FEDERATION University Australia became the backdrop for a music video fighting the stigma around mental illness on Tuesday.
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Band Gen2 filmed part of the video clip for Fight the Black Dog on campus in Ballarat, using about 40 diverse people to feature in the middle part of the clip.
Musician Tony Schmidt said he had seen the impact of mental illness first-hand, especially depression, seeing many of his musical colleagues fall from drugs, alcohol and other factors.
And so he wanted to contribute to the research surrounding depression and the work being done to help.
“I’m really interested in FedUni’s e-mental health services. A lot of people with depression may not leave the house to seek help – and this gives access to so many, no matter how isolated they are, to see that help,” Schmidt said.
He hopes to raise $50,000 to donate towards FedUni’s research and another $50,000 for the Black Dog Institute for the work it is doing on the ground.
“Through the song I want to raise awareness to then raise funds to help,” he said. “I wanted to highlight in the clip that depression and anxiety don’t discriminate. So we got a variety of people of all ages and genders.”
He plans to launch the single in about six weeks.
Director of FedUni’s Centre for Biopsychosocial and eHealth Research and Innovation Britt Klein said the song would open up another way to get the conversation going around depression and anxiety.
“It has been written in such a way that it empowers people to ‘fight’ and to seek assistance,” Professor Klein said.
She said the new Federation eHealth Platform was soon to be released, as a one-stop shop with different online health programs.
Professor Klein said there was a need for alternatives for people, especially those who can’t access treatment due to their geographical location. She said only about 40 per cent of Australians with mental health disorders accessed mental health services.
“EMental Health services is one such avenue and has a very strong track record in terms of effectiveness, especially with the anxiety disorders and depression.”
She said the services provided Australians with greater access to mental health treatment.
nicole.cairns@fairfaxmedia.com.au
