The public, not-for-profit, event is scheduled to be conducted at the Upper Hunter Shire Council Administration Building, between 10am and noon, on Wednesday, August 2.

“One in 10 Australians will suffer from depression at some stage throughout their lives,” convener Robert Thurgood said.

“It is significantly different from mere unhappiness or sadness; it is a pervasive and relentless sense of despair and there is usually a combination of physical and psychological symptoms involved.

“Stigma and isolation are not uncommon for citizens with a mental health condition.”

Mr Thurgood said the conference had numerous aims.

“We’re hoping to encourage local shire councils to increase their public communication about Mental Health Social Support issues, as well as maintain a formal – or informal – taskforce to enhance acceptance of people with such conditions in the community,” he explained.

“We’ll also provide a presentation on the subject of depressive illnesses, with a question and answer session, and discuss the recommendations made at our first conference back in February.

“We’d like to set up a support network for adults with a mental health condition in the Upper Hunter, possibly a ‘buddy system’ and talk about how groups, such as men’s sheds, achieve this.

“Of course, there’ll be more things to deliberate.”

Book your attendance to Robert Thurgood on 6545 2201 or at 124 St Aubins Street by 4pm on Tuesday, August 1.