Beyond Blue

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Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation

title: "Beyond Blue" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["organizations-established-in-2000", "charities-based-in-australia", "anxiety-disorder-treatment", "mental-health-organisations-in-australia", "suicide-in-australia", "organisations-based-in-melbourne", "2000-establishments-in-australia"] description: "Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation" topic_path: "geography/australia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyond_Blue" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox organization"]

FieldValue
nameBeyond Blue
imageBeyond Blue logo.svg
formation
registration_idABN 87 093 865 840
typeNon-profit
statusCharity
purposeTo promote and improve mental health, and support those affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.
headquartersMelbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia
region_servedAustralia
leader_titleChair
leader_nameLinda Dessau
leader_title2Interim Chair
leader_name2Kate Carnell
leader_title3CEO
leader_name3Georgie Harman
revenue$73,894,888.00
revenue_year2024
expenses$82,821,750.00
employees209
expenses_year2024
website
formerlybeyondblue
::

::callout[type=note] the Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation ::

| name = Beyond Blue | image = Beyond Blue logo.svg | formation = | registration_id = ABN 87 093 865 840 | type = Non-profit | status = Charity | purpose = To promote and improve mental health, and support those affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. | headquarters = Melbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia | region_served = Australia | leader_title = Chair | leader_name = Linda Dessau | leader_title2 = Interim Chair | leader_name2 = Kate Carnell | leader_title3 = CEO | leader_name3 = Georgie Harman | revenue = $73,894,888.00 | revenue_year = 2024 | expenses = $82,821,750.00 | employees = 209 | expenses_year = 2024 | website = | formerly = beyondblue Beyond Blue is an Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation. They provide support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses.

The organisation works in partnership with governments, local health services, educational institutions, workplaces, media and community organisations, as well as the general community to raise community awareness about anxiety and depression and reduce the associated stigma. Beyond Blue was founded in 2000 by former premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett. It is currently chaired by Linda Dessau, former Governor of Victoria. Dessau is supported by CEO Georgie Harman, and Interim Chair Kate Carnell.

History

Beyond Blue began in October 2000 as a five-year initiative of the Australian Government, as well as state and territory governments. Assisted by persistent lobbying by Jeff Kennett, the initiative stemmed from public debate on the treatment of people living with depression. The aim was to raise awareness of depression and to reduce the associated stigma. As of 2024, Beyond Blue receives 70% ($52,365,404.00) of its funding from governments.

Politicians have encouraged people to utilise and donate to Beyond Blue, including Geoff Gallop and former chair John Brogden.

Since 2006, the Australian Football League has supported the organisation with the annual Beyond Blue Cup. It is awarded to the winner of clashes between Geelong and Hawthorn football clubs.

In March 2017, it was announced that former prime minister Julia Gillard would take over as chair of Beyond Blue from founder and chair Jeff Kennett. Gillard replaced Kennett on 2 July 2017.

In December 2023, Gillard retired as chair of Beyond Blue and was replaced by Sam Mostyn. Mostyn served in this role until she became Governor-General in 2024. Mostyn was replaced by interim chair Kate Carnell, former chief minister of the Australian Capital Territory.

Work

Beyond Blue addresses a range of mental health issues in Australia, including mental health stigma, indigenous issues, post-natal depression, school-based interventions, and youth mental health.

LGBT Australians

In 2011, Jeff Kennett remarked publicly that children of gay and lesbian parents have worse mental health outcomes. Amid resulting controversy, Beyond Blue staff and supporters called on the organisation to create specific programs for gay and lesbian Australians. In 2012, Beyond Blue launched a year-long $1.5 million campaign to reduce gay, lesbian and transgender discrimination in Australia. In 2015, the organisation issued a statement supporting same-sex marriage.

In 2018, Beyond Blue rejected a $5,000 donation from wrestler Dave Marshall. Marshall, who is gay, publicly stated the donation was from selling pornographic photos and videos. Beyond Blue subsequently said they would not accept money that came from "gambling, alcohol or pornography" but clarified they would accept the donation if Marshall removed Beyond Blue's name from his platforms to ensure "future consumers of your products are not given the impression their purchase is in any way supporting Beyond Blue". Marshall instead donated the money to a mental health charity, the Black Dog Institute.

Activism

In 2013, Beyond Blue campaigned against the insurance industry's discrimination against people who have experienced anxiety and depression. They also launched a campaign featuring actor Ben Mendelsohn as the character "Anxiety", describing symptoms and how it feels to experience anxiety, and conducted a survey into the mental health of doctors and medical students finding very high rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

A 2015 survey of 1,200 Australians by TNS Australia revealed that one in five Australians still believe that people with anxiety are just "putting it on". In 2016, Beyond Blue launched another campaign on radio and TV to raise awareness of anxiety and its symptoms, with actor Guy Pearce providing the voice over.

Men are a key audience for Beyond Blue and the Man Therapy campaign achieved widespread coverage. The campaign was a "first of its kind" program in Australia and featured a humorous character, "Dr Brian Ironwood", urging men to take action when it comes to their wellbeing. Launched in 2013, it was an international collaboration with the Colorado Office for Suicide Prevention, whose Man Therapy was adapted for an Australian audience. The campaign was programmed to last one year.

Beyond Blue and AOMB also reached agreement to fundraise an initiative to raise awareness of anxiety and depression in Australia by organising several charity events.

Writing in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Rob Whitley criticised Beyond Blue's advertising as blaming men for their mental health issues. For example, the front page of Beyond Blue's website stating "Men are known for bottling things up".

In September 2023, along with other health organisations, Beyond Blue signed an open letter in support of the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Helpline

Beyond Blue provides support for individuals struggling with anxiety and depression through their helpline. The helpline is accessible 24 hours a day, providing immediate support to those in need. The helpline number is 1300 224 636. This service allows individuals to speak with a trained mental health professional who can provide advice and guide callers to appropriate resources.

References

References

  1. "Beyond Blue Limited". [[Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission]].
  2. "Who we are and what we do". Beyond Blue.
  3. Lindsay, Nicole. (16 May 2020). "Beyond Blue leaves leafy Hawthorn for new city digs".
  4. "Our governance structure".
  5. (17 September 2024). "Annual Highlights 2023–24". Beyond Blue Limited.
  6. Pirkis, Jane. (2012-02-14). "An Evaluation of beyondblue, Australia's National Depression Initiative". International Journal of Mental Health Promotion.
  7. (21 March 2017). "Beyond Blue chair Jeff Kennett to be replaced by former PM Julia Gillard". [[ABC News (Australia).
  8. (2 July 2017). "Former PM Julia Gillard takes over as new Chair of beyondblue". Beyond Blue.
  9. Ward, Rachael. (13 December 2023). "Sam Mostyn replaces Julia Gillard as Beyond Blue chair". [[The Canberra Times]].
  10. (4 April 2024). "Kate Carnell AO announced as Beyond Blue interim Chair". Beyond Blue.
  11. "Treating depression: the beyondblue guidelines for treating depression in primary care". mja.com.au.
  12. (2008). "Predictors of depression stigma". BMC Psychiatry.
  13. (2013). "Mental Illness Stigma, Help Seeking, and Public Health Programs". American Journal of Public Health.
  14. "Beyond Blue to launch a new campaign highlighting the link between racism and depression". [[news.com.au]].
  15. (2009). "Mental health first aid for Indigenous Australians: using Delphi consensus studies to develop guidelines for culturally appropriate responses to mental health problems". BMC Psychiatry.
  16. (2008). "Risk factors for antenatal depression, postnatal depression and parenting stress". BMC Psychiatry.
  17. (2014). "Does the Absence of a Supportive Family Environment Influence the Outcome of a Universal Intervention for the Prevention of Depression?". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
  18. Stark, Jill. (2 October 2011). "Gay radio in push to oust Kennett from charity chair". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
  19. Stark, Jill. (9 October 2011). "What lies beyond?". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
  20. Hagan, Kate. (5 September 2012). "Beyondblue in anti-discrimination push". [[The Age]].
  21. (1 September 2015). "Beyondblue backs marriage equality as a weapon against discrimination". [[Guardian Australia.
  22. Hussey, Samuel. (16 January 2019). "'Thanks, but no thanks': Charity rejects $5k donation raised through gay porn".
  23. (13 December 2018). "Suicide prevention charity rejects gay wrestler’s porn donations".
  24. Lion, Patrick. (23 January 2013). "Fight looms on insurance for mentally ill". [[news.com.au]].
  25. Berry, Sarah. (17 May 2013). "I am anxiety". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
  26. Coote, Gavin. (6 May 2013). "Beyond Blue launches campaign to tackle anxiety". [[abc.net.au]].
  27. Sundstrom, Kathy. (17 May 2013). "National campaign targets anxiety". [[Sunshine Coast Daily]].
  28. Harrison, Dan. (7 October 2013). "Doctors more likely to get depressed". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
  29. (18 April 2016). "One in five Australians believes people with anxiety 'put it on'". [[The Age]].
  30. (18 April 2016). "beyondblue ad campaign raising anxiety awareness".
  31. O'Leary, Cathy. (5 June 2013). "Funny ads are serious about male depression". [[The West Australian]].
  32. (8 January 2014). "Beyondblue renews Man Therapy TV push during summer of sport". [[Mumbrella]].
  33. "Man Therapy". Beyond Blue.
  34. (2 January 2014). "Man Therapy Interim Evaluation Results to 31 December 2013". Ipsos Social Research Institute / Beyond Blue.
  35. "Australia Oriental Media Buddhist Charity Association".
  36. Whitley, Rob. (September 2018). "Men's Mental Health: Beyond Victim-Blaming". The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.
  37. (25 September 2023). "Beyond Blue joins health organisations in support of the Voice to Parliament". Beyond Blue.
  38. "The Facts".
  39. "Get Immediate Support".
  40. "National help lines and websites". Beyond Blue.
  41. "Get Immediate Support".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

organizations-established-in-2000charities-based-in-australiaanxiety-disorder-treatmentmental-health-organisations-in-australiasuicide-in-australiaorganisations-based-in-melbourne2000-establishments-in-australia