Scribing for positive aims

Those caring for someone with depression or bipolar disorder are at the forefront of the latest Black Dog Institute Writing Competition.
The eighth annual contest is themed “Walking the Tightrope – Caring for Someone with Depression or Bipolar Disorder”.

Entries from the Australasian region are welcome, with a first prize of $2000 awarded to the best essay.

Essays must focus on the questions of what worked best, what didn’t work and what they learnt through experience.

Black Dog Media Manager, Ian Dose, said: “Most books on depression and bipolar disorder have been written from the outside looking in.”

“’Inside out’ views offer rich information that assists in breaking down their mysteries and their management and are particularly appreciated by general readers,” he said.

“Drawing together perceptions and personal accounts from those who have experienced such mood disorders – whether personally or in this case, as a Carer – allows us to reverse this approach.

“While depression can be very isolating, individuals fighting this private battle are often surrounded by those who love them, with friends, family and colleagues all looking for practical and sensitive ways to show their support.”

The Black Dog Institute Writing Competition has previously explored mood disorders in adolescents and the elderly, postnatal depression and tackling mood disorders in the workplace, as well as mastering depression and bipolar disorder.

An independent judging panel will select the winning entries and announce them in early 2012.

“One in five Australians will experience clinical depression over their lifetime, but this figure doesn’t take into account the families, partners, friends and work colleagues who are also drawn into the crisis,” Mr Dose said.

“Often, it is these people on the perimeter that selflessly reach out to assist those who are living with a mood disorder, offering their time, their acceptance, support and hope.”

The competition will be conducted in association with Carers Australia, Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW Inc. and Hunter Institute of Mental Health’s national initiative Partners in Depression.