Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, research is showing that a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors is involved.  Yet our treatments are still based on interviews where patients are asked about their symptoms, and drugs are prescribed on a trial and error basis. 

Imagine if it were possible to easily and correctly diagnose a mental illness with a brain scan, blood test or urine sample leading to better treatment protocols. How many lives would be improved? How much anguish would be avoided? 

A team at Indiana University School of Medicine are currently working on a blood test for depression and bipolar. This is exciting research as once biomarkers are found for mental illnesses, earlier interventions may regulate the severity of these diseases and prevent suicides. 

Thomas Ansel is the director of the U.S. National Institute of  Mental Health.  In this video he talks about the changing future of treatments for mental illnesses or brain disorders.

The figures given in the above video were for the U.S.   So how does Australia compare?

 Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44. Let this one sink in for a moment.  Teenagers and young people are more likely to die by suicide than by any other cause - not drug overdoses nor traffic accidents
    Nine Australians suicide every day. That’s more than double the road toll.
    75% of those who take their own life are male.
    Over 65,000 Australians make a suicide attempt each year.
    In 2019, 3,318 Australians took their own life.
    For each life lost to suicide, the impacts are felt by up to 135 people, including family members, work colleagues, friends, first responders at the time of death. This can lead to suicide clusters, where people who know the person who suicided are more likely to take their own lives. Siblings of suicide are at higher risk of suicide. 
A report commissioned by the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) estimated in 2014 that the cost of severe mental illness in Australia was $56.7 billion per year. This includes the direct economic costs of severe mental illness arising from the use of health and other services, as well as indirect costs due to lost productivity because people are unable to work.
 Mental illness is still subject to stigma and being seen as a weakness so people are less likely to seek help. 

Recent research shows:

A genetic mutation may be involved in bipolar. Read more

A study of twins indicates that 79% of the risk of developing schizophrenia is genetic. Read more

Children exposed to high levels of air pollution are twice as likely to develop depression. Read more

Lithium has been used for over 50 years in the treatment of bipolar. But only recently has research discovered how it works - and it was a surprise! Read more

Our aim is to raise money to fund research  that will further our understanding of mental illness, resulting in better diagnoses and treatment protocols. 

Raising money to fund research into mental illnesses