Changing Minds

[kenny66]

It seems to me that it is pretty disgraceful that it took an event like mental health week to bring the issue of mental health into the national spotlight. I wonder what will flow from it?

Mostly the issue gets very little attention and very little publicity. Swept under the carpet mostly by the pollies.

I read today that about 14% of Australians are living below the poverty line., a great many of them the mentally ill. DSP and Newstart allowances ensure people live in poverty.

It was a shame that the changing minds program did not get into the area of social disadvantage and the entrenched barriers to mentally ill people getting jobs.

I saw one report by a federal politician about mental health and that was only focused on politicians being stressed out.

I didnt see much involvent by state or federal governmnents at all. Probably a whole lot of reviews and studies will be done on the issues raised during mental health week and as usual nothing will come out of them.

[Former-Member]

Hey JT, I suspect those I spoke to after episode 1 might have a different view after watching episode 3.  A very very powerful piece of television.

[Loopy]

JT, thank goodness someone else admits that they cry, wether it be the credits or the actual program that causes it, it is a terrific relief , and it flushes the crap from your eyes

[Loopy]

Hi again JT, If they were actors the credit has to go to their acting abilty, the script writer and the director because it would be difficult to act out the day in the life of a  mentally sick person, just imagine the emotions of the actor.

[Loopy]

JT, isn't it hard watching a presentation like this one, it actually makes you search you soul and mind and wonder just how one would react in the same situation. I know my actions, and I did not like what I thought.

[JT]

I also work in mental health and every day I'm reminded of how diverse people with the same diagnosis are and how fine the line is between patient and professional.  I work with many professionals navigating the same fine line.  My goal is to not be on the other side of the line but some days it seems so tempting to just let go.  

[Alessandra1992]

I cried and I think it was because consumer's sharing their stories was just so powerful.. I think the ABC did a sterling task of sensitively filming everyone. Not an easy task to get balanced views without sensationalising or being voyeuristic. And for me, I figure there was a lot we didn't see as perhaps staff and other clients didn't want to be filmed either at times..