Beyond Blue submission
In 2009 and 2010 beyondblue: the national depression initiative funded and led the development of two sets of Clinical Practice Guidelines. These draft guideline documents draw on the latest research evidence about the best way to identify, treat and manage depression, anxiety and related disorders.
The DRAFT Clinical Practice Guidelines were compiled by expert advisory groups, drawing upon the best available evidence. These groups include some of Australia's leading mental health experts, as well as people who have experienced mental health problems and their carers. The guidelines are freely available to the public during a consultation period from March 13 to May 12, 2010.
After the consultation period, both sets of the Guidelines will be revised, based on the submissions and feedback, and a final document will be submitted to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for approval.
Anne Mitchell, director of Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria and lead author of the literature review commissioned by beyondblue, believed the organisation would use the findings to inform their clinical guidelines.''We took that as goodwill that they would now take this group seriously, but it seems like it was a bit of window dressing,'' Associate Professor Mitchell said.
She added that depression was often preventable in young gay people if they were given appropriate support. But if doctors lacked knowledge on the possible causes - such as homophobia or fear of coming out - it could be hard to detect. ''[Coming out is] something that young people are … incredibly anxious about and if a person in authority, like a healthcare practitioner, names it and destigmatises it a bit, it can make a massive contribution to a young person being able to go forward.
''We hear of suicides all the time and I just get incredibly frustrated to think that something that can be prevented is getting to this stage. [The guidelines are] a real lost opportunity to throw a lifeline to a lot of young people.''
The Age – April 18, 2010
Please find {also}’s response below and we encourage all those interested to add their voice to the concerns about making our community invisible when we are overrepresented in mental health presentations.
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