Donations to mental health initiative Mental As pass $1m

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The ABC’s mental health initiative Mental As has hit its fundraising target with more than $1 million pledged to help programs designed to prevent, treat and diagnose mental illnesses.

The broadcaster launched its biggest cross-platform programming event on Monday to raise awareness and funds for mental illness and by Saturday morning had raised more than $1,032,000 for mental health research.

ABC managing director Mark Scott said the campaign sought to address “chronically underfunded” mental health research.

“What this week has demonstrated is that mental health research is so common, but it’s confronting and confusing and the research still has a long way to go and needs funding,” Mr Scott told Radio National.

“I think we took that idea, and thought we could really trigger a national conversation around mental health issues.”

Mental As was held in cooperation with the Society for Mental Health Research, the national peak body for psychiatric and mental health research in Australia and New Zealand, and was timed to coincide with Mental Health Week.

Across a variety of platforms and media, from TV to radio, the ABC provided coverage of mental health issues to encourage discussion and raise awareness.

The week culminated in Friday Night Crack Up, a national television broadcast featuring comedians, actors, musicians, sportspeople and politicians showing their support for mental health initiatives.

Mental health is a key issue in Australia, with almost half the population experiencing a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime.

At least one third of young people have had an episode of mental illness by the age of 25, with depression and anxiety the most prevalent disorders experienced by Australians.

If you or anyone needs help, or someone to chat to, contact Lifeline Australia 13 11 14.