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'Lift the Lid' on Mental Illness is Australian Rotary Health’s National annual fundraising day for mental health research.
The campaign, founded by ARH Vice Chairman Greg Ross, started in 2016 in partnership with Rotary Clubs of Victoria.
The event was such a success that it has now been extended to all Rotary Clubs across Australia.
As part of the "Lift the Lid" program, PP Viv Armstrong gave an interesting presentation on Australian Rotary Health (ARH) and its particular focus on mental illness.
ARH is an independent charity whose Board is comprised entirely of Rotarians and it was created in 1986 by Ian Scott from the Rotary Club of Mornington.
His initial focus was on minimising the number of babies dying from cot deaths, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
He introduced the Red Nose Day campaign to raise funds to research the causes of SIDS and managed to raise over $2 million. As a result of his efforts, the number of deaths from SIDS has fallen significantly.
ARH now contributes funds towards addressing a wide range of health issues, such as bowel cancer scans, family health, mental illness and indigenous health scholarships.
Viv explained how different Clubs use different means to raise money to support ARH's work on mental health and other health issues.
In fact, a total of $43 million has been provided by ARH for a range of medical training, since Ian Scott began his campaign.
ARH also assigns funds for PhDs focused on health issues within the community. In 2016, they introduced the Indigenous Health Sholarship program, which is a joint initiative between Rotary Clubs, State Governments and the Australian Government.
Viv explained how the Rotary Club of Maffra contributes to the funding of ARH Indigenous Health Scholarships. The number of Indigenous Health Scholarships has increased from 4 in 2016, to 90 studying in Melbourne in 2018.
Since the year 2000, a particular focus of ARH has been on mental illness and from 2012 onwards, specifically the mental health of young Australians.
Viv stated that suicides resulting for the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experienced by some armed service personnel returning from service, kills more people than bullets.
By providing Mental Health FIrst Aid Training, family members are able to support those with PTSD. Therefore, RSL Clubs are raising funds to facilitate this training for families involved.
Rotary Clubs are also raising and providing funds for Mental Health First Aid training. Our Club recently trained 16 scout leaders who will be able to support 400 kids for whom they are responsible. Other Clubs Australia-wide wish to follow this example.
