Everyday Australians

Transcript writer, swimmer & youth volunteer continuing her recovery from depression, SYDNEY In 2007, after starting her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and while in a difficult relationship, Emma, then 21, Sydney, often felt down or sad.   Over the ensuing 18 months, her negative emotions continued to escalate. After leaving her partner in March…

Former geneticist, high school teacher & mother-to-five living with depression, ADELAIDE Former geneticist, high school teacher and mother-to-five, Catherine, 38, Adelaide, describes depression as something that saps her enthusiasm for anything that brings enjoyment to her life. At 21, Catherine got engaged and landed the perfect job. On paper, her life seemed to be going…

Full-time forensic science student & musician living with depression, MELBOURNE Full-time forensic science student and musician, Kayla, 19, Melbourne was diagnosed with depression at 14 years of age following a medical issue that significantly compromised her health and wellbeing. The illness took a great toll on Kayla’s daily life, affecting her mood, preventing her from…

Single mother, childcare teacher & student living with depression, PERTH Single mother, childcare teacher and student, Katy, 29 from Lakelands, Perth, was tormented by mental health issues during adolescence. In 2011, she attempted to take her own life – a terrible incident that threw Katy into the arms of professional help. Subsequently diagnosed with depression…

Former probation officer & now author, life coach & reiki teacher in recovery from depression, PERTH In April 2010, while working as a probation officer in London, Carly, then 29, slipped a disc in her back, which rendered her at home, unable to work or exercise. Prior to her injury, Carly had used exercise as…

Actress studying stage management & keen traveller recovering from depression, ADELAIDE In 2007, Clare, then aged 16, Adelaide, broke down in tears in a singing lesson during the final year of her International Baccalaureate (IB). For some time, Clare had been struggling with feelings of hopelessness and restlessness, but mistakenly assumed this was due to…

Married mother-of-three working to overcome her second episode of depression, CANBERRA In 2007, Jennifer, then aged 22, Canberra, was studying at university when she experienced her first episode of depression. Jennifer began to withdraw from her studies and friends. She had trouble sleeping, and was often unable to get out of bed. She missed day after…

Horse rider, mother-of-two & PhD student recovered from depression, CANBERRA After immigrating from Scandinavia to Australia with her family at 12 years of age, Angelika, now 37, Canberra, experienced difficulty settling in. Over a period of three years, her feelings of homesickness compounded, and at 15 years of age, she began to regularly feel “down.”…

Married mother of two recovering from depression, BRISBANE Jodie, 45, Brisbane, is a happily married mother to two teenage girls who have special needs. She has battled depression since the age of 36, which she is managing with the assistance of medication. Following a traumatic and arduous battle with blood cancer in 2006, Jodie was…