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Cited by 93Mental Health Treatment and AccessSuicide and Self-Harm StudiesPsychological Treatments and Disorders

Can we reduce the burden of depression? The Australian experience with beyondblue: The national depression initiative

Hickie, Ian·2004·Australasian Psychiatry
DOI 10.1080/j.1039-8562.2004.02097.x-2
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Abstract

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.

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Authors
Hickie, I.
Affiliations
The University of Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
Hickie, Ian
ORCID
Hickie, Ian
Venue
Australasian Psychiatry
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2004-10
Volume
12
Issue
1_suppl
Pages
S38-S46
ISSN
  • 1039-8562 (ISSN-L)
  • 1440-1665
DOI
10.1080/j.1039-8562.2004.02097.x-2
OpenAlex
W2132911793
Cited by
93
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 6
FWCI
10.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Australasian Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Disorders
Keywords
depression, depression stigma, depression awareness, mental health policy, primary care mental health services, prevention and early intervention, income protection, media campaigns, school-based intervention, workplace mental health, Australia
MeSH terms
Australia, Awareness, Cross-Sectional Studies, Cross-Cultural Comparison, Depressive Disorder, Forecasting, Health Education, Health Promotion, Health Surveys, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Prejudice, Primary Health Care, Public Opinion, Program Evaluation, Cost of Illness

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