The Hiddden Army
Reporter: Quentin McDermott
Broadcast: 28/03/2005
Next on Four Corners, a close-up look at what could be the toughest job in Australia – it’s hard work, low pay, few holidays, high stress... and it’s all done for love. It’s the job of caring.
Nearly 500,000 of these people are so-called primary carers. They cannot get a "proper" job because they are on call nearly every minute of every day. They want to look after their loved ones at home for as long as possible. But it’s a relentless struggle to get the help they need. Eventually, many surrender, placing family members in nursing homes or other types of formal care. These are Australia’s hidden army of carers. By some estimates their dedication saves the economy about $20 billion a year. Most primary carers report getting by on less than $200 a week.
Four Corners looks into the world of the carer – the fear and insecurity, the frustrations, failures and rewards - through four stories of love and devotion
24 March 2005
18 March 2005
Something on my Mind is a brand new Streetwize comic, aimed at young people whose parents or carers are experiencing mental illness. Developed by a group of young people in a series of comic workshops, this resource explores the impact mental illness can have on family life through Mia's, Jonno's and Miriam's stories. The comic encourages young people and families to seek help and support.
It was distributed in NSW only, and was sent to high schools, among other places.
For a sample copy, please email Alis Middleton alis@streetwize.com.au
Streetwize Communications www.streetwize.com.au
Messing with heads Date
Published: Monday, 7th March 2005
Source: ABC - Four Corners
Full story: online here
A whole generation of Australians has grown up believing that smoking pot is a harmless pastime. They need to think again. The view of cannabis as a benign drug is under challenge – not from conservative family or religious groups but from the science and medical community. Clinicians now believe that modern strains of super-strength cannabis are increasingly triggering psychoses, depression and anxiety disorders in teenagers. Many young people begin smoking cannabis before they have even hit their teens – and experts are warning that the younger the smoker, the greater the risk of mental illness.Transcript contains links to interviews with Dr Andrew Campbell (Sydney psychiatrist), Professor Wayne Hall (Director of Policy and Ethics, Institute for Molecular Bio-Science, Queensland University) and Professor Pat McGorry (Director of the Orygen Youth Health).
(From Auseinet alert service - 17/3/2005)
Published: Monday, 7th March 2005
Source: ABC - Four Corners
Full story: online here
A whole generation of Australians has grown up believing that smoking pot is a harmless pastime. They need to think again. The view of cannabis as a benign drug is under challenge – not from conservative family or religious groups but from the science and medical community. Clinicians now believe that modern strains of super-strength cannabis are increasingly triggering psychoses, depression and anxiety disorders in teenagers. Many young people begin smoking cannabis before they have even hit their teens – and experts are warning that the younger the smoker, the greater the risk of mental illness.Transcript contains links to interviews with Dr Andrew Campbell (Sydney psychiatrist), Professor Wayne Hall (Director of Policy and Ethics, Institute for Molecular Bio-Science, Queensland University) and Professor Pat McGorry (Director of the Orygen Youth Health).
(From Auseinet alert service - 17/3/2005)
8th NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
The 8th National Rural Health Conference has just finished in Alice Springs. More than 800 delegates discussed, debated and explored issues connected with rural health. ABC Rural's news reports and papers from the conference are published at http://abc.net.au/rural/events/ruralhealth/
The 8th National Rural Health Conference has just finished in Alice Springs. More than 800 delegates discussed, debated and explored issues connected with rural health. ABC Rural's news reports and papers from the conference are published at http://abc.net.au/rural/events/ruralhealth/
OCKHAM'S RAZOR:
Out of sight, out of mind
Sunday 20 March, 8.45am, Radio National
Former Liberal Senator now at the University of Wollongong, Professor Chris Puplick, reports on the shocking and tragic case of Cornelia Rau, which has highlighted the widespread nature and extent of mental illness, and the unsatisfactory and inadequately resourced treatment options. This is the everyday fate of thousands of our fellow Australians who suffer some form of mental illness - instead of being treated, they are imprisoned.
04 March 2005
HEALTH REPORT
The placebo effect
Monday 7 March, 8.30am, Radio National
This week a special feature on the placebo effect, focusing on one of the most controversial treatments around - medication for depression. Professor Helen Mayberg from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, has done research in this area. She did brain scans of people taking an active drug versus a placebo to see the placebo effect in action. And Professor Arthur Barsky from Harvard Medical School talks about nocebos. A nocebo is the flipside of the placebo and can actually bring harm. (This a repeat of a program originally broadcast on April 12, 2004.)
The placebo effect
Monday 7 March, 8.30am, Radio National
This week a special feature on the placebo effect, focusing on one of the most controversial treatments around - medication for depression. Professor Helen Mayberg from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, has done research in this area. She did brain scans of people taking an active drug versus a placebo to see the placebo effect in action. And Professor Arthur Barsky from Harvard Medical School talks about nocebos. A nocebo is the flipside of the placebo and can actually bring harm. (This a repeat of a program originally broadcast on April 12, 2004.)