeline
Mensline Australia
Mental Health Council of Australia
Multicultural Mental Health Australia
National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC)
ORYGEN Youth Health and ORYGEN Research Centre
Queensland Alliance
SANE Australia
Suicide Helpline (VIC)
Suicide Prevention Australia
Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention
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Media enquiries
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Mardi Chapman, Communications Officer, 0408 727 706 / 07 5552 9089
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Available for interview
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Professor Diego De Leo, Director
Jacinta Hawgood, Graduate Certificate and Master Programs, Suicide Prevention Skills Training Workshops and On-Line Training
Travis Heller, Research and Statistics
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Contact numbers
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Office - 07 5552 9089
Professor Diego De Leo - 07 3735 3366
Jacinta Hawgood - 07 3735 3394
Travis Heller - 07 3735 3381
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Available for comment on
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Suicide and self harm research and statistics
Suicide prevention
Training for consumers and professionals
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Website
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www.griffith.edu.au/health/australian-institute-suicide-research-prevention
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beyondblue - the national depression initiative
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Media enquiries
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Julie Foster, Communications & Media Manager
0409 433 501 or 03 98106 100
John Fulcher, Marketing & Media Manager
0408 810 242 or 03 98106 100
Jane Gardner, Communications Officer
0428 333 917 or 03 9810 6100
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Available for interview
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beyondblue CEO - Ms Leonie Young
Clinical Adviser, psychiatrist - Associate Professor Michael Baigent
Chairman - The Hon. Jeff Kennett
Deputy CEO and Psychologist - Dr Nicole Highet
Senior Program Manager (Employment issues) - Clare Shann
Associate Professor Brett McDermott (child and adolescent mental health issues)
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Contact numbers
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Office - 03 9810 6100
Julie Foster - 0409 433 501
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Available for comment on:
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Depression and anxiety-related disorders
Young people and depression
Postnatal depression
Bipolar Disorder
Depression in the elderly
Depression in rural communities
Depression in indigenous communities
Depression in the workplace
Depression and suicide
Mental health policy
Research - Depression, anxiety and related disorders
Chronic disease and depression
Drug and alcohol use and depression
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Websites
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www.beyondblue.org.au
www.youthbeyondblue.com - Youth website
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Black Dog Institute
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Media enquiries
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Ian Dose, Media and Public Relations Manager, 0419 618 606 / 02 9382 4368
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Available for interview
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Professor Gordon Parker, Executive Director
Professor Philip Mitchell, Head School of Psychiatry, UNSW
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Contact numbers
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Office - 02 9382 4530
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Available for comment on
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Depression issues
Mood Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Stigma and discrimination
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Website
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www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
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headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation
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Media enquiries
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Briony Walker, Communications Manager - 0402 399 746
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Available for interview
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Mr Chris Tanti, CEO headspace
Professor Patrick McGorry, Chair of Executive Committee
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Contact numbers
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National Office - 03 9027 0100
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Available for comment on
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Youth mental health
Drug and alcohol use
Stigma and prevention
Mental health policy
Early intervention
Integrated models of care
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Website
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www.headspace.org.au
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Inspire Foundation
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Media enquiries
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Johanna Jarvis, Media and Public Relations Manager
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Available for interview
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Jack Heath, Founder and Executive Director
Ms Kerry Graham, Inspire Foundation CEO
Dr Jane Burns, Director of International Partnerships, Research, Policy and Practice
Philippa Colin, Director of Programs and Research
Janice Atkin, Reach Out and Reach Out Teachers Network Program Manager
Jo Degney, ActNow Program Manager
Youth Ambassadors - A team of young people who have found Inspires programs when they needed them
Youth Leaders, Interns, Action Partners and Advisors - Young people that are directly involved across all levels of the organisation
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Contact numbers
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Office - 02 8585 9300
Johanna Jarvis - 0433 791 188
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Available for comment on
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Depression and anxiety-related disorders in young people
Stigma, suicide prevention and early intervention for young people
Drug and alcohol use and young people
Youth Mental health policy
Youth participation policies
Youth political participation and citizenship
The role of civic participation for health and wellbeing
