Western Australian Association for Mental Health

Our Ambassador for Mental Health Week, Glenn Mitchell

It is a great honour to be the Ambassador for Mental Health Week in WA.

Since my battle with severe depression that cost me my job at the ABC, and nearly my life in the middle of last year, I have spent time over the past eight months travelling around WA presenting suicide prevention talks for the One Life suicide prevention agency.  That probably gives you an indication of how serious I was feeling at the time.

In the 21^st century there is still sadly a stigma attached in many people’s eyes with regard to mental illness. It is a stigma that needs to be broken down—there should be no shame in admitting to either needing help or actively engaging it.

Mental illness is just that—an illness. There is no associated stigma attached to illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and asthma. Neither should there be with regard to mental illness.

Mental Health Week is a time when all of us can work together to try and -destygmatise mental illness. We owe it to everyone in society to change people’s perceptions.

Together, we can all help to make a difference, help people to live better lives and also help to ensure that those who are struggling know the steps to take to begin their journey to recovery.

I look forward to seeing you at many of the events during the week.