MESSAGE OF ONE IN FIVE SEASON IN REVIEW

The last few months have been busy for One in Five. In August, One in Five had our annual major fundraiser, at the Melbourne Town Hall.
In July VAFA Clubs had the One in Five Round, and several Clubs took the opportunity to talk about mental illness, and read some information about how to help yourself or your mates – if you think they’re in trouble.
Talking about mental illness is always difficult. It’s true that in recent years more prominent people have opened up about having depression, and described their experiences. However this is less the case for sufferers of schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder.
The level of pain, suffering, disability, and death associated with bipolar and schizophrenia is greater than that for ovarian cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or HIV/AIDS, however we know a lot more about these diseases, and the pain those patients go through.
I recently finished Neil Cole’s book “Stability in Mind”. Neil has bi-polar disorder, and in the book he talks about what it is like to have this disease:
“Bipolar disorder ….is a debilitating illness from the dis-inhibition of the high moods, bringing with it a certain courage, often a damaging courage of taking high risks in your career, with people, relationships and money. Spending money with no understanding why you did it, or how you are going to repay it when the elevated mood ends. …..Then the pain of melancholic depression, sometimes it follows the high, sometimes it precedes it. When it happens it’s like a fog descends on your body and you ponder what is the point of it all. Something we all ask from time to time, but in the melancholic state it goes on and on without respite. You don’t feel like living when you are so morbidly despondent.”
Currently, on average, it takes 10.2 years and 4 doctors to obtain a correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Our lack of understanding of mental illness, and how to treat it, is what One in Five is working to change.
Remember that a mental illness is a disease – and like other diseases – you can get help. So if you feel your or a mate may be in need of help, see you doctor, and talk to your coach or someone you trust.
Julia Mason is Chairman of the Board of One in Five. One in Five is the official charity of the VAFA and you can read more about their work on their website www.oneinfive.com.au