Mental health and our communities – why I do what I do Leanne Craze June 2016

What we know about mental illness  One in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness in any given year  Nearly half of Australians will experience a mental disorder in their life  One third of young people will have had a mental illness by age 25

What we know about mental illness  Anxiety (¼ total; 1/3 women; 1/5 men)  Depression (1/5 total; ¼ women; 1/6 men)  Schizophrenia (1/100; 3% annually; more men)  Bipolar mood disorder (1/50; more women)  Eating disorders (3/20; more common in women but increasing in men)  Drug and alcohol related conditions (5% ann ually)

What we know about mental illness  Most mental illnesses commence before the age of 25  1/3 of young people experience an episode of mental illness prior to 25  2/3 of people with a mental illness do not receive any treatment

What we know about mental illness  Mental illness can be treated and managed  People experiencing mental illness can recovery and can lead fulfilling and contributing lives

What we know about what works  Early  Local  Focused on recovery  Focused on strengths and what’s important  Relationship-based  With communities

Why I do what I do

What I want to do  Help others understand  Reduce stigma  Raise community awareness  Assist families and communities to support recovery  Provide advice to service providers about how best to assist and support  Support recovery so that people can follow and reach their dreams

Leanne Craze