Membership Fees
It would be appreciated if members reflect upon this segment and
perhaps offer solutions to what is a perennial problem. We are entirely a
voluntary organisation and endeavour to keep fees to the barest minimum
required to survive. With little arrogance, we are able to state that we
provide basic support for people with anxiety disorders and receive well
in excess of 1000 calls per year from people seeking information and
advice.
It is with the usual regret to announce that membership fees will be
increased this year to $30. In addition, a "donation" of $5 per
member and $10 per non-member is requested for the Tuesday meetings and
$2/$5 for the Saturday meetings. Supporters are still admitted free of
charge.
Rent, telephone charges and distribution of the monthly newsletter absorb
the majority of incoming fees. Net expenditure for the current financial
year is estimated at $7000. Based on existing membership of 150, the
revised fees may enable us to break even. Hopefully, funds from three
proposed workshops will cover any contingencies which, like anxiety,
arrive when you least expect them.
Roger Jones (Chairman)
Mental woes for one in 10
Almost one in 10 Australians has a long-term mental or behavioural
problem, with even higher numbers taking medication for their well-being.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that in 2001 more than 1.8
million people - or almost 10 per cent of the population - reported having
a mental or behavioural condition that lasted, or was expected to last,
six months or more. Over the same period, an estimated 2.6 million people
- or 18 per cent of the population - used one or more medications,
including vitamins and natural remedies, for their mental well-being.
Mood and anxiety problems were the most common reported mental and
behavioural conditions, while psychological development and alcohol and
drug-related problems also featured. Mental or behavioural problems were
more prevalent in adults' aged 18 to 64. Females (10.6 per cent) were more
likely than males (8.5 per cent) to suffer a mental or behavioural
problem.
Psychological development and juvenile-onset emotional and behavioural
problems were most prevalent in people under 17.
People who spoke English at home had a higher rate of mental and
behavioural problems (10.6 per cent) than those who spoke a language other
than English at home (9.6 per cent).
Couples with or without children experienced the least amount of
psychological distress, with single parents with dependent or
non-dependent children recording the most.
Unemployed people were twice as likely to suffer psychological distress.
People with diabetes, cancer or asthma experienced higher psychological
distress.
Smoking and drinking rates were higher for people with mental and
behavioural problems and people with a very high level of psychological
distress. They were also more likely to be physically inactive,
overweight, to have visited a doctor or a hospital and have days away from
work or study.
People with a mental or behavioural problem (51 per cent) were nearly four
times more likely than those without (14 per cent) to take some form of
medication for their well-being. The most common medications are
anti-depressants (25 per cent), vitamins and minerals (18 per cent) or
herbal or natural medications (14 per cent).
By Amanda James
The West Australian, December 8 2003
Happiness is a way station between too much and too
little.
Channing Pollock, American author and dramatist (1880-1946)
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