Recognise mental health heroes

THE statistics regarding mental health in Australia are startling and unacceptable. One in three Australians will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. Suicide is the biggest killer of young Australians and accounts for the deaths of more young people than car accidents.

We need to acknowledge those who are doing groundbreaking work in this area.

The Australian Mental Health Prize seeks to recognise Australians who have made outstanding contributions to either the promotion of mental health or the prevention and treatment of mental illness.

I would like to encourage clinicians, health professionals and the public at large to nominate the people they feel should be recognised for their work. More information and nomination forms can be obtained from www. australianmentalhealthprize. org. au Entries close on August 31. For those who are living with the burden of mental illness every day, thank you for your support. ITA BUTTROSE AO OBE, Chair of the Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group.