Southside Uniting Church is hosting a speaker from Black Dog Institute to talk to their congregation and other interested community members about the signs, symptoms and treatment of mental illness.

Jill Morphett, member of the church council, said one of their number saw the need in the city, with people unable to cope with increasingly problematic mental health issues.

"He said, wouldn't it be great to host an information session with the Black Dog? And we thought, yes it would be," Ms Morphett explained.

"They knew of people suffering from mental health issues, depression, and or had family who were struggling to cope and were having difficulties in managing their problems."

Speaker Elliot Waters is coming on Saturday to speak at 2pm.

Being the first event held of its kind for the church, it will be a pilot to ascertain interest in the community, and the church council is open to organising more talks at different times to accommodate those who couldn't make it.

"The congregations has been terribly supportive, and I think a lot of them are coming along to get information for themselves too," she said.

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The free session at the church, and afternoon tea, is called 'Breaking Down Depression', where Mr Waters will share his lived experience with mental health.

He will cover causes, signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder, when and where to seek help, with practical management strategies.

Call 6765 3714 for more information or click here.