Industry backs mental healtheducation campaign PROP

Source article: financialstandard.com.au

Date Published: 2016/11/4

Author: Michelle Baltazar

The financial services industry is lending its support to a new mental health

education campaign called 'People Reaching Out to People' (PROP).

Rob Prugue, head of the Asia Pacific division for Lazard Asset Management Pacific Co, started PROP to address the underlying stigma often associated with depression and anxiety.

With help from mental health organisation SuperFriend and marketing agency Run Partners, PROP is offering a web-based educational tutorial on mental health.

Setting the campaign apart from other existing initiatives, Prugue said that PROP's awareness focus is not centred on the one-in-four affected by mental illness but the three-in-four who do not experience depression or anxiety. It is sometimes their pre-conceived or ill-conceived notions that can have an equally damaging effect on those who have mental illness.

To officially launch PROP, there is a gathering at The Basement in Circular Quay on Wednesday, 15th of November featuring the iconic band Mental As Anything plus guest speakers. To date, more than 200 financial services professionals across superannuation, insurance and wealth management have confirmed their attendance.

Tickets cost $60, which includes a $40 tax-deductible donation to Lifeline (You can buy tickets on www.moshtix.com.au/propatthebasement).

If this article raises any emotional or psychological issues for you, you can utilise the below resources:

Lifeline, 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service, 1300 659 467, www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

MensLine Australia, 1300 78 99 78, www.mensline.org.au