NATIONAL mental-illness charity SANE Australia is urging people to get online for mental health support.
The not-for-profit organisation has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of online support and social connection for the four million people affected by mental illness in Australia.
The campaign, which features the stories of eight people, encourages people to visit its online forums to get help.
The Sane Online Forums are an anonymous and professionally moderated service accessible 24 hours a day.
SANE Australia chief executive Jack Heath said while real advances have been made reducing stigma around mild to moderate health conditions, there is still "a great deal of work to be done to help those at the more severe end of the spectrum".
He said there were 690,000 Australians living with complex mental illness.
"Research shows that far too often people affected by complex mental illness do not seek the help they so desperately need because they consider themselves a burden, or because they are ashamed of their situation," Mr Heath said.
He said figures show people with bipolar, borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders and PTSD are 10 to 45 times more likely to take their own lives.
"Lack of services, a culture of self reliance, stigma and often having limited access to a busy general practitioner are all major barriers for people battling complex mental illness in rural and regional Australia," Mr Heath said.
He said there was a need to look for ways to reach people who are socially and geographically isolated and to break down the barriers that prevent them from speaking up and seeking help.
"We know that safe, online communities like the SANE Online Forums can offer hope and support to people who might not otherwise receive it.
"They also help reduce stigma and discrimination and encourage help-seeking behaviour.
"The online forums enable people who have grappled with complex mental illness for many years to offer something special to others just starting off on the journey - now one person's struggle can offer hope and meaning to so many others."
If you or someone you know needs help contact Lifeline on 131-114.
1800-187-263, www.saneforums.org