Depression Doesn't Discriminate - It Can Happen to Anyone
A group of young people received a standing ovation on Saturday, 31 May, at Greater Union Parramatta at the screening of two community announcements which raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of depression.
The service announcements were launched by Holroyd Mayor, Clr Dr John H Brodie, and were very well received by audience members.
Holroyd Mayor Clr Dr John H Brodie said: “Holroyd Council hopes that the screening of these announcements will raise awareness of this important issue and help people to talk about it. The first step is talking.”
Since late 2007 the group of young people who had previously been trained as peer educators through Holroyd Council’s Peer Education Project volunteered their time to work on the project. The group worked alongside a filmmaker and script writer, researching, planning and producing the two community announcements.
The young people were also the stars of the community announcements, acting and providing the voice over. The creative side of the group spilled over as they also created the drawings for the animation shown in one of the announcements.
The announcements explained that the signs of depression may include:
- Anxiety
- Despair
- Worthlessness
- A sense of being overwhelmed
- Feeling like a failure
The community announcements will air on ABC, SBS and TVS as well as in local cinemas. The young people are also going to attend schools in the local area showing the community announcements and handing out material about depression.
The project was funded through The Foundation For Young Australians through the Launch Pad Grant, stage 2 and auspiced by Holroyd City Council.
For more information about this project contact Christine Piper, Manager of Community Services on 9840 9840.
For further information contact the Media Relations and Promotions Manager on 9840 9717, 0416 105 029 or email web2@holroyd.nsw.gov.au.