Engaging young people in the provision of mental health services
Online support for young people with mental health difficulties
Research - Depression, anxiety and related disorders in young people
Research - Youth participation in Information Communication Technology
The Internet as a setting for mental health and well being
Media reporting and portrayal of mental illness
Media reporting and portrayal of young people
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Website
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www.inspire.org.au
Programs:
www.reachout.com
www.actnow.com.au
www.reachoutpro.com.au
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Lifeline
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Media enquiries
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Chris Wagner, 02 6215 9446 or 0434 378 939
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Available for interview
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Dawn O'Neil AM, Chief Executive Officer
Bruce Turley, LivingWorks Manager
Various Centre Managers and counsellors
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Contact numbers
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Office - 02 6215 9400
Lifeline Australia Helpline - 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days - local call charge)
National service for people looking for non-judgemental, confidential emotional support. Common themes include: relationship and family issues; mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety etc; coping with loss; dealing with violence; addiction; disability and illness; suicide prevention and support.
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Available for comment on
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Mental health and wellbeing
Help seeking
Suicide and self-harm
Stigma and discrimination
Media reporting and portrayal of mental illness
Loneliness and social isolation
Telephone support lines
Community based organisations
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Website
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www.lifeline.org.au
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MensLine Australia
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Media enquiries
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Cara Spencer, General Manager Communication & Business Development
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Available for interview
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Cara Spencer, General Manager Communication & Business Development
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Contact numbers
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Cara Spencer - 0417 030 232
Office - 03 8371 2806
Email: cspencer@crisissupport.org.au
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Available for comment on
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Mensline Australia
Suicide Helpline
Veterans Line (after hours)
Parent Support Service
Men and family relationships
Depression
Grief and bereavement services
Work and social relationships (with a male focus)
Fathering/parenting issues
Help seeking behaviours among men
Managing conflict and domestic violence
(Mensline Australia is a free, national and 24/7 professional telephone counselling and information service)
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Website
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www.crisissupport.org.au
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Mental Health Council of Australia
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Media enquiries
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Simon Tatz, Communications Manager
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Available for interview
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David Crosbie, CEO MHCA
Simon Tatz, Communications Manager
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Contact numbers
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Simon Tatz - 02 6285 3100 / 0402 613 745
Email: simon.tatz@mhca.org.au
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Available for comment on
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Delivery, funding and status of mental health services across Australia
Government inquiries and reports on mental health issues
Mental illness and disorders
Suicide and self harm
Youth and mental health
Alcohol, other drugs and mental illness
Incarceration and mental health
Stigma and discrimination
Mental health promotion and education
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Website
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www.mhca.org.au
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Multicultural Mental Health Australia
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Media enquiries
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Rebecca Lewis, Communications Officer
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Available for interview
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A/Prof Abd Malak, MMHA Chair (English & Arabic)
Georgia Zogalis, MMHA Manager (English & Greek)
MMHA CALD Consumer & Carer Speakers Bureau (English and a variety of languages including Greek, Italian, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Spanish, Assyrian)
Bilingual clinicians (English and a variety of languages)
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Contact numbers
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Rececca Lewis - 02 9840 3381
Email: Rebecca.Lewis@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au
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Available for comment on:
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Transcultural mental health
Cultural Competency
Delivery of mental health services to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Personal accounts of living with a mental illness - depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar, eating disorders, schizophrenia, psychosis
Carers and respite services
Suicide and self-harm
Older people and mental health
Alcohol, other drugs and mental illness - comorbidity
Incarceration and mental health
Stigma and discrimination
Mental health promotion and education in culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Interpreting services
Translated material
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Website
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www.mmha.org.au
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National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre
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Media enquiries
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Paul Dillon, National Communications Manager
0419 402 099 / 02 9385 0226
Clare Chenoweth, Communications Officer
02 9385 0218
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Available for interview
