SANE Australia

About SANE Australia
Mission
Programs and Services
Contact Details

About SANE Australia

Founded in 1986 as Schizophrenia Australia Foundation, SANE Australia is a national charity that provides support for those affected by mental illness. SANE conducts programs and campaigns to improve the lives of people living with mental illness, their family and friends. SANE is a leading independent NGO campaigning for the one in five Australians affected by mental illness at some time in their lives. SANE relies exclusively on donations and grants to achieve its goals and receives no ongoing government funding.

Mission

Working for a better life for people affected by mental illness through campaigning, education and research. Their priorities include:

Campaigning for improved services for, and attitudes towards, people affected by mental illness.
Lobbying on specific issues such as the effect of welfare reform and drug strategies on the lives of people with a mental illness.
Raising awareness and understanding of mental illness within the wider community.
Conducting applied research which aims to make a real difference to the lives of Australians affected by mental illness and to those who care for them

Programs and Services

Programs and services provided include:

Free Helpline – a national freecall helpline (also Helpline Online) offering information and referrals.
StigmaWatch program – monitors and pursues stigma against people with a mental illness in the media.
“Friends in Business” program – promotes better understanding of depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health problems in the workplace, through education and access to workplace resources and other customised guidebooks.
SANE News – production of a quarterly magazine on mental health issues.
Information Services – guidebooks, factsheets, videos and other resources on mental illness and related topics.
Education – a range of courses and education programs are provided by trained SANE speakers
Research – applied research on such topics as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, physical health, advocacy and employment and medication.

Itsallright.org

SANE Australia created and manages the website itsallright.org. Itsallright is a website that aims to support teenagers affected by mental illness in their family through information and reassurance. You can read the diaries of four teenagers, based on real stories, as they deal with the challenge of living with mental illness in their family. The website also has useful factsheets and podcasts and provides an online information and referral service on mental illness including schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders.