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Substance use/abuse (including alcohol and/or other drugs) can be a major factor in the causes of anxiety. People who use alcohol or other drugs can do so for many different reasons, but it is usually because of some underlying issue, such as depression or social circumstances. When people use/abuse alcohol or other drugs, they may be placed into an altered mental and emotional state. The substances they are consuming may cause extreme ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ in the emotions of the person thus creating a sense of confusion as to what is ‘reality’. For example, if a person has taken a stimulant (including amphetamines, ecstasy, ice), their experience of being happy and full of energy is greatly enhanced. Then, as the effects of the drug wear off, their mood may decrease to a more depressed way of thinking. Both moods are intensified to the degree that there is no real ‘middle ground’ and the person does not feel any sense of stability. This would lead to a state of confusion and this confusion can be a major reason for anxiety.

The recent Media Release from the Consumers Health Forum of Australia following the publication of a report from the Committee for Economic Development of Australia:

‘Reform or ration’ is right says peak health consumer group

 Australia’s once-prized universal health system is doomed without reforms of the scale recommended by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, says Carol Bennett, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum.

 Ms Bennett was commenting on the launch today of the CEDA report Healthcare: reform or ration, which calls for major reforms to the healthcare system in order to make it sustainable

The ACT Government is considering a series of changes to the mental health act which could see ambulance paramedics given the authority to arrest people with mental illnesses in emergency situations.

11th April 2013

This week ARAFEMI Victoria, Mental Health Carers Arafmi WA, and Mental Health Carers Arafmi Queensland received over 6 million dollars through the Commonwealth Government’s Personal Helpers and Mentors program to deliver new Mental Health Respite: Carer Support services. The new funding will support these organisations in their valuable work with people with a mental illness and their families, carers and friends.

See the attached media release for further information.

TODDLER tantrums could be identified as mental illness and normal grief classified as a depressive disorder under the psychiatric profession's new diagnostic bible.    Read the article from The Australian

ARAFMI has adapted a Northern NSW Local Health District carer survey for general use, so that we can get feedback from carers about how NSW mental health services interact with you in your role as carer or support person for the person with a mental health problem. Take our survey to provide your experiences here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MH-CARES and your feedback on the survey itself: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MH-CARES

 This presentation will provide accurate information about what mood disorders are, their causes, how to spot early warning signs, what to do and how to build personal resilience. The desired outcome is that people will be better informed, better equipped to identify warning signs and feel more comfortable seeking help and communicating more openly and honestly.

Federal Minister for Mental Health, Mark Butler released the BPD Guidelines on 15th March 2013 in Canberra. These are the first NHMRC Guidelines for this important mental health disorder that affects over a million Australians, with an estimated prevalence of 5.9% of the population. Approximately one third of all people admitted to mental health hospitals have a personality disorder or related condition.

SYDNEY, Australia, March 11, 2013 /CNW/ - The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and the National Mental Health Commission of Australia have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding to share knowledge and successful practices in mental health research.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mental-health-commission-canada-partners-180000633.html

NSW Mental Health Commissioner John Feneley today welcomed the appointment of four Deputy Commissioners, whose professional expertise and personal experiences bring valuable new perspectives to the Commission’s mental health reform work.

All four Deputy Commissioners have substantial experience working in the mental health sector. Two have lived experience of mental illness, in line with a requirement of the legislation under which the Mental Health Commission of NSW was created in 2012. “It’s essential we are guided by the experience of people with mental illness at all times,” Mr Feneley said.

The NSW Mental Health Commissioner writes:

'...we shouldn’t have to have people and their families pleading for assistance.' We need to find out people's experiences of seeking hospital based mental health care in a crisis situation.  People can email their experiences to mhc@mhc.com.au. or call:  1300 794 992 from Monday 4th March to Friday 8thMarch.