Black Dog to train school counsellors.

The Black Dog Institute has developed a new training program to help school counsellors understand, identify and assist in the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder among students. Associate Professor Vijaya Manicavasagar, director of psychological services at the Black Dog Institute, said that approximately 3% of children aged 12 years and under, and approximately 9% of 13-19-year-olds, experienced depression. 'School counsellors are really at the forefront in seeing kids in distress,' she said. The training program has recently been run for counsellors in Sydney, Penrith and Newcastle (Sun Herald, 20/8/06, p.32).