Programs
beyondblue - the National Depression Initiative
beyondblue is working with a range of partners including governments, schools and community organisations, as well as people living with depression, to progress the National Depression Initiative.
beyondblue is the independent public company which was formed in 2000. It provides national leadership for the awareness, prevention and early intervention of depression and related disorders. The National Depression Initiative responds to the growing burden of depression in Australia:
- Around one million adults in Australia and 100,000 young people are living with depression each year.
- Depression is currently the leading cause of non-fatal disability in Australia, with less than 50% receiving medical care. Depression-associated disability costs the Australian economy $14.9 billion annually, with more than 6 million working days lost each year.
- Depression costs the Australian community over $600 million each year in treatment costs and depression will be second only to heart disease as the leading medical cause of death and disability within 20 years.
- Postnatal depression affects 14% of new mothers.
Further information on beyondblue and the National Depression Initiative is available on the beyondblue website.
Page last reviewed: 15 October 2010
