During National Mental Health Awareness Week, ANU launches its inaugural Day of Giving Campaign. Over a 24 hours period, the University aims to raise $50,000 for the National Institute for Mental Health Research (NIMR) at ANU. Two generous donors have agreed to make a matched gift to the value of $50,000. If the goal is reached, NIMHR is assured of $100,000 in support of their programs.

For over 40 years, NIMHR's mission has been to develop programs that reduce stigma and increase awareness around mental illness in the community. The statistics driving NIMHR's work are staggering:

• Over four million Australians suffer from a mental health issue in any one year.
• Suicide is responsible for more deaths in Australia than motor vehicle accidents.
• The life expectancy of people with moderate to severe mental illness is reduced by 25 years.
• Mental illness is responsible for more disability than cancer, diabetes and infectious diseases combined.

But despite this, the majority of people with a mental illness receive no professional help.

For over 40 years NIMHR have been committed to finding the answers and delivering innovative programs which support those in need. NIMHR's work has produced evidence-based and accessible online self-help services such as MoodGYM and e-couch. 

Help us to continue to make a difference

NIMHR has developed new ways of preventing mental illness and tackling suicide. They are the pioneers in the development and evaluation of online therapy programs. To date more than 1 million users from over 222 countries around the world have accessed their online self-help programs. This support is provided free of charge. NIMHR develop programs for reducing stigma and increasing awareness of mental illness in the community. They also work in partnership with consumers and carers with personal experience of mental illness to ensure the right research questions are asked.

Please help NIMHR to make a real difference to individuals and the community by making a donation on the ANU Day of Giving.