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World Mental Health Day with Dr Sandersan Onie from the Black Dog Institute

October marks the start of Mental Health Month, with today being ‘World Mental Health Day’ by the World Health Organization, it is an opportunity to spread awareness on mental health issues. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly 43% of Australian adults have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their life (ABS, 2024). Thus, it is important that efforts are taken to amplify mental health support available.

 

The Black Dog Institute

The Black Dog Institute is a not-for-profit organisation that is leading the research into suicide prevention across the lifespan (from childhood to adulthood). Their motto ‘Better Mental Health’, is championed by an innovative approach to understanding suicide with a data-driven and holistic view. EdgeRed was proud to support them by contributing data insights to further their mission.

To learn more about the Black Dog Institute and what they are doing in the mental health space, we sat down with Dr Sandersan Onie to discuss the following topics:

  • Introduction to the Black Dog Institute and its mission

  • The importance of mental health in today’s society

  • The current challenges to suicide prevention

  • The Black Dog Institute’s initiatives to address these challenges

  • The future of suicide prevention

You can watch the full interview here. The following video contains mentions of suicide and mental health struggles, which some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

 

One Foot Forward

In addition to their incredible research work, the Black Dog Institute is hosting an initiative: ‘One Foot Forward’ in order to rally Australians to join a solidarity walk for Mental Health Month, in order to raise funds to support Australians impacted by mental illness. Register here.

A special thank you to Dr Sandersan Onie from the Black Dog Institute for this incredibly enlightening discussion. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Black Dog Institute is a leading not-for-profit organization in Australia dedicated to understanding and preventing mental health issues, particularly suicide. Their mission is to promote ‘Better Mental Health’ through innovative research, education, and support services that address mental health challenges across all age groups. They take a holistic approach to suicide prevention, focusing on both the individual and community levels.

There are several ways to get involved through their website. ‘One Foot Forward’ is a current initiative that invites Australians to participate in a solidarity walk during Mental Health Month to raise funds for those affected by mental illness. You can get involved by registering on their website, where you’ll find all the details about the event, how to participate, and tips on fundraising.

Mental Health Month, particularly with World Mental Health Day on October 10th, serves as a critical opportunity to raise awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and promote resources available for those in need. You can contribute by educating yourself and others, participating in events, and sharing information about mental health on social media. Engaging in conversations about mental health can help foster a supportive environment for those struggling with mental illness.

This post was written by Moon

About EdgeRed

EdgeRed is an Australian boutique consultancy specialising in data and analytics. We draw value and insights through data science and artificial intelligence to help companies make faster and smarter decisions.

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