The SANE Blog

Presenter, Mamamia online editor and journalist, Elfy Scott is the author of The One Thing We’ve Never Spoken About, a book about her lived experience of her mother’s complex mental health condition. We spoke to Elfy, who lives in Sydney with her partner, for Women’s Mental Health Week.

Father’s Day can impact different people in different ways. For some it’s a happy time, for others it may create difficult emotions or memories. 

SANE Team Member Matt not only plays an important role helping to support people with complex mental health conditions. He’s also navigating being a Dad to 3-week-old Matilda and Marty, 2 years of age. 

This week, SANE is celebrating the strength and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the profound and long-term connection they have with the land and water around us, and recognise the immense history, culture and knowledge they bring and generously share with us all.

Work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be very challenging to deal with, but there are ways to manage it more effectively.  

PTSD can develop in response to witnessing or experiencing very shocking, extreme or sudden events. This can include events that happen at work, such as severe accidents and injuries, sexual harassment or assault, bullying, emotional or physical abuse or discrimination.  

Last Friday was National Sorry Day or National Day of Healing. This day is in memory of ‘The Stolen Generations’ of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, many of whom were forcibly removed from their families to be assimilated into ‘white’ Australian culture.

Engaging in meaningful work is an important part of many people’s lives, including those living with schizophrenia. Many people with schizophrenia can absolutely find a job and thrive in the workplace, and work across a variety of industries and positions. This is especially the case when they have the right supports in place. 

Holly, SANE Peer Ambassador

If you've seen people diagnosed with bipolar disorder on the news, or in a movie, you might have an idea of what bipolar disorder involves. But did you know that there are different types of bipolar disorder, and it affects people in different ways? 

This World Bipolar Day (March 30 2023), we’re focusing on the unique experiences of three people living with bipolar disorder – Matt, Holly and Alice. We talked to them about what they think is important for people to know about bipolar disorder. 

Five myths about social anxiety

If you have social anxiety, you know what it feels like to experience intense anxiety in social situations. It can involve a fear of judgement or embarrassment and can sometimes result in you avoiding social situations altogether.  

While it’s quite common (around 7 per cent of Australians have experienced social anxiety in the past 12 months), there are a lot of myths surrounding it. Debunking these myths is important, so that they don’t create stigma and self-stigma, or prevent people from seeking help.  

Here are five myths about social anxiety – and the facts that prove them wrong.  

The last few decades have seen the world become a better for women and girls but there is still much work to be done when it comes to mental health.

When it comes to women’s health and wellbeing, we’ve come a long way with increased awareness and action addressing some of the main issues that are impacting Australian women and girls.

Unfortunately, one area where we’ve not seen significant positive gains is in mental health.

The recent National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing shows women are more likely to report mental health issues than men. For some conditions such as anxiety, PTSD and disordered eating, women are significantly more impacted, and these concerning statistics extend across women of all ages and all backgrounds.

SANE Peer Ambassador Jeanette is celebrating Pride year-round while honouring her mental health.