Mind Blank

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Depression Awareness

When problems overwhelm a person, he/she can usually brush off the sadness away. But when a person with depression encounters problems, they may find it hard to remove the despair and feelings of hopelessness. This is one off the main differences between being sad and being depressed.  Some days may feel suffocating, some many feel like you are drowning in despair, and some days may event feel unbearable! Feeling sad is a part of everyday life – but gloomy days are more intense for some people.

Depression is a term that is usually used to describe how a person feels after a bad week or when stressful things happen. But it is much more than that. A person may be depressed if for more than two weeks they have felt sad, down or miserable most of the time. Depression is something that creeps into a person's mind. It can change how you see life in general. It is always cloudy and stormy, even on a bright sunny day.

Signs of Depression

Here are some common signs of depression that you may have encountered before. Know that it is important to mindful that these symptoms may vary from person to person.

- Loss of Interest: losing interest in things that you often love to do can be a major symptom of depression. Depression has the power to take away someone’s passion. It can take the enjoyment out of the things you love the most.

- Sleep problems and increased fatigue: depression is more than just sadness, and it can also affect your physical health. Depression is something that feels like overwhelming fatigue.

- Appetite or weight changes: significant weight gain or weight loss is another sign and symptom of depression. Due to overthinking and feeling down, a person with depression can often overeat or loss appetite.

- Concentration problems: a person with depression often finds it hard to make decisions and focus on things.

- Unexplained pains and aches: another common sign of depression is an increase in physical pain. This may include back pains, stomach ache, and even aching muscles

- Looking into death:  the word depression is usually connected with suicide. Some studies show that one of the leading causes of suicide is depression. There are instances that people will talk or attempt doing it. This sign should not be taken lightly.

The signs mentioned above may be common for some, but there are also people with depression who show the exact opposite of them. Some choose to deal with depression in their own way. Some hide it in their jokes and laughs, but let it unveil itself during the night or whenever they’re alone. Here is a great blog to help combat symptoms of depression.

Depression in Young Adults

“I was not confident. I learnt to not speak up and suffered alone. I saw my parents go through a lot of challenges and seeing them struggle all the time meant that I thought my problems were nothing in comparison. If anything I learnt to be embarrassed by talking up because people would see that I was different.

"I was diagnosed with depression in 2010 in the aftermath of a trauma that changed my life forever. It made me stare straight at my past, and this time I had no choice but to deal with it. I went to see a GP and he took me to see a counsellor for the first time in my life. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. We only chatted about what I was comfortable with. Usually after a session I would feel relieved."

Cassie 17, NSW

How We Help

We here at Mind Blank know that one in five young people will experience a mood disorder in their lifetime. Depression is something that many of us will go through at some stage in our life – and we believe that no one needs to suffer alone.

Mind Blank runs a health promotion workshop that addresses general well-being and depression. In this workshop we follow one person’s journey. This is Dan’s story, and we explore his experience with depression. Dan’s life is actively retold on-stage, and the audience is questioned as to how we can help him through various difficult periods of his life.  

February 20, 2021
Children

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February 20, 2021
Workplace

Through interactive workshops Mind Blank is able to help promote a positive workplace culture within targeted employers which can lead to greater awareness of and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues within the workplace and our communities.

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February 20, 2021
Anxiety in Children

Anxiety in Children. What are the causes? Click here to find out more through our online blog page.

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February 20, 2021
Bullying In Schools

Find out about how bullying in schools can effecting children’s mental health. Be proactive about prevention today.

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February 20, 2021
Dealing with a Changing World COVID 19

We are all dealing with a changing world. This blog will feature some top tips to help easing out of lockdown.

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February 20, 2021
Body Image & Self Perception

Body Image issues in Young Adults is a subject we all need to talk about.

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February 20, 2021
Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety what are the facts and how to deal with it?

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February 20, 2021
Suicide Prevention: Creating a Future for our Young People

Suicide Prevention can help create a better future for our young people. Read more out more about suicide prevetion via our online blog series.

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February 20, 2021
Award Winning Programs

In 2017 Mind Blanks efforts were recognised in winning the Mental Health Matters Award for Mental Health Promotion, and in 2019 the team was presented with the Mental Health Services Award for Mental Illness Prevention.

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February 20, 2021
Why Are Early Intervention Programs Important?

Mind Blank early intervention programs are known from winning award recognition in the mental health sector. Our award-winning programs have toured Australia wide. Enquire within.

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February 20, 2021
Program Evaluation

Mind Blank program evaluations encourage seek to understand our effectiveness against our intended goals. Want more info? Get in touch today.

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February 20, 2021
Crisis Numbers

You may be looking for some additional help-seeking service support. Please note that Mind Blank itself does not provide crisis intervention or counselling, there are some help-seeking phone numbers and helplines provided on this page. If you are in need of urgent support or are worried about someone, please contact your local doctor or call emergency services on 000.

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February 20, 2021
Mental Health Support - How To Help?

Want to know what can you do to help support someone who is struggling? Here are our top 6 tips.

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February 20, 2021
Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association Collaboration

Mind Blank is proud to announce that we have made an alliance with the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.

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February 20, 2021
Activities To Give Your Mental Health A Boost

This article will feature's ways that you can boost your mental well-being.

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February 20, 2021
Nature and Nurture

Nature and spending time outdoors are great for your mental health. Read on to find out why?

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February 20, 2021
‍Child Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2021

The Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference is designed to provide practical, relevant information and strategies for professionals to apply directly to their work supporting the mental health of children and adolescents from 3-19 years of age.

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February 20, 2021
Whistleblower Policy

Click here to find out more about the Mind Blank Ltd Whistle Blower policy.

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February 20, 2021
Fundraising Privacy Collection Statement

Are you thinking of making a donation to Mind Blank? Click here to find out more about Mind Blank Ltd's fundraising and collection policy.

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February 20, 2021
Mental Health Connect

Mind Blank is proud to work alongside the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association to help support The Mental Health Connect 2020 Online Expo. Click here to find out more.

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February 20, 2021
Workplace Mental Health

This article features 10 insights regarding Workplace Mental Health. Find out what signs you can look out for when it comes to COVID 19.

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February 20, 2021
Sustainable Development Goal 3

Mind Blank’s mission is supportive of Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. Find out how we complement making an impact in the community.

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February 20, 2021
How to Prevent Felling Depressed

Have you been feeling a little blue lately? This article will show you 10 things you can do to support your mental health today!

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February 20, 2021
Mind Blank secures Mental Awareness Foundation (MAF) funding to support hundreds of Brisbane Students

Over the coming months Mind Blank will perform theatrical workshops to over 1.000 Brisbane students focusing on early intervention and mental health help-seeking tactics.

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February 20, 2021
How the pandemic has affected cognitive development in kids

A discussion of the different stages and ways to promote cognitive development in children as well as the role of the pandemic.

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February 20, 2021
Youth Mental Health Summit in Canterbury-Bankstown, NSW

Mind Blank were very excited to run their first in-person NSW workshop in two years! Canterbury-Bankstown City Council invited Mind Blank to engage local teens at the Youth Mental Health Summit in Belmore in April.

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February 20, 2021
Cigna Employee Joins Mind Blank for Community Ambassador Fellowship

Kristal Ruiz joins Mind Blank to expand their Workplace Mental Health Awareness Program as a Community Ambassador Fellow.

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