MELBOURNE - Online interactive site and 24-hour service depressioNet.com.au (dNet) avoided closure Friday night after a
tough day of negotiations with the federal government.
In an 11th hour rescue, at the end of Mental Health Week, the Dept. of Health and Ageing confirmed it will provide
financial support of $900,000 to dNet so it can continue delivering core services over the next three years.
"The board of depressioNet has conditionally accepted this offer, based upon our ability to raise additional operating
funds from alternative sources," says Sarah Cornally, chairperson of the depressioNet board.
For the past week politicians, newspapers, radio and television stations were bombarded with cries for assistance
by ‘dNetters’, healthcare professionals and a host of other supporters nationwide.
dNet had asked the Dept. for $1.2 million over three years.
The $900,000 will allow the services to remain open, while it seeks additional support from each State's health
departments. dNet will continue to accept offers of support and tax deductible donations from the community.
The not-for-profit dNet serves 200,000 people annually, while operating on a shoestring budget contributed by sponsors,
‘dNetters,’ private donations and funding from the government.
"We are thrilled the Dept. of Health and Ageing is supporting depressioNet," says Cornally.
"Alan Jones of 2GB, the media and our colleagues in the health industry and other supporters have all been
pivotal in assisting us raise awareness about the plight of people living with depression in our communities.
On behalf of all dNetters, the board sends out a loud and heartfelt thank you."
"Now we just need the state governments to step up to the plate with assistance for depressioNet," she says.
Donations to depressioNet are Tax Deductible and can be made online at
http://www.depressioNet.com.au/donate.html.