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Professor Jan Copeland - Director
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Contact numbers
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Office - 02 9385 0208
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Available for comment on:
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Cannabis
Cannabis and mental health
Cannabis research
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Website
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www.ncpic.org.au
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ORYGEN Youth Health and ORYGEN Research Centre
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Media enquiries
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Policy and Media Officer - 03 9342 2800
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Available for interview
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Professor Patrick McGorry, Executive Director
Dianne Albiston, Clinical Program Manager
John Moran, General Manager
Platform Team, Young people who have experienced mental illness
Family Support, Carers of young people with a mental illness
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Contact numbers
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ORYGEN Youth Health and ORYGEN Research Centre have a wide range of clinical and research experts working specifically in the following areas. Interviews can be arranged by contacting: 03 9342 2800
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Available for comment on
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Youth mental illness
Early intervention in youth mental illness
Substance abuse and mental illness
Neuro Psychology
Eating disorders
Mood and anxiety disorders, depression
Borderline Personality Disorder
Suicide and self-harm
Psychosis
Stigma and discrimination
Mental health promotion and mental wellbeing
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Website
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www.oyh.org.au
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The Queensland Alliance
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Media enquiries
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Jeff Cheverton - 0437 544 366
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Available for interview
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Jeff Cheverton (Executvie Director)
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Contact numbers
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Jeff Cheverton - 0437 544 366
Office - 07 3832 2600
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Available for comment on:
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Mental Health Policy
Stigma and discrimination
The community mental health sector
Media reporting and portrayal of mental illness
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Website
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www.qldalliance.org.au
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SANE Australia
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Media enquiries
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Robyn Thompson - 03 9682 5933 or 0414 427 291
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Available for interview
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Barbara Hocking, Executive Director
Dr Paul Morgan, Deputy Director
People affected by mental illness in each state and territory where possible
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Contact numbers
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Office - 03 9682 5933
Barbara Hocking - 0414 942 553
Paul Morgan - 0412 273 693
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Available for comment on:
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Mental illness and disorders
Suicide and self harm
Youth and mental illness
Stigma and discrimination
Media reporting and portrayal of mental illness
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Helpline
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SANE Helpline Mon-Fri, 9-5 (EST) ph: 1800 18 SANE (7263)
National Freecall service for people concerned about mental illness: providing information about symptoms, treatments, medications and support services for those affected by mental illness and their carers.
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Websites
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www.sane.org
www.itsallright.org - For young people with friends/relatives with a mental illness
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Suicide Helpline (VIC)
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Media enquiries
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Cara Spencer, General Manager Communication & Business Development
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Available for interview
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Cara Spencer, General Manager Communication & Business Development
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Contact numbers
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Cara Spencer - 0417 030 232
Office - 03 8371 2806
Email: cspencer@crisissupport.org.au
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Available for comment on
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Mensline Australia
Suicide Helpline
Veterans Line (after hours)
Parent Support Service
Risk factors
Support services for those bereaved by suicide
Celebrity / high profile suicides and ideation
Rural suicide
(Suicide Helpline is a 24/7 professional telephone counselling and information service, operating in Victoria with a national Call Back Service to aid provide scheduled ongoing telephone counselling).
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Website
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www.crisissupport.org.au
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Suicide Prevention Australia
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Media enquiries
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Ryan McGlaughlin, Executive Officer - 0425 382 800
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Available for interview
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Dr Michael Dudley
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Contact numbers
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Office - 02 9568 3111
Dr Michael Dudley - 02 9382 4311
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Available for comment on:
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Suicide and self harm
Suicide prevention
Postvention
Stigma and discrimination
Media reporting and portrayal of suicide
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Website
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www.suicidepreventionaust.org
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